Fish and Fishermen 247 



large bodies of water. The Tennessee Valley project has 

 proved that, where anadromous species are not involved, 

 dams can be extremely beneficial to fish j the great impound- 

 ments have provided vastly more and better fishing than 

 existed on this river before they were built. Experiments 

 have led to the conclusion that here many more fish die of 

 old age than are caught by anglers. To prevent this waste, 

 to permit anglers to harvest the crops at the time the fish 

 are most easily taken — in the spring of the year — closed 

 seasons have been completely abolished. The numbers of 

 fish caught, and of happy fishermen, have increased many- 

 fold, without any visible reduction as yet in the total fish 

 population. It is not claimed that this program would be 

 successful everywhere. Trout present a problem of a quite 

 distinct nature j even bass may react differently under dif- 

 ferent conditions. But other states are beginning to eye the 

 Tennessee Valley, and to take steps toward following in its 

 lead. The closed season for warm-water fishes may be on its 

 way out. 



