THE LEVEN OF LOCH LEVEN 147 



Although so short, the Leven abounds in fine pools, of which 

 there are seven above tide mark, the best of them being — 

 < -J, The Upper — one of the most certain, which requires a long 

 line to fish it well ; the tail is very rough water, in which a hooked 

 fish must be carefully and judiciously handled. 



The pool Below the Bridge is a slower running one, and is 

 fished from both banks, and on the whole is the best on the river. 



h^The Flatt and the Corner are close together, the last-named 

 being a favourite grilse cast, while the former, a very good pool, 

 wants a long line and has a lot of eddy in it. 



The Long Pool is a rough-running one, in which the fish he 

 close in to the side under the birch trees, and makes a pretty bit 

 of angling. 



The Blasted Pool, even when in the best order, is a disappointing 

 one considering its appearance ; it is easily fished, and at times 

 holds a good few sea trout. 



The Island Pool is altered a good deal with the floods of each 

 winter, and of late years more so than usual, and fish lie in it less 

 than formerly ; it is, however, always a good sea trout cast. 



In putting together these notes on this pretty river, which 

 it must be mentioned is strictly preserved, I have had the advantage 

 of the eleven years' experience of Sir John Gilmour of Montrave ; 

 while to the good and artistic photography of Lady Gilmour I am 

 indebted for the illustrations. 



Like the other rivers of the West Coast, fish are not so plentiful 

 as they were in 1870 to 1875, in which last-named year my friend 

 Mr. George Brewis got nine fish in one day, five on the next, and 

 other three on the third day. 



At the present time the Leven, with Glencoe and Black Corries, 

 is the property of Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal. 



