THE TWEED 309 



trout killed by disease and removed from the Tweed, which is 

 much in excess of an}' other Scotch river, even allowing for the 

 larger size of this one. 



From 1808 to 1846 — thirty-nine years — the average take of 

 the nets was 140,000 salmon, grilse, and sea trout. 



From 1847 to 1885 — another period of thirty-nine years — the 

 average was 64,000, and nothing can indicate more clearly than 

 these figures how much the river has deteriorated. 



The most productive year of which any record exists was 1816, 

 when 54,041 salmon, 120,594 grilse, and 62,074 sea trout were 

 captured, or 236,709 fish. But then the Tweed and its tributaries 

 can boast of no less than three hundred and twenty miles of water 

 frequented by salmon, grilse, and sea trout ! 



The proprietors of this river — and, indeed, of all the southern 

 streams of Scotland — would warmly welcome a close time for trout, 

 a matter so often talked of and so often nearly accomplished, but 

 which has not at present become a fact. 



In coming to the conclusion of my labours, I cannot help regret- 

 ting that I have had so little space to give to this river, on which 

 it would have been easy to write a whole book, as it fully deserves. 



In 1903 about 8256 fish were caught by rod in the Tweed and its 

 tributaries, according to the Fishery Board Report of that year. 

 It seems a very big catch. 



In 1904 the rods caught 1404, not including the take made in 

 Peeblesshire. Upwards of 5000 diseased fish were removed from the 

 river. 



In 1906 the rods took 3566 fish. 



In 1907 the rods took 2443 fish. 



In 1908 the rods took 2115 fish, a 43 lb. from Sprouston, the 

 heaviest. 



In 1909, rods took 1573 fish, heaviest 40 lb., caught by Miss 

 Trotter of Charter Hall in Sprouston. 



On the two miles of both banks of the Makerston water near 

 Kelso, the average take from ist August to end of season has been 

 93 fish from igoo to 1906. 



On the Earl of Home's Lower Birgham water near Coldstream, 

 from 1st September to 30th November has yielded as follows : — 



1901. 1902. 1903. 1904. 1905. 1906. 1907. 1908. 

 54 48 85 29 32 47 42 25 



In 1912, Mr. Bulteel at Birgham had a day of thirteen fish to his 

 own rod, and at Floors Castle a like number were taken by one rod 

 in a day, and these are the two largest takes for any one day to one 

 rod in this season. 



On the Hendersyde water of Sir Richard Waldie Griffith, Mr. 

 Thomas Taylor of Chipchase Castle on Tyne , landed a fish of 4oJ lb. 



On Drygrange, Mr. Roberts had a fish of 40 lb. , and three others of 

 34 lb., 18 lb., and 14 lb. in the same day ; while at Sprouston, Lord 

 Dunglass had a November fish of 40 lb. and another later on of 38 lb. 



