1899 J GAME AND FIS SERIES. 59 



On the 15th and 16th I patroled the waters in the vicinity of Honey Harbor in 

 search of trap nets. If nets had been fished, the parties had removed them on learning 

 of the approach of tho cruiser, as no nets were found. 



On the 17th and 18 th I laid up at Penetanguisnene. Wind blowing hard, weather 

 cold and water very rough. I spent the time in cleaning up the boat and fixing up things 

 generally, over-hauling, repairing and cleaning life preservers. 



Completed necessary repairs to life preservers, took on coal and made other arrange- 

 ments for leaving next day for Killarney. 



Raining very heavily. Overseer detained at court ; could not leave for Killarney 

 till next day. 



I left for Killarney at 7.30 a m. on the 22nd. Wind northtwest, blowing a gale. 

 I arrived at Hope Island at 10.30. Wind and sea increasing, and had to run for Chris- 

 tian Islands for shelter, and abandon the trip to Killarney. 



I patroled ths waters around Hope and Beckwith Islands, and inspected several 

 boats in the neighborhood, but found no nets and saw no evidences of any fishing. 



I patrolled in the vicinity of Gin Rock and Beausley Islands for trap nets next day, 

 and on the 25th left for Muskoka Mills and Minicognishene Islands in search of trap 

 nets. Wind blowing very hard, and grappling impossible with small boats. Sea very 

 high. Went to Penetanguisnene, arriving at 6 p.m. and remained over Sunday. 



Left Penetanguishene Monday am. for Muskoka and Gohome Rivers via Giant's 

 Tomb, grappling for illegal nets on the way. 



I left for Moon River at 11 a.m. on the 28ch, where I arrived at 6p.m. Saw no 

 signs of illegal fishing on the way. Weather cold and snowing. 



On the 29 th grappled for nets on Moon River, and found two in the forenoon and 

 one in the afternoon. There was a small quantity of fish in each net, which I let go. 

 The nets bad evidently been set for some time, as the leaders contained fish which had 

 been gilled and which were in a rotton condition. 



Continued grappling on the 30th until dark in the vicinity of >lit Rock. Found 

 one net in the forenoon and one in the afternoon ; also learned taut parties had been 

 working all night raising nets, having got word of our approach. 



Continued patroling in the vicinity of Split Rock and Honey Harbour. I, however, 

 found no nets, and left for Penetanguishene in the evening, where I received your tele- 

 gram to take boat to Owen Sound for the winter; also your message that you would--.be 

 in Penetanguishene on Monday evening. In accordance with your instructions I next 

 day, after coaling up, left at 12.30, p.m., for Owen Sound. We ran for Gin Rock for 

 shelter, and continued in our course as far as Christian Islands. Finding, however, that 

 we could not get harbor there, we returned to Thunder Bay, where we arrived a 6, p. m. 

 The wind blew a gale and it snowed all night. Continued to snow and blow all next day. 

 I returned in the afternoon to the Christian Islands, and left there at 4, a.m., on the 7th, 

 wind still blowing a gale and snowing and freezing. I arrived at Owen Sound at 1.30, 

 p.m., after a very stormy passage, the boat having the appearance of an iceburg when I 

 brought her in. Weather having somewhat moderated, and wind having fallen, I left 

 for Wiarton to inspect the fish which had come down from the northern stations. 



I returned to Owen Sound on the 9th and made arrangements with Messrs. Abbey 

 Bros, to look after the boat during the winter months. Engaged with crew in taking 

 down engine, storing equipments and putting the boat in shape to be left for the winter. 

 All arrangements completed on the 15th, and left for home that day, crew being dis- 

 charged. 



The presence of the steamer upon the bay no doubt had a very salutory effect, and it 

 is believed little illegal fishing was in consequence done. I find, however, that in one or 

 two instances what is called a floating seine is used, so constructed that it may be oper- 

 ated free from rocks and stones, and which will prove very destructive as an engine of 

 capture, especially when the fish are on the spawning beds. I would most respectfully 

 point out the utter impossibility of efficient service being rendered with a crew of less 

 than seven or eight. And this statement will be emphasized when it is said that trap 

 nets are usually set near the shore, at the mouths of rivers, and among the islands, where 

 it is often impossible for the steamer, on account of the shallow water, to go. In such 

 cases the patrolling must be done with men in boats, not only during the day, but often 

 at night, while it -may be thought expedient for the steamer to leave for another locality 



