of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



53 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in May. 



2. As a smolt year 1909 was an average year. 



Note. — The following summary of netting rights may be of value : — 



1. Loch Lomond. — The netting rights belong to the Duke of Montrose, Sir 

 A. W. Leith-Buchanan, Bart., and Sir Alan John Colquhoun, Bart. The Duke 

 of Montrose leases his rights to three tenants, each of whom regularly works one 

 net. A fourth net, belonging to the Duke, is also occasionally worked. 

 Sir A. W. Leith -Buchanan's net is only worked at rare intervals during each 

 season. Sir Alan John Colquhoun's rights are leased to the said Association, and 

 arc not exercised by the tenants, but the landlord occasionally works one net at 

 intervals to conserve his rights. 



2. The River Leven. — The netting rights belong to Sir Alan John Colquhoun, 

 are leased to the said Association, and are not exercised by the tenants. 



3. The Ricer Clyde. — The known netting rights belong to the Burgh of Ren- 

 frew and Sir Alan John Colquhoun. The former rights are leased to Sir Michael 

 Hugh Shaw- Stewart, Bart., who sub-leases that section of the river lying 

 above Newark Castle to the said Association. These rights are not exercised. 

 Sir Alan John Colquhoun's rights are leased on long lease to the Trustees of the 

 Clyde Navigation, who sub-lease them to the said Association. Three nets are 

 worked on one out of seven shots, for four days each week during May, June, and 

 July only. 



4. The Gareloch. — The netting rights belong to Sir Alan John Colquhoun on 

 the east side, except Row Point, and to the Duke of Argyll on the west side 

 and on Row Point on the easi side. The former rights are leased to the said 

 Association, and are not exercised by them. The Duke of Argyll's rights are 

 leased to a tenant or tenants. 



With regard to netting rights in the Gareloch, which lies within the estuary of 

 the river Clyde, it is submitted that netting by fixed engines is illegal above 

 "a straight line drawn east from Toward Point Light." Stake nets are, there- 

 fore, nowhere used. In a recent trial, the Duke's tenant explained, in giving 

 evidence, that the only method practicable, and which he used, was splash 

 netting. 



REPORT FROM AYR DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish— 



1. The take of fish generally throughout the district has been 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 of fish caught so far as officially knov\n was 266, 



but there is ample reason for believing that the actual number killed 

 was far in excess of that figure. 



3. As most of 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 killed in October. 

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

 The run of grilse took place in June. The first run of sea trout took place 

 in May. The first salmon was caught on 3rd June. The principal runs 

 of salmon took place in July and August. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 24J lbs. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — It was caught on the 



Craigie stretch of the river, about one mile from the sea. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1909 was £159 10s. 



2. The assessment levied was £159 10s. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are two in number. During a part of the 



season an extra bailiff was employed to assist in the watching of the 

 river at Ayr Mills and Overmills, which places are much frequented by 

 the public. 



