i THE CONON 193 



this firth, and that of the Kyle of Sutherland, their depredations 

 are very serious. 



On the right bank of the Conon, five miles above the mouth, 

 it is joined by another considerable tributary — the Orrin — which, 

 from its shallow, gravelly course, is not a very good angling stream. 

 A few miles above the junction there is a very severe fall of fifteen 

 feet, up which, however, fish have occasionally made their way. 

 At the foot of this fall there is the usual pool, in which fish con- 

 gregate thickly. 



From the Orrin Fall down to its junction with the Conon, 

 although part of the land of the right bank belongs to the Highfield 

 property, Mr. Stirling of Fairburn has the sole fishing right ; and 

 a valuable one it has proved, as the netting of the Fall Pool has 

 produced as many as 1000 fish in the season. Likewise, although 

 Mr. Stirling does not own all the river banks above the fall, he yet 

 possesses the sole fishing rights by virtue of an old charter ; and 

 therefore whether it would be wise to make these Orrin Falls more 

 easily passable for salmon is a matter which concerns no one but 

 their fortunate owner. A rod of eighteen feet will be wanted on 

 the lower waters of the Conon, and one of sixteen feet on the upper 

 ones. 



On some of the fishings the fly is the only lure permitted ; nearly 

 all the standard patterns kill, the Doctors and Jock Scot being the 

 favourites — sizes from 4/0 downwards. 



As the Brahan Castle water is almost the only stretch of angling on 

 the Conon that ever comes into the market, a few particulars may 

 be of service. It is usually let from the nth of February to the 

 30th of April. It consists of four miles of both banks, from the 

 march with the Cromarty burn below Conon Bridge to the Orrin 

 junction, and thence, on the left bank only, it extends up for a further 

 two and a quarter miles. 



In 1898 the take was ninety-six salmon and twelve sea trout 

 during the period of the let, a da^' of eight being the best catch. 

 In 1899 the take was sixty-nine salmon with six sea trout ; but as 

 the tenant did not commence at the opening of the season, many 

 good fishing days were lost. 



There is usually an agreement between Colonel Mackenzie 

 and Mr. Stirling of Fairburn by which it is arranged to fish the 

 Kettle Pool on alternate days. 



It will be gathered from these remarks that in my humble 

 opinion the Conon is a most improving and desirable river for 

 the angler. 



I am glad to report that the arrangement for not working 

 the Brahan Castle cruives, which, much to the distress of the upper 

 proprietors came to an end a few years ago, was renewed in 1910— 

 and in 191 1 the rods did very well, while 1912 was a very poor 

 season. This is a good river for the angler, but as it is kept chiefly 

 by the owners for their own use, this is perhaps why actual takes 

 are difficult to come at. 

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