^90 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



THE GARRY 



is a rapid, rocky-bedded stream flowing out of Loch Garry near 

 Dalnaspidal. It is joined at Stnian by the Erochdie, and at Blair 

 AthoU is further increased by the waters of the Tilt. A few miles 

 below this it enters the Pass of Killiecrankie, to finally fall into 

 the Tummel near Faskally House. 



The Garry cannot be called a good salmon angling river, as 

 before the fish reach it they have to pass through the Tay and the 

 Tummel, losing their freshness on the way, besides gaining knowledge 

 of the dangerous nature of the many lures that have already been 

 offered them. Then, when at last they reach the entrance of the 

 Garry, they may find there is not enough water to take them over 

 the broad and sloping gravel bank of the junction, or perhaps the 

 temperature of the river may be unpleasantly low as compared 

 with that of the Tummel. The thermometer sometimes shows a 

 difference of five degrees between the two streams, and while the 

 daily temperature of the Tummel hardly varies, being regulated 

 by the outflow from a chain of lochs, that of the Garry rises four or 

 five degrees, especially in low water with the sun beating down on 

 its gravel shallows. Such variations induce fish to change their 

 quarters at different hours of the day, while making them disinclined 

 to rise. 



Salmon are got in the lower pools in March and April, and even 

 in February. These early arrivals, weighing from 15 lb. to 20 lb., 

 appear to be really Tummel fish which have chosen the Garry instead 

 of trying the falls in the former river. Such visitors lie in the still 

 deep pools of the Pass, and towards the end of April are joined by 

 the real run of Garry fish, averaging about 11 lb., which is followed 

 by a general move for the upper reaches. Grilse, although not 

 numerous, are more in evidence than in the Tummel, through 

 which they seem to run quickly, and, arriving about the middle 

 of June, they average from 3^ lb. to 4 lb. The fish can make 

 their way up to Loch Garry as well as for some distance up the 

 Tilt, but by the time they have done so they are hardly worth 

 taking. A rod of sixteen feet will cover the water, while above 

 the Pass wading stockings are useful. 



North of Blair AthoU the angling is let to the shooting tenants 

 of the Duke, who keeps in his own hands some of the water below 

 Tilt junction. 



The remaining portions belong to Urrard and Faskally on the 

 left bank, and Shierglass, Killiecrankie Cottage, and Bonskeid 

 on the right one. 



The angling of that part of the Pass which goes with the Cottage 

 and with Faskally offers difficulties, accompanied with a spice of 

 danger, for the angler has not only to avoid hooking the trees behind 

 him while keeping his footing on steep, slippery rocks, but has also in 

 some places to follow a fish where progress seems hardly possible. 



