34 



Part III. — Twenty-fifth Annual Report 



In this year again only the drift-net was employed, the use of the seine 

 being still illegal and the prohibition enforced, and no mention is made 

 of a fishing in the more northern lochs. 



In 1866 the summer fishing began in the week ended 7th July, and 

 during that month the grounds were the usual ones — Arran, Kilbrennan 

 Sound, and the west side of Bute. This was the case also in August, 

 but towards the end of the month herrings were taken also at Ardlaraont 

 and in Loch Fyne. In September the fishing was sUU at the north end 

 of Arran and Loch Fyne, but a little before the middle of the month the 

 best catches were got at Ardlamont, though the gross quantity was not 

 large. For a day or two about the 9th October a good fishing was got in 

 the Kyles, but it fell away until the week ending the 27th, when the 

 fishing was chiefly in the Kyles and Loch Riddon, and 920 crans were 

 caught. In the early weeks of November the fishing was continued with 

 much success at these places, and also in Loch Striven and Port 

 Bannatyne Bay. In the week ended 24th November it is noted, for the 

 first time, that a fishing had started in Loch Long, where 50 boats were 

 engaged ; but this fell off in the succeeding week. Early in December 

 the fishing declined also in the Kyles and Loch Riddon, and it was 

 believed the shoal had for the most part left, the weekly total going 

 down to a few hundred crans. But in the week ended 29th December 

 it is noted that a new shoal had entered the Kyles of Bute, and the 

 fishing went on with success to the end of January, 1867, in Loch 

 Riddon and the Kyles. Towards the end of January the shoals left 

 Loch Riddon and the fishing was chiefly in the neighbourhood of 

 Ardlamont and Karnes Bay, at the entrance to the Kyles, and at 

 Tighnabruaich, where the heaviest catches were obtained. Until the 

 end of December a few boats continued to prosecute the fishing in Loch 

 Long, but with little success, getting a few hundred herrings. The 

 details for the weeks are as follows : — 



