17 



The streams on the eastern divide of the State are not so prolific 

 with trout, although some few are well stocked. The lakes are well 

 supplied. The only streams which appear to have become mate- 

 rially exhausted, are our coast streams in and around San Francisco. 

 This, no doubt, is owing to the large population that indulge in the 

 pastime of angling. There has been a scarcity of food for the trout 

 to feed upon in the upper rivers, but the fish have done better during 

 the last few months. This may have been caused by the continued 

 blasting on the northern railroad in the vicinity of their feeding and 

 spawning grounds. 



In our opinion, the McCloud River trout are migratory, and are 

 called on the lower rivers, salmon trout. 



CLOSE SEASON. 



On the first day of August, 1883, the Commission placed a patrol 

 upon the Sacramento River and adjacent bays, under the direction 

 of W. C. Jones, as Deputy Commissioner. The arrangements for the 

 patrol were completed by the ninth of the month, when the first 

 sortie was made and several parties were arrested for illicit fishing. 

 From the ninth of August, the patrol was kept in the field. In fact, 

 the pirates and violators of the law seemed to forget that there ever 

 was a law passed for the protection of salmon. It was a hard matter 

 to make them believe that the Commissioners were in earnest. Dep- 

 uty Commissioner Jones at times was compelled to resort to force in 

 order to prevent parties from further violating the laws. In the 

 opinion of the State Commission, Mr. Jones has succeeded, by his 

 energy and intrepidity, in stopping almost all of the lawless and 

 wanton destruction of salmon, especially during the close season of 

 1883. 



During the close season of 1884, viz. : the month of August, there 

 was but little illicit fishing done, except in the last few days of the 

 month, when a few boats ventured out, and those were captured by 

 our deputy, W. C. Jones. 



One of the greatest drawbacks to successful work is, the want of a 

 proper conveyance to patrol the rivers, and at all times; sailboats are 

 not always successful in making captures, on account of tlie fishermen 

 having fast crafts of their own, and, as soon as the Commission's boat 

 is discovered, they escape. This is owing to the fact that the most of 

 their boats are superior sailers. The Commissioners need a good 

 steam launch, with a light draft of water, having speed sufficient to 

 overtake and bring the violators to justice. 



