SALMON-FISHING. 69 



ceedingly lively) showing excellent sport, requiring 

 considerable skill on the part of the fisherman in order 

 to land them safely out of the many rocky pools in 

 which in due season they literally abound. 



A portion of the Upper Dee is rented by Mr. 

 Macnab, of the Fife Arms, Braemar, who has the 

 exclusive right of fishing over seven miles of this 

 beautiful river. Visitors residing at the Fife Arms 

 are allowed to fish free of charge, and the right may 

 be obtained by others on payment by the rod or 

 month, according to arrangement. 



At the time of writing this (May 1st) I hear of 

 some wonderful sport on the Dee, two friends of 

 Colonel Farquharson having recently landed no less 

 than fourteen good salmon in one day. 



The Don is also another river in Aberdeenshire 

 that affords good sport, some very large salmon being 

 taken at times. An amusing account was given me 

 by Mr. Walker, Lord Petre's steward at Thorndon 

 Park, himself a Scotchman, who, when a boy of ten 

 years of age, saw a gentleman land a very heavy 

 salmon from the Don. Looking admiringly at this 

 monster of the deep, the gentleman said: "Would you 

 like to take that fish home to your mother ? " " Oh 

 yes, sir," he promptly replied; and, catching hold of 

 the salmon, he clasped it tight in his arms, and bent 

 his steps homewards. After going a few yards, the 

 salmon suddenly made such a vigorous movement that 

 the boy fell head over heels, dropping the fish. Again 

 and again he tried to carry off his prize, but each time 

 was overthrown, and, after his third essay, he started 

 off midst the laughter of those assembled, leaving the 

 much-coveted fish on the ground. 



