384 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



dyke, which evidently were suitable " hidie-holes " for little shoals of 

 fry, but the whole structure of the weir had a neglected and dilapi- 

 dated appearance. 



At Kirkmichael an extremely irregular weir constructed of boulders 

 occurs. The gradient is easy, although the height is about 5 feet, 

 and this may be considered the least objectionable artificial barrier 

 in the river ; but at Blairquhan, or perhaps more correctly, at Milton, 

 above the Blairquhan policies, a more formidable erection of boulders 

 at a natural barrier of rock occurs, and a great amount of water is 

 carried off to the mill-lade. The dyke is only some 3 to 3J feet 

 high, but the obstruction of water makes it a more serious obstacle 

 than it would otherwise be. I understand that fish cannot surmount 

 this barrier till the water is in considerable volume. They have 

 then only four more miles to go till they are completely stopped by 

 Fairlaw Linn. 



It will be seen, therefore, that of the three leading drawbacks to 

 the proper development of the Girvan's fisheries, which have been 

 mentioned, the over-netting in the river has ceased, and the pollu- 

 tion is at present greatly reduced. The opening up of the artificial 

 barriers to the ascent of salmon remains. It is a very great pity 

 that these are not dealt with in accordance with the requirements 

 of the Salmon Acts. The river Girvan should yield valuable salmon 

 and sea-trout fishing from the commencement of the grilse run 

 onwards, but the potential value remains undeveloped. 



The estuary of the Girvan is a portion of a circle of only 300 yards 

 radius from the centre, in the mouth of the river. Bag nets may, there- 

 fore, be set very close to the river. Taken even at the very lowest it 

 is to the interest of the bag net fishers to see that an increased number 

 of fish, once they have entered the river, get up to the best spawning 

 grounds of the Girvan. It would appear that local proprietors have 

 but faint interest in rod fishing values, which others esteem highly 

 nowadays. 



EIVER STINCHAR. 



ANGLING SEASON : 25th February to 14th November. 

 NETTING SEASON : 25th February to 9th September. 



District Fishery Board meets in Stranraer. Stair M'Harrie, Esq.,Rephad, Stranraer, Clerk. 



The river Stinchar, like the main section of the Girvan, flows in 

 a south-westerly direction. It rises very close to the source of the 



