36 
Appendices to Tenth Annual Report 
Answers from 
the Ythan 
District 
Board. 
Answers from 
the Ugie 
District 
Board. 
afford a free passage at all times when there is sufficient water in the 
river. But such is the enormous quantity of water drawn off by the 
huge lades attached to these dams, that when the river is small it is 
nearly all carried off into the lade. Nothing comes over the dams, and 
the bed of the river between the intake and tail-lades is left nearly dry. 
This I have again and again observed on the Don. The bleaching and 
other deleterious matters discharged from the mills at Mugiemoss, Stoney- 
wood, Port Elphinstone, and Gordon Mills, do a considerable amount of 
harm, especially when the river is low. The salmon disease appeared 
slightly in November last ; but it is now extinct. Proportion of male 
to female salmon is estimated at two males to one female. 
The Ythan is a very productive little river. The take of fish showed a 
general increase in 1891, both in tidal and fresh waters. About 
3454 sea-trout and 6528 salmon were taken in nets, and about 300 fish 
by rods. The heaviest salmon taken in fixed nets weighed 37 lbs., and 
the heaviest sea-trout 10 lbs. ; and a salmon of 30^- lbs. was taken by the 
rod. The bye-laws are said to be fairly well kept — except that relating 
to the observance of the weekly close time by bag-nets. The Board are 
of opinion that the annual close season on the Ythan should be from 20th 
September to 6th March. There is not much illegal fishing in the district. 
There is one watcher all the year round, and four or five additional 
watchers from September to March. There are no dama on the Ythan, and 
no natural obstructions. It is somewhat contaminated by the sewage of 
the village of Ellon, which is increasing. The salmon disease has made 
its appearance, and has attacked both kelts and clean fish, but it seemB to 
be diminishing. It is estimated that there are six male to four female 
salmon. The head water-bailiff suggests that the Wild Birds Protection 
Act should be repealed as regards Scotland. 
The Ugie is another very productive little river which falls into the 
sea near Peterhead about 15 miles north of the Ythan. The take of 
fish has been about an average one, but somewhat larger in fresh waters. 
It is estimated at 1500 sea-trout and 4300 salmon and grilse in nets j 
and 115 salmon and grilse and 254 sea-trout by rods. The heaviest 
salmon was 60J lbs., and the heaviest sea-trout 23 lbs. caught by nets, and 
the heaviest rod-caught fish were a salmon of 27J lbs. and a sea-trout of 
14 lbs. The close times are satisfactorily observed, but it is generally 
thought that the annual close time should commence a fortnight later than 
at present. Illegal fishing is not prevalent, and the protection is efficient. 
The only cruives in the district are those at Inverugie, and they have 
been disused for a number of years. There are various dams, and the 
condition of them has been for some time and is still engaging the atten- 
tion of the Board. One of them (Ravenscraig), was in process of being 
reconstructed, but the work was seriously damaged by a flood. It is 
expected that it will be recommenced next spring. 
As to pollution, minor sources of pollution enter the river, but it is not 
believed that they do so to an exceptional extent. The pollution formerly 
referred to as proceeding from a manufactory has been considerably abated, 
at least for a time, owing, as it is understood, to certain means having 
been taken for neutralising the substances flowing from it into the river. 
A more serious case of pollution arose from a public dung depot situated 
near the mouth of and at a little distance from the Ugie, in respect of 
which a prosecution took place, resulting in a conviction by the Sheriff, 
but the sentence was suspended by the Court of Justiciary owing to a 
blunder in recording the proceedings in the Sheriff Court made by an 
official. 
The Ugie was free from the salmon disease during 1891. 
