DEES IDE JOTTINGS. 221 



In the absence, however, of the requisite data for 

 such an inquiry, I should be inclined to rate the pro- 

 duce of the river at a very moderate figure. Though 

 highly prized by the civic epicure, Dee salmon is a 

 comparative rarity in the Chester market. I am 

 aware that much of the produce of legal and all the 

 results of illegal fishing are disposed of by private 

 hand, and never consequently find their way to the 

 dealer's stalls. But making every allowance for this 

 fact, it is highly improbable that if any considerable 

 quantity of fish were taken, a greater proportion of it 

 would not be exposed for public sale. One conclu- 

 sion at least is certain, that the scarcity of fish 

 caught is not the result of any lack of zeal or the 

 number of the fishers ; and that of the salmon which 

 venture to enter the river, few, large or small, return 

 to warn their companions of the dangers that await 

 them between the shores of Flint and Chester Cause- 

 way. 



The chances of successful fly-fishing for salmon in 

 the upper waters of the Dee may be inferred .from 

 what has been stated respecting the practices in 

 the lower part of the river. The prospect is cer- 

 tainly not encouraging. Yet it is extraordinary 

 to find that so many fish pass the atri janua, Ditis 

 of the lower Dee, and make their ascent to the 

 upper parts of the stream. Some fortunate acci- 

 dent of the natural state of the bed of the river, 



