I20 THE SALAIOX RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



couraging, for greater precautions are now taken to preserve the 

 fish breeding in the small waters above Huntly, and it only wants a 

 slight lengthening of the weekly close time to make this an excellent 

 river for spring and autumn fishing. 



The Mayen water is another "good stretch which begins some 

 few miles below Rothiemay, and goes down for nearly three and a 

 half miles on the left bank, and nearly a mile on the opposite 

 one. 



From the 15th of Julv to the 15th of August is the best grilse 

 month, from the 15th of April to the 15th of May is the best time 

 for spring fish, and September and October for autumn salmon. 



When dealing with this river, it must not be forgotten that, 

 owing to its being entirelj' dependent on rain, it is one of the most 

 uncertain ; but with plenty of that, sport is almost assured, though 

 it runs down very quicklv owing to the good drainage system pre- 

 vaihng through its course. On this section the removal of tlie 

 cruive has already made a difference, and some spring fish have been 

 killed in each season — a matter which hardly ever happened before 

 its destruction. 



The Deveron is certainly, when in ply, a charming river to 

 fish, whether for salmon or trout, but chiefly so for those who 

 can live for some months on its banks and be ever ready to take 

 advantage of a rainfall ; the angler who comes for just a short time 

 should possess more than the average supply of patience and 

 equanimit^^ On this section the fly is the only lure permitted. 

 The Silver Grey, Lady Caroline, and one or two varieties of Glen 

 Tana and Childers are aU verj' good. 



The Craigston water, belonging to Colonel Pollard Urquhart, 

 is near Turriff, and covers a mile of the right bank and about a 

 quarter of a mile of the opposite one. August, September, and 

 October are the best months on this section. Wading trousers 

 are necessary, and a rod of eighteen feet is required to cover the 

 water, Jock Scot, Lady Carohne, and Glen Tana being the favourite 

 flies, though at times the worm is used with success. The three 

 best pools are Scatterby, Stony, and the Boat. 



The Forglen water, belonging to Sir Robert Abercromby, and 

 opposite Turriff, is one of the best reaches on the river, as it extends 

 to four and a half miles on the left bank and three and a half on the 

 right. Wading trousers are necessary, and with these the water can 

 be covered with a sixteen-foot rod. The fly is the only lure used, 

 the favourites being the same as those mentioned above. The 

 average take on this section is from ninety to a hundred fish of 11 lb. 

 In September 189 1 one rod had eight in a day, while the largest 

 ever got on this water was 424 lb., killed in October 1877. There 

 are fifteen good pools, of which the Embankment, Ponend, 

 Morison's, Lord Banff's, and Ashoyle are the best. 



The Dunlugas water, also belonging to Sir Robert Abercromby, 

 is two and a half miles in extent on the right bank. Wading 

 trousers are necessary, the flj' the only lure permitted, and the 



