92 



THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



found, I understand, to give general satisfaction. For the 

 reserved water a charge of 8 per week is made from the 

 opening to 15th April, when the charge is reduced to 5. The 

 best sport is usually obtained at the commencement of the 

 season, and by the third week of May the chances are practically 

 past, as by that time the salmon are making their next move, 

 their ascent of the Dochart. As in many other localities 

 mentioned in this volume, the water of the Dochart is, in the 

 early months of the year, not only colder than Loch Tay, but 

 also descends a rocky fall immediately above Killin a very 

 picturesque fall it is and this combination is sufficient to stop 

 all spring fish till such time as the wintry thermal conditions 

 have responded to the rising air temperature. 



The fishing of twenty-five boats for the first month in 1900 

 yielded 2-6 fish per boat per day, 56 salmon having been 

 taken. Since the average weight was about 19 lb., this is no 

 mean result, and is a better total for this first month of the 

 season than was obtained either in 1907 or 1906. 



Through the kindness of Lord Breadalbane, and his factor, 

 I am able to give the totals from 1882 to 1920. The figures for 

 1891 and 1892 may not be absolutely accurate, since complete 

 returns from every hotel were not available. 1908 is absent. 



