Report No. 4 (1920). 



ON THE .METHODS OF CAPTURE AND SUPPLY 



OF FISH IN THE RIVERS OF THE 



N1LGIR1 DISTRICT 



BY 



The late H. C. WILSON, 

 Pisciculturol Expert, Fisheries Department, Madras. 



THE BHAVANI RIVER. 



From the source to the falls where it is joined by the Billithada 

 Halla, the Bhavani passes over a rocky and precipitous bed through 

 thick jungle. This upper portion which teems with animalcules 

 and valuable fish food contains no fish of any consequence. As 

 the river approaches Bane village, the bed consists of huge boulders 

 and deep pools. Here again a large quantity of live fish, food is to 

 be found consisting of mollusca, larvae of the " dragon " and numer- 

 ous other flies and animalcules. The pools are occupied by a 

 variety of "stone loach"; the mahseer and other big fish not 

 being able to ascend so far. 



Spawning beds. — The river continues to flow over a rough and 

 rocky bed for some miles. The first and highest spawning beds 

 are found near the village of Kardigamund. 



Poaching. — Just below this on the broad shallow reaches, I 

 came across poaching with- fixed engines in the shape of basket 

 traps. 



Construction of miniature dams. — These reaches which lend them- 

 selves to this kind of poaching were lined across with a series of 

 V-shaped miniature dams, constructed by placing together stones 

 packed with leaves, branches, etc. The flow of the river is thus 

 diverted in each case to the apex of the V at which point is 

 placed a basket trap. 



Construction of fry trap. — This basket trap is constructed of 

 finely laced bamboo strips, so closely woven that the smallest fry 



