366 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



THE ECHAIG AND LOCH ECK. 



ANGLING SEASON : 16th February to 31st October. 

 NETTING SEASON : 16th February to 31st August. 



The river Echaig has very considerable possibilities as a salmon 

 stream. Although it is short, having a run of only 4 miles, it 

 flows from a large loch Loch Eck and, therefore, maintains a 

 better volume of water than is the case in Argyllshire streams which 

 flow directly from the hills. Loch Eck is six miles long, of very 

 considerable depth, narrow, surrounded by high and most picturesque 

 mountains, and 67 feet above sea-level. The stream which flows into 

 the head of Loch Eck is the Cur, which gives its name to the village 

 situated on Lochfyneside, Strachur, from which a bend of the Cur is 

 only about a mile distant, but with which the strath has really no 

 connection. This Cur is the head spawning ground of Echaig fish. 

 It is about six miles in length, and a good running, gravelly little 

 river, although slack and gentle as it approaches the loch. 



The Echaig has a rather winding course, and on the whole an 

 easy gradient in its run from Loch Eck to the sea at the head of 

 Holy Loch well known to Clyde yachtsmen. The exclusive salmon 

 fishing rights go with the Ben more property, and are strictly pre- 

 served. The rainfall in this district is generally copious, although in 

 summer, owing to the steep rocky hills on every side, if the season 

 does become dry, the heat is often intense, and, perhaps, I might add, 

 the midges most bloodthirsty. With the physical features as they 

 are, a splendid opportunity presents itself for the storing up of Loch 

 Eck waters in order to secure an ample water supply in the river 

 during the summer months, when fish naturally will run, and when 

 sport may be had. When the Echaig runs low, and I have seen it 

 very low indeed, fish, unable to get up, accumulate in great numbers 

 at the mouth, where, perhaps with ample verity it may be said, they 

 unduly tempt the local " scriuger." 1 know that plenty of unlawful 

 netting has been carried on here in the past, and, although some 

 wholesome lessons have been given, a new generation will inevitably 

 arise. An artificial flood let down at such a time would draw fish 

 up into the pools, as it does in the Helmsdale or the Grimersta. 



One of the troubles in the Echaig in the past, also, has been that 

 when the river was in good running order fish did not take long to 

 travel straight through to Loch Eck. There would inevitably be a 

 fish-pass on the weir at the loch outlet, but even a very low weir 



