18 SALMON FISHING IN THE TWEED 



the depths and draw into the streams. At this 

 time they become clear in colour, and are com- 

 paratively well made ; but their flesh is soft, and 

 without flavour. They now move down the river 

 by degrees, in their passage to the sea. When 

 they arrive in the deep pools where the water 

 runs evenly, they he in sculls, and take a rest for 

 some days : here they are caught in great quantities 

 by anglers, as they take the fly and other baits 

 freely. March is usually the best month for this 

 sport, if, indeed, it can be called sport to kill an 

 animal that is worth a mere trifle, and resists but 

 little. 1 If there are freshes, the kelts (for so the 

 females that have spawned are called) quit the 

 Tweed before the month of May, and the kippers, 

 or male fish, at the same time. 2 Very many do 

 so in March and April, according to the time 

 that they have spawned and regained their powers. 

 In going downwards they are taken about Kelso, 

 or at least they used to be so in my time, with 

 the long net, in pools where they rest, such as 

 that below Kelso bridge ; but they cannot be 

 caught by the cairn nets, which are so destructive 

 to them in ascending. 



Having now despatched the salmon to the sea, 

 it remains to me to explain what becomes of the 

 spawn, and how and when the young fry arrive 

 at maturity ; and as there have been various doubts 

 and contradictions on this subject, 1 think it more 

 prudent to lead the reader to a consideration of 



1 The killing of kelts is now prohibited by law. ED. 



2 Both sexes alike are known as kelts. Kippers are fish which have 

 not yet shed their milt. ED. 



