of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



245 



The same course might, with great advantage, be adopted in other 

 districts. If we wish more salmon, we must fish less. 



Deveron. 



It is now six years since the nets of this river were taken off, and, 

 although the rod fishing has improved, I understand it has not improved 

 to such a marked extent as was anticipated by some. The Spey has now^ 

 experienced nine years sirxce the great reduction of the nets, and it is only 

 in the last three years that marked improvement has been shown. 

 Further, it has to be recollected that the Spey had not sunk to so low a 

 level as the Deveron. In the latter river the progeny of the fish which 

 ascended the first year in which there was freedom from nets (1907) could 

 only appear in the river for the first time in 1911, as grilse, and as small 

 spring fish last season. Moreover, the increase in the number of spawners 

 had not become by any means great in 1908 or even 1909, so that a little 

 more patience is necessary, in reason, before great results can be seen. 



The season of 1911, as every angler recollects, was exceptionally dry and 

 unsuitable for rod fishing. From the confidential results with which I 

 have been kindly supplied since the removal of the nets, and which I 

 cannot refer to in any detail without the consent of the various proprietors, 

 it is clear that the total in that year was small. The total for 1912 

 is almost double, and is the best total I have yet received. The best 

 results seem to have been secured near the mouth of the river, and in the 

 topmost fishings. An encouraging sign is that the number of fish taken 

 before the end of May is distinctly on the increase. As the stock of 

 salmon increases, it is reasonable to suppose that spring fish will also 

 increase. In the present season of 1913, I have heard of a few taken as 

 early as the end of February or beginning of March. Other things being 

 equal, I have not the least doubt that the stock of fish will come to the 

 Deveron as has now come to the Spey. 



Owing to the easy and unimpeded nature of the river in the middle 

 reaches, I should expect fish to swim to the topmost waters pretty fast, 

 and I believe those in the middle reaches would find great benefit from the 

 insertion of a few croys such as are commonly used in the Tay and other 

 rivers for the creation of lies for fish, by the direction of the current at 

 well-chosen places. Such croys or jetties should be not only sloped down- 

 stream, but should be lowest at their outer ends to allow of flood water 

 passing over the top. By their use, stretches of river destitute of natural lies 

 may be greatly improved, while no harm is done to the interests of those 

 above. Where a proprietor owns only one bank, it is necessary that the con- 

 sent of the opposite neighbour be secured before any artificial structure of the 

 kind can be legally introduced. 



Ayr. 



In my last report I referred to the various points which have recently 

 required attention in this district. The District Board experienced some 

 little difficulty in dealing with the Privick Mill Dam, but I am now able 

 to report that the proprietor has placed a heck at the spot indicated by me, 

 and has also provided the lade with a sluice. 



At Barskimming Mill, delay has occurred owing to the reluctance of the 

 proprietor to comply with the requirements of the Salmon Acts. A heck 

 has, however, been put upon the tail race, where salmon formerly had a 

 most easy entrance to the lade, and arrangements have been completed for 

 the erection of a pass in the weir when winter floods and frosts are over. 



It is reported to me by the Clerk of the District Fishery Board that 

 enormous numbers of salmon have ascended this river last autumn, and 



