THE ALN. 285 



it has never since recovered from the calamity. Excel- 

 lent fishing might be had in most parts of the Aln, were 

 it not for the illiberal and niggardly spirit with which it 

 is preserved. But it is a dark night that has no star, 

 and I am happy to say that the general character of the 

 proprietors of this river is in somewhat redeemed by 

 the liberal-minded and excellent owner of the Broom- 

 park estate, Brian Burrell, Esq., who never refuses the 

 application of the legitimate angler for a day's fishing. 

 And we, in common with all our piscatorial brethren, 

 cordially wish that his waters may ever continue abun- 

 dantly stocked with fish, and that he may enjoy sport to 

 his heart's content for many a long year to come ; for he 

 deserves it. And I will here observe that a day's fish- 

 ing in his waters is worth the asking for ; and though 

 the numbers taken may be not so great as in some other 

 rivers, yet if the drop or trolling minnow is skilfully 

 used, the angler will find every fish he is fortunate 

 enough to get hold of worth the trouble of landing. 



Undoubtedly, the best method of fishing the deep 

 portions of this river above the mills, is, as I have 

 before said, with the drop-minnow ; but it is equally well 

 adapted for worm-fishing with the float ; when ground- 

 baiting, as previously directed, may even be called into 

 requisition to draw the fish together, if the angler wishes 

 to make the most of his time ; but the current is too still 

 for the successful use of the spinning minnow, and the 

 water too opaque for the fly, unless it is some very large 

 one, such as the green or grey drakes, which I have no 

 douLt might be successfully used, with a good breeze, 



