178 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



" Gradients exceeding 1 in 1 are of frequent occurrence, and 

 in certain places the slope approaches the precipitous. Near 

 the southern end of the loch, off the south-western shore at the 

 entrance of the River Oich, a sounding of 204 feet was taken 

 about 100 feet from shore ; but the steepest slopes were 

 observed off the north-eastern shore in the vicinity of the Horse 

 Shoe craig, where a sounding in 236 feet was taken about 100 

 feet from shore ; another in 175 feet about 50 feet from shore ; 

 and off what is known as the Cormorant rock, a sounding in 

 206 feet was taken about 50 feet from shore. This last- 

 mentioned sounding gives a gradient exceeding 4 in 1, or an 

 angle of about 15 from the perpendicular." 



The fame of Loch Ness as a spring salmon loch has arisen 

 largely since the formation of the Loch Ness Angling Improve- 

 ment Association in the end of the year 1903. This Association 

 is composed of proprietors of salmon fishing rights in the loch, 

 and was formed in order to regulate the existing fishing and 

 improve the prospects for the future. 



The rules of the Association with regard to salmon and sea- 

 trout fishing are as follow : 



1. Parties may obtain the right of angling for salmon and 

 sea-trout on payment of the following : 



(a) For whole season, 5 for each boat ; 

 (&) For period from 1st May to 15th October, 2 10s. for 

 each boat. 



2. All subscriptions must be paid in advance to the secretary, 

 who will issue distinctive badges for each boat. Each badge 

 will be marked with the registered number of the boat, and 

 subscribers are strictly prohibited from angling from any boat 

 without its proper badge. Any person angling from a boat 

 not marked with a badge will be liable to prosecution. 



3. A subscriber's right will be strictly limited to himself, the 

 members of his family, and visitors residing with him. 



4. Only hotel -keepers, the members of their families, and the 

 hotel visitors, shall be allowed to fish in the authorised hotel 

 boats. Boatmen and other servants are strictly prohibited 

 from fishing. 



5. No kelts may be gaffed, and a net for landing kelts must 

 be carried in every boat until 1st May. 



The efforts of this Association have been followed with 



