THE CARRON OF WEST ROSS-SHIRE 297 



sandy flat through which the fresh water is very apt to open up 

 side channels in time of flood. These, under ordinary conditions of 

 water-flow, spoil the concentration of volume which is so desirable 

 at the mouth of a river, and result at times in a condition unfavour- 

 able for the ascent of fish. It is notorious, moreover, that not many 

 miles from the mouth of the river two or three crews of fishermen 

 have their dwellings, who, in the past at least, have made it their 

 business to " scringe" the mouths of streams for salmon and sea- 

 trout. It is believed that the Carron has frequently been seriously 

 affected by the nightly nettings of these men. 



The volume of water in the Carron is usually sufficient to induce 

 spring fish to ascend. Clean fish have been caught in the river as 

 early as llth February, and, given suitable water-flow, April and 

 May yield very fair results to the rod. The land drained by the 

 river is very steep and rocky, and in dry summer weather the 

 shrinkage of the river is apt to be too great for sport. A very 

 excellent result would be obtained, I believe, if Loch Doule could be 

 raised a few feet, and sufficient water impounded to create increased 

 water-flow in summer. The ground at the outlet is very hammocky 

 and uneven. In early geological times it seems probable that a 

 much larger lake existed here, and when glacial erosion was carried 

 to its climax the present loch resulted, and the hummocks were 

 formed. If an examination of the levels showed that the erection 

 of a suitable dam for raising the loch were possible, it is more than 

 likely that an additional benefit would result in preventing early fish 

 becoming practically lost in the loch. A certain number of fish are 

 caught in the loch at present, but an increased number taken on fly 

 in the river would far more than compensate for the reduction of the 

 loch take which might result, even if the best of salmon passes were 

 added to the dam. The run of summer fish, when the temperature 

 of the water had lost its wintry conditions, would not be greatly 

 influenced by the change. 



Takes by the rod at present vary very much indeed, due not only 

 to the fluctuations of water-level, but to the varying amount of 

 fishing which is carried on. For instance, in Lord Wimborne's time, 

 the maximum was 122 salmon in 1883, but the minimum was 5 in 

 1880. 



