of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



259 



large floods, and it is thought that this accounts to a great extent for the 

 gratifying diminution of poaching. The river was very seldom in a 

 condition when sick fish (the taking out of which illegally forms the 

 chief offence in the district) could be easily taken. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



1. Dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect :— No change since last return. 



2. Are the bye-laws observed in every case ? Yes, so far as observation shows. 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect : — Observations are still being carried out 



with a view to dealing with the obstructions on the Tummel at Dalcroy 

 Dam and Dunalastair Falls. The negotiations so far show that the 

 riparian proprietors are not likely to offer objection to any scheme that 

 may be recommended by experts. The abnormally low state of the 

 River Tummel during the summer of 1913 has enabled all concerned to 

 obtain information as to the actual formation of the Falls, and the con- 

 ditions under which fish ascend Dalcroy Dam Dyke and the Falls, which 

 has considerably modified the views of the Board as to the propriety of 

 dealing with Dunalastair Falls in the meantime. But it has been 

 practically resolved to make certain alterations on Dalcroy Dam Dyke 

 which will facilitate the ascent of fish there, and so enable them to reach 

 the Dunalastair Falls above before the water there has fallen to such 

 an extent as to make them impassable. 



Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are : — No change since last return, but pollution 



from towns still on the increase. 



2. Remedial measures : — No change since last return. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease is now always present in the river, and reached its height in January. 

 The river was never free of diseased fish. 



2. The number of diseased fish taken from the river and destroyed was fewer 



than in any year since the start in 1879. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning on 29th October 1912. 



2. The greatest number spawned November and December. 



3. Spawning ceased about 10th January. 



4. As regards numbers of breeding fish, and state of the water ^ the past spawn- 



ing season is regarded as very satisfactory. 



Smolts— 



1 . Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in middle of March. 



2. As a smolt year it is difiicult to say how matters stood in 1913, as the river 



was generally very high during April and May. 



REPORT FROM SOUTHESK DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish— 



The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was a number 

 about 40 lb. in weight. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1913 was £3555. 



2. The assessment levied was £319 18s. lid. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 8 in number. 



4. Particulars as to prosecutions instituted are briefly as follow : — Three cases 



involving 5 persons : — The ofi^ences consisted of using drag hooks, 1 

 person ; using a net during the weekly close time, 2 persons ; and having 

 unclean salmon, 2 persons. 



