English: Salmon Netting below Paxton House. Salmon Nets: There were many different types of nets used by salmon fishermen along the River Tweed. Over the centuries many nets were made illegal as they were not considered a fair way of fishing for salmon. An Act passed in 1830 for example, made 'bag', 'bob' and 'T-nets' illegal and the Tweed Fisheries Act 1857 stated that all types of fixed net could not be used along the river.

Different types of nets were used along different sections of the river. A 'ford net' for example, was used on ford heads and in the shallow parts of the river. When the fish were spotted coming up the river a signal was given and the net was drawn so as to trap the fish. 'Wear-shot nets' were also used by salmon fishermen along the River Tweed. A wear-shot net was towed by the boat into the river in a curve and then immediately drawn to the shore. 'Trammel nets', 'cairn nets' and 'pout nets' were used in the middle to upper districts of the river and were legal as long as they were used during the proper fishing hours and by qualified persons.

'Drift' and 'hang nets' were also used to fish for salmon especially along the coast of Northumberland. Drift or hang nets have been used for catching salmon and sea trout since the early 19th century. A hang net is a net on poles which was placed in the sea below the high water mark. Drift nets are normally rigged to form a curtain in the water. The net is then set out in a straight line and 'drifts' with the current. Fish then swim into the net and are 'gilled' (caught). The fishing depth of the net can be adjusted by adding weights to the bottom of the sheet. A number of drift nets could also be joined together to form a 'fleet' of nets.