302 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



is fed primarily from the largest fresh-water loch in the Outer Isles, 

 Loch Langabhat, or the long water, a name which, like very many 

 of the place-names in those parts, has a marked Scandinavian 

 tincture, reminiscent of the days of the Vikings. 



Where catchment basins are so small as on those islands, the 

 presence of lochs are more or less indispensable, for although the 

 rainfall is very considerable, the streams are of necessity very small, 

 and a short spell of dry weather results in marked shrinkage. It is 

 a wonderful sight, in bright hot weather, to see the salmon jumping 

 in the bay at the mouth of the Grimersta. At times when the fish 

 have congregated in great numbers, being unable to ascend the little 

 river to the first loch, they leap with surprising frequency. Almost 

 every second a bar of glittering silver seems to flash out in the sun, 

 and one may sometimes see quite a number in the air at once. If this 

 display happens to be going on when the jaded traveller rounds the 

 last bend of the road in his journey to this Ultima Thule, how his 

 spirits revive, how smartly he sits up in the trap to feast his eyes 

 on the wonderful sight. 



The fishing is almost entirely from boats in the four lochs, and 

 this to some is a drawback, to others an advantage. The Grimersta 

 river proper is only a mile long, and is not of much account for 

 fishing, since fish, when they can run, generally run through into the 

 first loch at once. It is, therefore, portioned off as only a part of 

 the second beat. The streams connecting the other lochs are only 

 short runs, where a cast or two may be taken, as it were, in the 

 bye-going. 



There are five beats, and a single rod fishes each, fly alone being 

 allowed. The beats are arranged as follows : 



" No. 1. The north half of the first loch as divided and marked out. 



" No. 2. The river up to the boats von first loch ; also, the second 



loch from the top of the stream to the top of Mackay's 



Stream. 



" No. 3. The south half of the first loch as marked, including the 



stream. 



" No. 4. From the top of Mackay's Stream to MThail's Island. 

 " No. 5. From MThail's Island, including MThail's Bay, to the top 

 of Loch Langabhat." 



When one or more of the party are absent for more than two 

 days, the beats are rearranged in a definite order, so as to suit 2, 3, 

 or 4 rods as the case may be. 



