280 SALMON FISHING 



been at work ; and that the number of fish caught 

 by rod and line in 1905 was 1330. The average 

 weight of the Helmsdale fish is 10J Ibs. ; that of 

 grilse, 4J Ibs. ; that of sea -trout, 1J Ibs. It is 

 difficult to prove the size of the largest fish known 

 to have been taken. Within recent years there have 

 been several of from 30 to 35 Ibs. The annual close 

 time for netting is from August 27 to February 10 ; 

 the annual close time for angling from October 1 to 

 January 10. 



Now we come to the main point. 



When the angling tenants decided to take off all 

 the nets they were faced with a problem. How 

 were they to deal with the fish with which the river 

 would be stocked ? As long as there was sufficient 

 water to enable the fish to get up to the large lochs 

 from which the river rises there would be no danger. 

 The lochs were of such size that they could not 

 easily be over-stocked ; but it was well known that 

 after April the river dwindled in dry seasons. The 

 water became so low that the fish could not ascend 

 any considerable distance, and it was impossible for 

 them to reach the lochs. What was to be done? 

 It was decided to build a dam capable of storing 

 sufficient water during the summer, and, by regulat- 

 ing the supply, to keep the river in order and enable 

 the fish to reach the lochs. The dam was thrown 

 across the outlet of Loch Badanloch. For two 

 years there was no definite result; but that was 

 for reasons unconnected with the dam itself. 

 Litigation had been threatened, and the dam could 



