LOCH NESS 171 



terms, viz. five shillings for the use of a boat and no charge for 

 fishing ; but trolling for trout is prohibited. 



The efforts of this Association have been followed with distinct 

 success. The various hotels in the neighbourhood at once took 

 advantage of the arrangement, and since 1904, when the operations 

 of the Association came into force, there has been a growing demand 

 for salmon fishing. 



At the same time the Association turned its attention to the 

 removal of the nets in the river Ness, and succeeded, as has already 

 been stated when referring to the river, in acquiring leases of the 

 three river shots for the purpose of keeping off the nets, and so 

 providing for an increased stock of fish in the angling waters and in 

 the spawning grounds of the district. 



A few nets used to be fished in Loch Ness also, but by arrange- 

 ment these have also been removed with the exception of the net at 

 the Fort Augustus Monastery where, however, Lord Lovat has pre- 

 scribed a limit of 25 fish. 



The number of boats licensed since 1904 has steadily increased, 

 and in 1907 the number was 45. The take of fish has also corre- 

 spondingly increased, and so far as I have been able to estimate, after 

 enquiry from the most reliable sources, the total number of fish taken 

 in 1907 was about 500. The actual number taken by licensed boats 

 is slightly under this figure ; but a certain number have to be added 

 as taken by the Glenurquhart boats, which have unfortunately, as I 

 believe, remained outside the regulations of the Loch Ness Associa- 

 tion, and the return from which source is therefore uncertain. Mr. 

 Robert Campbell, the water bailiff at the Fort Augustus end of the 

 loch, has for some years kept an accurate return of the fish caught 

 in his beat, and as this is a favourite section of the loch with many, 

 the totals may be of interest. At the same time it has to be under- 

 stood that the return includes not only the Fort Augustus hotels 

 and the Invermoriston Hotel, but the monastery net, the return of 

 those who privately have taken out licences between Invermoriston 

 and Fort Augustus inclusive, but also the results from the rivers 

 Oich and Moriston. 



1904 - - Total, 287 fish weighing 4548 Ibs. 



1905 - - 211 3122J 



1906 - - 350 5412 



1907 - - 412 6139 



The record for one rod in the loch is, so far, 59 fish, I believe ; but totals 

 of between 30 and 40 fish have several times been got in a season. 



