THE SPEY 147 



dalloch includes Pitcroy and is the property of Sir John Macpherson 

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

 of Western Elchies. Aberlour is the property of J. E. 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 Eichmond and Gordon. There are about nine 

 miles, including Orton and Gordon Castle waters, and this section is 

 without doubt the most productive in the whole river. Before net- 

 ting 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 1 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 



With regard to actual numbers of fish caught by nets in the river 

 and on the coast, all at the Duke of Eichmond and Gordon's fishing 

 stations, Eussel of the Scotsman gives some interesting figures of an 

 early date : 2 



The year 1851 was the first the late Duke worked the fishings in 

 his own hand. Previous to this Mr. Hogarth was tenant of the 

 fishings for many years, and during his tenancy it was remarked 

 that the stock of sea-trout fell off very much indeed. Sea-trout 

 have, I believe, never since been numerous in the Spey. 



The figures just given are sufficient to show that in the fifties the 

 stock of fish was very considerable. Older accounts go to show that 

 the stock of salmon in the Spey was " vast." The angling returns for 

 1890-1894 are also sufficient to show that at the end of each season 

 the number of fish in the lower waters is still very considerable. 



1 The Salmon Rivers of Scotland, ii., p. 197. 2 The Salmon, p. 106. 



