of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



251 



were killed by rod, but there is no doubt the sport of salmon fishing in 

 the great stretch of water referred to has received a marked stimulus by 

 the operations of the District Board. Netting for the purpose of destroy- 

 ing pike was also carried on, and during this work I understand 9 salmon 

 were taken, 7 being taken in one haul of the net. Some interesting 

 accounts have also reached me from those who had the opportunity of 

 watching salmon successfully ascending the falls of Tummel. It is satis- 

 factory to learn that, on suitable days, a considerable number of fish 

 are now able to make the ascent. 



Creetown Stake Nets. 



These certificated engines have existed on their present sites for a 

 great number of years, and from time to time members of the Cree Dis- 

 trict Fishery Board have expressed the view that the details of the nets, 

 which are carefully related in the terms of the certificates, if not the 

 positions of the nets, have been altered, and that the alteration has been 

 to the prejudice of the salmon fisheries. Accordingly, on 5th August, 

 I inspected each net, noting the exact site, and taking measurements of 

 its various parts. Before doing so, I went over the certificates in the 

 possession of Mr. Henryson Caird of Cassencary, the owner of the nets. 

 In my inspection I was accompanied by Mr. Birrell, the tenant. 



I first visited the net with three pockets off the mouth of the Money- 

 pool Burn. Seen from the road, this range of nets appears to extend well 

 across the channel of the Cree. On going across the mud banks to the 

 nets, however, this appearance is found to be quite deceptive. No doubt 

 the channel varies from time to time. It is clear also that the formation 

 of the mud banks is constantly going on with the action of tide and river. 

 The site of the range of nets should not be altered however, and, as a 

 matter of fact, I found that at low tide on the day of my inspection there 

 were 50 to 60 yards of mud flat between the outer end of the range of 

 nets and the commencement of the river channel. 



The situation of the net is described in the certificate as follows : — 

 " To the south of a line drawn due west from the centre of the old bridge 

 " across the Moneypool Burn or Ferry Burn, near a place marked ' step- 

 " ping stones,' which centre is now marked by a granite boulder placed 

 " in the burn, and having the letter ' B ' cut out in the stone — starts 

 " from a point nearly opposite the ' Big Ferry Thorn,' and extends in a 

 " south-westerly direction as laid down in red ink on a copy of Sheet 42 

 " of the Ordnance Survey ... or as near the situation and direction 

 " above set forth as the state of the channel permits, provided the net 

 " is substantially on the same bank or scaur." 



The granite boulder referred to was shown me by Mr. Birrell. Owing 

 to the changing of the burn the boulder is now on the right bank, just 

 above the stepping stones. It was found to be much overgrown with 

 grass, but when uncovered was easily identified. 



This range of nets seems to occupy its proper site. 

 With regard to dimensions, I found the length to be 235 yards, or 

 rather less than the length allowed. The height, however, I found to be 

 15 feet, instead of 12 feet, but, owing to variation of level of the sand and 

 silted mud, this difference may, I think, be considered negligible. With 

 regard to the inner pocket, the only correction necessary was that the ebb 

 arm should be 9 yards, instead of 14J yards. 



In the middle pocket both arms should be 14 yards. I found one 10 

 and the other 17 yards. In the outer pocket the ebb arm should be 

 8 yards, and the flood arm 41 yards, including a " runaway." The ebb 



