THE RETREAT. 311 



sparkling streams, running for the most part over a bed 

 of variegated pebbles, but occasionally over trap rocks ; 

 and its waters are abundantly tenanted by fine medium- 

 sized trout, bright and beautiful in colour, and of excel- 

 lent flavour ; while the salmon, eriox, and whitling, in 

 its season, are constantly to be met with. The size of 

 this river is such as to be almost entirely commanded 

 by a single-handed fly-rod and a long line, hence the 

 sportsman can reach eveiy haunt of the fish, while there 

 is generally enough of water to enable him to pursue his 

 avocation at any time ; and the shores, flat, pebbly, 

 shelving, and free from wood and other encumbrances, 

 entitle it to be classed as an " A. 1 " fly-fishing stream ; 

 and here the minnow -spinner may also pursue his call- 

 ing with equal success, as most of the streams run 

 into eddying pools, peculiarly adapted for that kind of 

 fishing. 



Besides the above general description of the river, 

 there are one or two parts worthy of special notice. 

 Immediately below the Eetreat an angling seat of the 

 Earl of Wemyss built in a somewhat unique style the 

 river tumbles wildly over a tumultuous assemblage of 

 trap rocks for about half a mile. As the waters seethe, 

 and boil, and impetuously dash through this chaotic 

 mass of rocks, numerous eddying basins are formed, 

 which temptingly present themselves to the minnow- 

 spinner, if he has only courage enough to brave the risk 

 of getting peeled shins, if not a broken leg. 



A few miles below this, we arrive at a part of the 

 river called the " Strait Loup," where the whole of 

 the waters are hemmed in between perpendicular walls 



