of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



15 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning on 24th October (sea trout). 



2. The greatest number spawned in December and January. 



3. Spawning ceased end of February. 



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



spawning season is regarded as fair. 



Smolts— 



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



June. 



2. As a smolt year 1906 was good. 



Artificial Propagation of Salmon— 



1. The number of ova secured locally during the past season was 37G,000. 



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



respectively 23 and 53. 



REPORT FROM FORTH DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish— 



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



generally throughout the district has been below the average. 

 More particularly it has been 



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



(b) By sweep net in tidal or fresh waters, below the average. 



(c) By rod and line, below the average. 



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

 Grilse, June, July, and August ; sea trout all the season through, but 

 appeared more plentiful in July. 



2. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 42 lbs. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — By fixed nets on 



the Fife sea coast at Kincraig Fishing Station. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1905-06 was £3274 7s. lid. 



2. The assessment levied was £573 0s. 5d.=3s. 6d. per £. on rental. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 11 in number, including superintendent. 



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



were four contraventions of the Salmon Fishery Acts for 1906, impli- 

 cating 5 men. All the cases went to trial, and convictions followed. 

 The cases consisted of taking and being in possession of salmon 

 smolts. fishing with salmon roe, attempting to take salmon during the 

 annual close time by means of a drift net, and cleeking salmon during 

 the annual close time. We have got ten men interdicted from fishing 

 with the drift or hang net, and four in for a breach of interdict. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



1. Dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect : — One new dam dyke on the 



Auchentroig Burn, a tributary of the river Forth, which enters 

 the Forth below Gartmore. 



2. With regard to the observance of bye-laws : — Not observed in regard to 



the placing of hecks at the inlet and outlet of mill lades. 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect : — One fish pass built and two in pros- 



pect, viz., new fish pass at Loch Vennacher, finished ; in prospect, new 

 fish pass on the Airthrey dam dyke, and a new fish pass on the new 

 dyke on the Auchentroig Burn. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with are : — One — Kippenross old 



cruive. 



