of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



1!) 



S molts— 



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



2. As a smolt year 1906 was fair. 



No artificial propagation of salmon. 



Note. — By a clerical error in the 12th Section of the Act of 1868 the word 

 "less" is used in place of "more relating to the raising, during the 

 weekly close time, of the Kinnaber lade sluice at the Morphie dyke. 

 This was proposed to be amended by Sub-section (ii.) of Section 29 of 

 the Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Bill of the late Government. 



REPORT FROM SOUTH ESK 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, not known. 



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



(c) By rod and line, below the average o\\ ing to low state of river. 



2. Particulars as to the times salmon grilse and sea trout appeared are as 



follow : — The first clean fish was taken on 16th February 1906. Main 

 run of grilse ana sea trout in July. Main take of salmon in July and 

 August. 



3. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was, by net, 



52 lbs. ; by rod, 34 lbs. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are — May. Rossie Sands. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1906 was £3351. 



2. The assessment levied was £335 2s. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 8 in number during the annual close time 



and generally 3 during the fishing season. 



4. Particulars as to prosecutions instituted are briefly as follow : — Twelve 



cases of prosecutions, implicating 18 persons, mostly all for using drag 

 hooks, gaffs, or being in possession of unclean salmon. Ten settled out 

 of court by making money payments. Eight went to court; all convicted 

 except one, whose case was found not proven. Fines imposed ranged 

 from 5s. to 50s., besides expenses, the alternatives ranging from three to 

 thirty days. There was one case of assault on a bailiff in the execution 

 of his duty, in which a fine of 25s. was imposed, or fourteen days' 

 imprisonment. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



1. Dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect : — No change. 



2. With regard to the observance of bye-laws : — No cause for complaint. 



3. Fisli passes built : — On most of the dam dykes on river. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with ; — No natural obstructions on 



the river. 



Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are mostly from the town and mills of Brechin. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease made its appearance in the month of December 1905, and reached 

 its height in January 1906. 

 The river was free of diseased fish in June 1906. 



