of the 'Fishery Board for Scotland. 



287 



4. Sea trout : — 



The number taken was (1) in Clyde nets, 2907 ; (2) in Loch 

 Lomond, so far as reported, 31 L 

 As showing the almost unaccountable fluctuation in both net and 

 rod results, the past four seasons may be contrasted thus : — • 



Nets. Rods. 



1911 3468 472 



1912 2101 14G4 



1913 1754 668 



1914 2907 311 



The years 1911, 1913, and 1914 were seasons of prolonged drought, and 

 fish could not ascend the Leven, but the nets did not gam any marked 

 advantage. Even m the spawning season of 1914 the redds were 

 well stocked with sea trout which must have ascended late. 



5. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 26 lb. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are :— On 18th April in Loch 



Lomond. 



Protection — 



1. The water bailiffs emj^loyed vary in number from 2 or 3 to 7 or 8, according 



to the season of the year. 



2. Particulars as to prosecutions instituted are brielly as follow : — ^It was not 



found necessary to institute prosecutions against any persons, though 

 several individuals were warned for attempting to gaff "sick" fish 

 in the River Leven. 



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. 



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



Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions in the River Leven are grooving in intensity. 



2. Remedial measures : — None as regards the Leven. 



The Salmon Disease- 

 There was no disease in the district so far as observed in 1914. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning — 



(a) Sea trout on 8th October in the River Truin. 

 (6) Salmon early in November in the River Endrick. 



2. The greatest number spawned — • 



(a) Sea trout in November, 

 (6) Salmon in December. 



3. Spawning ceased generally in December, although some late running 



salmon were observed spawning m the River Leven at Bonhill on 

 14th January. 



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



spawning season is regarded as having been average for sea trout and 

 below the average for salmo : as regards numbers. The conditions were 

 in every way favourable for the fish when on the redds. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards — ■ 



(a) Sea trout as early as March, but ( he main body descended at the 

 end of April. 



(6) Salmon smolts descended in greatest numbers in June, 

 % As a smolt year 1914 was an average year. 



