of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



35 



REPORT FROM ALNESS 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 



fa) By fixed engines in the sea — No fixed engines. 



(6) By sweep net in tidal or fresh waters, slightly better than last 



year, but below the average, 

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



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



July and first fortnight of August best for grilse and salmon. Sea 

 trout run in July. Finnochs in the river during March, April, 

 August, and September. There was a good run of finnochs and sea 

 trout this year. 



2. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken by rod during the season was 

 12 lbs. 



The particulars of time and place of capture are : — It was landed by 

 Rose from the Bridge Pool on 22nd May. Not known what was the 

 heaviest landed from nets. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1906 was £530 15s. 



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



3. The water bailiffs employed are as follows : — 1 permanent head water 



bailiff, with temporary assistant watchers as may be considered by 

 the District Board to be necessary during the spring and autumn 

 months. During the spring of 1906 two temporary assistant watchers 

 were employed, and during the autumn of 1906 1 temporary assistant. 



4. Particulars as to prosecutions instituted : — There were no prosecutions 



in 1906. 



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 : — On the principal passes the 



bye-laws are well kept. 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect : — No change. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with : — No natural obstructions. 

 Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are : — None except sewage from some dwelling- 

 houses and the villages of Alness and Bridgend. The village sewage 

 is the most objectionable, and is always getting worse. 



1. Remedial measures : — The Mid Ross and Easter Ross District Committees 

 have combined fDr the purpose of making a joint sewer by which the 

 sewerage of the villages of Alness and Bridgend of Alness will be 

 carried direct into the sea, and they have applied to the Local 

 Government Board for Scotland for sanction of their scheme under 

 Section 121 of the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897. It is under- 

 stood that the matter is now before the Local Government Board 

 and that the works will proceed as soon as the necessary sanction has 

 been granted. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. The river was free of diseased fish this year. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning at the end of October. 



2. The greatest number spawned about the middle of November. 



3. Spawning ceased about the middle of December. 



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



of fish seen on the redds was much better than last year, but still a 

 little below the average. Sea trout, however, were above the average, 

 The river was in flood during most of the spring season. 



