of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



91 



Otter are the places mentioned. In these months most of the boats were, 

 however, fishing in the Kyles of Bute. 



In 1903 the catch was 21,198 crans. In June the herrings were taken 

 at first near Ski pn ess and Laggan, then from Tarbert to Otter and at 

 Otter. In July, Otter and Laggan are mentioned, and also the upper 

 loch j in August the fishing was apparently in the upper loch, but in 

 September the chief grounds were about Ardlamont, and up from there 

 along the east side of the lower loch. The Officer notes on 5th Septem- 

 ber that the fishermen thought the herrings were about to enter the 

 Kyles of Bute, as they did in the previous year. In October there was 

 little " appearance " in Loch Fyne, the fishing chiefly going on in the 

 Kyles. In November only 111 crans were landed, the boats fishing 

 mostly in the Kyles, and thus in Rothesay district. In December the 

 quantity taken was 642 crans, some of which at least were caught near 

 Skate Island. 



In 1904 the catch fell to 7827 crans. In May it is noted that the 

 herrings had not yet made their appearance in Loch Fyne, and the boats 

 were fishing for the most part in Kilbrennan Sound. In June the places 

 mentioned are near Otter, south of Tarbert, and the upper loch, and the 

 herrings were apparently chiefly taken in the upper loch. In July the 

 fishing was mostly in the upper loch and south of Tarbert. In August it 

 appears to have been in the upper loch and near Ardlamont ; it was the 

 same in September, and at the end of the month the boats were fishing 

 chiefly in the Kyles of Bute, and about Inchmarnock. In October only 

 13 crans were landed, and they were taken in the upper loch. No 

 herrings were taken in November, and in December the few caught were 

 secured mostly at Minard, between Minard and Furnace, and near 

 Ardlamont. 



In 1905 the catch was the lowest since 1873, aggregating only 4672 

 crans, less than is sometimes taken in a single week. They were 

 apportioned as follow : — 



To 28th April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

 558 970 512 440 327 210 328 419 908. 



May and December were thus the best months. In May the herrings 

 were taken at Otter Spit, near Ardlamont and Skipness, and also in the 

 upper loch, near Minard. In June some were taken in the vicinity of Skip- 

 ness, between Skipness and Tarbert, at Otter and near Minard. In July 

 they were chiefly caught about Skipness and in the upper loch. Those 

 taken in August were secured mostly in the upper loch, about Crarae and 

 off Newton, and some about Skipness. In September the herrings were 

 taken almost entirely in the upper loch, principally near Strachur. In 

 October small catches were got at Ardlamont, Skate Island, Kilfinan, and 

 Skipness in the lower loch, and at Strachur and near Inveraray in the 

 upper loch. It was reported that there were many herrings in the upper 

 loch, but that they were keeping in deep water, and the fish were of a 

 very large size. In November a few herrings were got about Skipness 

 and Laggan and also in the upper loch. In December 908 crans were 

 taken, mostly about Minard and Loch Gair, in the upper loch. 



In 1906 the catch was but little greater, the total being 5258 crans, of 

 which 234 crans were taken before 28th April. The quantities in each 

 month were as follows : — 



To 28th April. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

 234 522 706 1,022 286 699 1,484 255 50 



