SALMON FISHING DESCRIBED. 6l 



The draughting is carried on at the last quarter of 

 the ebb, and during the first of flood — five or six boats, 

 with as many men in each, are necessary. When the 

 salmon are seen, the nearest boat starts off, leaving a man 

 on shore, with a rope attached to one extremity of the 

 net, which is rapidly thrown over, as the boat makes an 

 extensive circle round the place where the fish is sup- 

 posed to lie. Returning to the shore, the curve of the 

 net is gradually decreased. Stones are flung in at each 

 extremity, to prevent the salmon from escaping ; the 

 net reaches the bank, the semi-circle is complete, and 

 all within effectually secured. The fish are then care- 

 fully landed, and at a single draught five hundred salmon 

 have been taken. This is, however, an event of rare 

 occurrence, and unless the net were powerfully strong, 

 and the fishers skilful, a fracture, and consequently 

 a general escape, would be inevitable. 



The fishing here is exceedingly precarious. If the 

 season be favourable from the ist of July to the 12th 

 of August, the daily average would be probably five 

 hundred salmon, exclusive of an immense quantity of 

 white trout. But success depends entirely upon the 

 weather. Should the season prove rainy or tem- 

 pestuous, the salmon directly leave the estuary, and 

 remain at sea until the water clears and the storm abates ; 

 and the time allowed by law often expires before a 

 moiety of the fish can be secured. 



It is extraordinary how much the flavour and quality 

 of the salmon depend on circumstances apparently 

 of trifling moment. A single day in the river will 

 injure and a flood spoil their condition ; and the 

 difference between a fish taken in the nets and one 

 killed with the rod will be easily perceptible. 



