14 



The Salmon 



In this, which I consider almost the last run, the numbers are 

 greater than in any of the others. Many erroneous theories have 

 been put forward with regard to these fish. Many maintain that they 

 return to the sea, and again return to the rivers to spawn, while others 

 think they do not spawn. I have had many opportunities of proving 

 both of these theories to be false. These fish, being in perfect condi- 

 tion, must start in the winter in order to reach their destination by 

 spawning time, as they travel more slowly in the cold weather of winter 

 and spring, and consequently take weeks to get to Loch Tay. Many 

 of them, when delayed by frost and snow, or snow and high water, 

 take months to accomplish the journey. By the end of April the 

 run may be said to be over, and few enter Loch Tay after this date. 

 With the first Mood, about the 15th of May, they leave Loch Tay 

 and ascend the river Dochart. Sometimes they may be delayed a 

 month or more for want of water, but when a spate does come 

 they are ready to ascend, and find their way through the river 

 Dochart into Loch Dochart. Throughout the summer and autumn, 

 and as spawning-time approaches they make their way into the 

 smaller streams which enter Loch Dochart, and there deposit their 

 spawn about the 15th November, and soon after return as kelts. 

 Their age in April is five years. This is their first return from 

 the sea, the earliest of them having been in the salt water two years 

 and six months, and the latest three years. This completes the four 

 runs of the same marking. 



From now onwards the number greatly decreases, and only a 

 few stragglers from 27 to 40 pounds come on till the end of the year. 

 These are from five to six years old. Alter this there are a few from 

 40 to 60 pounds. The next year there are none, making the extreme 

 age seven or eight years. 



Few of them, however, reach this age, and all these salmon are 

 on their first return from the sea. I know this statement will be 

 challenged by many. We have as yet got no winter-marked fish, 

 because it is not yet time for them to come. They will, no doubt, be 

 got when the fishing opens in 190S. I have come to this conclusion 



