14 The Salmon 
In this, which I consider almost the last run, the numbers are 
greater than in any of the others. Many erroneous theories have 
been put forward with regard to these fish. Many maintain that they 
return to the sea, and again return to the rivers to spawn, while others 
think they do not spawn. I have had many opportunities of proving 
both of these theories to be false. These fish, being in perfect condi- 
tion, must start in the winter in order to reach their destination by 
spawning time, as they travel more slowly in the cold weather of winter 
and spring, and consequently take weeks to get to Loch Tay. Many 
of them, when delayed by frost and snow, or snow and high water, 
take months to accomplish the journey. By the end of April the 
run may be said to be over, and few enter Loch Tay after this date. 
With the first flood, about the 15th of May, they leave Loch Tay 
and ascend the river Dochart. Sometimes they may be delayed a 
month or more for want of water, but when a spate does come 
they are ready to ascend, and find their way through the river 
Dochart into Loch Dochart. Throughout the summer and autumn, 
and as spawning-time approaches they make their way into the 
smaller streams which enter Loch Dochart, and there deposit their 
spawn about the 15th November, and soon after return as kelts. 
Wher ave im April is five: years. Dhis-is their dirst return irom 
the sea, the earliest of them having been in the salt water two years 
and six months, and the latest three years. This completes the four 
runs of the same marking. 
From now onwards the number greatly decreases, and only a 
few stragglers from 27 to 40 pounds come on till the end of the year. 
These are from five to six years old. After this there are a few from 
40 to 60 pounds. The next year there are none, making the extreme 
age seven or eight years. 
Few of them, however, reach this age, and all these salmon are 
on their first return from the sea. I know this statement will be 
challenged by many. We have as yet got no winter-marked fish, 
because it is not yet time for them to come. They will, no doubt, be 
got when the fishing opens in 1908. I have come to this conclusion 
