52 THE HABITS OF THE SALMON. 



nets-men above Perth Bridge should commence 

 on the 15th of January and close on loth of 

 August ; and also that the lower nets should 

 commence operations on the 5th of February and 

 cease on the 31st of August, It will be seen that 

 by adopting these dates, both upper and lower 

 fishings would have 158 days of close time. 



Some of the rod-fishermen might object to the 

 arrangement, for example, those who have taken the 

 beats just above Perth. They would probably com- 

 plain that an extension of the weekly close time 

 in summer would be no benefit to them, as at 

 that time of year salmon do not rest in their 

 waters. They might also say that it would be 

 disadvantageous to make any extension of the annual 

 open season below Perth, as they would lose the 

 very fish which at present have a free run. But 

 they would really lose nothing in the end, even 

 if they could not be shown to be gainers at 

 first. It does not often happen that the water 

 is high enough to tempt many fish to leave the 



