J48 THE SCOTTISH ANGLER. 



Ore. These are all of the same character, level and 

 rich bottomed ; the two latter containing pike and perch 

 in considerable numbers, with a few heavy trout to be 

 taken most readily during an east wind, and sprinkling 

 of rain. A large red fly we found our best lure, but 

 minnows may be used with great success. Sea trout 

 are to be caught at the mouth of the Leven, during 

 spring and autumn. The few small lochs situated in 

 Fifeshire produce pike and other dead-water fish. In 

 a burn running from Kilconquhar Loch, near the vil- 

 lage of Elie, we have killed good trout. 



KINROSS-SHIRE. 



The far-famed Loch Leven lies in this county. It 

 belongs to various proprietors, and is let to a tacksman, 

 by whom, during the open season, it is daily netted. 

 A consideration will give strangers the privilege of 

 angling in it. The trout are of several varieties, ge- 

 nerally red, and many of them large. They rise badly 

 at a fly, but may be taken with the minnow and troll- 

 ing line. The North and South Quaichs and the Gair- 

 ney run into this loch, which waters abound in small 

 fish ; the loch trout also ascend them, during the Sep- 

 tember and October months, for the purpose of spawn- 

 ing ; lobworms are a good bait at that season. The 

 fishings on Loch Leven are said to have been greatly 

 injured by the late drainings carried into operation 

 over the shallow part of its surface. It is perfectly 

 natural they should be so. The abstraction of the best 

 feeding-grounds must evidently injure the quality, re- 

 duce the size, and diminish the numbers of the fish. 

 In a very short period this celebrated trout-preserve 

 will become entirely worthless. Kinross-shire seems 

 a dull tame-looking shire, and, exqept Loch Leven 

 Castle, contains no place of any interest. Pike and 



