24 
Appendices to Eiyhtli Annual Report 
up the numerous natural obstructions on our Scotch Salmon Rivers, which 
at present bar the way to some hundred miles of fine spawning grounds 
and to many thousand acres of lochs. 
' It hardly seems necessary,' it is said, 1 to provide for any conditions 
1 and restrictions being imposed on the exercise of a power of so much 
' local and public utility.' 
The salmon disease showed itself in the Ugie about 13 years ago; 
but it is now diminishing. ' It is caused,' say the Board, ' by scarcity of 
' water necessitating fish collecting in large numbers in pools below mill- 
' dams, being unable to get over the dykes from scarcity of water, and 
' fighting with each other — the sound are contaminated by contact with 
1 the diseased. There should be more specific authority to remove diseased 
' fish, or utilise any other remedy or preventive.' 
RIVER LOCHY. 
On the West Coast of Scotland, where District Boards are few and far 
between, I have received answers to the printed Queries from the Board 
of the important River Lochy, which, with its principal tributary the 
Spean, is reserved entirely for angling. 
The take of fish during 1889 is said to have diminished on account of 
great drought in May, June and July. In the latter two months the 
salmon could hardly ascend the river. The heaviest salmon caught 
weighed 35 lbs. 
It is stated that the Bye-laws regulating the annual and weekly close 
times are not strictly observed, — and it is suggested that * a small steam- 
' launch would assist very greatly in enforcing the observance of Bye- 
' laws by stake, fly and bag-nets, and in preventing poaching by net and 
1 coble. The police, coast-guard, and preventive service men should also 
1 be called in to assist.' 
The system of protection in the Lochy is stated to be as efficient as is 
consistent with reasonable outlay. The men employed as watchers are 
not members of the County Constabulary force. The watchers are 
appointed by the Board, but are paid by various landowners having the 
use of their services. The number is 22. Illegal fishing is stated to be 
prevalent on the sea-coast. One prosecution was instituted against 
persons taking salmon without having a legal right to fish for them. 
Three men were convicted and fined. 
There are no artificial obstructions on the Lochy. The great natural 
obstructions, shutting out about 40 miles of river and several lochs, 
including Loch Laggan, 8 miles long, from salmon, are the Falls at 
Mounessie and Inverlair, both on the Spean. It is said, however, that 
1 both of these can be easily blasted.' 
A suggestion is made 1 that fishermen, dealers, or others having salmon, 
' or fish of the salmon kind in their possession, should be put on the 
* same footing as game-dealers, and be also obliged to give an account to 
1 watchers, or other persons in authority, how the fish came into their 
1 possession. This to apply to all seasons of the year, and the legal 
1 presumption to be against the possessor of the salmon.' 
RIVER ANNAN. 
I have received answers to the printed Queries from only one of the 
District Boards on the Scotch side of the Solway, — that, namely, of the 
important river Annan. The take of fish in tidal waters is said to have 
