THE DOON, GIRVAN, AND STINCHAR 255 



thing to what it ought to be if the nets were set back from the 

 river mouth. 



The flies already mentioned will kill, a sixteen-foot rod is ample, 

 and wading stockings necessary. From the foregoing it will be 

 seen that river netting, pollutions, obstructions, and poaching are 

 rife in these six Ayrshire streams ; that the seventy miles of coasts 

 into which they fall are netted with great severity, there being 

 fully a hundred bag-nets in the distance, some of which are working 

 at from three hundred to four hundred yards of the mouths of these 

 rivers. It is quite clear a change for the better is badly wanted ; 

 and I venture to think if the six streams were formed into one 

 district, with the Marquis of Ailsa as President of the Board, that 

 much might then be done for them. At present, the one hundred 

 and fifty mUes of good angling water that they possess between 

 them does not realise £5 a mile ! 



In 1905 the Doon gave 78 salmon and grilse and 203 sea trout 

 to the rods. This was in the lower water from Monkwood to the sea. 



In 1906, 115 salmon and grilse. 



In 1907, 607 salmon and grilse and sea trout. 



In 1908, 372 of all three sorts — probably nearly all sea trout. 



In 1909 — no statistics procurable. An " enormous " stock 

 reported. 



Prior to 1905 the salmon fishing was next to nil. Then in this 

 year the owners held a meeting to consider what steps should be 

 taken to improve the angling. 



In 1906 the nets took 22 salmon, 320 grilse, iioo sea trout; 

 the rods none ! 



