36 Tliirlij-.srrciilh Anninil Mccdiiy 



constitution not ])rovi(lin<i- any rcuulnr (hitc. ;is it is. and the 

 nialtci- may llicrcroiv lie left in the hands of the coniinittcc on 

 location. 



Mr. Frank X. Cjark: I move that the i-('])ort of the resolu- 

 tions committee he a(lo])te(l. 



.Motion seconded and unanimously can-ied. 



President Mr. ]\Ieelian) : 'I'he next resolution is. (ii'sl in the 

 I'oi-m of a letti'r. wliich is as fo1h)\vs: 



The Estes Park Improvement and Protective Association. 

 Estes Park. Colo., Sept. 16, 1908. 

 Mr. President and Members of the American Fisheries Society: 



Gextlemex: — There is one matter that I should like very much 

 to bring before your convention which seems to me of more than 

 passing importance, "At least it is to the undersized fish." Our fish 

 laws provide a "size limit" for fishing, and yet they say nothing 

 about how to handle a fish in taking it off the hook in order to 

 save its life. It does not seem to be generally known, and yet it is 

 nevertheless a fact, that if a fish is grasped with a dry hand in 

 removing it from the hook, that the dry hand will remove the slime 

 from the back of the fish, and while it will swim off it will eventu- 

 ally die from fungus; while if the hand is moistened this condition 

 will be avoided. 



I have had this matter brought directly to my attention here in 

 our fishing streams, and I printed cards with instructions upon it, 

 and distributed them broadcast and it has been surprising to note 

 the results, and how readily the fishermen adopt the information 

 given and thereby carry out the meaning of the law. 



The conditions that exist here in Colorado are no different than 

 they are in other States where the law provides a size limit for fish- 

 ing. I truly hope that the American Fisheries Society will take 

 some action in the matter. 



I enclose a "Resolution" that will bring the matter before you 

 for discussion. Yours very truly, 



G. H. THOMSON. 



Whereas, It having been brought to the attention of the members 

 of the American Fisheries Society, that while many of our States 

 have passed laws establishing a size limit for fish that may be held 

 for table use, they have said nothing whatever about how to handle 

 a fish in taking it off a hook in order to save its life; therefore be it 



Resolved, That we, the "American Fisheries Society," do most 

 heartily endorse the card that is being circulated by G. H. Thomson, 

 Superintendent of the Fish Hatchery at Estes Park, Colorado, in his 

 "Plea for the Fish" and that we would urge upon the fish commis- 



