132 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



further up stream in October, almost exclusively at night. The first 

 run of sea- trout is generally composed of fairly heavy fish, averaging 

 about 3 Ib. Good baskets are quite commonly made in an evening, 

 and in order that others may share in the sport, Mr. J. W. Forbes, 

 Bronte Cottage, Inverugie, who has taken a lease of the fishing, has 

 arranged that tickets may be secured from him. 



The right of salmon fishing is owned almost exclusively by Colonel 

 Ferguson of Pitfour. Peterhead is the best place to stay at, and the 

 railway is most convenient for visiting the best parts of the water. 



The takes for the last few seasons, as reported by the Clerk of the 

 District Fishery Board through the river watcher, and published in 

 the annual reports of the Fishery Board for Scotland, are : 



Salmon Sea Trout Salmon Sea Trout 



A considerable drawback to the entrance of the largest fish is caused 

 by the nature of the mouth of the river. From Scott's Pool the run 

 into the sea often becomes very shallow. The coast at this point is 

 completely exposed to the east and north-east, and storms wash in 

 quantities of sand and gravel, through which the comparatively weak 

 force of the Ugie is not able quickly to cut its way. When the tide 

 is out the fresh water runs out across the beach, and in ordinary 

 conditions, as I have seen it, the stream is a quite shallow one. Fish 

 can only enter at all freely when the tide is up. 



The estuary is defined as a portion of a circle of 200 yards radius 

 drawn from a centre in the middle of the river where it joins the 

 sea at low-water. It is possible, therefore, for fixed nets to be set, 

 as they generally are set, pretty close to the river mouth. 



Sweep netting is also carried on off the mouth of the river, in 

 July, August, and September. 



Angling for finnock is much carried on in spring. This sport 

 begins in February, and reaches its height in April. Taking the 

 whole rod and line catch of the season 1907, and expressing it in 

 monthly percentages, the result is : February, 9*7, March, 19'5, April, 

 29-3, May, 97, June, 4*8, July, 0'9, August, 97, September, 97, October, 

 6'9. It is the great amount of finnock fishing which here produces 

 the high percentage for April. In this season, the heaviest fish 

 caught by rod was 28 Ib., the heaviest by sea net 48 Ib. 



