PRELIMINARY NOTES 39 



and that, therefore, whether it be preserved or 

 free, anglers should be most scrupulous with 

 regard to unnecessarily depleting its store of fish. 

 There is little kudos to be gained by a display of 

 little three-ouncers or less, nor in the boast of 

 some men that they killed seventy or eighty 

 trout of a day in a brook. Such babies, if promptly 

 put back unscathed, are bound to grow into 

 worthier quarry, and this wanton destruction not 

 only spells ruin to a small stream, but is unfair 

 to both the conscientious fisherman and the 

 riparian owner. Moreover, it is a fact that 

 sundry anglers who have been discovered in this 

 discreditable work, or in being unduly avaricious 

 for spoil on preserved water, have been disagreeably 

 surprised by having their leave forfeited. It is 

 also injudicious to make too many applications 

 for permits when these are necessary, a matter 

 which has frequently led to a like result. 



I venture to offer these remarks in all sincerity, 

 wishful to offend none, but with all friendly 

 anxiety for the welfare of the brooks and the 

 benefit of those who seek them. 



