46 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



except in its lowest part, a rather brawling stream, and 3 

 miles up its course is completely barred to salmon by the 

 picturesque falls of Bracklinn, which form the objective of 

 many summer excursions from Callander. Any opening up 

 of these falls is a hopeless task, not only on account of their 

 precipitous nature, but on account of the steep character of 

 the stream further up. 



There is one weir on the Teith at Deanston, near Doune. 

 This weir would block the river but for two fish-passes, built 

 one at each bank. The first of these was erected by Smith of 

 Deanston a remarkable man in many ways in 1840, and is, 

 I think, the first successful pass in Scotland. Three men 

 Brachett, Foster, and Brewer had already suggested passes 

 of an open rectangular form, and Smith's plan follows Foster's 

 idea most nearly. A considerable quantity of water is taken 

 irito the built pass of comparatively easy gradient, and 

 alternating breaks to check the water-flow are built out at 

 right angles to the sides of the pass, so that the descending 

 water takes a zig-zag course. This system was adopted with 

 equal success at Galway and Balisodare in Ireland, and was 

 then recommended as the best type in a bye-law attached to 

 the Salmon Fishery (Scotland) Act, 1868, governing these 

 matters. In the experience which has been gained subse- 

 quently, however, it is, I think, evident that one particular 

 form of pass is not suitable to all the varying conditions 

 which are met with, and that a certain amount of elasticity 

 is desirable in order to secure the most suitable pass at any 

 one obstruction. 



With regard to the rod fishing results in the Teith great 

 complaints have been made within recent years that the glory 

 has departed. The pollutions, the overnetting, and the ob- 

 struction of water are certainly three factors of most ominous 

 portent, forming collectively a powerful force in antagonism 

 to all salmon fishing interests. I suppose the combined bag 

 of Lanrick, Cambusmore and Blair Drummond does not now 

 exceed 60 or 70 fish, and is more commonly 40 or 50. 



With regard to the weight of fish taken in the spring the 

 average usually works out at 17 Ib. Fish from 14 Ib. to 22 Ib. 

 are most common ; but a few small springers of 9 and 10 

 occur and the heaviest fish is 30 lb % 



