278 REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



"room" furnished with a bark table, and a long seat on two sides consisting of 

 strong poles. Then the ''camp" was deemed to be complete and comfortable 

 if not elegant. Sometimes, if the same party visited a camp ground year after 

 year, a rude structure of logs was made — always with bark for a roof- — and 

 often even indulging in the luxury of a door. 



The peeling of spruce trees for the bark was a fearfully wasteful but some- 

 what indispensable and excusable matter at a period when it was impossible to 

 procure other matertal than bark for roof and siding for the forest home. That 

 necessity has passed since the means of transportation have so vastly improved, 

 and serviceable and comparatively light and cheap paper roofing is made. Besides, 

 light waterproofed tents for camping are easily transported, quickly set up, and 

 serve the camper's needs fairly well. The old-time camper, however, still laments 

 the passing of his open camp, his bed of boughs, and the cheerful fire in front. 

 Even the smoke that brought tears to his eyes and choked him in the middle of 

 his best fish story had a fascination that the tent can never create. 



It requires a bit of genius to know where to build the camp or pitch the 

 tent. It must not be under or near a tree liable to fall or blow down. Of course 

 it must be reasonably near the fishing ground, by stream or lake. It ought, too, 

 to be near a good spring of drinking water, or a very clear and cold stream. One 

 should, and will be inclined to, drink an abundance of water — water with no 

 bacteria to bother him when he goes home. By the way, the less bottles one 

 carries into the woods the better. Better even to have a few bacteria now and then 

 than an abused stomach and befuddled brain. One doesn't need to be much of 

 a sportsman to learn after a little that punkies, black flies and mosquitoes are 

 the black clouds of which good fishing is the silver lining. The less cloud, 

 however, the better. The camp, if possible, should face toward the prevailing 

 breeze. That drives away some thousands of the pests. Sunlight, to make the 

 camp dry, is desirable. A breezy, sunlit camp, near a good spring of water, 

 facing a pleasant view, near good fishing grounds, is a joy forever — in memory 

 as well as realization. 



The game fish of the Adirondacks, until recently, were all of the trout 

 family. The black bass is a new comer, and he came because he had to. He 

 was drafted to fill the depleted ranks of the trout. Perhaps he continues the 

 process of thinning out the trout — which the lumberman began and the multitude 

 continued. It probably depends largely on conditions. If he can otherwise get 

 all the food he wants, quite likely he will not seriously disturb the spawning 

 beds of the trout or chase to their death the troutlings. But the black bass is a 

 glorious fighter, game to the last, and the sportsman will not quarrel with his 



