OPENING ADDRESS. 5 
fish descending the river after spawning (and it is said 
that the fish taken in February were almost exclusively 
these), the close time has recently been extended to April 
1st instead of February lst as formerly. And to meet the 
complaints of the Chester fishermen the cost of the license 
for a trammel net has been raised to £15, that for draught 
nets remaining at £5, and the coracle nets at £2 10s. as 
before. 
The question of the use of trammels for ‘‘ Flukes,”’ 1e., 
Flounders, Plaice, and Dabs, (Plewronectes jflesus, P. 
platessa, and P. limanda) during close time is a difficult 
one. It is questionable whether it could be carried on 
profitably were it not for the occasional illicit captures 
of salmon said to be made and for which, it is asserted, 
purchasers can always be found. On the other hand the 
fishermen say that salmon are not taken, owing to the 
mode in which the nets are set for Flukes. Possibly the 
case might be met by absolutely prohibiting the use of 
nets of any kind during the months of September and 
October, when the greatest run of Salmon generally takes 
place, and allowing free netting below Connah’s Quay 
after that—the taking of Salmon of course not being per- 
mitted during close time. 
The next river (following the coast to the westward) is 
the Foryd as the united streams of the Clwyd and Elwy, 
from their junction between St. Asaph and Rhuddlan to 
the sea at Rhyl are called. Draft nets from 30 to 90 yds. 
long, with the legal mesh, are used from Rhuddlan Bridge 
to the sea, and rod-fishing only in the rivers above, which 
are small. The close time is from September 15th to 
May 15th for nets, and from November 15th to May 15th 
for rods. It is a very late river, the principal runs of 
Salmon and Sewin up the river taking place in September, 
October, and November. The cost of licences in 1891. 
