232 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



It has to be explained in considering these figures that by the 

 month of July the angling is not carried on so steadily as in the 

 earlier part of the season. The tenants very commonly go south 

 for a short time before the shooting season commences, and only a 

 few rods are at work. With regard to 1908 it must be explained 

 that the grilse of 1907 were scarce, and hence the small spring fish 

 of 1908 were scarce, in addition to which it was a notoriously bad 

 fishing season as regards weather. Mr. Taylor informs me, however, 

 that as the season advanced a very good stock of fish were to be 

 seen in the river. Grilse were in great numbers in 1909. 



Now let me describe briefly the difference in the river noted when 

 during a very dry June I was fortunate enough, through the kindness 

 of Mr. Frank Sykes, to witness one of the artificial freshenings of 

 the river. Owing to the lowness of water-level it had become difficult 

 for fish to ascend. A few energetic grilse were at times to be seen 

 pushing their way up the shallows, but for the most part fish were 

 getting stale in all the pools, and, as I had experienced, they were 

 all coming short and taking hold badly. On the previous day, for 

 instance, of 8 fish hooked on one of the beats only one was landed. 

 It was agreed therefore to let down some extra water, and one of 

 the two Badanloch sluices was accordingly opened to the full, i.e. 

 4 ft. 3 ins. 



The rise in the upper waters was immediate and most marked, 

 while at a distance of 7 miles down-stream the rise in the water 

 presently amounted to 5 inches. The sluice was held up for 21 

 hours, and during this interval the river remained in beautiful 

 running order, and fish were enabled to ascend freely from pool 

 to pool. On visiting Badanloch dam at the expiry of the 21 hours, 

 I found that the level of the loch had fallen only 3 inches, so great 

 was the storage in 6 square miles of water. An ample stock, there- 

 fore, remained for subsequent use if the dry spell of weather lasted. 



I may now state the limits of the twelve beats as expressed in the 

 Estate " Arrangements," and at the same time mention such particu- 

 lars as to big days or particular pools as may be of some interest. 



LOWER BEATS. 



No. 1. " From the sea to the head of Salzcraggie Pool." There 

 are ten pools, but the tidal pool is not fished by the tenants and is 

 not usually counted. The lowest is therefore the Flat Pool, then 

 the Marrel, a deep pool beside a shelving cliff, and having a large 

 eddy from which fish may be drawn out rapidly. Then the two 



