154 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



and can what they can't," although the Fraser River is now 

 suffering seriously from excessive netting. I have not myself 

 seen the water stiff with fish either in the Fraser River or the 

 Fiddick. I once asked a most reliable and venerable friend 

 who had just visited the Pacific coast, if the account one heard 

 of the number of salmon in the Fraser River could be true. " I 

 don't know what you've heard," he replied, " but it's true." 

 Of the fishings mentioned between Castle Grant and the 

 mouth of the river and extending over about 40 miles of water 

 there are only six proprietors. The Seafield estates have the 

 longest mileage, viz. 15 miles of both banks, besides 7 more 

 on the left bank and 2 on the right ; in other words, 39 

 miles of river bank counting on each side. This includes the 

 private water of Castle Grant, Revack, Tulchan, Easter Elchies, 

 Rothes and Delfur. The estate of Ballindalloch includes 

 Pitcroy and is the property of Sir George Macpherson Grant. 

 Knockando, Laggan, and Carron belong to J. W. H. Grant 

 of Western Elchies. Aberlour is the property of J. R. Findlay 

 and is on the right bank as far as the railway bridge at 

 Craigellachie. Arndilly belongs to Mrs. Kinloch Grant, and 

 Aikenway, with its fifteen fine casts, to W. G. Stewart Menzies. 

 The remainder of the river is fished by the Duke of Richmond 

 and Gordon. There are about 9 miles, including Orton 

 and Gordon Castle waters, and this section is without doubt the 

 most productive in the whole river. Before netting in the 

 Gordon Castle water was reduced, and part let to a syndicate, 

 as many as ten to twelve rods could be sent out at a time. 

 The angling only commenced about 1st September, when the 

 netting ceased, and continued till 15th October ; but as many 

 as 70 fish are reported as having been landed in one day. 

 Mr. Augustus Grimble in his book l gives a few returns of this 

 fishing which perhaps I may be allowed to quote. They relate 

 to the period referred to, and represent a month and a half's 

 fishing each year : 



1890 .... 452 



1891 .... 889 



1892 .... 950 



1893 .... 705 



1894 . , 813 



1895 .... 696 



1896 .... 583 



1897 .... 495 



1898 .... 426 



1899 . 445 



1 The Salmon Rivers oj Scotland, ii., p. 197. 



