CHAPTER X 



THE FORSS, BY THURSO 



Flows out of Loch Shurrery, and after a run of twelve miles through 

 the properties of Westfield and Forss, in which it drains fifty-eight 

 square miles, falls into the North Sea six miles to the west of Thurso. 

 There are good spawning grounds above the lock, to which salmon, 

 grilse, and sea trout ascend, and are there taken with the fly. From 

 Westfield Bridge, five miles out of Thurso, down to the sea is about 

 six miles. 



At this bridge the Forss is narrow, shallow, and streamy, but as 

 it flows through the green strath it opens out and forms plenty of 

 pools, which about a mile above Forss Bridge become deep and still, 

 and require a good breeze for angling. Immediately below Forss 

 Bridge come the falls of some thirty feet ; but, as the illustration 

 wiU show, they are so broken as to offer no serious bar to ascending 

 fish, which make the passage from the left of the fall up the right 

 centre. 



From the falls to the sea is about a mile — all dead water, which 

 is good fishing on a day with a strong north wind blowing, though 

 even should it be due south, so stagnant is this part that sport may 

 yet be had by fishing the water up stream. 



The river opens on the nth of February with the usual close 

 time for nets and rods ; but inasmuch as the adjacent rivers both to 

 east and west open for the rod on the nth of January, it seems only 

 fair that the same privilege should be given to the Forss, and it 

 would be better for the river if it were opened to the rod on the nth 

 of January and closed on the 15th of October instead of the 31st, 

 which would save the lives of a good few spawners. The netting 

 time should be maintained as at present, or, better still, be knocked 

 off on the 15th of August instead of the 26th. March and April are 

 the best months for spring salmon, and September and October 

 for late fish ; the former average 10 lb., the latter 7 lb. Grilse run 

 towards the end of July and average 5 lb., whfle there are but very 

 few sea trout. 



Any of the standard flies of medium size will kill, but, of course, 

 the smaller the water the smaller the fly. A light grilse rod will 

 do all the work, and no waders are wanted. 



The Forss fishing is let with Forss House and shootings from 

 the 1st of August, the spring fishing being let separately, and anglers 

 can get comfortable quarters at a wefl-built, modern farmhouse 



