i6 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



J. Head, Heywood Thompson, and Major Hopwood had eighty- 

 eight fish. 



In 1898, from the nth of February to the 31st of March the 

 water was let to Mr. A. M'Corquodale, who got just a hundred fish, 

 the largest being 24 lb. ; while in April and May following Mr. 

 Gunnis had ninety-seven others. 



Twenty-nine pounds is the heaviest fish recorded to rod and 

 line, and a forty-pounder to the Brora mouth net. But from the 

 above statistics it wiU be seen that this river is a reliable one for 

 sport — something wiU always depend on the skill and hard work 

 of the angler, and on the state of the river. If, for instance, during 

 March the stones " should be coming up out of the watter," as 

 the ghillie puts it, then, of course, sport must be greatly reduced. 

 This, however, is not a very likely contingency, and I know of no 

 stream that is more certain to give good sport in February and 

 March than this one, while to anyone lucky enough to get a rod 

 on it, there is the additional attraction of a very good hotel at 

 Brora, not five minutes' walk from the lowest pool. 



Most of the pools are fine big ones, easily fished, but requiring 

 a long line in times of high water. 



Below the Loch. — Otter Pool, the Ford, Fannich, Rallan, the 

 New Pool, the Stream, the Madman's, the Clift", Bengies, the 

 Cruive, the Rock. 



Above the Loch. — Deadwater, Dyke End, Macdonalds, the 

 Round Pool, the Stocken, Snag, the Flat, Feddar, the Stream 

 the Fall. 



This river still maintains its good reputation, and there have 

 been no changes in the lessees. 



In 1902 the rods caught 348 salmon and grilse, of wliich the 

 heaviest weighed 24 J lb. 



In 1903 they took 448 fish ; heaviest, 35 lb. 



In 1904 they took 348 fish ; heaviest, 34 lb. 



In 1905, no records. 



In 1906, rods took 330 fish. 



In 1907, rods took 359 fish; heaviest, 36 lb., caught by Mr. 

 Milburn. 



In 1908, rods took 212 fish. 



In 1909, rods took 380 fish ; heaviest, 23} lb., caught by [Major 

 Burnell-Milnes. 



During this period the Brora nets caught about three fish for 

 each one taken by the rod. Would that the average was as small 

 all round our coasts ! 



