LOCH NESS 179 



distinct success. The various hotels in the neighbourhood at 

 once took advantage of the arrangement, and since 1904, when 

 the operations of the Association came into force, there has 

 been a growing demand for salmon fishing. 



At the same time the Association turned its attention to the 

 removal of the nets in the river Ness, and succeeded, as has 

 already been stated when referring to the river, in acquiring 

 leases of the three river shots for the purpose of keeping off 

 the nets, and so providing for an increased stock of fish in the 

 angling waters and in the spawning grounds of the district. 



A few nets used to be fished in Loch Ness also, but by arrange- 

 ment these have also been removed with the exception of the 

 net at the Fort Augustus Monastery where, however, Lord 

 Lovat has prescribed a limit of 25 fish. 



The number of boats licensed since 1904 has steadily 

 increased. The take of fish has also correspondingly increased, 

 and so far as I have been able to estimate, after enquiry from 

 the most reliable sources, the total number of fish taken in an 

 average year is about 500. The actual number taken by 

 licensed boats is slightly under this figure ; but a certain 

 number have to be added as taken by the Glenurquhart boats, 

 which have unfortunately, as I think, remained outside the 

 regulations of the Loch Ness Association, and the return from 

 which source is therefore uncertain. The late Mr. Robert 

 Campbell, the water bailiff at the Fort Augustus end of the 

 loch, kept an accurate return of the fish caught in his beat, and 

 as this is a favourite section of the loch with many, the totals 

 may be of interest. At the same time it has to be understood 

 that the return includes not only the Fort Augustus hotels and 

 the Invermoriston Hotel, but the monastery net, the return of 

 those who privately have taken out licences between Inver- 

 moriston and Fort Augustus inclusive, but also the results 

 from the rivers Oich and Moriston. 



1904 . . . Total, 287 fish weighing 4,548 J Ib. 



1905 . . 211 3,1 22 J 



1906 . . . 350 5,412 



1907 . 412 6,139 



Recent catches are not available. 



The record for one rod in the loch is, so far, 59 fish, I 

 believe ; but totals of between 30 and 40 fish have several 

 times been got in a season,. 



