THE HABITS OF THE SALMON. 53 



tideway in August. But it stands to reason 

 that by taking ten days from the upper nets- 

 men, the rod-fishermen would have a better 

 chance of sport, let alone the advantages result- 

 ing from the addition of twelve hours to the 

 weekly close time throughout the season. If such 

 an arrangement as Mr. Dickson proposed is ever 

 carried out, and no new netting stations are 

 established above the present highest station, the 

 upper waters would be fairly stocked with clean 

 fish in very good condition. Moreover, miles of 

 available spawning ground, which salmon cannot 

 reach owing to the restrictions in the weekly 

 close time, would be tenanted by a fair number 

 of breeding fish, whilst the lower spawning grounds 

 would not be so overcrowded as they are. After 

 careful consideration, however, I am of opinion 

 that Mr. Dickson's suggestions might be sup- 

 plemented with the stipulation that, should any 

 such concession be made to net fisheries, rod 

 fishing should commence on the ist of January. 



