80 Tzvciity-sLvth Animal Meeting 



here that wild trout should not be disturbed in confiuenicnt any 

 more than is absolutely necessary'. Between 400 and 500 fisii 

 were retained at a time, one crate always being kept empty for 

 use in transferring unripe fish. 



Methods of Capture. — The implements used in the capture of 

 lake spawners consist of spacious but easy-running boats, tooth- 

 nets, dip-nets and jack-lights. I erroneously designate as "tooth"- 

 nets, gill-nets of a mesh too small to gill the fish. 



The above described station was ecjuipped with one each 100- 

 foot and 200-foot gill-nets of i|-inch mesh (|-inch knot to knot) 

 and 6 feet deep, colored blue. Fishing was conducted day and 

 night, or when the weather was favorable, lee shores being se- 

 lected if the wind blew, it being necessary to have the water calm 

 enough so that the fish could be seen upon their beds. The dip- 

 nets resemble large landing nets, the hoop or net frame being 

 15 to 20 inches in diameter, made of i-inch gaspipe and the net 

 being 2 feet deep, of as coarse a mesh as the size of fish to be 

 dipped will permit without gilling them. It should be of rather 

 fine thread and barked or colored blue. The latter color is best 

 for work at night. After a fisherman has had experience with 

 dip-nets, he will have his own ideas al)out the style of net, dimen- 

 sions, etc.; but the general description given above will hold 

 good with all. The technical description of a dip-net for order- 

 ing from the manufacturers is as follows: "52 meshes round, 28 

 inches long, i!^-inch mesh, 16-6 cable, barked, with twine strung 

 through the top 5 feet long." 



I have tried several forms of dip-net frames and finally settled 

 upon the i-inch gaspipe as the best for lightness, strength and 

 durability combined with cheai)ness. A better but more expen- 

 sive net frame can be made by the same method tliat pitchforks 

 are made, only continuing the process by drawing the tines of 

 the fork around until they complete the arc of a circle. This 

 form of net frame has the advantage of being strong, light and 

 more slender than the gaspipe for rapid work under the water. 

 The handles of the dip-nets should be of light and strong material, 

 and I have found nothing equal to the bamboo for them, using 

 8 or 10 feet from the butts of fishing poles. 



The jack-lights are an important feature of this work, the 

 larger part of which is done at night. I have tried reflecting 

 lanterns o{ many kinds, ])ut liave found notliing equal to the light 

 constructed as ]ier accom])anying photograph. It consists of a 

 gallon can fastened to a gaspipe standard, so that it can be raised 



