434 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



below, which runs across the shallow at the head of the next pool, and forms the 

 key to the system adopted in it. 



The lower pool (B) is called the Croy Pool, and the name is justified by the 

 number of these erections. It is about 200 yards long, with a breadth of 70 

 yards at the top, narrowing down slightly at the tail, from which the river flows 

 in a rapid and broken course for several hundred yards. In fact, for another 

 mile down-stream there is not much slow-running water, and the earlier spring 

 fish pass through this stretch without delay, and are ready to rest when they 

 reach the comfortable Croy Pool, for it has an average depth of 10 feet even in 

 low water, a nice rocky bottom, and currents varying in strength at different 

 points. Even the quick-travelling grilse and summer fish find the conditions to 

 their liking, as the stream at the top of the pool runs fairly strong, and is well 

 aerated. 



The croy to which we have referred as at the head of this pool extends in a 

 slightly down-stream curve more than half-way across the river. Commencing 

 on the left bank with an elevation of 2 feet, it slopes down to some 6 inches at 

 the extremity; thus it only diverts a portion of the water that strikes it at the 

 different levels of the river, and presents no great resistance to floods, which 

 pass over it without doing damage. In both high and low water the main 

 stream flows round the curved end of the croy, and is thrown towards the right 

 bank, on which four short but higher croys, a few yards apart, slightly check its 

 rapidity and turn it towards the centre again, so that the area of the eddy which 

 forms behind the long croy may be reduced in size. In the middle portion of 

 the pool the stream runs evenly without artificial guidance between even, well- 

 defined banks, but towards the tail where it is inclined to favour one side it is 

 turned outwards by three croys, and compressed by a short one on the opposite 

 bank, which creates a little eddy. This affords a rest to fish that have forced 

 their way up the rapid rush below, and is useful to the angler when fighting 

 with a tired salmon which shows an inclination to leave the pool, for if he can 

 work his fish into its calm water, he may perhaps get it within reach of the gaff 

 or guide it higher up again, and save himself a long run down a quick stream, 

 with, perhaps, a disastrous ending. This pool is best in low water, but will fish 

 fairly in most states, say over a range of more than 5 feet. 



Now we come to the method of building croys and the approximate cost. A 

 dry month during summer is the most advantageous time for the work, as a low 

 river and warm water make it easier for the men to handle wet stones, and the 

 foundations may generally be laid down without much wading, though even 

 then some low erections may be profitably kept below water-level. An intelli- 

 gent labourer will often work and supervise the other men better than a skilled 

 mason, as the latter is apt to aim at greater nicety of construction, which is un- 

 necessary and means time and expense. Three or four men make a convenient 

 squad, and two of them will have plenty of occupation in carrying stones to 

 where the builders are working, and when large rocks are to be moved, all 

 hands may be needed. The only tools required are stone-hammers and crow- 

 bars, with a hand-barrow (or wheelbarrow) for transporting material, and the 

 usual line and foot-rule. 



The first essential is a good foundation on which the croy shall rest. This 



