of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



29 



More particularly it has been 



(a) By fixed engines in the sea, a fair average. 



(6) By sweep net in tidal or fresh waters, rather below the average. 



(c) By rod and line, very poor owing to low state of river. 



2. No reliable information can be given as to actual number of fish caught. 



3. Particulars as to the times salmon grilse and sea trout appeared are as 



follows : — On 16th February first clean fish taken. Grilse and sea 

 trout appeared in beginning of July. Main run of grilse in July. 

 Sea trout below the average. Main take of salmon generally in July 

 and August. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was— (a) by 



nets, not known ; (b) by rod, 35| lbs. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1905 was £3590. 



2. The assessment levied was 10 per cent, on rental = £359. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 9 in number during annual close time 



and generally 3 during fishing season. 



4. Particulars as to prosecutions instituted are briefly as follows : — Four 



prosecutions raised, in which 7 persons were implicated. Offences 

 chiefly for using drags and gaffs. Mostly all resulted in conviction 

 of the accused. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



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



2. With regard to the observance of bye -laws : — They are well observed and 



attended to. 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect : — Good fish passes in all dam dykes on 



river. 



4. No natural obstructions on the river. 

 Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are : — The pollution arising from the sewage farm 

 below the town of Brechin has for some time given the D'strict Board 

 much anxiety, and especially last year, when the river was for a long 

 period at a low level. In consequence of complaints made by the Board 

 and the county sanitary authorities, the Town Council have the matter 

 under consideration, and have undertaken to devise and carry out 

 remedial measures whereby the pollution complained of may be 

 removed. 



The Salmon Disease- 

 No disease worth noticing has appeared in the river during the year. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning about the middle of November. 



2. The greatest number spawned in December and January. 



3. Spawning ceased about the middle of January. 



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



spawning season is regarded as below the average as regards the num- 

 ber of breeding fish. The level of the river was low. 



Kelts- 

 Chief migration took place in March and April. 



Smolts— 



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



2. As a smolt year 1905 was a fair average. 



Artificial Propagation of Salmon— 



No artificial propagation of salmon on the river. 



