THE THURSO 243 



as the best early river. With the decline already mentioned, it 

 has been found that the summer and autumn fishing has become 

 more productive. More fish appear to have entered the river at a 

 later date than formerly, a condition quite in harmony with the 

 dictum that when the stock is unduly reduced the tendency is for 

 the runs of fish to become later, the first effects being noticeable in 

 the reduction of early fish. 



The Thurso is now divided into eight beats, number one being 

 next the sea, and there are quite a hundred named pools below Loch 

 More. During the early months of the year angling tenants reside 

 at Braal Castle, near Halkerk, about seven miles up the river. 

 Accommodation is here very ample, and in the spring of 1908 con- 

 siderable alterations were undertaken in the internal arrangements 

 of the house, which should result in increased facilities of service 

 and in greater comfort. The habit is to fish the river exclusively 

 during the early months fly alone is allowed and to fish Loch 

 More during April and May. From 1st April, therefore, for 

 greater proximity to Loch More, the angling quarters are taken up 

 at Strathmore Lodge some miles further up the river, and an 

 equally desirable residence. 



Some very notable takes have been secured on favourable days 

 on the Thurso. A single rod has secured 21 fish ; on two occasions 

 19 fish have been taken ; and when we come down to 7 and 8 fish 

 in a day surely enough to satisfy most anglers the records are 

 fairly numerous and from almost every beat in the river. The 

 heaviest fish, so far as I know, was one taken by Mr. J. R Walker 

 out of Loch Beg, a short distance below Loch More : it weighed 

 35J Ib. When we determine the best combined day, the take is a 

 great one, but we have to go back to 1863 to find it. On 9th May 

 in that year, six rods out made this score : 



55 fish. 



Another day in the same year produced 45 fish. The total number 

 of fish taken in 1863 was 1510, the record year. 



A considerable series of annual records are available from the 

 Thurso, referring chiefly to angling from llth January to the end of 

 May each year. We may commence with the record year just 

 referred to, and include therefore 45 years to date. In the last five 



