of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



47 



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

 spawning season is regarded as good. A splendid show of breeding 

 fish was seen this season, the rivers being not too high in flood up 

 to the 10th December. On that date a heavy flood came which would 

 destroy some of the newly-made beds, but on the whole the spawning 

 season was a good one. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in fair numbers on 



May 1st (late). 



2. As a smolt year 1907 was fairly good. 



Artificial Propagation of Salmon— 



1. The number of ova secured locally during the past season was 20,000 



salmon and 60,000 sea trout. 



2. In securing ova the numbers of male and female fish captured were 



respectively 21 salmon — 12 males, 9 females. Can't tell exact 

 numbers of sea- trout. 



REPORT FROM AYR DISTRICT. 

 Take of Fish - 



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



generally throughout the district has been very much increased. 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. The actual number offish caught, so far as officially known, was 185, but 



there is ample reason to believe that the actual number caught was 

 far in excess of that figure. 



3. As 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. The majority of the fish 

 are caught in October. 

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

 The first run of grilse took place in the beginning of June. The first 

 grilse was killed on 3rd June. The principal run of sea trout took 

 place in the end of June. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 24| lbs., so 



far as officially known. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — Caught on Barskimm- 

 ing water, about fourteen miles from the sea. Fly. 



Protection— 



L The assessable rental for 1907 was .£125. 



2. The assessment levied was £62 10s. 



3. There is one water bailiff employed. 



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



man was prosecuted for fishing without permission of the proprietor 

 of the salmon fishery. He was dismissed with an admonition on 

 account of there having hitherto been an impression in the public 

 mind that members of the public were allowed to fish at the place 

 where he was apprehended. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



2. With regard to the observance of bye-laws : — The bye-laws are 

 generally observed. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with are : — The obstruction at Catrine 

 Cotton Mills still exists, but the Board expect to have the matter 

 remedied very shortly. 



