o/ tlie i'isheri/ Board for Scotland. 



245 



Don. 



On 28th September I visited the Don and examined once more the 

 Mugiemoss and Stoneywood dam dykes. In connection with the agree- 

 ment between parties in the district, arrangements are now well 

 advanced for the erection of sabiion passes at each of the obstructions 

 named, and for the securing of sufficient water flow in the river at all times. 

 The negotiations have been prolonged, but it now seems very probable that 

 the salmon fisheries of this district will greatly increase in value owing to 

 the much more satisfactory distribution of fish. 



Deveron. 



[ am glad to be able to report that a very considerable improvement in 

 the stock of spring fish in this river has been noticed in the pi'esent fishing 

 season (1911). 



I cannot give full details, but I am informed that up to the middle of 

 April about 170 fish were taken on the rod, altlioughone or two important 

 stretches were not fished. The spring fish seem to have been specially 

 numerous in the upper reaches of the river, many having been taken in 

 localities where they were not looked for so early. There is, however, 

 nothing to check the ascent of early fish in the Deveron. 



This most satisfactory state of aftairs is, I have no doubt, the result of 

 the action of the proprietors in buying ofi" the nets at the mouth of the 

 river, and in the Bay of Banff" near to the river. 



The transaction took place in 1907, and this is, therefore, the first year 

 in which any spring fish, the progeny of 1907 spawn, could have existed. 

 A proportion of larger spring fish may be confidently looked for next year. 



The proprietors in the district have kindly agreed to supply me annually 

 with a confidential return as to the number of fish caught, and this return 

 is arranged to show a separation between spring and summer and autumn 

 fish. As time goes on the returns will become valuable as showing the 

 rate and extent of the recovery from a long period of over- netting. 



At Turriff", on 29th September, I made an inspection of a weir thrown 

 across Turriff" Burn a short distance above its junction with the main river. 

 The burn is a rather important spawning tributary, where, owing to this 

 weir, 5 feet 10 inches high, fish are almost entirely prevented from 

 ascending. 



I was met by Mr. Douglas Abercromby, representing the Committee of 

 the District Board appointed to deal with the matter, and by Mr. Duncan, 

 architect, Turriff", who had prepared a plan of a pass. After certain 

 measurements had been taken, I advised the erection of two subsidiary 

 dykes, the first 4 feet high and the second 2^ feet high. I understand 

 that those suggestions are likely to be given eff"ect to. The water power 

 taken from the river is carried to a meal and saw mill. 



Ayr. 



This district also shows a marked improvement in its stock of salmon. 

 Since 1900 no fixed nets have been in use on the coast of the district, and 

 for a very considerable period previous to that date all fresh-water netting 

 has been discontinued. Owing to the proximity of the mouths of the 

 rivers Ayr and Doon, it is more than likely that the Doon fixed nets took 

 considerable toll of Ayr fish, but the Doon nets were also removed some 

 two or three years ago— an arrangement which, unfortunately, is not 

 likely to continue except in part. 



The stock of fish in the Ayr has in the interval so increased that a 

 revaluation of the fishings has been carried out. From time to time it has 



