384 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



proper, they may be regarded to some extent as vermin, more 

 especially as the altered condition of the river, during the months 

 when they are in season, prevents them being, as formerly, sub- 

 jects of sport with the rod and line. Previous to this interdic- 

 tion, on the occasion of a flood in October or November, the 

 ogre-jawed and predatory orders of the fario were forced in 

 close to the banks, and gave opportunity to the angler using 

 salmon-roe as a bait to capture them in considerable quantities, 

 and by doing so, greatly diminish the number of enemies, which, 

 on the falling in of the river, would make their way to the 

 spawning-beds of the salmon, there to feast on the newly expelled 

 ova, and disturb the operations of the paired fish, not to talk 

 of their aggressions at the hatching time, and throughout the 

 season on the parr-stock. 



Secondly, This application of Section xn. to Tweed, takes 

 away the salutary check which the use of salmon-roe as a 

 bait always had on the aggressive dispositions of the eriox. 

 Every angler resident on Tweedside is acquainted with the 

 habits and propensities of this fish, and of its comparative worth- 

 lessness in an edible point of view. He is also aware of the 

 mischief done by it on the salmon-spawning beds, and in its 

 kelted state, among the young fry. When permitted, the cap- 

 ture of the bull-trout with the salmon-roe (and during its ascent 

 on the occasion of an autumnal flood, it will take, with freedom, no 

 other bait), afforded most exciting sport, inferior only to salmon- 

 fishing with the fly or minnow. It secured to one at all ac- 

 quainted with the habits of the eriox, the frequent run of a 

 powerfully formed fish fresh from the sea, the securing of which, 

 so long as it braved the current, was made doubtful by the com- 

 parative fineness of the tackle employed. 



Thirdly, Now that this manner of sport is prohibited, the en- 

 couragement to poaching with the net and spear has been greatly 

 increased by the additional supply which the upper waters receive 



