of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



269 



2. The catch in relation to that of former years was : — 



{a) By fixed engine — Above the average. 

 (&) By sweep net — Abo ve the average, 

 (c) By rod and line — About the average. 



3. Sea trout : — 



(a) The number taken was about 5000. 



(6) As compared with previous year — Below the average. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 40| lb. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — First week in May by 



bag net at Bessie Station. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1913 was £3847. 



2. The assessment levied was £340. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 3 yearly in number ; 12 extra during 



spawning season. 



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



was no prosecution. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



1. Dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect : — None. 

 . 2. Are the bye-laws observed in every case ? — Yes, strictly adhered to. 

 3. Fish passes built or in prospect : — ^None. 



Pollutions- 

 There are none. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease made its appearance this year in the month of November, and 



reached its height in December. 

 The river was free of diseased fish in January 1914. 



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



75 males and 21 females (all kelts). 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning on 18th October. 



2. The greatest number spawned between 25th October and 25th November. 



3. Spawning ceased on the upper reaches 27th November, on the lower reaches 



15th January 1914. 



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



spawning season is regarded as very good. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in April, May, and June. 



By the 20th July the smolts were all out of the river. 



2. As a smolt year 1913 was very good — fully up to the avearge. 



REPORT FROM NAIRN DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish— 



1. The number of salmon and grilse : — 



(a) By fixed engines in the sea — Above average. 



(6) By sweep net in tidal or fresh waters — Average (1800 sea trout). 



(c) By rod and line — Below average. 



2. Sea trout : — 



(a) The number taken was 1800. 



(6) As compared with previous years — ^Average. 



3. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 40 lb. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — At Alton Fishing 



Station ; month of May. 



