THE NITH 413 



to a vanishing point at the opposite or right bank. The blasting of 

 the fall at the left side would naturally result in a greater concentra- 

 tion of water there, and operations would have to be continued 

 upwards and across the stream towards the low part of the weir at 

 or near the right bank. 



About a couple of miles below the mouth of the next tributary, 

 at Barjarg, a famous poacher named Jock Wallace landed a fish of 

 67 Ib. in 1812. It was hooked about eight in the morning and 

 landed at six in the evening, by which time, it is reported, only two 

 strands of Jock's hair line held the fish. It was taken to Barjarg 

 Tower and weighed, and a certificate was given signed by witnesses. 

 This fish has been referred to as the heaviest rod-caught fish of 

 Scotland. 



The next tributary, as we ascend the main river, is the Scaur. It 

 has a course of about seventeen miles and a direction roughly 

 parallel to the Cairn. The road from Moniaive to Thornhill crosses 

 it near Penpont. The Scaur Water is one of the tributaries posses- 

 sing most excellent spawning grounds, which can be but little used 

 by salmon. A perpendicular dam of wood is erected on a natural 

 projection of rocks. There is some modification of the rocks in 

 order to facilitate the ascent of fish, but the pass, such as it is, does 

 not, I believe, conform to the regulations and is but a poor one. 

 About a mile further up two waterfalls occur. They are about fifty 

 yards apart and the upper is about six feet high. 



It would be wearisome to refer in detail to the dam dykes of 

 other tributaries. The recognised method of forming these structures 

 in this District is apparently by the erection of a perpendicular 

 barrier of wood. With the exception of the Dumfries Caul, the 

 comparatively low structures on the Cluden, and the Crawick wool 

 mill dam now " passed," I think all the weirs are formidable, 

 almost perpendicular affairs, heart-breaking spectacles to the man 

 interested in the welfare of the salmon. 



The water from Thornhill for some miles upwards past Drumlanrig 

 Castle is generally regarded as the best part of the Nith. There is 

 fine running water with good and not too deep pools well suited for 

 fly fishing ; again, there are steep rocky stretches where the water is 

 rough. The banks are richly wooded in many parts, and the river 

 presents at every bend a prospect so pleasing to the eye of the 

 angler, that he cannot but regret it offers so little reward in the way 

 of sport. The high wooded bluffs are once more the glory of 

 Drumlanrig as one views this huge pile from the river. The hand 



