of the, Fishery Board for Scotland. 



255 



REPORT FROM NORTH ESK DISTRICT. 

 Take of Fish— 



1. The number of fish taken by rod and line was 278 in September and 



October. 



2. The spring fishing was very good. Grilse was a poor crop, although of 



good quality. Autumn salmon were scarcer than for many years. 



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



follow : — First grilse killed April 22nd, but they were not very general 

 until after May. Sea trout were plentiful in April. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season by net was 51 



lbs,, and by rod and line, 38 lbs. The particulars of time and place of 

 capture of the latter are : — October, Kinnaber Water, river mouth. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1912 was £7,597 10s. 



2. The assessment levied was 5| per cent. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 12 in number, including superintendent. 

 \. No jirosecutions instituted. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Pish— 



1. No dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect. 



2. Bye-laws observed in every case. 



3. No fish passes built or in prospect. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with are : — Burn "loups" on North Esk, 



about 12 miles from mouth, "Loups" on West Water (tributary), about 

 12 miles from mouth. 



Pollutions— 



1, The principal existing source of pollution is the effluent from North Esk 



Distillery (when working), about a mile from the mouth of the river. 



2. Remedial measures : — Filtering tanks. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease made its appearance in the month of December 1911, and reached 



its height in January 1912. 

 The river was free of diseased fish in August 1912. 



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



follows : — 



Males. Females. 



Kelts, 196 50 



Clean, — 24 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning on 10th November 1911. 



2. The greatest number spawned in December 1911. 



3. Spawning ceased in March 1912. 



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



spawning season is regarded as below average. 



Smolts— 



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



2. As a smolt year 1912 was a good average. 



REPORT FROM BERVIE DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish- 



1. Cannot give information as to the number of fish taken. 



2. (a) By fixed engine — Salmon and trout above the average ; grilse a 



failure, 



(6) By sweep net — Average. 

 c) By rod and line — Average 



