Tt)e 3t. Isavrence Reservation 

 or Internationat Parl^. 



By ARTHUR B. STROUGH. 



DURING the year 1883, and for a great many years previous, nets were used 

 for catcliing fish in the waters of the St. Lawrence River in the State of New 

 York. It was illegal to take fish in that manner ; but no attention was paid 

 to the law, and no officer was there to enforce its provisions. All kinds of fish were 

 taken in this manner, mostly Black Bass and Wall-eyed Pike, as they were by far 

 the most valuable. Sportsmen were continually dragging their baited hooks on 

 the nets, and any one that has ever had such an experience is conscious of 

 the fact that the inclination to use profane language at such a time is almost 

 irresistible. 



Comparing notes at the end of a day's outing on the river, a number of sports- 

 men who Iiad poor success in landing fish, and undesirable results in catching nets, 

 resolved, orally, to rid the river of the illegal devices used by lawless fishermen. 

 Raids were planned, steamboats chartered, and guides employed, with the result 

 that hundreds of nets were taken from the water and burned. At the close of the 

 season, after considerable discussion, an organization for continuing the work of 

 clearing the river of illegal fish nets, and for the promotion of such means as would 

 advance the interests and pleasures of tourists among the Thousand Islands, was 

 incorporated under the title of "The Anglers' Association of the St. Lawrence 

 River." This Association petitioned the Governor of New York to appoint a game 

 protector at the Thousand Islands, a request which was complied -vith. Several 

 members of tiic Association placed their private yachts at the disposal of the pro- 

 tector, whereupon an active, aggressive and effective warfare was made upon the net 

 fishermen, resulting in the destruction of most of the obnoxious nets. As a further 

 result a large number of the men employeil in netting adopted other vocations, 

 and the game fishing soon slujwed signs of improvement. 



Although the main object of the Association seemed to be accomplished, strong 

 social connections had been formed in the meanwhile, and the other work, the 



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