86 



Part III. — Twenty -fifth Annual Report 



In 1884 the catch fell below the average, viz., to 15,756 cruris. In 

 June there was a "splendid appearance" of herrings all over the 

 lower loch, and the large quantity of 5154 crans were landed, but the 

 localities of capture are not mentioned. In July, it is only stated that 

 some good takes were got about Lochgair and Minard, but the bulk of 

 the 3275 crans landed were doubtless got in the lower loch; the 

 quality was very inferior, the herrings being small — the smallest and 

 poorest, for a number of years. The place of fishing in August is again 

 omitted, but most herrings appear to have been landed at Tarbert ; at the 

 end of the month mackerel were more abundant than herrings. In 

 September most of the fishing seems to have been in the neighbourhood of 

 Tarbert and near Skipness ; mackerel and saith, or coalfish, continued to 

 be abundant. In October little was caught, and it was at the mouth of 

 the loch, and most of the boats were fishing in Kilbrennan Sound. In 

 November there was no "appearance" of herrings in Loch Fyne, and 

 the trials made were unsuccessful, so that no herrings were landed in this 

 month, or in December. 



In 1885 the total catch was above the average, reaching 28,847 crans, 

 most being taken in June and July. In June the catch was a record 

 one for that month, viz., 7187 crans, and nearly all were secured in the 

 lower loch, on the eastern side, during the first part of the month, and 

 then between Ardrishaig and Tarbert. Several good takes were got 

 above Otter Spit. In July 7244 crans were landed ; at the beginning of 

 the month there was a good "appearance" all over the lower loch and as 

 far up as Minard, but the localities where the herrings were taken are not 

 mentioned. In August most of the catch was landed at Tarbert, and the 

 grounds were probably near the mouth of the loch ; the same remark 

 applies to September, and it appears that several of the crews were work- 

 ing in Kilbrennan Sound. In October the week ended 10th was the 

 best of the season, 3050 crans being taken, and the place of fishing was 

 at the entrance to the loch and about Skipness. Only three crans were 

 taken after 17th October, the shoals having left, and the fishing came to 

 an end. 



In 1886 the catch fell to 15,062 crans. On 5th June the Officer 

 states — "Owing to the fair success of the fishing during the month of 

 May (the catch to date being 2334 crans), and the splendid appear- 

 ance of herrings in the loch, fishermen made an early start." Much of 

 the fish recorded for June appear thus to have been caught in May. In 

 June the fishing was near Ardrishaig, and from Tarbert to Otter Ferry, and 

 also as far up as Inveraray. In July the best fishing was in the upper 

 loch near Inveraray. In August the fishing seems to have been both in 

 the upper and lower lochs ; mackerel were abundant, and some of the 

 seine-net herrings were so small as to be unmarketable. In September 

 the fishing was less productive, and was apparently mostly about Tarbert. 

 At the latter part of this month the fishing fell off ; there was little 

 appearance of herrings, and what was taken was got at the mouth of the 

 loch, about Skipness and the upper part of Kilbrennan Sound, and the 

 fish were small and inferior, and this continued all the rest of the 

 season. 



In 1887 the aggregate was 14,360 crans. In May 1032 crans were 

 secured, most being taken about Tarbert and on the opposite shore, at the 

 entrance to the upper loch, and a few in the upper loch. In June they 

 were taken chiefly near Ardrishaig, about Otter Spit, and some above 

 Inveraray ; at the end of the month the Officer notes that as yet few 

 herrings had been taken below Tarbert. In July the herrings were 

 caught mostly in the vicinity of Tarbert, near Skipness, at Otter Spit, 



