SALMON. 17 



half a crown the stone, Dutch weight : they were after^ 

 wards salted. Trifling as this price is, the fishermen in 

 the upper parts of the Tweed formerly made up the 

 chief part of their rent in this manner ; for there is no 

 law against killing foul fish, except in close time. 



T have now given a brief account of the Salmon, from 

 his first entry into fresh water till he has spawned. It 

 remains only to trace him back to the sea. 



When the spawning is finished, the fish become very 

 lank and weak, and fall into deep easy water, where they 

 have not to contend with the current : here, after a time, 

 their strength is recruited, when, as the spring advances, 

 the strongest fish leave the depths and draw into the 

 streams. At this time they become clear in colour, and 

 are comparatively 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 lie 

 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. 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. 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, 



C 



