40 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



It was at the mouth of the Devon that, during the winter 

 of 1901 or 1902, three fishermen, who were not particularly 

 anxious to have their movements observed, are reported to 

 have caught a salmon of 103 Ib. No visible record of this 

 monster was retained, so that no actual proof can be produced. 

 On this account it is not surprising that many decline to believe 

 in the fish's existence. I had, however, an opportunity of 

 putting questions to one of the men, and as a result I accepted 

 the statement he made, viz. that the fish weighed 103 Ib. and 

 about 2 ounces after weighing as accurately as possible at a 

 neighbouring farm. My informant said it was without excep- 

 tion the ugliest fish he had ever seen, was black in colour and 

 covered with sea lice in the region of the pectoral fins, a male 

 fish with the hook of the lower jaw penetrating the upper jaw. 

 The record of a very large male fish taken in winter time in 

 tidal water is not out of harmony with what many other 

 indications show to be possible. I take the man's word as to 

 the weight, because he is a quiet self-reliant man, and because 

 he has no reason to give false information. Of course, we all 

 know how large fish grow after death, but my informant isn't 

 even an angler, I believe. 



Richard Franck, writing about the Forth at Stirling two 

 hundred odd years ago, says that "the price of a salmon 

 formerly exceeded the value of sixpence sterling, which I 

 suppose no Englishman will grudge, nor think it unreasonable 

 to give at any time," and goes on to describe how people get 

 ill by eating over much. 1 



The Craigforth Cruive was long complained against as 

 hindering the ascent of fish. The dyke is a large and 

 substantial structure, there being one large opening for the 

 cruive box, the only passage by which fish could ascend to the 

 upper waters. It was pointed out some years ago that this 

 cruive was situated where " the sea fillis and ebbis," and 

 where, therefore, by the early statutes governing these matters, 

 no cruive should remain. The angling proprietors in the 

 Teith, after some prolonged negotiations, at last succeeded in 

 1904 in purchasing this engine for the purpose of leaving it 

 unfished. They at the same time purchased certain net and 

 coble fishings which were associated with the cruive. Since 

 1 Northern Memoirs, Edition 1821, p. 133. 



