The oykeL 69 



earlier than is supposed, but for some reason yet to be ascertained 

 they will not then look at a fly. The Major writes : " I have the 

 fishing above the falls for some six miles of both banks. The sport 

 is about as bad as can be. Both my keepers are very good fishermen 

 and have tried their hardest, and last year (1898) I think one fish 

 was their take. A few years ago a friend went up for a fortnight in 

 June, and though the water was in order, he was blank every day. 

 For some undiscovered reason the fish, when they have got up the 

 falls, will not take until they get within a mile or two of Loch Ailsh, 

 and there they begin to rise again. Everyone who comes to me in 

 August or September tries hard at first, and thinks he is going to 

 catch a lot ; the water looks nice, 5'ou see fish, and there are any 

 amount of fine pools. But the result is the same, either a blank day 

 or a few shy touches." 



In 1907 a sjmdicate was formed for improving the angling of this 

 river and those of Casseley, Carron, and Shin. As the Oykel fishings 

 prior to ist August are let to a variety of rods and the returns are 

 not kept with accuracy, I have not been able to give actual takes. 

 April still remains the best month, and if the weather be moist it 

 will give fifty to sixty fish to two hard-working rods. July stiU 

 remains the best month for grilse and sea trout. After the ist of 

 August there is not much sport. Here are the takes of Loubcroy 

 angling, which begins immediately above the falls and extends up 

 * for some six miles : — 



Here also are the takes of the Langwell Lodge autumn beat : 

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



I have tried in vain to procure some explanation of the heavy 

 take of 1907. 



