88 Part III. — Twenty-fifth Annual Report 



to the upper loch, in the upper loch, and towards the end of the month 

 also along the east side of the lower loch. 



In 1891 the aggregate was 48,228 crans. In June it is recorded that 

 several dense shoals entered the loch in May, and the best fishing was 

 in the upper loch, though takes were got all over the loch. In July, 

 when 10,283 crans were landed, most were got between Tarbert and 

 Ardrishaig, between Tarbert and Skipness, about Skipness, and near 

 Ardlamont. In August the catch fell to 3783| crans, and in September 

 to 3639^ crans, the herrings being taken on the same grounds as in July. 

 In October 9388 crans were landed, most of them being taken off Castle- 

 ton, along the east shore of the loch, near Ardrishaig, and above Otter 

 Spit. The dense shoals which had entered the loch in June had retired 

 to deep water, and were now breaking up preparatory to leaving the loch. 

 In November the very large quantity of 11,038 crans was secured, 5001 in 

 the first week in Kilfinan Bay and between Strachur and Otter Spit, and 

 during the remainder of the month, and particularly in the last week, off 

 Inveraray and at Minard ; the bulk were thus taken in the upper loch. 

 In December the unprecedented catch for that month of 7937 crans was 

 taken, at first in the upper loch and best near Minard, then in the lower 

 loch on the east side, particularly about Kilfinan Bay ; in the week ended 

 31st December, 4493 crans were landed, chiefly from the upper loch, near 

 Minard. 



From 1891 to 1895 the annual yield was gradually reduced to a point 

 considerably below the average. 



In 1892 the aggregate was not much lower, viz., 47,408^ crans. In 

 June, when 4509 crans were taken, the herrings were caught all over the 

 loch, but chiefly between Skipness and Tarbert, and near Inveraray. In 

 July 9206 crans were landed, taken all over the upper and lower loch, 

 but mostly between Skipness and Tarbert, also near Ardrishaig. In 

 August the catch amounted to 11,129 crans, caught mostly between 

 Skipness and Laggan, but all over the loch as far as Inveraray. In 

 September the total was 8406 1 crans, by far the greater part being got 

 between Skate Island and Ardlamont, and between Tarbert and Skipness. 

 In October the catch totalled 3641 crans, nearly all from the upper loch, 

 and particularly between Furnace and Inveraray. Several dense shoals 

 were reported to be in the upper luch, but keeping in the deep water in 

 the central channel. In November the total was 3377 crans, practically 

 all from the upper loch, and mostly between Minard and Strachur. In 

 December 7140 crans were landed, by far the greater part being caught 

 in the upper locli, between Minard and Otter Spit. 



In 1893 the aggregate catch amounted to 36,389| crans. In June 

 3251 crans were landed, the fishing being all over the loch, but best near 

 Tarbert and in the vicinity of Minard. In July 10,802* crans were 

 taken, also all over the loch, but best at Ardlamont and on the opposite 

 side near Laggan. The quantity got in August was 10,075^ crans, and 

 the herrings were caught both in the upper and the lower loch, in the 

 latter chiefly about Skate Island. In September the catch fell to 2700^ 

 crans, caught near Skate Island, between Tarbert and Ardrishaig, and in 

 the upper loch. The total in October was only 705 crans; herrings were 

 reported to be plentiful in the upper loch between Minard and Inveraray, 

 but they stayed in the deep water, what were taken being caught by 

 drift-nets down to 30 and 40 fathoms from the surface. At the begin- 

 ning of November the shoal began to move from the deep water, and 

 most of the 4416 crans secured were got between Minard and Otter, and 

 from Minard to Inveraray, chiefly by seines. In December 4439 crans 

 were taken, mostly about Minard and Loch Gair. 



