188 SALMON FISHING 



" Most people now recognise the fact that the pre- 

 servation of salmon and trout is a national asset, 

 and of the very greatest importance to the district. 

 The desire to poach is naturally still rampant ; but 

 it is kept within narrow limits by Boards of Con- 

 servators and private agencies. As the fishing is 

 free in the greater part of this district, the private 

 agencies are on the increase, the value of the fishing 

 being fully realised." 



The BALLYNAHINCH is going down. Mackerel nets 

 kill the fish at the stage midway between smolts and 

 grilse. Unlimited drift nets are set all round the 

 Irish coast for the sole purpose of taking salmon. 

 " This," Mr. Arnold Matthews, Ballynahinch Castle, 

 says, "is a subject calling for immediate legislation." 



General Beresford, Wolsey Ho, East Molesey, who 

 sends a statement similar in effect, adds : " There is 

 no netting for salmon at, or anywhere near, the 

 mouth of the river. At spawning time the fish are 

 carefully protected. There has never been disease." 



LOUGH FURNACE, a moiety of LOUGH FEEAGH, 

 sometimes called Treenlaw; the BUNOWEN RIVER 

 FISHERY, sometimes called the Louisburgh Fishery ; 

 Doo LOUGH, FIN LOUGH, the BUNDORRAGHA RIVER; 

 the ERRIFF RIVER and TAWNYARD LOUGH, sometimes 

 called the Aasleagh Fishery, are properties, in County 

 Mayo, of Lord Sligo, at whose wish his son, Lord 

 Altamont, obligingly writes, as follows : 



" In Lough Furnace and Lough Feeagh there is a 

 falling-off in the stock and in the sport. That is 

 owing to constant poaching with nets in Lough 



