THE CREE 395 



fishing stations are adopted in many of the reaches in this seven 

 miles of water; but it may be said that 18 shots are regularly fished. 

 This is certainly more than a river the size of the Cree can stand if 

 an adequate stock of fish is to be kept up. 



In 1900, an Association of six anglers interested in the fishings of 

 the river obtained a lease of the angling rights for 21 years (to 31st 

 July each year), a lease of all the river nets, and in 1901 a lease of 

 the Cassencary Stake net. The last was sublet at a reduced rent 

 with the proviso that a 60 hours weekly close time was to be 

 allowed in place of the statutory weekly period of 36 hours. The 

 members further bound themselves to maintain three watchers 

 throughout the year and to use no lure other than fly in their 

 fishing. 



Previous to the formation of this Association the stock of fish had 

 become reduced to such an extent that the angling was practically 

 worthless, while the netting tenant had averred that his fishing had 

 resulted in a loss. 



Unhappily, unforeseen difficulties arose regarding the tenure of 

 the lease, through the transference of proprietary rights, and after 

 three seasons' fishing the Cree Salmon Angling Association came 

 to an end. 



The moving spirit in the attempted resuscitation of this river 

 was Sir Herbert Maxwell, who, as everyone knows, has done so much 

 in the best interests of salmon fisheries in many districts. With 

 the inception of the Association's operations, a chronicle of events 

 and results was commenced, called the " Cree Crew Chronicle." It is 

 a thousand pities that the chronicle is not still in process of compila- 

 tion, for the perusal of it with which Sir Herbert has favoured me 

 whets the appetite for further results. 



Not only are the salmon, grilse, and sea-trout recorded with 

 weights and particulars, but an analysis of the various beats and the 

 general character of the weather of each fishing month is noted. 

 The whole starts with the happy motto, " Horas non numero nisi 

 felices" In 1900, up to 31st July, 105 salmon and 34 grilse formed 

 the total for the river. No one fished in February, and the river 

 was dead low in March, when a little fishing was tried. April 5th 

 was the first date upon which a clean fish was taken (by a keeper). 

 Sir Herbert Maxwell had a 9J Ib. fish on the following day. In 

 May he had a day with 4, and another day with 3 fish, very heavy 

 water running. On 24th May Mr. M'Haffie hooked the first fish 

 seen above the Linn of Bargrennan. The best day of the season 



