228 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



to the river of stocking itself. In 1886, Mr. Grant of Invermoriston, 

 during June, July, and August, fished for three days to ascertain 

 what signs of fish there were, when he landed two fish and lost 

 another, besides seeing a good few more. 



This celebrated ladder is perhaps the best defined of any in 

 Scotland, and a view of it may be of interest to my readers. Before 

 it was made, the pool below the fall was regularly netted. In con- 

 nection with the new fishery formed by this ladder, it is note- 

 worthy that the Crown made and estabhshed a claim in respect of 

 it, and that the proprietor had to pay a small sum for a charter, 

 although he aheady held one for the fishings below the fall, a fact 

 which has a most important bearing on the proposed opening up 

 of such large falls as those of the Conon, the Spean, and the Tummel. 



The Fishery Board Report of 1898 states that a large number of 

 salmon had then penetrated to the upper waters and had there 

 spawned, and then been killed by the local people. Not very 

 pleasant reading, and indicating a state of affairs requiring the 

 attention of the proprietor, who doubtlessly ere this has taken the 

 necessary measures, for it is no use spending a large sum in making 

 a ladder and a hatchery if the fish are destroyed as kelts in the 

 upper waters. 



In 1903 the coast nets took about 33,000 salmon and grilse. 



In 1908 the nets got 14,000 sahnon and grilse, and the rods 

 about 800, which includes the catch made on Loch Ness. 



In 1909 the rods caught 855 fish. Mr. C. H. Ohverson, who has 

 rented the Dochfour autumn fishing and the Laggan Pool since 1902, 

 kindly gives me the catches made on this fine stretch ; — 



1902. 1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. 190S. 1909. 1910. 1911. 

 Salmon and Grilse . 70 154 49 44 42 25 49 41 25 24 



