CHAPTER LXIX 



THE RUEL AND THE ECKAIG, AND LOCH ECK 



These two pretty streams drain the Cowal ]ieninsula formed by 

 Loch Fyne on the west and Loch Long on the east. The Ruel, 

 which drains thirty-three square miles, unhke the Eckaig, lias no 

 loch to feed it, and rising in the parish of Kilmoden, it has a run 

 of thirteen miles before it falls into the salt water of Loch Ridden, 

 which opens into the Kyles of Bute, opposite the northern extremity 

 of the island. Colonel Burnley Campbell of Ormidale and Mr. 

 Harrison-Cripps of Glendaruel are the chief proprietors, the former 

 owning the lower water and the latter the upper. 



The river opens on the i6tli of February, the nets work till the 

 1st of September, and the rods fish on till the 31st of October. It 

 is a late river, and neither salmon nor sea trout run until about the 

 middle of June, while the cream of it is from the middle of July 

 to the end of the season. The river is well off for bridges, there 

 being stone ones at Bealach-an-draighionn, Dunans, and Clachan, 

 ■with various foot-bridges on the Glendaruel and Ormidale estates. 

 A sixteen-foot rod will cover the water, and no waders are 

 wanted. Most of the standard flies kill, medium-sized Jock 

 Scot, Butcher, Silver Doctor, and Brown Turkey being the 

 favourites, although at times minnow, worm, and prawn will be 

 more effective. 



There are plentj' of pools in the Ormidale water, which extends 

 for two miles on both banks, and a further mile on the right one. 

 Many of these pools have no names ; but Lynn-na-Cloich (the Bell 

 Pool), the Goose Pool, and Cuil-allinsionn are the three best. This 

 last named has been christened the " Collusion," partly for brevity 

 and partly for the comfort of Sassenach tongues. 



The river is well off in the matter of the netting arrangements, 

 for Colonel Campbell owns the right on the west side of Loch 

 Ridden, and wisely rents that on the east, so he is therefore always 

 in a position to ensure a good stock of fish to the Ruel whenever the 

 river is in order. Showery weather suits it best, though it runs 

 right for fully two days after a summer flood, while in September 

 and October there is usually quite enough rain to keep it going 

 almost daily. 



Sea trout average from i lb. up to 4 lb., and salmon and grilse 



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