410 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



of the lease, through the transference of proprietary rights, and 

 after three seasons' fishing the Cree Salmon Angling Association 

 came to an end. 



The moving spirit in the attempted resuscitation of this 

 river was Sir Herbert Maxwell, who, as every one knows, has 

 done so much in the best interests of salmon fisheries in many 

 districts. With the inception of the Association's operations, 

 a chronicle of events and results was commenced, called the 

 " Cree Crew Chronicle." It is a thousand pities that the 

 chronicle is not still in process of compilation, for the perusal 

 of it with which Sir Herbert has favoured me whets the 

 appetite for further results. 



Not only are the salmon, grilse, and sea-trout recorded with 

 weights and particulars, but an analysis of the various beats 

 and the general character of the weather of each fishing month 

 is noted. The whole starts with the happy motto, " Horas non 

 numeronisi felices" In 1900, up to 31st July, 105 salmon and 

 34 grilse formed the total for the river. No one fished in 

 February, and the river was dead low in March, when a little 

 fishing was tried. April 5th was the first date upon which a 

 clean fish was taken (by a keeper). Sir Herbert Maxwell had 

 a 9 Ib. fish on the following day. In May he had a day 

 with 4, and another day with 3 fish, very heavy water 

 running. On 24th May Mr. M'Haffie hooked the first fish 

 seen above the Linn of Bargrennan. The best day of the season 

 was 25th July, when 5 salmon and 3 grilse were taken by 

 one of the rods. 



In 1900 the river had been divided into eight beats, numbers 

 5 and 7 only coming into possession of the Association in the 

 middle of May. In 1901 the water was redivided into seven 

 beats as follows : 



No. 1. From sea to Linloskin. 



No. 2. From Linloskin to Penninghame. 



No. 3. From Penninghame to Clachaneasy Bridge. 



No. 4. From Clachaneasy Bridge to Bargrennan Linn. 



No. 5. From Bargrennan Linn to the Ayrshire March. 



No. 6. From Minnock Foot to the top of the stream above 

 the Roman Bridge. 



No. 7. From the top of the stream above Roman Bridge to 

 the Ayrshire March. 



