THE UGIE 13d 



has taken a lease of the fishing, has arranged that tickets may 

 be secured from him. 



The right of salmon fishing is owned almost exclusively by 

 Colonel Ferguson of Pitfour. Peterhead is the best place to 

 stay at, and the railway is most convenient for visiting the best 

 parts of the water. 



The takes, as reported by the Clerk of the District Fishery 

 Board through the river watcher, and published in the annual 

 reports of the Fishery Board for Scotland, show that the annual 

 catch varies from 10 to- 35 salmon and 500-1000 finnock 

 and sea- trout. The 1920 catch was 35 salmon and grilse and 

 over 1,000 finnock. 



A considerable drawback to the entrance of the largest fish 

 is caused by the nature of the mouth of the river. From 

 Scott's Pool the run into the sea often becomes very shallow. 

 The coast at this point is completely exposed to the east and 

 north-east, and storms wash in quantities of sand and gravel, 

 through which the comparatively weak force of the Ugie is 

 not able quickly to cut its way. When the tide is out the 

 fresh water runs out across the beach, and in ordinary con- 

 ditions, as I have seen it, the stream is a quite shallow one. 

 Fish can only enter at all freely when the tide is up. 



The estuary is defined as a portion of a circle of 200 yards 

 radius drawn from a centre in the middle of the river where 

 it joins the sea at low-water. It is possible, therefore, for 

 fixed nets to be set, as they generally are set, pretty close to the 

 river mouth. 



Sweep netting is not now carried on off the mouth of the 

 river. 



Angling for finnock is much practised in spring. This sport 

 begins in February, and reaches its height in April. Taking 

 the whole rod and line catch of an average season, and express- 

 ing it in monthly percentages, the result is : February, 9-7 ; 

 March, 19-5 ; April, 29-3 ; May, 9-7 ; June, 4-8 ; July, 0-9 ; 

 August, 9-7 ; September, 9-7 ; October, 6-9. It is the great 

 amount of finnock fishing which here produces the high 

 percentage for April. 



A salmon hatchery exists some little distance up the river, 

 which annually treats from 80,000 to 150,000 ova. The old 

 cruives of the river are not now fished for commercial purposes, 



