64 SALMON FISHING IN THE TWEED 



and straik nets. From Coldstream to the Bridge 

 of Kelso the net and coble are used only par- 

 tially in floods ; and on Mondays, says Mr. 

 Houy, when, by the cessation of the lower fishings 

 on Sunday, the salmon get further up, I have seen 

 from 100 to 500 salmon and gilses caught at Kelso 

 in the morning by the net and coble. From Kelso 

 to the higher districts of the river the principal 



modes of fishing are by the rod, leister, cairn and 

 straik net." 



When fish are ascending the river the cairn net 

 is very destructive. In the parts of the river most 

 favourable for placing it a cairn is built, as in the 

 vignette. 1 This projection into the current makes 

 the water comparatively still and easy below ; and 

 salmon in travelling naturally take to it, as finding 

 there some relief to the labour of ascending. They 

 pass between the net and the shore ; and en- 



1 This mode of fishing, like leistering and " burning the water/' is 

 now illegal. ED. 



