THE TEITH 



45 



weir would block the river but for two fish-passes, built one at each 

 bank. The first of these was erected by Smith of Deanston a 

 remarkable man in many ways in 1840, and is, I think, the first 

 successful pass in Scotland. Three men Brachett, Foster, and 

 Brewer had already suggested passes of an open rectangular form, 

 and Smith's plan follows Foster's idea most nearly. A considerable 

 quantity of water is taken into the built pass of comparatively easy 

 gradient, and alternating breaks to check the water-flow are built 

 out at right angles to the sides of the pass, so that the descending 

 water takes a zig-zag course. This system was adopted with equal 

 success at Galway and Balisodare in Ireland, and was then recom- 

 mended as the best type in a bye-law attached to the Salmon Fishery 

 (Scotland) Act, 1868, governing these matters. In the experience 

 which has been gained subsequently, however, it is, I think, evident 

 that one particular form of pass is not suitable to all the varying 

 conditions which are met with, and that a certain amount of elasticity 

 is desirable in order to secure the most suitable pass at any one 

 obstruction. 



With regard to the rod fishing results in the Teith great com- 

 plaints have been made within recent years that the glory has 

 departed. The pollutions, the overnetting, and the obstruction of 

 water are certainly three factors of most ominous portent, forming 

 collectively a powerful force in antagonism to all salmon fishing 

 interests. In attempting to secure evidence from actual figures, I 

 have been favoured with the record since 1876 of the late Mr. Baillie 

 Hamilton of Cambusmore. He was a very steady fisherman on the 

 Teith, and his water is perhaps better than any other as a test of 

 changed conditions, since it may be fished at any season. Occa- 

 sionally it happened that absence from home, or continued heavy 

 water, made a difference in the amount of fishing, but as a rule 

 Mr. Baillie Hamilton fished steadily through the spring, and either 

 let his water or gave leave to others to fish in the autumn. I 

 prefer, therefore, to deal solely with the spring fish caught in 

 February, March, April, and May. 



Year. Fish. 



1876 

 1877 



1878 

 1879 



15 

 14 



14 



1880 20 



Remarks. 



Feb., March, and April 

 only. 



Only fished a few days 

 in Feb., Mar., arid 

 Apr. 



Year. Fish. 



1881 



11 



1882 21 



1883 

 1884 



9 



24 



Remarks. 

 Hard frost all Feb. 



No fish. 

 About a score were 



diseased and not fit 



to take. 



Very heavy water in 

 Feb. 12 fish. 



