of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



45 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



1. Dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect — No dam dykes have been dis- 



used or built, nor are any in prospect. 



2. Are the bye-laws observed in every case ? — All the bye-laws have been 



strictly observed. 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect— No fish passes have been built, nor are 



there any in prospect. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with are — Falls of Orrin, Falls of Scat- 



well, Falls of Conon, Falls of Rogie, and Falls of Garve. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning about the last week in October. 



2. The greatest number spawned between 6th November and 19th November. 



3. Spawning ceased about the last week of December. 



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



spawning season is regarded as a good one. Spawning fish seen on the 

 redds were above the average. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in the first week of April. 



2. As a smolt year 1909 was a fairly good one. 



REPORT FROM ALNESS DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish— 



1. The take of fish has been as follows : — 



(a) By fixed engines in the sea — No fixed nets in the district. 



(6) By sweep net in tidal or fresh water — Slightly below the average 



all over, but some of the stations show much improvement, 

 (c) By rod and line — Below the average of previous years, but better 



than last year. 



2. The actual number of fish caught is not known. 



3. Sea trout begin to run about the middle of June, and the greatest run of 



sea trout is from about the 10th to 15th July. The best run of grilse is 

 from about 1st July to 11th August. A few salmon are to be found run- 

 ning along with grilse throughout the whole summer. A few salmon were 

 also observed entering the Alness River during the spring months. The 

 past season was remarkable for the numbers of large salmon observed in 

 the district. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was — By sweep 



net, 35 lbs. ; by rod, 24 lbs. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — The 35 lbs. salmon on 

 Teaninich fishing in July ; the 24 lbs. salmon on Novar waters in May. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1909 was £451. 



2. The assessment levied was 4s. 6d. per £. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 1 permanent water bailiff and an assistant 



in the spring months and again in the autumn months. 



4. No prosecutions. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish. 



1. No change as regards obstructions. 



2. Are the bye-laws observed in every case ? — Yes, as regards the Alness 



River ; but the Board is endeavouring to arrange for an improvement as 

 regards the Balnagown River. 



3. No change as regards fish passes. 



4. There are no natural obstructions. 



Pollutions— 



1. There is not much pollution except the sewage from the village of Alness 

 and the mansion and other houses near the river. The District Com- 

 mittee of the County Council, however, are taking steps to have the 

 sewage of the village conveyed direct into the sea by means of a pipe. 



