170 SALMON FISHIiNG 



such rapidity that within twenty-four hours of the 

 rain ceasing the flood water has passed away, and 

 the streams are running almost as low as if there 

 had been no flood. The result is that during the 

 summer months the river becomes much lower 

 than it used to be, the water more stagnant, and 

 the pollution more serious. For many miles below 

 Hawick not a fish is left alive. The salmon and sea- 

 trout fishing above Ancrum Bridge is now almost of no 

 value. I have not had much experience of it below 

 that point ; but I think that the number of salmon 

 and sea-trout in the lower reaches must be small." 



The SOUTH ESK, in Forfarshire, which rises in 

 Glen Clova and has a run of forty miles before 

 reaching the North Sea, has for a few years suffered 

 from drought. Lord Southesk writes : 



" In recent wet seasons the catches have been 

 good, probably better than ever, the whole course 

 of the river being taken into consideration; but 

 data regarding the whole river are impossible to 

 obtain. As far as I am personally aware, the 

 average number of fish in the river remains much 

 the same as it has been in the past; as also the 

 average weight, which may be stated as 17 Ibs. for 

 autumn fish and 7 Ibs. for spring fish. There is no 

 doubt that the South Esk lias always, especially 

 during the last seven years, been handicapped by 

 the discharge of sewage from the town of Brechin. 

 Arrangements which should have the effect of re- 

 moving or greatly diminishing this drawback are 

 now in progress." 



