66 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



middle of April is the cream of the spring fishing, although as long 

 as there is rain there is always sport to be had. 



The top beat includes a couple of good pools on the Einig, a large 

 tributary coming out of the forests of Rhidorrach and Corriemulzie, 

 and joining the main river three-quarters of a mile below Oykel 

 Bridge. The total length of this top beat is nearly three miles ; 

 commencing immediately under the falls there are three pots, short 

 casts in rough water, which in July and August often hold numbers 

 of grilse and sea trout. Shortly below is " George's Pool," so called 

 from a stone on the bank ridiculously resembling the profile of George 

 the Fourth ; it is best fished from the left bank, and is rarely without 

 desirable occupants. 



This is followed by another pot just above the bridge, while 

 below are four or five likely " bitties," all of them good in summer. 

 Next is " The Washerwoman's Pool," a very good one of some 

 extent, and fishing more or less in any height of water. Below this 

 is the Einig, or Junction Pool, which, as it has a gravel mouth, alters 

 every season according to the severity of the winter floods, and there- 

 fore in some years it fishes much better than in others — a trouble- 

 some and tricky pool to fish, as there is both slack water and 

 back water at the sides ; nevertheless, it is always worth careful 

 casting. 



From here the angler on the south bank can turn up to the Fall 

 Pool of the Einig, fishable only in low water, and then come down to 

 the Einig Pool, which is good in medium water ; and when in order 

 neither of these beautiful catches should be passed. The drawback 

 of fishing them is the uncertainty as to whether they have not been 

 previously cast over, for the Loubcroy shooting tenant has a right 

 on the west bank, and when there is a good chance, the keeper there 

 is an early bird, so that it is as well to send on the ghillie, and let 

 him find out from the dwellers in a cottage close to these two pools 

 if it has been fished prior to the advent of the Oykel rod. 



Returning now to the main stream, about three-quarters of a 

 mile below the Junction Pool comes Big Scorabie, a perfect one to 

 look at, but out of which it is rare to get a fish. The angler on the 

 right bank is advised when making this trip to Big Scorabie not to 

 attempt walking it in wading trousers, for he will have to pass up 

 the " Bad Step," and though the ascent is not a long one, and nothing 

 like so terrible as described by the late Mr. Black in his novel of 

 Prince Fortunatus, it is sharp and steep while it lasts, and those not 

 used to climbing are generally reduced to hands and knees the first 

 time they try it, and once on all fours the small sharp stones quickly 

 cut through the knees of the waders. 



The extreme tail of Big Scorabie is sometimes good, and in April 

 1896 I hooked and landed three fish from it in as many casts — the 

 only ones taken out of it for many a day. 



Next comes Little Scorabie — never without fish, and best worked 

 from the left bank, where the Spey cast comes in handy. At the 

 tail of this the upper beat comes to an end, and the only pools on 



