14 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



means of which Salmon are enabled to ascend 

 streams in full waters in spite of natural or artificial 

 obstructions. One side of the river under a weir or 

 cauld is separated from the main stream, and inter- 

 sected by transverse pieces of wood or stone, each 

 of which reaches about two thirds of the width of 

 the gap. There are two ranges of these steps, one 

 on each side, and the steps on one side face the centre 

 of the interval between the steps on the other ; so 

 that the fish ascend from side to side in a zigzag 

 direction, and can rest in their ascent, should they 

 find it necessary. This is a very ingenious contri- 

 vance, and it has been constructed on the Teith, 

 near Doune, with complete success. But I conclude 

 it can only come into operation in such floods as 

 raise the water to a higher level than is required for 

 the mill-dam ; and therefore if rude steps of rolling 

 stones were constructed at a portion of the back of 

 the cauld, the end would be answered in a better 

 manner, since the ascent might be made more 

 gradual.* 



The fish pass every practicable obstruction till 

 they arrive at their spawning ground, some early, 

 and some late in the season. The spawning in the 

 river Tweed continues throughout the autumn, 

 winter, and beginning of spring. It commences 

 about September, and I have caught full roeners as 



* The art of constructing salmon ladders has been considerably 

 developed of late years, and there is a good deal of literature on the 

 subject. There are few falls or weirs which cannot now be made 

 accessible to salmon. Papers on various forms of pass have been 

 issued by both the Scottish and English Fishery Boards and are to 

 be obtained among the official publications. (ED.) 



