298 TILL TROUT TOO MANY FOR BUNGLERS. 



respective seasons. The dun, green, and gray drakes 

 are bred here in great abundance, and will be well taken 

 in a brisk wind during the time they last ; while the 

 small duns and blacks are general favourites at all 

 seasons, as also the hare's ear and pheasant, from March 

 to August. It is necessary in this river, where the fish are 

 more than ordinarily wary and suspicious, that the whole 

 of the lines and gut used should be of the most delicate 

 and gossamer proportions, consistent with adequate 

 strength ; and that the line must be cast with the 

 utmost lightness and delicacy, so as not to make the 

 slightest disturbance on the surface, otherwise the game 

 is up, and every fish within sight will be off to earth, in 

 something less than the twinkling of an eye as the 

 trout in this river are singularly expert at detecting the 

 most scientific attempts at dodgery that the most pro- 

 ficient adepts in the art of deception can devise. 



It may be well to state, that none but proficients need 

 try their hand in the Till It requires very fine fishing 

 indeed to command any success in this river ; and I 

 have seen some self-conceited persons, who imagined 

 that they were au fait in the art, because they could 

 manage to throw over their heads a few hungry and un- 

 suspecting fry from a mountain burn, cut a pitiful figure 

 indeed as they returned from the sulky Till, with rueful 

 countenances, wet clothes, and empty baskets. 



I must not omit to mention that an attendant with 

 a lancling-net will be almost indispensable on this river, 

 as, from the nature of the banks, and the delicacy of the 

 tackle (compared to the weight of the fish) the angler is 



