THE SPEY 167 



salmon and five grilse ; for eight days in September, seven salmon and 

 five grilse ; and for five days in October, six salmon and two grilse ; or 

 in twenty days, sixteen salmon and twelve grilse, — not good takes 

 for Wester Elchies, but both seasons were dry ones ; and there is also 

 a lot of shooting to be done in connection with this charming place. 

 On Knockando, with its four miles on the left bank and about 

 one mile on both banks, the spring takes here have been as under, 

 with very light fishing : — 



1910. 1911. igi2. 

 Fcbruar}' and March . . . 19 15 3 



April . . . . . 12 20 10 



May ..... 15 26 17 



June ..... 8 6 25 (and July). 



On the three to four miles of the Pitchroy water, some of which 

 is on both banks, in 1905, up to 2nd October, sixty-seven salmon, 

 fifteen grilse, and twenty-three sea trout had been caught, of which 

 seventeen salmon and six grilse were got after 12th August. 



On the Arndilly House water, with its eighteen pools and but 

 little wading, a mile on both banks and a further two and a half 

 miles on the right bank, the average catch from 1905 to 1909 

 has been sixty-five spring fish to end of May, and ninety-five in 

 summer and autumn. In 1910 and 1911 the average rose to 

 seventy-nine and one hundred and twelve respectively. 



In 1911, from 15th February to 31st May, sixty-three fish, weigh- 

 ing 511 lb. In 1912, from 15th February to 30th April, forty fish, 

 weighing 399 lb., besides two hundred and sixty-four kelts ! In 

 1909, Mr. T. S. Gosling, in June and July, caught forty-two salmon, 

 twenty-six grilse, and sixteen sea trout. 



In 1910, he got in July ten salmon and fifty-one grilse, the latter 

 averaging 4|- lb. each. 



In 1912, Captain and Mrs. A. W. Huntington, from ist August 

 to 15th October, caught seventy-four fish. 



The two miles of the Aikenway water on the right bank and 

 one mile on both banks gave from its nine pools, from 1905 to 1909, 

 an average of fifty-nine spring salmon to end of May, and thirty- 

 eight summer and autumn fish. In 1910 and 1911 the average 

 was eighty- two springers and thirty-six summer and autumn fish. 



In 1912, Captain John Spicer fished it in the spring. He writes : 

 " No water, so no fish. Only eighteen in February and March, 

 and twenty-two in April and May ; and you know Aikenway fishes 

 best in a big water." 



Below Aikenway comes the splendid Delfur water with two 

 miles of both banks. This is followed by the Orton water, and 

 then comes Gordon Castle water. I know the spring catches made 

 on these waters in recent seasons, but as I have no special per- 

 mission to mention them I do not give them. But, dear reader, if 

 you can afford the rent and if you can get the chance for February, 

 March, April, and May, let me urge you to ask no questions but 

 jump at it blindfold. You will not regret it. 



