128 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



a circle of 300 yards radius, to be drawn from a centre placed mid- 

 channel in the river where it joins the sea at low- water, of equinoctial 

 spring tides, and continued shorewards by tangents to the circle 

 drawn to the nearest points of the shore of the respective sides of the 

 river at high-water mark, also of equinoctial spring tides." This is 

 one of those estuaries so denned, apparently, as to provide for a 

 shifting river mouth. I am not aware, however, that the Ythan 

 estuary has to be remeasured at regular intervals as the Bervie 

 estuary has to be, where, according as the little river has gone a few 

 yards this way or that, a stand of nets on a rocky point is thrown 

 out or put in. On a flat sandy shore, such as that of the Ythan, a 

 few yards makes little or no difference to the position of a net, so 

 long as it is placed in proper relation to the river mouth. 



The district of the river Ythan does not extend more than about 

 a couple of miles along the shore southwards, whereas the mouth of 

 the next river, the Don, is 10 miles distant. Since the Don netting 

 ceases on 26th August, there is a whole fortnight's difference in the 

 length of time the Ythan 's nets may fish. The Don fishers, who are 

 just alongside the most southerly Ythan nets, feel this to be rather a 

 grievance. It is, of course, only what occurs in several localities, 

 only here the difference is specially obvious. 



With regard to netting in the estuary, this has somewhat lessened 

 in recent years. Practically only one net is fished for about two 

 hours daily. This suits the rod fishers of the tidal waters, the 

 fishing of which is leased in part to the Udny Arms Hotel at New- 

 burgh. The Ythan is an excellent sea-trout river, and as this 

 salmonid favours an estuarial habit much more than the salmon 

 proper, the long tidal reach of the estuary forms a good rod fishery 

 for both adult trout and finnocks. The fishing is carried on from 

 boats, and from July to September inclusive the sea- trout are in 

 best condition. They vary in weight from 4 ounces to about 2J Ib. 

 and larger. Salmon are seldom fished for in the estuary, but a 

 basket of 10 Ib. of sea-trout is considered satisfactory by those who 

 know how to do well there. 



Fourteen miles of the river is held by Lord Aberdeen, who has 

 right of fishing on both banks. With his usual generosity, a most 

 liberal share of this water is made available to the public, though his 

 Lordship's tenants have the benefit of a cheaper rate. Eleven miles 

 are thrown open in this way, and a ticket for the whole season may 

 be secured for 20s., while single-day tickets are also issued at 2s. Gd. 1 



1 Apply C. G. Smith, Estate Office, Haddo House, Aberdeen. 



