93 



of 15 miles (from 6 miles above Tebay to the confluence of the Rathod and the LANCASTER. 

 Lune). The water is pure. Had little experience of salmon fishings before 

 1878, and never watched a river before. Noticed the disease in the fish, which 

 were spotted white, chiefly on the back. First saw it in the back end of the 

 year before spawning. The fish begin to spawn here in December. 



The fish were both dead and dying. Took 106 males and 26 females and 

 buried them. They were dead, and chiefly spawned. They were mostly taken 

 out in January, between Kirkby Lonsdale and Killington Mill. The greatest 

 part were taken out near Barbon. Only took out two or three between 

 Nevvbiggin and Killington Mill. The most fish in his length of water were 

 taken out between the mill and Watermeetings. 



There were very few fish diseased at the top of the river, but they got 

 diseased as they got lower down. The water is pure. The river was chiefly 

 low then. The weather was dry and frosty. 



Was at Halton in the spring of 1879 for fourteen weeks. Large quantities 

 fish were in Halton Water the whole time, nearly all spotted. The salmon 

 went down over the Skerton weir on the 25th May 1S79. 



Took large quantities of dead fish out of Halton Water during the 14 weeks. 

 Forge weir was blown down then. Very few fish spawned at Tebay. Not 

 over 12 pair in 1878- 9, but a large quantity have spawned this season. This 

 season very few fish were up before 11th October. 



The kelts were chiefly diseased, and a good lot were dead. Buried them. 

 There are as many diseased fish this year as before — perhaps more. 



Has heard old men talking of it, and some of them say they have seen it 

 before, but not so bad as it is now. 



James Gornall. — Has been water bailiff on the Lune district for seven 

 years, and has known the river longer. Knows the whole river. Has seen 

 many hundred salmon marked with white spots. Saw it a few years ago, but 

 not so bad as now. The disease has gone on increasing since 1873. Saw it on 

 kelts, but never on clean fish before this year. Has seen it on fish going 

 to the spawning beds. Saw it first on 30th November last year, on an 

 unspawned fish opposite Wenning Foot. Saw about two in a week — both 

 females, and very badly diseased. The setting-on of the head and fins was 

 like a cotton wool substance. 



Cut up many a score. The intestines were quite healthy. Did not parti- 

 cularly notice the liver. The flesh was discoloured under the scales. 



The river is little polluted except by a few sewers. 



The fish are terribly bothered about getting over the rivers at Skerton and 

 at Halton. The fish cannct get freely over. The passage of salmon should 

 be made easier. This has much to do with the disease. 



The weirs have been a long time there. 



It is a fresh-water disease. Cannot say if the salt water will cure it. 



The Lune is a very late river. There are not many clean salmon in it till 

 May. The best fishing season is in summer and autumn. Netting ends 31st 

 August. 



Last year the fish were detained in Halton water and could not get over the 

 middle weir, and the pool was overcrowded with salmon. The kelts came 

 down, and the up-fish were there four months altogether. 



The river was very low in the winter of 1878-9. The fish were not crowded 

 higher up. 



Has seen some disease ever since he has known the river. There has always 

 been a disease. Cannot say if it is the same. Has seen scabs without fungus. 

 It seems as if the male fish knocked their scales off, and that a scab was 

 formed. 



There are many more fish now than when he first knew the river. Used 

 to fish a whole season and not catch a fish, but since the Association was 

 formed he has caught many. 



Of late years the heave-net fishermen have not done so well, because of the 

 heavy water and the drift-nets. 



Would clear away the weirs if the river were his, and the fish would have a 

 clear run up. Has known the fish stop in fresh water for nine months. 



In 1877 the salmon came down to Forge Weir on the 29th March and left 

 on the 15th May. 



