FOOD FOR FISHES. 
By A. NELSON CHENEY. 
As a tule fishermen give themselves little concern 
about the food supply of the fishes which they delight to 
capture with rod and reel, with fly and bait. If a trout 
as it is taken from the landing-net is found to be plump 
and well fed, the fact is noted as it is placed on a bed of 
ferns in the creel; and so, too, when a trout proves to be 
gaunt and lean its condition is commented upon, but not 
one angler in a hundred ever thinks of making the least 
effort to supply food which will enable the gaunt, lean 
fish to become plump and well fed. 
Nearly ten years ago I prepared a paper upon the sub- 
ject of Food Fish and Fish Food, which was read before 
this society. Since that time great strides forward have 
been made in all branches of the science of fishculture, 
and fishermen are reaping the benefits; but to-day, out- 
side of fishcultural establishments, the subject of sup- 
plying the ever-increasing output of fish with an abund- 
ance and variety of food receives little if any more 
attention than it did then. This is a matter in which 
fishermen, if they are inclined, can render valuable aid 
to the hatcheries and fish-breeding establishments that 
are planting fish in public waters. 
I am of the opinion that there may be many anglers 
throughout the land willing to render assistance in in- 
creasing the food supply of fishes in waters not within 
the direct influence of the National or State Fish Com- 
missions, if they could know how to go about it, and at 
the same time know what a simple matter it is to furnish 
a diversity of food to fishes that from natural causes may 
be restricted in their diet. Primarily, I address the 
anglers, but the subject is so broad a one that in applying 
the suggestions that I shall make, others may be inter- 
ested. As an example of stocking water with fish food 
not native to it, I may cite a lake in the State of New 
