202 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



which have passed their grilse stage in the sea, fish rising four 

 years old and 8 to 10 Ib. in weight. Examples of the large 

 class of spring fish, 15 to 20 Ib., are comparatively rare, so that 

 the 22 Ib. fish marked in the Beauly and recaptured in the Ness 

 was exceptional. It is quite possible, therefore, as already 

 stated, that this fish belonged to the Ness, and had run up the 

 Beauly before finding its proper river. 



The total number of fish taken by rod in the Beauly is usually 

 estimated by the estate as being from 800 to 1,000, but in 1908 

 this was considerably exceeded if sea-trout are included, as 

 over 900 sea-trout were taken in the tidal pools alone a quite 

 unprecedented number and 364, I believe, in the Home and 

 Falls beats. Including Downie and the Home and Falls, the 

 total reported take is 208 salmon and grilse, weighing l,666lb., 

 and 428 sea-trout, weighing 436 Ib. 



In April, May, June, July, and August, the Home and Falls 

 beats were let in 1908. In February and March an occasional 

 rod fished from Beaufort Castle, and in September and the 

 available half of October fishing was also carried on from the 

 Castle. The results for this year were given in The Field, 1 

 and are of interest as showing the value of the various months. 

 I also have a record of salmon and grilse taken in 1907, which I 

 may also add. 2 



From The Field report as to 1908, the lodges further up the 

 river seem to have secured 314 salmon and grilse and 76 sea- 

 trout, making a total for the season of 1,887. This is not far 

 short of double the number usually estimated. Now 1908 



1 A. Ross, Oct. 23rd, 1908. 2 Fishing Gazette, October 26th, 1907. 



