8 INTRODUCTION. 



which they pass from river to lake, from lake to burn, and so 

 gradually ascending the waters till they reach streams at last so 

 small and shallow that the looker on wonders only how two 

 salmon can pass in them. Taking advantage of floods and 

 rising of the burns, they work themselves up shallows and 

 narrow places where frequently there is scarcely water enough 

 for the smallest trout to swim in. Having fulfilled their object 

 of spawning, they drop back during the winter floods to the 

 larger streams and thence to the sea, where they soon become 

 reinvigorated and increase in size with the most incredible 

 rapidity. 



" On the Eoss coast between Sutherland and Inverness-shire 

 there are few streams run into the Eastern Sea. The Beauly is 

 a noble stream and abounding in magnificent scenery. 



" On revient toujours, etc., and above all rivers the Findhorn, 

 in my estimation, holds the highest place, not only for its fishing 

 qualities, but for the varied country and beautiful scenery through 

 which it passes, from the dreary heights of the Monaghleahd 

 Mountains, where it rises to the flat and fertile plains of Moray- 

 shire, where it empties itself into the salt water. The scenery 

 and beauty of the Findhorn for several miles is not equalled in 

 Scotland. 



" I do not know that the Findhorn can be called a first-rate 

 angling river, for it is too variable and subject to floods and 

 changes as to depth of water, and though these sudden and unex- 

 pected risings of the river add to its interest in the eyes of a 

 looker-on, they militate sadly against the success of the angler, 

 who has to gather up his tackle and run for his life, or who, 

 having made up his mind to a week's good fishing, finds the river 

 either of a deep black or of the colour of pea-soup, and con- 

 stantly overflowing bank and brae, brought down by some sudden 

 rainstorm which has fallen on the distant mountains of the 

 Monaghleahd. 



" The Spey is another glorious river, a finer river, indeed, for 

 salmon than the Findhorn. Indeed, the rent paid for the salmon 

 fishing at the mouth of the river proves it to be the best supplied 



