RECOLLECTIONS AND ADVICES. 125 



its competing members. This trial of skill and patience 

 commonly takes place about the end of April or the 

 beginning of May. The attendance, however, is sel- 

 dom numerous, and chiefly local. Edinburgh anglers 

 engaging in the contest, have of course very limited 

 advantages in many respects, compared with such as 

 are resident on the spot, and acquainted with every 

 pool in the river. The first medal given was gained 

 by Mr Thorburn, Juniper Bank, without very much 

 competition. On the following year, he was succeeded 

 by Colonel Macdonald, and after that by other anglers 

 of celebrity. The inconvenient time when this com- 

 petition takes place, renders it a matter of great indif- 

 ference to those distant from the scene of action. 



A salmon medal was likewise offered by the club, 

 but we believe only once contested. On that occa- 

 sion, unless we recollect wrongly, the Ettrick Shep- 

 herd carried off the prize, by killing the only salmon. 

 This fish, a large one, weighing twenty-seven pounds, 

 he captured almost without the assistance of his reel, 

 having unfortunately dropt its handle. By great good 

 chance, however, the fellow leapt out of the water in 

 his endeavours to escape from the hook, and fell upon 

 the bank. 



Some of the best Tweed salmon-fishers are found 

 below Melrose, about Kelso and Coldstream, where the 

 fish are more plentiful. During the month of March, 

 should it prove mild, and the river be clear of snow, a 

 good angler sometimes captures above a score, or even 

 two score, of salmon-kelts. As many, at certain times, 

 might probably be taken on some of our northern rivers. 

 These, however, especially such as run westward, yield 

 a greater sufficiency of sea trout and windings than 

 full-grown salmon. We have heard that when the 

 late Sir Humphry Davy angled in the Tweed, he hap- 



