THE SOUTH ESK i3^ 



In addition, there is nearly the certainty that the first loss to the 

 nets would be recouped a hundredfold as soon as sufficient time had 

 elapsed to permit the fry of the increased numbers of breeding fish 

 to return as grilse and salmon. 



The South Esk often yields heavy fish, and hardly a season goes 

 by without net or rod reporting the take of fish ranging from 45 to 

 50 lb. in weight. As the fish have now no difficulty in ascending the 

 dams in times of water plenty, it is hoped that the angling above 

 Brechin will improve very much. 



From Brechin to Tannadice is some twelve miles by the river, 

 in which distance there are about thirty-five pools, some of them 

 very good, although in many cases they are too streamy to hold fish 

 except when the water is very high. The anglings of this stretch 

 are chiefly those of the estates of Finavon and Carieston. 



From Tannadice to Cortachy is about eight miles by river, but 

 much of it is boulders and shallows, and therefore not very good for 

 angling ; there are, however, fine big pools at New Mill, Inshewan, 

 and Shielhill. 



From Cortachy to Glen Clova is about fourteen miles, in which 

 there are some fair pools for holding fish, especially between the 

 Bridge of Ballgello and Rottal. Four miles above Clova the river 

 divides, as already described, and from this point upwards it be- 

 comes too small for salmon angling. 



It was only in 1898 that improved ladders were put on the dams 

 below, and the dry seasons that have followed have prevented fish 

 from ascending, but in any wet spring-times which may come in 

 future there should be good angling on the Cortachy and Clova 

 reaches from AprU onwards. Wading stockings are useful, and 

 trousers on the lower reaches. 



The chief flies are the Doctors, Silver Bodies, the Member, Popham, 

 Thunder and Lightning, Red Rover, Bull Dog, and Jock Scot. 



The river opens on the i6th of February for nets and rods ; 

 closes for the former on the 31st of August, and for the latter on the 

 31st of October. 



The Fishery Board Reports of this river either for net or rod 

 returns are nil ! The Earl of Southesk owns the best of it, and this 

 pretty bit of most sporting angling commences but a little above the 

 tideway and extends upwards for several miles. It can all be fished 

 without waders. There is a comfortable farmhouse on the water 

 where anglers can put up, or they can go to the hotel at Brechin and 

 drive out from there, but the distance is about five miles to the top 

 of the water. 



The rod catches have been as follows : — 



1907. 1908. 1909. 1910. 1911. 1912. 



February ... 48 4 20 28 6 27 



March ... 74 8 43 37 ^3 29 



April . . .33 9 22 II 7 4 



155 21 85 76 36 60 



