204 THE BORDER ANGLER, 



is, along the shore and out to sea be extended so as 

 to embrace seven miles on the south, four on the north, 

 and five in front, and that weekly close -time and as- 

 sessment be enforced as regards the stake and bag 

 nets used within these boundaries. 



6. That the penalty for poaching be fixed at a mi- 

 nimum of 10s. instead of a maximum of 2. 



An attempt was made to regulate the working of 

 weir-shot nets, so as to prevent their acting as stell- 

 nets the boatman rowing the " shot" so slowly as ta 

 keep the net almost stationary, and so evading the 

 law against standing-nets. The Committee, however, 

 decided not to interfere further in this. 



B TKOUT-FISHING IN SALMON CASTS. 



The ridiculous interdict granted by the Sheriff of 

 Koxburgh against fishing for trout in Lord Somerville's 

 salmon-casts has been removed by Lord Ardmillan 

 upon an advocation to the Court of Session. The pub- 

 lic gain, however, only in so far as this decision estab- 

 lishes the right of a proprietor of the river's bank to 

 fish for trout irrespective of the right of salmon-fishing, 

 which is very often held by charter apart from the 

 ownership of the land. The argument in this case 

 was very clear and luminous. The interdict of the 

 Sheriff prohibited the person complained of from ever 

 angling for trout in salmon-casts under " similar cir- 

 cumstances" to those stated in the petition. " What 

 are the 'similar circumstances? 7 " asked the counsel, 

 Mr. J. C. Smith. " The colour of defendant's trousers 

 was a circumstance. [Lord Ardmillan Surely ! a white 

 colour would scare the fish more readily than any 

 other.] So was the cut of his coat, and the time of 

 the day, and the state of the wind. There were few 

 salmon in the river at the time : is that a circumstance? 

 The water was low : is that another ? The water it- 





