When to Get Them 



many fish are caught after dark by these methods. 

 This night law should be copied by many other 

 States. At the same time comparatively few prac- 

 tise night-fishing, but those who do land many 

 fish and big ones too. Such a law would stop it. 

 The trout season in New York, New Jersey, 

 and Pennsylvania, from April 15th to August 31st, 

 and in many of the other States in the temper- 

 ate zone, could be, with advantage, curtailed a 

 month, the date being changed to the last of July. 

 The bulk of the trout are caught by the end of 

 June; few fish are caught in July or August, ex- 

 cept those caught at the bottom of large lakes. 

 But the law could be made to cover rapid streams 

 and mountain brooks, wliich are often dried up 

 in the month of x\ugust. 



The opening season, especially in mountainous 

 regions, is too early. The first day of May would 

 be better for the fish and for the angler. On the 

 loth day of April the streams are so cold that fish- 

 ing is a waste of time and energy. The perfect 

 time for trout-fishing, in the above mentioned 

 States, is from May 15th to June 15th, or from 



May 1st, if the season is mild. The 

 to(f Earfy^ opening day on Long Island is April 



1st, made so because the land lies 

 low, the Vv^ater being very free from ice and the 

 air milder, at least two weeks, ahead of the high- 

 lands. The 1st of April this year, was a warm 

 day. I saw four varieties of natural flies on the 

 water, and the trout took my artificial flies in 

 splendid style. 



235 



