38 
Appendices to Tenth Annual Report 
The Nairn. 
Kyle of 
Sutherland. 
Helmsdale, 
Brora, and 
Fleet, Slither 
landshire. 
Hope, Naver. 
Borgie, 
Dionard, &c, 
Sutherland - 
shire. 
Rivers on 
west coast of 
Sutherland — 
Kirkaig, 
Inver, Lax- 
ford, &c. 
Fish of 40 lbs. weight were killed on the Findhorn in 1891, both, by 
net and coble and by fixed nets ; 22 \ lbs. was the heaviest fish killed by 
the rod. 
The present annual close time on the Findhorn is from August 27th to 
February 10th, and the extension of time for rod fishing is from August 27th 
to October 10th ; the rod fishers in the district think that the extension of 
time for rod fishing should be from August 27th to October 31st; and, 
looking to all the circumstances of the case, I should be glad to see such an 
alteration made. 
The fishing in the Nairn District is said to have slightly increased in 
1891, owing, it is thought, to a few good spawning seasons. The heaviest 
salmon taken in fixed nets was 30 lbs., and the heaviest caught by rod was 
20 lbs. There are no cruives on the river, and the few dams that there 
are offer no obstruction to ascending fish. There is ample and excellent 
spawning ground. The annual close time applicable to the Nairn was 
altered last year by Order under the Secretary of State's hand ; and the 
extension of time for rod fishing is now from August 27th to October 
31st, instead of from August 27th to October 15th. 
In this district, which includes the Shin, Oykell, Carron, and Cassley, 
the fishing increased greatly and generally during 1891, owing to there 
being no poaching at the mouths of the rivers ; 13,000 fish were taken by 
net and coble ; 5000 by fixed engines ; and 1100 by rod and line. The 
heaviest salmon caught by net and coble was 33 lbs.; the heaviest in fixed 
nets 38 lbs. ; and the heaviest by rod 34 lbs. The close times are strictly 
observed, and the system of protection is efficient. There are eight watchers. 
Glenmuick Falls prevent salmon from getting up the river. There is 
good spawning ground above them ; and they are in the course of being 
opened up by dynamite. There are neither pollutions nor salmon disease 
in the district. 
1891 was an excellent season in the Brora, Helmsdale and Fleet, 
attributable mainly, if not altogether, to good fishing weather prevailing 
throughout the season, with abundance of fresh water. The largest 
increase was in grilse. 1689 salmon weighing 18,220 lbs. ; 4310 grilse 
weighing 23,272 lbs. ; and 300 trout weighing 509 lbs., were taken by 
net and coble ; and about 2000 fish were taken by the rod. A salmon 
of 40 lbs. was taken by net in the Brora, and one of 33 lbs. was 
captured by the rod in the Helmsdale. The system of protection is 
efficient, and there is very little illegal fishing. There is a Hatchery in 
the district, near Loch Brora, belonging to the Duke of Sutherland. It 
is capable of hatching out from 150,000 to 200,000 salmon. About 
80,000 salmon were hatched in the spring of 1891, and distributed over 
the district ; 11,000 Loch Leven trout were likewise hatched out. 
There is stated to be very little change in the productiveness of these 
rivers. About 11,500 fish were captured by nets. The heaviest salmon 
caught by net and coble was 24 lbs., the heaviest by fixed nets 35 lbs., 
and a fish of 35^1bs. was taken by the rod in the Naver. 
The fishing in these rivers and districts was better in 1891 than in 
1890, owing to the quantity of rain affording easier access to the rivers. 
1114 salmon, 8829 grilse, and 351 sea-trout were captured by fixed 
engines ; and 580 salmon and grilse were taken by the rod. The rivers 
here are late, and it is rare to catch fresh-run salmon by the rod in any 
of them until the end of May. Salmon over 25 lbs. are seldom caught. 
The average weight for salmon is about 12 lbs., and for grilse 6 lbs. The 
protection is efficient, and illegal fishing is almost unknown. There are 
no cruives or dams to obstruct the run of fish, but there are tw r o im- 
passable waterfalls on the Kirkaig. There are two Hatcheries in the 
