4 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



have been seen on the beds considerably before the end of September. 

 As a matter of fact, however, the lessees and owners seldom do use 

 the rod as soon as October begins. In June and July fish of 39 lb. 

 and 35 lb. have been caught in the Teaninich net at the river mouth, 

 while one of 24 lb. was got by rod in Alay in the Novar water in 

 1909. In the autumn of 1910 I once more had the pleasure of a 

 cast on the Alness when staying at Novar with its cheery and kind- 

 hearted lessees, Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Holland, and though, owing to 

 drought, the rod was practically useless, the time sped quickly in 

 admiration of the natural beauty of the scenery and in noticing the 

 remarkable care bestowed in making the access to every pool dry 

 shod and easy for lady anglers — some of the platforms and stagings 

 must have been difficult and expensive to construct, and are well 

 worthy of imitation by other river owners. The catch on the Dal- 

 more part of the river may be taken as typical of those made on 

 Ardross, and Novar, and Upper Teaninich, viz. 150 to 200 finnock 

 and sea trout and a few salmon — from twenty to twenty-five trout 

 in a day being considered a very good catch ; but in Novar, Ardross, 

 and Upper Teaninich the salmon take varies from ten to twenty. 



Anyone able to fish here during a showery June or July is sure 

 of tight lines. The Dalmore angling now extends over about four 

 miles from the sea upwards, and on about one -third of this distance 

 the fishing is exclusive from both banks. The average catch is from 

 ten to twenty salmon and grils:-, and about 150 sea trout and 

 finnock. 



The very pretty House of Dalmore is situated on a cliff high over 

 the pool nearest the sea — a real nice one, which offers at all times a 

 good chance of sport. 



Teaninich water lies about 3* miles above Novar. The catches 

 have been : — 



1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. 1909, 1910. 1911. 1912. 



Salmon . .11 I^ 4 i 2 18 2 4 



Sea Trout . 35 55 15 ^ 7 S 15 9 



The falling off in the last six seasons clearly indicates that the 

 river is going back. It remains, however, to hope that a recently 

 formed association to work the Cromarty Firth nets but lightly 

 may be successful in restoring the angling. 



It should also be mentioned that Kildermorie has now been 

 purchased by i\Ir. D\7Son-Perrins of Ardross. 



