MJLNEE BEPOET OF THE TRIANA TRIP. 359 



On the sea-coast and the great lakes, fishermen migrate from point 

 to point during ti;e season wherever fish are to be found, regardless of 

 teoiindary-lines within the United States, and no interference with them 

 is thought of except with regard to shores held in deed or lease. On 

 the Atlantic- const rivers the disposition has been to reserve the waters 

 more exclusively for the people of the State. 



A strong feeling has at once arisen against the pound-nets. It is 

 very curious to observe the entire coincidence there is in the history of 

 the introduction of nets, and the rivalry of interest in different locali- 

 ties. From Lake Champlain, the several great lakes, and the larger rivers 

 we have pretty complete reports of the history of their fisheries. 



In all of these localities, in their first settlement, there is evidence of a 

 seemingly inexhaustible abundance of the fishes; the nets necessary 

 for the capture of large quantities being small and easily contrived. 

 As the country became populated an increased demand for the fish, 

 grew up, and professional fishermen introduced large nets, and great 

 quantities were taken and sold at low prices, and frequently used for 

 manure. After a few years the supply became diminished, and resort 

 was then had to legislation. The laws enacted were usually good ones, 

 but were rarely enforced. 



The history of Jefferson County, Lake Ontario, by F. B. Hough, M. D., 

 affords an example of the rivalry of nets. 



At Chaumont Bay the first net-fishing began in 1808. Scoop-nets or 

 scaff-nets were first used. These were flat nets 12 feet square, stretched 

 by two long bows, the ends of which were attached to the corners of the 

 net, and, arched up high above it, crossed each other at the middle. At 

 the point of intersection of the bows, the end of a pole was fastened and 

 reached up to a long pole or sweep, which was balanced over a crotched 

 stick either set into the bank, or a slight pier built out into the water. Later 

 the same contrivance was used from the deck of a scow. The mode of 

 fishing was to force the net down into the water until it lay upon the 

 bottom, and when the fish swam over it to suddenly raise it, the bal- 

 ancing-pole relieving the fisherman from the weight of the net and fish. 

 Mr. LTough, from records which he had seen, stated that as many as 300 

 fish were taken in a single night. 



Seines were soon after introduced, from the Hudson Biver, and the 

 fish being plentiful no opposition was made. They were from twenty 

 to one hundred rods long. The products of a haul were said to be as 

 high as 75 barrels of white-fish, and the average 6 or 7 barrels. With 

 the multiplication of seines there was a sufficient reduction of the fish, 

 to arouse the animosity of the people against the gill-nets when they 

 were introduced several years later. In time, however, they came 

 to be an accepted thing, and when, about fourteen or fifteen years ago, 

 pound-nets were introduced, the whole feeling of the people was brought 

 to bear against them. 



