CHAPTER IV 



THE BRORA 



Rises to the north of Lairg ; drains an area of one hundred and 

 sixty-five square miles, and after a run of twenty expands into Loch 

 Brora, four miles long and nearly half a mile wide at the broadest 

 part ; issuing from the loch, it runs another four miles and falls 

 into the sea at Inverbrora. Opening on the nth of February, it 

 is usually well stocked with fresh-run fish on that date, and five, six, 

 and seven fish a day are quite common events. 



The whole course is through moorland country until it leaves the 

 loch, and then for half a mile, down to the Ford Pool, it flows 

 through fir plantations, emerging again to banks of peat and heather 

 until the sea is reached. 



The Brora opens to rods and nets on the nth of February, the 

 netting season ending on the 26th of August, and that for the rod 

 on the 31st of October ; the river, however, might well be made 

 available for the rod on the ist of February, and closed to it on the 

 15th of October. I feel sure such a step would be welcomed by the 

 anglers, while it would likewise be doing the river good service. 



For the early part of the season — up to the end of March — an 

 eighteen-foot rod will be wanted, as the river usually runs big then, 

 while its exposed banks are visited almost daily by high winds, 

 often accompanied by snow storms. When April comes and the 

 water gets smaller, a rod of sixteen feet will do all that is required, 

 and then in May a stout, single-handed, ten or eleven foot trout rod 

 will suffice. The gaff is generally used, kelts being drawn ashore 

 and returned uninjured. 



In the early months, flies are dressed on irons ranging in Limerick 

 sizes from 6/0 to 0, and later on from No. I to the very smallest 

 double-hooked No. 11. Watson of Inverness dresses these latter 

 very neatly and inexpensively. 



The fly is the only lure used, and all the standard ones kill ; 

 Jock Scot, Childers, and the silver bodies for choice. There is also 

 a good local fly invented by Donald Ross, who was keeper at Torrish 

 on the Helmsdale for many years, but who has settled down to a 

 farm on the banks of the Brora. Out of compliment to his old home 

 he has christened it " The Torrish," and as it is a fine fly to look at, 

 and a good killer, it is worth mention ; but it is best dressed on a 

 big hook and used early in the season during the time of heavy 

 water, 



