of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



49 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 5 in number, in addition to keepers who 



assist in the watching. 



4. Prosecutions— None. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning on 22nd October. 



2. The greatest number spawned "bet ween 28th October and 15th November. 



3. Spawning ceased about the end of November. 



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



spawning season is regarded as favourable. Rivers of medium size during 

 the spawning season. 



Smolts— 



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



and continued till the 20th. 

 2 As a smolt year 1909 was fairly good. 



REPORT FROM BALGAY DISTRICT. 

 Take of Fish— 



1. State whether the take of fish has been above or below the average of 

 previous years : — About the average catch with rod and line. 



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



Sea trout began to show at mouth of the Kinloch and Balgay rivers 

 after the middle of June ; began to ascend said rivers on the first and 

 second week of July. First shoal of sea trout gone up to Loch Doule 

 on the 6th July last. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 15 lbs., by 



Lady Anne Murray. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — The River Balgay. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1909 was £40. 



2. All expenses paid by Mr. Murray and Earl of Lovelace. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 1 in number, by Mr. Murray. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Sea trout on the Kinloch were seen spawning on the second week of 

 October last. 



3. Numbers of sea trout are still in the act of spawning. 



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



spawning season is regarded as fairly good. 



REPORT FROM SKYE DISTRICTS {EAST AND WEST COASTS). 



Take of Fish— 



2. The number of fish caught has been below the average. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1909 was £540. 



2. The assessment levied was for a sum of £17 18s., paid in equal proportions 



by the several proprietors. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 18 in number. 



4. Prosecutions — Nil. 



Note.— The sea fishings on the East Coast of the island have been let to 

 Mr. Powrie, Gairloch, &c. These fishings were previously let to Messrs. 

 Johnston & Son, Montrose, whose lease expired at Martinmas last. 

 The rent payable by the new tenant is considerably less than the 

 previous rent. 



