CHAPTER XLIX 



THE CARRON OF LOCH CARRON AND KISHORN 



The Carron drains seventy-five square miles, and rises in Loch 

 Scaven, which hes between the stations of Achnasheen and Loch 

 Carron close to the Dingwall railway ; from thence it flows for six 

 miles into Loch Doule, and, passing through it, has a further run of 

 five miles to the salt water of Loch Carron. Pike are numerous in 

 Loch Scaven, but less so in Loch Doule, though, of course, their 

 presence does not tend to improve the angling. The middle waters, 

 including Loch Doule and the Coulag Pool, the best one on the river, 

 belong to Mr. Emerson Bainbridge, M.P., who recently purchased 

 Achnashellach from Lord Wimbome, who, in his time, improved the 

 angling considerably by emplopng a strong staff to watch the river 

 mouth ; nevertheless the angling is not what it once was, for Michie, 

 the head keeper, who has knowTi the river for many years, declares 

 that since 1875 there has not been one fish in the river for twenty 

 that formerly used to run up it. 



From 1875 to 1884, both inclusive, the take to the rod showed 

 an average of twent5'-eight fish a season, and as that of 1883 was 

 122 salmon and grilse, it will be seen how very small must have 

 been the sport of some of the remaining nine seasons. 



The Carron opens on the nth of February, closes for nets on 

 the 26th of August, and for rod on the 31st of October. Clean fish 

 have been caught on the opening day, but the event is exceptional, 

 and the main take of spring fish is in April and May, while the grilse 

 follow in July, \\'ith the autumn fish later on. 



Mr. Bainbridge has the upper, more interesting, and best part 

 of the angling, while the lower portion belongs to Sir Kenneth 

 Matheson of Duncraig Castle. Glen Carron estate has the upper 

 reaches, which are of a rather sluggish character, with deep pools 

 of peat-coloured water in which fish lie even ^\hen the river is low, 

 though they do not rise well to a fly. 



The three lowest miles are let with Sir Kenneth Matheson's 

 New Kelso shootings, at present in the occupation of Mr. Ralph 

 Creyke, and to the kindness of Mrs. Creyke and Sir Kenneth I am 

 indebted for much information. 



When Lord Wimbome occupied Achnashellach, he secured 

 from Sir Kenneth a twenty years' lease of the whole of the New 

 Kelso anglings, together with the best part of those of Achnashellach ; 

 this lease expired m 1901, when the anghng was added to Sir 



