SUPPLEMENT TO THE FISHING GAZETTE 
SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1893. 
THE TWEED AND TEVIOT. 
Review of the Sahmon Season, 1892. 
Since the opening of the present salmon rod-fishing 
season on these rivers, the disciples of old Izaak have 
bad up to this date (February 20) to content themselves 
with a period of enforced idleness, floods of varying 
dimensions, from the small dirty rise of a couple of feet 
to the roaring torrent of 8ft. having been the order 
of things since the month of February set in. Now, 
however, that rod-angling is again legal, and the some¬ 
what brief fence period of two months (during which the 
salmon in the Tweed and Teviot are supposed to he pro¬ 
pagating their species) have come to an end, it may not 
be out of place to give your readers a r^sumd of the 
season of 1892. which was on all hands given as being 
nearly equal—taking the produce of the river all over— 
to that of the previous year, which was one of the best 
of recent seasons. One remarkable feature of the season 
was the number of large fish in the river, many of which 
fell victims to the Waltonian, and it was remarked by 
old fishermen on all angling waters that, not for a con¬ 
siderable number of years past had there been seen so 
many fish of so large a size in the river during the back¬ 
end season, while the quality was also excellent. When 
the splendid season of 1891 came to a close anglers 
packed up their fishing gear with contentment, and 
none regretted their visit to Tweedside for the back-end 
angling season. During the close-time—December 1 to 
January 31—the weather was pretty open, scarcely any 
ice forming on the Tweed, and spawning operations were 
carried out under favourable conditions as a whole. 
During the winter the river was in very fine order, the 
water clear, and the bed of the stream clean ; while 
disease had been much less prevalent than for a good 
many seasons back. During January several gentle 
floods of from one to three feet occurred, and gave ample 
opportunities for spring fish to ascend the rivers. That 
spring fish were at this period in the river was proved at 
the netting operations which were being carried on during 
the second w'eek of January by Superintendent Donaldson 
and his assistant, to obtain ova for artificial propaga¬ 
tion, when several clean spring fish were brought to bank 
in the nets. This of course was joyful news to those 
interested, and seemed to be the harbinger of a good 
season to follow. How far the hopes then entertained 
were verified is now well known to those who had the 
pleasure of some of the good takes during last season. 
The spring fishing on the Tweed, however, is never of 
much account, and as an excellent authority on this sub¬ 
ject says ; ‘‘ But after all that has been said about the 
spring fishing, the fact remains patent to all that the 
Tweed is essentially an autumn river, and, though vary¬ 
ing conditions may produce modifications in one direc¬ 
tion or another, it would appear as if it were becoming 
later than ever.” These remarks appear to me to state 
the case very clearly, as in 1891 scarcely a spawning fish 
was to be seen on the redds during November, but during 
the following month, and up to the first and second 
week in the following February, they could be seen busy 
at work. When the fishings opened in February, the 
waters wei'e too heavy at first to admit of angling, but, 
by the 4th they had fined down considerably, and were 
in fair good ply ; and on the 5th, on the Hendersyde 
water, Mr. Thos. Pringle was the lucky angler to draw 
“ first blood” on the Tweed in the Kelso district, killing 
two clean fish of IClb. and 61b. During the month the 
fungoid disease was also pretty bad, more particularly 
up to about the 20th. A score of fish, however, were 
got in the Kelso district during the month, although 
at times operations were interfered with by snow and 
frost and rising water. March came in like the pro¬ 
verbial lion, snow and sleet falling : but, as the river 
was in good ply, and a capital height, Hendersyde water 
was again productive of excellent sport. 
On the 21st the notable feature cf the day’s fishing 
was the brilliant sport got by Mr. Adam Elliot, Caverton, 
who, on the Teviot, fishing between Hecton Mill and 
Roxburgh Castle, killed no fewer than five clean salmon, 
and lost a sixth after running it for a considerable time. 
The weights of his captures were 81b., SJlb., 91b., 101b., 
and lOJlb., all beautiful and handsome silvery fish. 
There is no record extant of this feat having ever before 
been achieved on the Teviot, and, although Mr. Elliot is 
well known as a skilful angler, yet the feat of killing 
five fish unaided, and by means of wading in Teviot’s 
rough streams, is something of which to be proud. The 
month, as a whole, finished badly, the weather conditions 
being wretched, while the disease was also very bad 
amongst the salmon. 
April was nearly a barren month, owing to drought, 
and night frosts, with bright days, while the rivers 
were down to a very low ebb, being within an inch 
or two of the lowest recorded summer level. May set 
in badly also, and it was not until a 3ft. flood, on the 
23rd, came that prospects began to improve. Trout¬ 
angling at this time, however, was yielding capital 
bpkets. The rivers were pretty much flooded by small 
dirty rises during the month of June, while July was 
characterised by cold and cheerless weather, and little 
was done in the way of salmon angling. All through, 
the month of August was a most unsatisfactory one, and, 
although, during the first week, three grilse were got on 
the Hendersyde water, and one on the Mertoun on the 
10th by Mr. T. C. Owen, yet few fish were accounted 
for up to the close. A oft. flood ushered in the month 
of September, and this opportune rise very naturally 
raised the spirits of the angling fraternity, who were 
now getting their paraphernalia ready for another 
season’s back-end campaign. 
From Oct. 6 to the end of the month, fishing proceeded 
with gratifying success, although several floods put a 
stop to operations on various occasions ; but the month, 
as a whole, was satisfactory. A 5ft. flood preceded 
the advent of the closing month of the season—Nov^em- 
ber—and with it there was a very heavy run of fish to 
the upper waters, both of salmon and bull trout; many 
of the latter falling a prey to the bait fishers who were 
out for yellow trout. 
From this time right on to the close of the season 
(the last two Jays excepted), sport was most gratifying, 
and, but for an occasional flood, and a few days of 
frost and fog, the month of November gave excellent 
results all over, on each and all of the rod angling 
waters. 
Subjoined are a few statistics of the total fish killed 
during the season on some of the most important of the 
rod angling waters, with previous year’s returns, as 
comparisons ; and as nearly the whole of these have been 
acquired from official sources, their genuineness may 
therefore be taken as guaranteed. 
Floors Castle (Unper.) —This water is generally fished 
by the proprietor and his friends during the spring, but 
little was done out of it, as only on a few occasions was 
a line thrown over it, and the produce was only six fish 
during the spring ; the heaviest being a fish of 181b. 
The autumn fishing was productive of 200, the heaviest 
being a grand fish of 391b., killed by Colonel Murray. 
The best day's fi.shing was a take of thirteen. The best 
taking flies were the Silvery Grey, and the famous 
Greenwell. In 1891, the total catch was 250 salmon and 
grilse, and in 1890, the produce was fifty-seven. 
Floors Castle {Lower). —During September and October 
this water was not let, and was fished by the proprietor 
and his friends, but during the month of November 
these fishinss (as well as those of the upper water) were 
leased by Mr. Charles Perkins, Newcastle, and the sport 
got was again good, 161 fish being killed, seven being 
taken during September, twenty-six during October, and 
128 in November. In 1891 the total number got was 300, 
and of these 100 were killed in September and October, 
and the remaining 200 during November. In 1890 only 
three fish were caught on this water, floods occurring 
during the entire season, and rendering fishing almost 
impossible during the whole of the back-end. The best 
day on this water during 1892 was got by Mr. Lawson, 
who, on Nov. 8, killed eighteen fish ; and thirty fish were 
got on the various casta of the whole water on this date. 
The heaviest fish of the season killed was one of 331b., 
this being secured by Mr. Perkins. 
Rutherford. —This fine water is fished by Dr. Dyson 
and his friends, who, during the season, did remarkably 
well, killing only one fish less than last year, when they 
had 141 salmon and forty-two grilse. The heaviest fish 
got was one of 361b., caught by Miss Vickars on Oct. 12. 
On this water in two successive days, Nov. 7 and Nov. 8, 
Dr. Wharry had grand sport, killing sixteen fish, the 
heaviest being 211b. In 1890 the total kill was between 
sixty and seventy fish. 
Maketstoun. —This really grand stretch of salmon 
fastnesses was fished during the season by Lord 
Wimborne and several of his family, his Lordship also 
giving the tenantry on the estate, and other friends, a 
chance of testing their skill on the “ monarchs of the 
fresh w'ater.” The take on the whole was somewhat 
■under that of the previous year, owing in great 
measure to their being fewer rods on the water, while, 
at the same time, there was a good deal leas angling 
than during the previous year. We have no authoritative 
statement of the number killed, but we should imagine 
that we are not far off the mark if we put it at from 
160 to 180. The heaviest fish of the season got weighed 
301b., two of these were got, one of them by the Hon. 
Miss Guest. Last year’s total was 260 fish—208 salmon, 
46 grilse, and six sea trout, while in 1890 the kill was, 
we believe, between thirty and forty fish. 
Ednam House. —This, as nice a stretch as any 
disciple could wish, did fairly well for the time it was 
fished, the boats not being put on until the autumn 
months, and the lessee, Mr. Drummond, being in delicate 
health, did not fish it during the spring, while it was 
fished very little during September. Viscount Comber- 
mere, Mr. Cumming, and Major Wilson, during the 
season, caught amongst them 69 fish, the majority of 
these being taken by Mr. Cumming. The latter gentle¬ 
man had the largest fish of the season on this water—a 
very handsome one cf 431b., and the best day was also 
got by this angler, who had eight good fish to his credit 
on Nov. 12; while on the 6th Major Wilson had six fish. 
Three of over 301b. were also got during the season. In 
1891 the take was between fifty and sixty, and in 1890 
twenty fish. 
Hendersyde Water. —This excellent stretch w'as not 
fished so heavily as in some previous years, and therefore 
to this fact is mainly to be attributed the falling off, in 
point of numbers, from the previous year. The total catch 
was 161 fish, made up of 131 salmon, weighing 24311b., 
and thirty grilse, weighing 2381b. The heaviest fish was 
341b., got by Mr. Turner Farley, and the best day pro¬ 
duced twelve fish (2101b.) to the rod of the proprietor. 
Sir Richard Waldie Griffith, Bart., and these were 
caught on Nov. 28. There were also four fish got of over 
301b. The best flies were the Wilkinson, Greenwell, and 
Jock Scott. In 1891 the total was 210 fish—150 salmon, 
and 58 grilse ; in 1890, eighty-one fish, which was the 
worst season for twenty years. 
Spruuston. —Another famous stronghold of the 
salmon, leased hy Col. Trotter and Sir George 
Warrender. On this water sport was also capital 
during the season, the total kill being 144 salmon and 
seventeen grilse; the weight of the salmon being 
22441b. (average a little over 151b.), and that of the 
grilse, 1101b. 'The heaviest fish of the season was killed 
by Miss Warrender, on Oct. 17, its weight being 361b.; 
on Oct. 31 the same fair angler had one of 331b., while 
she also had the best take of the season for one day, 
when ten fish fell to her rod. On this water, on > 
Nov. 23, Lord Strathallan had seven fis'n, the heaviest 
241h., and on Nov. 9, Col. Trotter had five, heaviest 
271b. On Nov. 2, Col. Trotter had a 321b. fish. The 
best taking flies were the Wilkin.aon, Jock iScott, Blue 
Doctor, Silver Grey, Burrell, and Dandy. In 1891, the 
total take was 150, and in 1890, between thirty and forty. 
Last season’s takes were got between Sept. 6 and Nov. 30. 
Birgham. —This is one of the grandest sport-producing 
salmon lairs on the whole river, and is yearly fished by 
Lord Home (the proprietor) and his friends. The con¬ 
stant succession of small floods had a most injurious 
effect on this stretch, as it kept, the fish alwass on the 
move, and in a state of unrest, and in the month of 
September only sixteen fish were got. The total catch 
up to the end of the season, however, 282 fish—235 
salmon, and forty-seven grilse, being short of last year 
by sixty-seven salmon and sixty grilse. The heaviest 
fish got was the 51Jlb. salmon killed by Col. the Hon. 
William Home, on Nov. 19, its length being 52m., 
and girth 28in. On two other occasions the gallant 
colonel had six fish to his own rod, and the best day 
for one rod produced seven. In 1891, the total take was 
409, made up of 302 salmon, and 107 grilse. Of the 
fishing in 1890 we have no record. 
Carham Water. —On this water, the Messrs. Gilhey 
and their friends had a very successful season, killing, 
we believe, close on 200 salmon and grilse. The heaviest 
fish got was one of 421b., killed by Mr. A. N. Gilbey—a 
bright, magnificent kipper, measuring 47iin in length, 
and 2.^in. in girth. The best day (Nov. 8) produced 
twenty-four fish, weighing 4431b. ; sixteen of these fish 
falling to the rod of Mr. A. N. Gilbey. In 1891, the 
total catch was 227; but we have no record of 1890 ; but 
in 1835, 349 fish were got. The fishing was from Sept. 5 
to the end of the season. 
Lees IFafer.-—Colonel Biden, the lessee of as pretty a 
little stretch of salmon angling water as can be seen, 
was fairly successful during the season, and he was also 
amongst the fortunate anglers whose proud boast it was 
to have killed one of the large salmon of the season. 
During the second week of November, he had his best day 
(Nov. 7), killing nine fish (six salmon and three grilse), 
amongst the former being a very fine fish of 431b.; its 
length being 44in., and 26in. in g rth, and was taken 
with a white-wing fly. His total take would, we under¬ 
stand (but this is not authenticated), be about ninety 
fish. In 1891, the gallant colonel had 131, seventy-four 
salmon and fifty-seven grilse ; we have no record, how¬ 
ever, of 1890. 
On that part of the Lees water leased by Mr. Kidston, 
Mr. H. G. Prior, on Nov. 26, killed a kipper salmon of 
441b. with a Black Ranger fly, of medium size. Its 
measurements were : length, 47in. ; girth. 26in. 
On the upper waters, such as Pavilion, Mertoun (upper 
and lower), Dryburgh, Bemersjde, and others, tne sport 
got was also gratifying, and on the former water, on 
Oct. 22, Mr. C. Henry had a fish of 39Jlb., 40in. long 
and 25Jin. in girth. 
The Teviot.—This river fished fairly well; but few 
fish were got during the spring or summer months. 
During the back-end season, however, there were a good 
supply of salmon in the various casts, and we think wa 
are not far off the mark in stating that from fifty to 
sixty salmon and grilse were killed up to the close of the 
season—the moat fortunate anglers being Mr. A. 
Elliot, Caverton, Mr. Lamb, engineerj^ Kelso; Mr. 
Richard Ormiston, Haybank House, Kelso; Mr. G. 
Thompson, Ford Cottage, Kelso ; Mr. John Smith, Max¬ 
well-place, Kelso, and Mr. J. W. Plummer, Kelso. 
A List of Large Salmon Killed on Tweed 
During 1392. 
Asolee’s Name. 
■Water where Killed. 
Lb. 
Hon. Col. Wm. Home ... 
Birgham . 
5U 
Mr. H. G. Prior . 
Lees (Mr. Kedston’s)... 
44 
43 
Ednam House. 
43 
Mr. A. N. Gilbey . 
Carham. 
42 
Mr. C. Henry . 
Pavilion. 
39,^ 
Col. Murray. 
Floors (upper). 
39 
Col. Henry . 
Pavilion. 
3Si 
Mr. Turner Parley. 
Hendersyde. 
34 
Miss Vickars . 
Rutherford . 
36 
Miss Warrender. 
Sprouston. 
36 
Mr. Parquhar . 
Mertoun . 
36 
Mr. Gilbey .. 
Carham . 
35 
Professor Armandale . 
Birgham . 
34 
Mr. Wilson . 
Floors. 
33 
Miss Warrender. 
Sprouston . 
33 
Floors . 
33 
Floors . 
32 
Sir Richard W. Griffith... 
Hendersyde . 
32 
Col. Trotter. 
Sprouston. 
32 
Col. Home. 
Birgham . 
32 
Ednam House . 
32 
Major Hunter . 
Birgham.. 
32 
Col. Biden. 
Lees . 
32 
Mr. G. Farquhar . 
Mertoun. 
32 
Late Duke of Roxburghe 
Floors . 
32 
31 
Mr. Senior . 
Carham . 
31 
30 
Lord Alex. Paget . 
Birgham. 
30 
Major Wilson . 
Carham . 
30 
Mr. G. Farquhar. 
Mertoun. 
30 
Sir Herbert Maxwell. 
Bemersyde . 
30 
Hon. Miss Guest. 
Makerstoun . 
30 
Late Duke of Roxbui-ghe 
Floors (2) . 
30 
Mr. Wright (Sproustcn) 
Makerstoun . 
30 
