While the district affords a wide field for the research of the botanist and geologist, there is a class of our readers who seek recreation in other pastimes, and it is only fitting that a word or two should be devoted to their interests.

Some years since, by the munificence of Sir James Colquhoun and several gentlemen resident in Helens-burgh, several acres of ground were set apart in the east end of Helensburgh as play-ground. A charter to the land was granted to the magistrates, and it has been enclosed and laid off for cricket, quoits, and kindred games. It is much frequented in the summer season. It is open to all without charge, and the habitual players have formed various clubs, admission to any of which can be obtained on the easiest terms. We have as yet no distinguished cricketers, the game having been but recently introduced; but the enthusiasm and zeal with which it is followed encourages a hope that a year or two hence some of the players will be able to distinguish themselves in friendly competition with older clubs.

The want of a good bowling-green was long a drawback to the cultivation of social and friendly intercourse amongst the gentlemen of the neighbourhood, which only the public newsroom partially prevented total extinction of. By the indefatigable efforts of ex-Provost Drysdale and a few others, a grant of land was obtained, and at very great expense two admirable greens formed last year. They are under the management of a club formed of subscribers. The greens are situated adjacent to the Luss road, on the rising ground, and surrounded by shrubbery, and are a favourite promenade in the summer season. To the attraction of the game, bands of instrumental music are sometimes added, when the grounds are frequented by a very animated and gay assemblage of the fair sex. The greens, although constructed of a size which was supposed would prove adequate to the wants of the community for many years, have been found much too small, and their enlargement has been already decided on.

Nor do the votaries of the “roaring game” lack a field for their wintry sport. There has been a curlers’ club, including several crack players, in existence for many years. In very hard frost the mill-dams and Lochlomond itself are in requisition for a rink or two, but the club possess a good pond adjacent to the public park, which a night’s frost generally suffices to produce sufficient surface of ice on to afford a game. For several weeks at a time during winter there is often continuous playing on it.

Game is usually preserved throughout the district, and consequently it is abundant. The lower grounds contain hares, pheasant, and partridge; grouse and black game on the hills, and roe-deer in the woods are common. The shootings are to some extent let in the neighbourhood, but most of the proprietors reserve them in their own hands. There is a class of sportsmen, however, who devote their attention to wild duck and sea-fowl shooting, for which there is a fair field in the neighbourhood. At the approach of winter flocks of golden plover (Charadrius pluvialis), redshank, pewit, sandpiper, curlew (Numenius arquata), and other birds of the class of waders, leave the hills and collect on the sands about Ardmore and Cardross. Later, the mallard duck (Anas boschas), widgeon (Mareca penelope), and teal appear in order, and occasional flocks of barnacle, or brent goose, from their Norwegian homes, alight upon the shores. The ducks and geese feed chiefly during day on the marine grasses with which the long sandbanks are clad, and at night in the adjacent fields. There is also another species of duck, of which vast flocks sometimes appear in very intense frost, the Harelda glacialis, black on the back or chocolate coloured, and the rest of a dusky white or gray. It appears, however, to feed a good deal on fish, and is not esteemed of much culinary value, although probably affording in its pursuit as much sport as the other varieties. Wild geese used to visit the district, but of late years very few of them have been seen. Indeed, within the last twenty or thirty years, there has been a rapid and very decided diminution of the numbers of wild fowl on these shores; and many who earned a comfortable livelihood by shooting them during winter have been obliged to give up the calling. Various causes may contribute to this, but chiefly, we suspect, the increased traffic on the river and shores, and disturbance to which the birds are subjected on their feeding grounds, so that they no longer lead that life of seclusion and quiet here which in other less busy regions it is possible they may enjoy. Still, wild-duck shooting is a common and popular pursuit in the winter months, on this part of the river and amongst its bays. There are numerous parties who earn a livelihood by it. We have heard of one man killing, in the course of a winter, ducks to the value of £80; and not uncommonly the proceeds of a season amount to more than half that sum. It is by no means an easy task to obtain a shot at a flight of duck, and requires a more thorough knowledge of the habits of this wary bird than seems at first necessary. The sportsman must make up his mind to fatigue, cold, and repeated disappointment if he would earn success. There are two methods of following them generally employed, which we will attempt to describe. The first is by sailing boat. A bright day with a smart breeze blowing is preferred. Armed with guns of larger calibre than are generally used on the moor, and using No. 1 shot, or B.B., the sportsman endeavours to manage his boat so as to keep the sun betwixt him and the birds. The light thus prevents his approach being noticed so early as it would be were it behind him, and a sailing craft glides much more noiselessly and rapidly clown upon the object than under oars. If he can get within ninety yards of the flock, success is almost certain. A few outer birds rise first, the others are alarmed and swimming rapidly off, turning their heads every way, apparently planning the best mode of escape from danger; suddenly a rustle of a multitude of wings, a rush of water, and the whole are under flight. Now is the moment. Fairly risen from the water, with outspread pinions, the gunner draws upon them once or twice, as their distance may admit, and a successful shot shews half a dozen of them dropping with a helpless flap into their native element. The slain are immediately picked up and chase given to those only wounded, who oftentimes are difficult to recover, and afford a long hunt before all are captured. If not carefully watched from the very first, they disperse about by swimming and diving in various directions, and the pursuit soon becomes utterly hopeless. Few things require more careful watching than a wounded duck in the water.

The other, and perhaps more successful, mode of duck shooting is followed by moonlight, at low tide, upon those banks where the birds feed. When the moon is full, or nearly so, with a gray sky overhead, the sport may be pursued with some prospect of success, varying, of course, according to the knowledge and practice of the shooter. A blue sky is quite unsuitable, as, however near the birds may be, you cannot see them with the distinctness necessary to a fair shot. The mode of proceeding is thus:—On arriving at the bank, the shooter selects a stone in a likely spot—the drier the more comfortable—squats down upon it, and invokes patience to his aid. If the ducks are in migratory mood which they are not always—his reverie will be soon broken, and his congealing blood startled into circulation by the whistling of the teal, or melodious quack of the mallard approaching him. Cocking his gun, and rapidly scanning the horizon, his eye catches sight of the birds. If they are only within doubtful range, an old hand will let them pass without risking a shot, knowing that, in all probability, they may return again more closely to him. If a fair shot offers, the birds are allowed to pass beyond the sitter, who should on no account fire at advancing birds, as the chances against his killing any of them, no matter how near, are twenty to one. Once past, however, he selects a bird from the centre of the group, and fires. If they are anything compact, three, four, or five birds may fall. Now is the value of a good dog known. If the shooter rises to collect his birds, he will get the slain, but may have a weary and difficult chase after the wounded, and probably lose some of them in the dark. What is perhaps worse, the time he is dancing about he is scaring other flights of birds, and losing chances he may never again have. The rule seems to be, never to let him rise from his seat if he can avoid it, and a dog saves any necessity for running after wounded birds; but if he have none, let him regain his post as soon as possible. If the night is favour-able, the sport may be pursued as long as the shooter can endure the cold and the tide admits. When once the water flows to his knees it is time for him, at all hazards, to take himself off, and seek the shortest road to land.

We have already alluded to the deep-sea fishing of the neighbourhood. It of course takes precedence, being followed not only as a recreation, but as a business by a considerable number of the population. To many anglers sea-fishing is the only form of angling they are devoted to or desire to follow; and sea-fishing, although despised by notaries of the higher branches of the sport, is by no means a contemptible amusement. Boats and lines are easily procurable; for bait the log worm, hairy worm found in the sand at low tide, mussels and other shellfish, are used. The great secret of success rests not on the skill of the fisher so much as in a knowledge of the haunts of the fish at particular stages of the tide and in particular seasons. The only advice we can give on this head is, get a boatman who is practically a fisherman, or take one acquainted with the ground with you. Sea fish of all kinds have of late years been uncertain in their supply. There is neither the quantity nor varieties found that used to exist on these shores. To trawling on the banks during the spawning seasons, which has of late been greatly on the increase, has been generally attributed the extinction and disappearance of fish. But of cod, whiting, flounder, and lythe there is a fair supply; and very abundant during the spring and autumn months, particularly among the shallow currents of the loch, is the sethe, a coarse-grained greenish-complexioned fish. Of these, great quantities are caught in the bays and about the currents at Roseneath ferry, in the evenings and mornings, with a bit of white feather dressed on a hook after the similitude of a fly. A bunch of hazel rods, numbering from ten to twenty, are projected from the stern of a small noble; beside them sits the fisher, while another rows the boat over such ground as sport is expected from. The fish play a good deal on the surface, and thus serve to guide the sportsmen to the proper ground. The boat has thus the appearance of an animated spider, of unusual dimensions, traversing the water in eccentric courses. The fish are dragged in sans ceremonie as soon as possible when hooked; the only interest in the proceeding arises apparently from the quantity caught. They are generally about the size of small herrings, though much larger specimens, sometimes weighing eight or nine pounds, are often killed; but these patriarchs are seldom tricked by a feather—they require more substantial fare. During the greater part of the year there is a considerable sprinkling of sea-trout and salmon to be found all along the shores of the loch. In some places they may be found with more certainty than at others, but in general they haunt the creeks and shore currents throughout it. They are never found in deep water, but seem to prefer it of a range from two to seven or eight feet. Probably the small streams and springs that abound on the margin of the loch, conveying food to them, lead them to haunt the shallows chiefly. In the early part of the season, during February and March, they are often caught on shore-lines baited with the common earthworm or sand-worm, for then the trout, recently descended from the fresh water after spawning, enjoys a voracious appetite, and refuses almost nothing at all edible. Later in the season they become more fastidious in their choice of food, and refuse such vulgar fare. The favourite, and, indeed, almost only approved mode of trout fishing in Gareloch, is by trolling from a boat. The baits used are the sand-eel, minnow, and sprat. Indeed, any kind of small fish, if at all clear in the colours, is suitable. When there is a stiff breeze, from fifteen to twenty yards of line is sufficient; but if the day be quiet, double this quantity is not too much; the further you are from your bait the more chance of success. A stiffish rod and plenty of line are necessary, as the sea-trout, if anything large, fights fiercely after being hooked. In general, it is a bad plan to land from the boat after hooking a fish, as you are almost sure to lose him amongst the tangle in shallow water; keep him rather in deep water, if possible, and be sure to have a landing net or gaff with you; either of these is absolutely indispensable. The trout caught in the loch ranges from half a pound to six pounds and sometimes heavier. On a good day from six to twelve are sometimes taken by a single rod; at other times the temper, patience, and resources of Piscator may be severely put to the test by not a single bite rewarding his diligence. It is said that the modern Yankee invention, the spoon bait, has proved very attractive during the past season or two. One or two Helensburgh anglers are reported to have done great execution with it, but we cannot personally vouch for its efficiency, never having tried it, and would be rather indisposed to forsake the minnow for any modern invention. If you wish to enjoy a day’s sport, your best plan is to engage some one of the regular fishermen on the loch, to all of whom the best spots are well known, and on whose candour you can safely rely. The sea-trout, notwithstanding the doubts which have been expressed on the subject, will also rise at a fly on salt water. Whether they accept it as a fly or some marine bait we cannot determine, but can vouch to their being frequently taken by a large fly of gaudy complexion.

Almost all the streams and brooks in the neighbourhood contain trout. As the streams are small, however, their inhabitants seldom attain a respectable size, and only in the larger burns are worth the angler’s attention. Beginning with fresh-water fishing—

Lochlomond commands our first notice. It is easily accessible from Helensburgh, and contains not only plenty of fish, but a great variety of them. Salmon, sea-trout, brown-trout, perch, roach, pike, and a peculiar fish called powan, a species of herring, abound in its waters. The fishing is held by a Club, who have bought up the salmon fishings on the rivers Leven and Clyde, in order to allow free access of these fish to the loch. The right to angle on the loch and its tributaries is obtained by purchase of annual tickets. There are plenty of experienced boatmen to be had at Luss well acquainted with the best parts of the loch. Although the fish are abundant, the loch, from its extent and variety of ground feeding, affords uncertain sport. It is the fairest and most fickle of all Scotch lakes. Sometimes a very unpromising day is crowned with success; at other times a succession of promising days to the angler’s eye end in weariness and vexation. The months of April, May, and latter part of August and September, are reckoned best. The flies used are infinite in variety, but the experienced on this lake seem to restrict themselves to three or four, regulating the size according to state of the weather, &c.

1. Green Drake.—Body yellow mohair; peacock’s therl-head, ribbed with tinsel; legs red, or ginger hackle; wing mottled mallard or teal.
2. Black Palmer.—Ribbed with silver twist on body of ostrich feather; tail, yellow silk.
3. Stone Fly.—Body of hare’s ear, mixed with yellow and brown mohair, yellow towards the tail; wings, dark feather of teal drake, mixed with blue jay feather.
4. M‘Niven’s Favourite.—Body reddish purple or mauve mohair, ribbed with white tinsel; red or black hackle and light turkey feather, wings.
5. Smith’s Fly.—Body dark-blue, red and yellow mohair, yellow towards the tail; black hackle wings; teal drake or pheasant’s tail.
6. Dark Fly.—Body black silk, ribbed with tinsel, and over with black hackle; wing, light turkey cock; tail, strand of speckled feathers.
7. Brown Fly.—Body, red mohair and red hackle; wing, teal drake,
   speckled.

These should be dressed on pretty large hooks. There are other popular flies used. An acquaintance with the loch will soon put the angler in possession of their qualities and appearance.

It has been matter of surprise that the Club have not introduced char and greyling into the loch; they could easily be imported, and would thrive rapidly in it.

The perch and pike fishing of the loch are very good, and not so precarious as the trout. Since the removal of the salmon nets, perch have increased very much, and may be found throughout almost all its waters.

The tributaries of the loch are the Endrick, Falloch, Luss, Douglas, and Glen Fruin waters. The Endrick is largest of these. It is easily accessible by railway, but, save late in the season, when the sea-trout ascend it, is almost worthless as a fishing stream. It has a traditionary excellence, but the trout seem to have been almost extirpated by night-poaching and netting. Of the other streams, the Falloch is the best, and Luss Water next in order. The native trout in these streams are abundant, but not large. In autumn, considerable numbers of sea-trout are found in them. The flies used are chiefly dark, with a lightish wing, small size for river-trout; for sea-trout, yellow or red on No. 4 or 5 hook. Bait-fishing is prohibited by the rules of the Club, though apparently without any very good reason, as the verdict of most of the angling patriarchs frequenting these streams is, that the fish do not readily take the bait, save in very heavy floods.

All these streams may be easily reached in an hour or two by rail or steamer, and most of them are within easy walking range.
There is also a small loch above Rahane, on the Gareloch, in which perch are very abundant.

These embrace the chief fishing localities in the district, and it will be hard if some of them do not yield to the visitor a fair amount of sport. If in haunting the loch’s reedy shores, or the dawing, hurrying streams of the brook, and listening to their melody, and breathing the pure exhilarating mountain air, you will be content even with a light pannier if you secure a share of the good gifts old Izaak endows angling with: “Indeed, my friend, you will find angling to be like the virtue of humility, which has a calmness of spirit and a world of other blessings attending upon it.”