THE NAVER AND BORGIE 257 



The best rod results are generally obtained during March, April, 

 and May. The weather conditions determine the matter a good 

 deal, but under normal conditions the Naver is a very early river, 

 and is pretty well stocked with fish at the opening day in January. 

 Loch Naver is only 247 feet above the sea, and unless a low tem- 

 perature has prevailed during winter the fish are early into the 

 upper reaches. Mr. C. H. Akroyd informed me on one occasion 

 that when his father was tenant at Dalvina, he himself took 6 

 clean fish from Loch Naver on the opening day (12th January), 

 although, as a rule, they did not trouble to fish the loch. This 

 seems to indicate that the Naver and the Thurso are very much 

 alike in the matter of early fish. So far as I know, however, the 

 river is not regularly fished nowadays in the early days of the 

 season. In 1907, for instance, only 3 per cent, seem to have been 

 taken in February, while 20 per cent, of the catch were taken in 

 March. The chances are that a fair stock of fish is present in 

 January, although it does appear that the stock generally is not so 

 good as it used to be. 



I am able to give, as nearly as the data can be ascertained, the 

 rod catches for the last six years : 



1903 - - 501 1 1905 - - 292 I 1907 - - 483 



1904 - - 204 I 1906 - - 390 | 1908 - - 300 



Previous to this I am unable to secure any records except catches 

 for four years given by Mr. Augustus Grimble : 



1895 - - 754 I 1897 - - 364 



1896 - - - 306 I 1898 - - - 401 



The average for this earlier period is 456, as compared with the 

 average of 361 for the later period, but with unequal periods this 

 result may be misleading. 



There is no obstruction of any kind in the whole course of the 

 ISTaver, and a descent of 247 feet in 18 miles shows an easy flowing 

 gradient very suitable for spring fishing. 



Loch Naver is not much fished by the tenants, although both 

 Syre and Ben Klibreck Lodges have a boat on it, but the keepers, 

 when not otherwise engaged, try the loch. It is a bit difficult to 

 get to in winter, but what would not some men give for the privilege 

 these keepers enjoy when not otherwise engaged. From 1st May 

 the hotel-keeper at Altnaharra, which is at the head of the loch, has 

 right of fishing for his visitors, and about 50 salmon are taken 

 annually. It is reported that a few years ago one rod had 52 fish in 



