26 



Appendices to Twenty-sixth Annual Report 



REPORT FROM NORTH ESK DISTRICT. 

 Take of Fish— 



1. As compared with the average results of previous years, the take of fish 



generally throughout the district has been rather below average. 

 More particularly it has been 



(a) By fixed engines in the sea, below average. 



(b) By sweep net in tidal or fresh waters, very good. 



(c) By rod and line, below average. 



2. The actual number of fish caught by rod and line from 31st August, when 



net fishing closed, to 31st October, when rod fishing also closed, was 209 

 salmon and 39 grilse — total 248 — as recorded by bailiffs. No statistics 

 as to fish caught otherwise. 

 The first grilse taken in the sea was on 24th April, and in the river, early 

 in May. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season by rod and 

 line was 37| lbs. 



The particulars of time and place of capture are : — October — Craigo ; 

 but heavy fish were got all over the river. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1907 was £6490. 



2. The assessment levied was 6J per cent. 



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



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

 prosecutions for being in possession of smolts. In both cases con- 

 victions were obtained. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



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



2. Bye-laws observed. 



3. No fish passes built or in prospect. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with are : — "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, about a mile from the mouth of the river. 



2. Remedial measures : — Filtering tanks. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease made its appearance this year in the month of June, and reached 



its height in October. The river was not free of diseased fish after 

 June. 



2. The number of diseased fish taken from the river and destroyed was 122. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning in November. 



2. The greatest number spawned in December. 



3. Spawning ceased at end of January. 



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



spawning season is regarded as very good. 



Smolts— 



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



2. As a smolt year 1907 was very good, but large numbers were destroyed 



by spate in the end of May and beginning of June. 



