126 THE SCOTTISH ANGLER. 



pened, by good fortune, to hit upon an immense fish, 

 weighing about forty-two pounds, immediately above 

 Yair Bridge, and captured him, after a severe struggle. 

 This feat he makes no mention of in his Salmonia, al- 

 though, certainly, worthy of some notice. Few fish 

 above twenty pounds' weight are ever taken in Tweed; 

 and yet we believe the salmon of this river are generally 

 as large as the Tay fish, and much more so than those 

 of our other rivers. 



The best craftsmen in Scotland are perhaps to be 

 found among the lower orders, despite of their clumsy 

 rods and rough tackle. We have met with such as 

 were loading their creels at every throw, and yet seem- 

 ingly without effort or science. In fact, the best proof 

 of a good angler is his ability to conceal his skill. An 

 indifferent-looking fisher often proves better than one 

 who is all method and nicety, and wishes to let you 

 know it. Our custom, when a brother angler heaves 

 alongside, is to act our worst, and so prevent him from 

 spoiling the water out of spite, which he is very apt to 

 do, for the benefit of one he considers more skilful 

 than himself. 



And here we would advise, among other things, al- 

 ways to give the precedence to him who seems deter- 

 mined to take it from you, by his rapid advances towards 

 the pools you are engaged on ; for, be assured, he is at 

 once vulgar, ignorant, selfish, and upstart, and demands 

 only your silent contempt. Even rustic anglers respect 

 the rights of those before them, and consider it unlucky 

 to pass each other, unless from necessity, or mutual 

 understanding. Never refuse to show another the 

 contents of your creel, should he ask you ; but do not 

 blazon them abroad to every one you meet, for vaunters 

 gain no respect by their readiness to chagrin others. 

 If you can help a brother angler in a difficulty, do it, 



