OPENING ADDRESS. 7 
In addition to the above, small meshed draft nets are 
used for Smelts or Sparling (which are taken in consider- 
able numbers and comparatively large size between 
Llanrwst and Conway) during March and April; and 
draft nets of larger mesh at the mouth of the river for 
Grey Mullet (Mugil capito, Cuvier).. This fish is now 
becoming scarce. 
There are one or two smaller streams along the coast, 
as the Dulas between Abergele and Colwyn Bay, and the 
Aber a little east of Bangor, but I am not aware that 
Salmon run up them though a few Sewin do. 
SEA FISHERIES. 
On this subject there is little to be said. There is no 
doubt that the Welsh are not in their proper element on 
the sea, and though there are many small coasting vessels 
manned by Welsh sailors, yet, as a rule, they are very cau- 
tious in trusting themselves far from a port. Asa class 
fishermen may be said not to exist on the Welsh side 
between Connah’s Quay on the Dee and the Menai Straits. 
Yet Mostyn, Rhyl, and Conway have at least as good har- 
bourage as Hoylake where there is a considerable fleet of 
fine fishing boats and a body of fishermen second to none 
in skill and hardihood. There is (or was) one small fishing 
boat at Bagillt engaged in getting mussels from Dawpool, 
cockles from the banks in the Dee and occasionally 
trawling at the mouth of the river. At Rhyl four boats 
are engaged occasionally during the winter in setting long 
lines for Cod, but they do not go more than one and a half 
mile from the shore. Lines are also set at low water 
of spring tides, both here and along the coast, but rather 
as an amusement by working men than as a means of 
gaining a livelihood. Codling and Conger Hels (where 
there are rocks) are the principal fish taken in this way. 
