THE NAVER 263 



tion, its rocks torn asunder and the whole then smothered in 

 sand. 



About 4| miles down the river from the loch, the old shooting 

 lodge of Dalvina stands on the right-hand side. This at one 

 time was the only lodge on the Naver, and with it went not only 

 a wide extent of country but the fishing in the whole river. 

 Now, the river, like the Helmsdale, is divided into six beats. 

 Dalvina is no longer occupied by a sporting tenant. The 

 modern wish, or need, for more commodious, not to say 

 luxurious, lodges has brought about the change. Opposite 

 Dalvina, Syre Lodge stands, with Langdale Lodge, a short 

 distance further along and higher up the slope. No fishing 

 goes with Langdale, however. 



Between Syre and Rhifail Lodge, about four miles lower 

 down on the right bank, the gravel banks and pools are of 

 beautiful character. Some of the pools are perhaps a trifle 

 uniform in character, but always fine water for the fly. The 

 gravel from a spawning point of view is ideal. A good deal of 

 the spawning is also carried on above Loch Naver in the Mudale 

 and its head streams. In 1903 the best days at Syre for one 

 rod were eight fish, seven fish, six fish, and two days with five 

 fish. Since that date I believe the yield has not been so 

 good. 



It is below Rhifail that the sand begins to make its appear- 

 ance. Here the banks of the river have in many places been 

 supported or protected by barricades, and the river winds 

 about a good deal in its more level course. Skelpick Lodge, 

 which is also on the right bank and about equidistant between 

 Rhifail and the mouth, has in its vicinity some good boulder- 

 strewn pools, but just below that lodge the character of the 

 pools becomes again most uniform and at the same time some- 

 what flat and shallow. This part of the river almost reminds 

 one of the lower Thurso, but the surrounding country is much 

 more pleasing to the eye. From 120 to 160 salmon are expected 

 at Skelpick. Before a couple of miles is passed, however, the 

 gradient of the river increases slightly, and some beautiful 

 running streams and pools occur before the tidal water is 

 reached. Many parts of Strath Naver are very beautiful 

 owing to the birch and fir with which the lower slopes are 

 clothed. The surrounding hills are not high or bold in outline, 



