CH. XXXII. DESTRUCTION OF SALMON. 193 



of water ; and although, like all Highland rivers, 

 subject to floods, is not liable to such sudden and 

 dangerous risings as its neighbour the Findhorn. 



The Dee, and many other rivers and streams, all 

 gladdening to the eye of the fly-fisher, pour their 

 waters into the German Ocean : with none of these, 

 however, have I a sufficient personal acquaintance 

 to enable me to describe their merits or demerits. 



It is a matter quite beyond doubt that salmon 

 are decreasing every year in most of the Scottish 

 rivers. With short-sighted cupidity these valuable 

 fish are hunted down, trapped, and caught in every 

 possible manner ; and in consequence of this reck- 

 less destruction the proprietors of some salmon 

 rivers will, before many years have elapsed, lose 

 the high rents which they now obtain from sports- 

 men and speculators. Prolific as they are, fish, like 

 all other animals, must of necessity decrease, unless 

 allowed fair play and time to breed. 



It is not the angler who injuriously thins their 

 number. The salmon is too capricious in rising at 

 the fly to make this possible. Nor, indeed, do I 

 think that any extent of fair river-fishing can exter- 

 minate them. It is the system of stake-net and bag- 

 net fishing which requires to be better regulated, 

 and placed under more stringent local laws. As 

 the fishing is now carried on, the salmon are almost 



VOL. II. 



