DEESIDE FOTTINGS. 221 
In the absence, however, of the requisite data for 
such an inquiry, I should be inclined to rate the pio- 
duce of the river at a very moderate figure. Though 
highly prized by the civic epicure, Dee salmon is a 
comparative rarity in the Chester market. I am 
aware that much of the produce of legal and all the 
results of illegal fishing are disposed of by private 
hand, and never consequently find their way to the 
dealer’s stalls. But making every allowance for this 
fact, it is highly improbable that if any considerable 
quantity of fish were taken, a greater proportion of it 
would not be exposed for public sale. One conclu- 
sion at least is certain, that the scarcity of fish 
caught is not the result of any lack of zeal or the 
number of the fishers ; and that of the salmon which 
venture to enter the river, few, large or small, return 
to warn their companions of the dangers that await 
them between the shores of Flint and Chester Cause- 
way. 
The chances of successful fly-fishing for salmon in 
the upper waters of the Dee may be inferred from 
what has been stated respecting the practices in 
the lower part of the river. The prospect is cer- 
tainly not encouraging. Yet it is extraordinary 
to find that so many fish pass the atri.janua Ditis 
of the lower Dee, and make their ascent to the 
upper parts of the stream. Some fortunate acci- 
dent of the natural state of the bed of the river, 
