of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



273 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. There is practically no disease in the district. , 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning on October 7 (sea trout), November 7 



(salmon). 



2. The greatest number spawned in November. 



3. Spawning ceased in January. 



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



spawning season was at first favourable, fish being abundant ; but 

 subsequent heavy floods are believed to have destroyed great quantities 

 of spawn deposited in the smaller streams. Prior to the floods, there 

 were got locally and placed in Luss Hatchery 135,000 salmon ova 

 and 110,000 sea trout ova. In spring, 1912, the resulting fry of 100,000 

 salmon ova and 80,000 sea trout ova were distributed in the streams. 

 The estimated hatchery loss was 3 per cent. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were first noticed to be migrating seawards in March. 



2. As a smolt year 1912 was about the average. 



REPORT FROM AYR DISTRICT. 



Take of Pish— 



1. The take of fish generally throughout the district was below the average 



of previous seasons. This, however, is entirely accounted for hy 

 the dry state of the weather. The sea fishings are not let by the 

 proprietor, and, as there is no netting employed in any part of the 

 river, the fish have all been taken by rod and line. 



2. As most of the proprietors do not keep an accurate record, or any record at 



all, of the times when, and the actual number of fish caught, it is 

 impossible to give reliable information on the subject. 



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



Runs of grilse and sea trouD took place in the end of May and 

 throughout June. The largest runs of salmon took place in June and 

 July. Salmon were running almost continuously throughout October. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 26^ lbs. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — It was captured at Over- 

 mills, about two miles from the sea, in the fishery belonging to the 

 Crown leased to the Burgh of Ayr. The lure used was bait. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1912 was £447 5s. 



2. The assessment levied was £167 14s. 6d. 



3. The water bailiff's employed are two in number. During the season 



an additional bailiff" is employed on the lower reaches of the river. 



4. Particulars as to prosecutions instituted are briefly as follow :— One man 



was prosecuted for poaching, and convicted and fined. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



1. Dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect : — The double weirs at Haugh, 



Mauchline, were repaired during the season. These weirs, which 

 were constructed of wood, had fallen into a dilapidated state, and had 

 been for a long time a serious obstruction to the ascent of fish. They 

 have now been put into a state of repair, and there has been inserted in 

 each a pass of a very satisfactory nature. 



2. Are the bye-laws observed in every case ? — The bye-laws are generally 



observed. 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect : — (1) The passes at Haugh above 



referred to. (2) The proprietor of the dam at Barskinuiiing Mill, 

 Mauchline, has undertaken to construct in the spring of 1913 a pass in 

 conformity with the Bye-laws in the said dam. 



4. No natural obstructions. 



