The Salmon Rivers of Scotland Volume 3

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ...above which the river divides into two branches, the larger passing over the fall, while the smaller one runs through a narrow-channel with a comparatively easy gradient, and rejoins the main stream beneath the chief fall. Acting on the advice of Mr. Archibald Young, in 1878 this smaller stream was deepened and enlarged by diverting into it the body of the main stream, and fish were thus enabled to pass into the loch nearest the sea, which they promptly did. Beyond this loch further progress is barred by a sheer fall of twenty-five feet on the stream connecting the second loch with the lower one, and, up to the present, it has not been thought: -- r a H a m worth while to incur the expense of taking fish up this obstacle, although the doing of this would stock the other nine lochs which lie above these falls, of which Skinaskink is one. It has been estimated that a Macdonald fishway could be put up for 500; but, even if it cost twice that amount, I believe the expenditure would repay itself, for the demand for angling, and the consequent increase in its value, is always growing larger. The Polly opens on the nth of February, and has the close times that usually go with that date; the best months July, August and September. Favourite flies--Butcher, Childers, Blue Doctor and Jock Scot, and nothing over an inch in length is ever used. No waders are wanted, for there are no pools on the Polly; it is all deep, stillish water, which is no use without a breeze, and the stiffer the better. Salmon never go over ten pounds, and grilse run four to five pounds. There are some sea trout, and Zulu and ordinary loch trout flies are freely taken, although, at times, the worm is the deadliest lure. In 1883, which was a very good year, between forty and...