74 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



in this season of 1898 they were only on for seven days in 

 Auguit." 



The two years taken together, although not showing any 

 profit, have made no loss, and therefore, had these nets been 

 rented and worked for profit, the whole of the fish caught in the 

 periods of fishing that were foregone would have been absolutely 

 clear profit, for the men employed were paid the full week's wages, 

 although they worked short time. In this season of 1899 these 

 nets are going to be worked full time for four months only. One 

 of the Bonar stations is to be left imfished, and it is not intended 

 to fish it at all in August ; also aU grilse from the highest up net 

 are to be returned to the water, and from all the nets the last haul 

 of each tide. 



Here, brother anglers, is something like a tacksman for you ! 

 Sad indeed to relate, he has not in all cases met with that support 

 from you that he so richly deserves. 



Starting from " The Big Falls," let us now fish the river down. 



No. I. This is a very deep pool, always holding fish from April 

 on, and jdelds best in medium and low water ; when the river is 

 high it is not worth wasting time over. Some five years ago this 

 fall was the scene of a somewhat serio-comic performance. A man 

 from Lairg vanished, and was supposed to have been drowTied in 

 the Upper Shin, and on its being suggested that his body would be 

 discovered under the rocky lip of the falls, the County Council 

 sent for a diver from Wick, who duly found the body and brought 

 it to bank, at the same time reporting to the spectators that there 

 was another one still under the falls. On being urged to go down 

 again and recover this also the diver peremptorily declined and, 

 sternly shaking his head, replied, " No, no ; Tm just paid for the 

 one," and gettmg out of his dress, off he went. 



To return, however, to our fishing. 



No. 2. " Poll Culag," a deep, rocky pool, fishing best in medium 

 water. 



No. 3. " Cromartie." Has a neck, centre, and tail. Of course 

 in low water it is a case of neck or nothing ; medium water for the 

 centre and high for the tail. 



No. 4. " Angus or Round Pool." Is best in lowish water. 



No. 5. " The Rocky Cast," the stream above Fir Dam, and 

 only fishes well in very low water. 



No. 6. " Fir Dam " is a splendid pool to look at, and excellent 

 when at a medium height. 



No. 7. " Clarag " is good all the season through in fairly high 

 water. 



No. 8. " The Piper's Pool." Here the river can be crossed by a 

 footbridge of wire. 



No. 9. " The Little Falls," divided by a rock in midstream 

 into upper and lower ; the latter the best, and requiring a medium 

 water. The upper is best in low water. 



No. 10. " The Black Stone " is good all through the season in 



