20 ANGLING SKETCHES 



had, so to speak, the whole of lower Ettrick at his 

 back when he waded ; it was a long way up 

 stream to the bank, and, as we never used landing- 

 nets then, we naturally lost a great many trout in 

 trying to unhook them in mid water. They only 

 averaged as a rule from three to two to the pound, 

 but they were strong and lively. In this pool 

 there was a large tawny, table-shaped stone, over 

 which the current broke. Out of the eddy behind 

 this stone, one of my brothers one day caught 

 three trout weighing over seven pounds, a feat 

 which nowadays sounds quite incredible. As soon 

 as the desirable eddy was empty, another trout, 

 a trifle smaller than the former, seems to have 

 occupied it. The next mile and a half, from 

 Lindean to the junction with Tweed, was remark- 

 able for excellent sport. In the last pool of 

 Ettrick, the water flowed by a steep bank, and, 

 if }'ou cast almost on to the further side, you 

 were perfectly safe to get fish, even when the river 

 was very low. The flies used, three on a cast, 

 were small and dusky, hare's ear and woodcock 

 wing, black palmers, or, as Stoddart sings. 



