STORAGE AND PASSES 287 



year when the rain is less than normal, and that 

 when there is plenty of water late in the autumn the 

 fish are too weak, being heavy with spawn, to leap 

 successfully. When the river falls, the arrested fish 

 are easy prey to the poacher. 



A proper pass is one through which salmon can 

 go either in a high flood or when the water, though 

 low, is sufficient to entice a run. It must be capable 

 of inducing fish to enter it at any time. Every weir 

 or fall is a special case, calling for special treatment. 

 The mouth of the pass must be close enough to the 

 fall to prevent the fish from going aside and losing 

 the way. Many passes are successful in respect that 

 fish enter and surmount them when, the spawning 

 time being near, they are keen to get up ; but only 

 a few are suitable for spring fish, which will not even 

 run on a weir until the temperature of the water is 

 high, or for summer fish fresh from the sea, which are 

 not much inclined to effort. All passes with barriers 

 across them are unsuitable. Salmon will not jump 

 over the barriers. Some of these barriers have 

 openings at one side, each at the alternate side, 

 giving the water a zig-zag course ; but, if there is 

 flow enough to bring fish up the river, the rush 

 through the opening of the pass is so great that they 

 are unable to push through. 



When a pass of this kind is in working order too 

 little water goes through it to entice the fish to 

 enter. It does let up fish that have been a long 

 time just below, and can proceed when the exact 

 opportunity arises ; but it is of little use as regards 



