182 Tzventy-ninth Annual Meeting 



^Michigan is one of the best states for trout fishing in the 

 country. We who are fortunate enough to live here, are just 

 a Httle conceited of our resources in this respect. Years ago we 

 had grayhng in abundance l^ut in the absence of successful arti- 

 ficial propagation they have disappeared so rapidly as to become 

 practically extinct in ^Michigan waters. Under the magnificent 

 work of the State Fish Commission, the number of trout streams 

 have multiplied until almost every little brook is a trout stream. 

 The number of fishermen has increased in the same proportion, 

 too. A few years ago the trout fishermen who were really enthu- 

 siasts, were few in number, while the fly fishermen of the state 

 could almost be counted upon the fingers. To-day there are 

 thousands in the state and practically all of them use the fly. In 

 Grand Rapids there is a fishing club of over four hundred mem- 

 bers, each of whom uses the fly practically altogether, and the 

 membership of this club is but a small percentage of the total 

 number of good fishermen. 



But to return to the subject! Of all my own acquaintance 

 among the newspaper workers of Michigan I do not know of one 

 who takes any personal interest in trout fishing. There are bass 

 fishermen, yachtsmen, oarsmen and experts in other lines, but I 

 cannot recall having met an active newspaper man from this or 

 any other state, either upon the stream or upon the conversa- 

 tional fishing stream. I probably would have remained in the 

 dark my&elf had it not been for one of your members. "Uncle" 

 Horace W. Davis, president of our State Fish Commission. It 

 was seven years ago when he induced me to go upon a little one- 

 day trip to a stream forty miles north of the city. A borrowed 

 outfit was easily obtained and upon the return I could not get to 

 the store quickly enough to buy one of my own. I was green at 

 the game but I learned. I caught but few fish but Davis landed 

 enough for both and I came home with an enthusiasm which has 

 never diminished. Piece by piece the outfit has been purchased 

 until now it is as complete as my needs seem to require, and I 

 am no longer a borrower of rods or waders, but am in a position 



