of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 27 



Table of Nine Years' Spawning Beds. 



3849 

 5637 

 2932 

 2768 

 4591 

 5287 

 4635 

 7214 

 6203 



In last year's Report, under the Salmon Spawning Section, I was able to 

 state a ' record ' when giving the season's number of spawning beds counted 

 over the tributaries, and comparing same with the numbers counted over same 

 tributaries during any previous season. This record still stands unbroken, 

 although the last year's spawning season was certainly a first-class one, and 

 stands next to the highest on record. In comparing last two spawning seasons, 

 we find a decrease of 1011 spawning beds. To find out where the decrease 

 showed itself, we first find, comparing with the foregoing season, a deficiency 

 of 293 beds on Fiddich ; 398 beds on Avon and tributaries ; 218 beds on 

 Dulnain ; and 277 beds on Druie. The most glaring of these is that of the 

 Druie, and the cause of the falling off in this stream is accountable in a great 

 measure to the bad order of the Dell Sawmill intake on the Doune of Rothie- 

 murchus estate. The fish, in attempting to ascend this stream to the spawning 

 redds above, finding the acclivity of said dam dyke to be difficult to surmount, 

 evidently retraced their course to Spey, and thence made their way further up 

 the river to the higher reaches, hence the possible cause of the material increase 

 of beds upon the Truim Stream, and upon the Laggan or top reaches of Spey 

 district. The season's spawning upon the River Spey from Speymouth up to 

 Boat of Garten was a very heavy one. No attempt is made to count the 

 spawning beds over this stretch, but from the appearance of fish and their 

 work upon all the spawning fords over said district, more especially between 

 Carron and Boat of Garten, the spawning was heavier than that of the previous 

 year. The whole of the spawning season was all that could be wished for 

 regarding weather. There were no high floods or spates to injure or damage 

 the deposited ova, and severe frosts were entirely absent. In parts of the 

 Cromdale district salmon were seen spawning as late as the first and second 

 weeks of March. 



II. — Smolt Season. 



Descending smolts during the months of April, May, and June appeared to 

 be numerous, and quite up to an average appearance with previous years. 

 Eight bailiffs were on duty for six weeks— from 27th April till 6th June — 

 protecting smolts, and were stationed as follows : — One man on the Spey- 

 mouth district ; one at Dundurcas, Rothes ; one at Dufftown ; one at Aberlour; 

 one at Ballindalloch ; one on Upper Avon and Glenlivet district ; one at 

 Grantown ; and one at Duthil. From Speymouth to Laggan, Badenock, and 

 over all the tributaries, printed notices cautioning persons against taking or 

 killing smolts, salmon fry, or parr, were posted up as usual. The superinten- 

 dent, inspector, and two constables continued salmon fry or parr protection 

 from 6th J une till 3rd August, when other four men were put on duty to con- 

 tinue protection of said fry during the months of August and September. Not 

 a single person was found or detected during the whole of the season killing 

 or being in possession of smolts, salmon fry, or parr, and all of the trout 

 anglers come across by the watchers during the season seemed anxious to avoid 

 catching the fry, and in almost all cases they, without being asked to, showed 

 the contents of their baskets to the bailiffs for inspection, and in no case did 

 anyone refuse. 



III. — Disease among Salmon. 



To give a detailed note as to the appearance of salmon fungoid disease over 

 the Spey district during the year ending 26th August 1896, I, as in former 



Total Number of Beds for Year 1887 



5> 





1888 











1889 











1890 









if 



1891 









» 



1892 











1893 







» 



» 



1894 







5> 





1895 







