May 26, 1881.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



331 



contra, the catch in the Potomac in I860 amounted to 316.- 



000 pounds j in 1876, to 1; 0.000; in :S78. to 50,000. 



Many more iustaoces of the enormous abundance of the 

 anadromous fishes ('marine species n: unin up from the 

 ocean into fresh waters for theiJurpose of spawning indif- 

 ferent parts of the country m former times t mid easily he 

 adduced. Similar illustrations 



fishes exclusively inhabitants of tin can be brought 



forward to any extent. In the early days of Lin " 



the entire Atlantic shore of the United States abounded in 

 fish of all kinds. \V here cod, mackerel and other species are 

 now fouud in moderate qjnmtilies they occurred in incredible 

 masses. 



The halibut, one of the best of our fishes, was so common 

 alqilg the New England coast as not to lip considered worthy 

 of capture, and was considered a, positive nuisance when 



Endow), and uav< 

 nearly ail waters of la 



The inquiry now ,o; 

 pletion of the inhab; 



mental to hm i 



an actual extcrmiuatio 

 accessible fishing grou 

 ing iroxrcs : is aboct 1] 



It is quite safe to s 

 fiBhes, in their abundai 





waters, 



in (he 



of the inti 

 few exception 



exterminated 

 all other kind; 

 has diminished in enoru 

 were and are the causes, 

 One most plausiblesol 

 in the very close relation 

 rnous fishes and those pci 

 anadromous species are r 

 the fresh water herring 

 which, although spend 



-'sts. The question relates iii part to 

 i, and in part to a disappearance from 

 ids. The practical result to the fish- 

 e same in either case. 



: mpst species of the ocean 

 billl] to i scape I lie pursuit of. 

 ■ active influences than those 

 halibut being perhaps one of the 



a species that may be considered actually 



■manenliy resident in the 

 ep 



That the supply of nearly 

 every where 

 led. What 



to bo found 

 lied aoadro. 



icean. The 

 i, the shad, 

 or alewife, and some other kinds, 

 j the greater part of their life in the 

 ocean, periodically enter the fresh waters, in greater or less 

 numbers, and ascend as high as they can for the purpose of 

 finding suitable places wherein to deposit their spawn. This 

 done, the parent fish soon returns, leaving the young to 

 follow. The young shad or herring remain in the river three 

 or four months and" thou go down to the ocean. The saiwon 

 is more persistent, the young remaining from one to two 

 years, after which they too descend to the sea, and, like the 

 shad and herring, for the most part there attain their entire 

 growth. It is not thought that either the parent fish or the 

 young go to any great distance from the mouths of the rivers, 

 and it is believed that tee fish born in one stream never think 

 of entering any othSnthan that in which tf ey first made their 

 appearance. 



Bearing in mind the counllc 

 nierly entering our rivers — tin 

 entire coast of the Haiti I S 

 salmon from the Connecticut 

 tent to which they are preyed 

 inhabitants of the" sea, we ffiaj 

 tudesoffhe larger fish forme 

 pursuit until deterred bylhcim 

 of the water. Even then, how 



the shore, lying in wait for the parents and their young re- 

 *l such vast quantities during the later months of 



myriads of these fishes for- 





ouia 



!,';;- 



jr freshness 



emain near 



the year. b\ all probability 

 ment to the movement of t 

 such numbers during the : 

 and winter the sea-herring : 

 the shores for quite another 

 eggs. But from whalavei 

 years ago throughout the 

 the finest fishes 



in d a chief induce- 

 a fish to the coast i.i 

 spring and summer. In autumn 

 and the fish Of the cod family visit 

 r purpose, namely, to deposit, their 

 r motive, the fact remains that 

 twelve months an ample supply of 

 the reach of every one, so that a 

 fisherman with a small hand-line and an open boat was able 

 to support his family without any difficulty. 



Now, with the continued reduction in abundance of the 

 salmon, shad, and fresh water herring, the summer fisheries 

 have dwindled and nearly disappeared, leaving only those of 

 winter with its inclement weather to furnish occupation to 

 the fisherman, and compelling him in the most dangerous 

 season of the year to betake himself to the George",, La 

 Have, Quereau and other banks, especially to the Grand 

 Banks of Newfoundland, to prosecute his work in e> [■•: 

 vessels, and exposed to perils and privations of a terrible 

 character. 



Assuming, then, that the chief agency in the decrease of 

 the ocean shore fisheries has been the reduction in the num- 

 ber of the auadromous fish, i. e., those passing up from the 

 ocean into the fresh waters to spawn, let us inquire into the 

 causes of the diminution of the latter. They certainly were 

 very plentiful in the early days of European colonization in 

 America, but at that period all the ri vers were open to the 

 sea, without dams or other artificial obstructions. Few or no 

 sawmills cast into them sawdust and other refuse ; no gas 

 works polluted them with coahtar, creosote, etc., and paper 

 mills, factories, etc., running off poisonous compounds, were 

 unknown. The fishing apparatus was confined to lines and 

 nets of no great extent, not sufficient to barricade the streams 

 and impede the upward movement of the fish. 



After the settlement of the country began, these possible 

 dangers came to have an actual existence. It is probably to 

 the erection of dams, however, that the first great diminu- 

 tion was due. The salmon, the shad and the herring pro- 

 ceeding from the ocean to the headwaters of their native 

 stream, were met by an impassable barrier, which they 

 were unable to surmount, cutting them off from their favorite 

 spawning ground, and, indeed, in many cases, from the only 

 localities where the operations of reproduction could be prop- 

 erly performed. They wore themselves out in fruitless 

 attempts to overcome these obstructions, and were compelled 

 finally to return to the ocean without depositing, or. at least, 

 utilizing their spawn. A second year, a third, and even a fourth 

 would probably make but little difference hi the- number 

 'making the attempt to ascend, this being due to the fact that 

 four years is the average period from birth at which most fish 

 are mature and able to exercise the reproductive act. By 

 the end of the fourth year, the last crop of young fish hatched 

 in the upper waters of the river will have made its appear- 

 ance as mature males and females. After this the diminution 

 takes place with increasing rapidhvy, until five or six rears 

 afterward the fish are found to have disappeared entirely 

 from the stream. So much for the dams. As for the other 

 causes, sawdust and other refuse matter get into the gills of 

 fish and produce irritation and subsequent death. Coal-tar 

 efuBe is known to he a, very great detriment to the healthful 



condition of water so far as 

 able that a part at least of 

 in the. Potomac is due to th 



Washiugt 



Th. 

 whether £ 



i and Ale 



;rned. and it is prob- 

 of shad and herring 

 an the gas works of 



piil increase in the size and number of the nets, 

 , drift or gill nets, that has manifested 

 itself within toe asl twenty years has doubtless had a similar 

 effect with the. damp in producing adeorease. Thenshare 



gree from reaching their spawning ground, and thus another 

 drain on the supply is added to the unary already in 



operation. 



What, now, are the remedies to be applied to recover from 

 this lamentable condition of the American fisheries (a condi- 

 tion ( Web, We may remark, has existed in all countries of 

 Europe, but Which in some of them has already been greatly 

 lessened by the proper measures) i These are twofold. Oue 

 consists iii the enactment and enforcement of legislation 

 protecting what we have, and allowing natural agencies to 

 play their part in the recovery: the other consists in the ap- 

 plication of the art of artificial propagation of the fish. 

 Either, alone, in some circumstances, will answer a. very 

 good purpose The two combined constitute an alliance 

 which places at our command the means of recovering our 

 lost ground to a degree which, but for the experience of the 

 last ten years, would hardly be. credible. 



THE PLY-CASTING TOURNAMENT. 



WE print the list of prizes, as arranged by the Prize 

 Committee Of the New York State Sportsmen's As- 

 sociation at the coming tournament. The list is larger than 

 ever before, and of greater value. We think that, the 

 arrangement will give perfect satisfaction to all, the amateurs 

 having a class by themselves which should bring oat new 

 fly-casters. 



This has been a change long needed, as heretofore the 

 amateurs have, had to cast against acknowledged champions, 

 I •-,!' at all, and this is a point for which Mr. Mather, 

 the director of fly-casting this year, has labored. Some pro- 

 posed changes in the rules will be given in our next issue. 

 Sabntm iriy -Casting. Entrance, $5. 

 Thursdav, June 23, 1881, at 10 a. m. 



Eirst Prize.- One "split bamboo salmon rod, 18 feet m 

 length, iu three pieces with two tips in grooved case, and 

 Sack. Especially constructed fortius contest, and donated 

 by B. F. Nichols & Co., 80 Beach at, Biston. Value, $50 



Second Prize.— Due split bauboo fly rod, reel and line, 

 donated by Pech & Snyder, 124 Nassau St., N. Y. Value, 

 $•■35. 



Third Prize. —Five dollars, gold. 



Fourth Prize.— One year's subscription Fobbbt a no Stream, 

 donated by the Forest ana Stream Publishing Co., through 

 Fred. Mather. 



Striped Bass Ga&Ung, CnUi/huiik Style. Entrance, $5. 

 Thursday, June 33, 1881, at 11 a. it. 



First Prize.— One split bamboo striped-bass rod, with steel 

 pivot, rubber and German silver reel filled with a 21 thread 

 linen line. Pod silver mounted and in fine case. Donated 

 by J. F. Masters, 55 Court St., Brooklyn. Value, -Tr,_ 



Second Prize.— Automatic reel with hard rubber discs, gold 

 mounted and appropriately inscribed and decorated. Donated 

 i > t,Oi imis & Plumb, Syracuse, N. Y. Value ¥00. 



Third Prize.— Five dollars gold. 



Fourth Prize. - One year's subscription Forest akd Stjjem, 

 by the Forest and Stream Publishing Co., through Fred! 

 Mather. 



Tro-ut or Black Boss Fly-Casting. Entrance $5. 

 Thursday June 23, 1881, at 2 P. iU. 



( 'lass - 1 open I o a) I members of the Association. 



First Prize— Fishing tackle to be selected by the winner.of 

 the value of S50. Donated by Chas. F. lmhrie, of Abbey & 

 Imbrie, 48 Maiden Lane, N. V. 



Second Prize— One greenheart fly rod with click reel 

 and waterproof line. Donated by J. 'B. Crook & Co., 50 

 Fulton st. N. Y. Value $85. 



Third Prize — One split bamboo fly rod German silver 

 mounted, cane wound butt, two tips, with bamboo tip case, 

 rubber click reel and fly line. Donated by Win. M. Corn- 

 wall, 81 Warren St., N. Y. Value $25. 



Fourth Prize— Five dollars in gold. 



Fifth Prize — One year's subscription Fobest and Stream, 

 by the Forest and Stream Publishing Co., by Fred. Mather. 



Class B. — Open to all members of the Association, except- 

 ing those who have won a first prize at this or a previous 

 convention in a casting contest open to all. 



First Prize — Two rods, (trout and bass), all lancewood 

 and silver mountings. Each rod consits of one butt two 

 second joints of different weights and tliree tips with extra 

 bamboo tip case. All in handsome black walnut case lined 

 with velvet and bound with four bands of silver. Specially 

 made for this occasion and donated by Fred. B. Divine, 7(1 

 State St., tltica, N. Y. Value $50. 



Second Prize— Oue split bamboo; fly rod with click reel 

 and Holbertou's full length fly book with improved Kyde 

 clips, Russia leather cover. Donated by Conrov, Bisselt & 

 Malleson, 65 Fulton St., N. Y. Value $40. 



Third Prize — One pair MacKintosli wading pants with 

 hoofs. One Hallock hunting coal, donated by Good year's 

 Rubber Manufacturing Co., 488, 490 & 493 Broadway, N. Y. 

 Value $40. 



Fourth Prize— Five dollars gold- 

 Fifth Prize— One year's subscription FoUtEST a«d Stream, 

 bv- the Forest and Stream Publishing Co., through Fred. 

 Mather. 



Class C open to all members of the association who have 

 not won any prize at this or a previous convention. 



First Prize. — One Leonard split bamboo Catskill fly rod, 

 gold mounted, with Mills & Son's best rubber click reel, 

 filled with their "Standard" enamelled water-pi'oof fly- 

 line. Donated by William Mills & Son, 7 Warren St., 

 N.Y. Value $60. 



Second Prize. — One trunk rod, with reel and lino com- 

 plete. Rod silver mounted and in fine cose. Donated by J. 

 R. Marsters, 55 Court St., Brooklyn. Value $25. 



Third Prize. — One Henshall black-bass rod, with extra 

 second joint and two tips. Donated by S. W. Goodridge 

 Grafton, Windham Co., Vermont. Value $15. 



Fourth Prize. — One elegantly bound copy of Dore's '1 An- 

 cient Mariner." Donated by Harper Bros, Franklin sq., N. 

 Y. Value $10. 



Fifth Prize.— One expensively bound copy of " Pastoral 

 Days" (W. H. Gibson). Donated by Harper Bros. 

 Value 810. 



Sixth Prize.— One oil painting, « Quail Seeking Refuge 



from Stress of Weather." Donated by Henry W. Abbott, 11 

 Commonwealth ave., Boston. 



Seventh Prize.— One hundred cigars. Donated hy F. W. 

 Merfeos & Son, 175 South St., N.Y. Value $10. 



Eighth Prize. — Five dollars gold. 



Ninth Prize. — O.. e year's "subscription to Forest and 

 Stream, by the Fobest axd Stkeam Publishing Co., through 

 Fred Matter, 



N.B. — No more than one prize can be awarded in any class 

 or contest to the same contestant. If the prizes should out- 

 number the competitors, the awards in each class will be 

 made in the order of merit, and the surplus prizes revert to 

 the Long Island Sportsmen's Association. 







WESTERN FISHES. 





Wte 





*§£ 



Ivance sheets of the "Proceedings of 

 s National Museum, 1881." It com- 



tains a. chee 



< lis 



of du 



plicates 



of fishes 



from the Pacific 



c tasl uf !■'.<-. 



rth A 





i 3l ribu 



ed by th 



e Smithsonian In- 



stiluliou in 



behalf of th 







National Museum, 



prepared bj 



Dav 





'i'. . , ll.t 





j. Jouy. The list 



contains (52 



famil 



e , 15 7 



genet :: i 





CttieS. 



Mr. Jouy 



desoi 



ibes a 



lew spei 



■v :\ ■- 



piinoid, SouaUus 



aHaias, frou 



Uti 



h Lato 



, which 



is dose 



ly related to the 



Tiyuma into- mod 



a of G 



raid. R 



osa Sunt 



i describes a new 



Gobioid flsl 



, Oth 





■*, from !■ 





), California. Dr. 



Tarleton 11 



ilea. 









si i I ... rmsot- 



Ws , dfrei 



and . 









ic two first were 



received fix 



m ou 





lomletit. 



Papt. CI 



■ ales llendire, U. 



S. A., and. 



ne ol 



lhcui-1 



as been 



lamed af 



or him. 



Under flit 



1 l >.-■ : l ■ 



ing of 



•Notes t 



n the Ks 



hes of the Pacific 



Coast of tl 

 OhEries H. 





itcl St 



ites," 1 



rof. Dai 



id S. Jordan and 



08 known to occur 



an boundary and 



the distribution, 



habits, size. 



valu 



3, etc., 



t)f each 



species, 



u advance of the 



i nl lication 



of a 



genera 



1 desorir 





k. The common 



names in us 



e by 



he fish 



•rmeu ar 



- also giv 



an. We will refer 



to these notes agi 



bin and 



jive som 



e extract. 



trom them. 



BASS, RED-SNAPPERS AND TARPOM. 



A CORRESPONDENT of your paper, writing from 

 A Putnam Co., Florida, describes with spirit his experi- 

 I in fishing for red snappers and bass on that coast, to- 

 gether with a tarpoin adventure, in which he, like most an- 

 glers who have encountered the fish, came by the worst. 

 He appears to have used the rude method of fishing com- 

 monly practiced on that coast— the heavy baud-line and hook 

 which is necessary in dealing with red-snappers in fifteen 

 fathom water, but not so with the shoal water fish, like red 

 bass, sea trout, mangrove snappers, cavalli or ladyfish, all of 

 which may be taken on that coast with rod and reel, afford- 

 ing the lira st of sport. Iu that way we take at Mosquito 

 and Indian River inlets l.assup to thirty-live or forty pounds. 

 As to the tarpoin, called by naturalists M'egalops Atlanticus, 

 it is a fish of such immense strength and swiftness, as well as 

 hzc, that it can seldom be taken' with rod and line, either iu 

 its furious leaps tearing itself loose — its niouth being tender, 

 like the herring family, to which the tarpom belongs— or 

 (uniuig the line^ or breaking the hook. It enters Ihe inlets 

 in April in schools, pursuing the mullet, and may often be 

 seen leaping five -or six feel from the water like an immense 

 salmon, which it resembles in silvery brightness and activity. 

 [t TS sometimes taken with the " grains," a strong line and 

 buoy being attached, which controls the rushes of the fish. 



I myself have twice hooked a tarpom while Ashing for bass 

 with rod and reel, but my line was all taken from the reel at 

 the first Ttish, and parted without iu the least checking the 

 fish, which went oil seaward in great leaps. 



I am told that the great feat of killing this fish on a rod 

 was performed last v, inter at Indian River Inlet by a veteran 

 angler of Philadelphia. The time expi nded in the contest I 

 did not learn, but the weight of the tarpom waB said to be 

 140 pounds — about double the weight of the heaviest salmon 

 ever killed on a rod. With Pod and reel of tie. strongest, 

 and three hundred yards Of 15 thread linen line, strong 

 muscles and skill iu using them, and good luck — it is there- 

 fore possible to kill the tarpom on a rod. The fishermen tell 

 me that no common net will hold this fish, which has sharp 

 labia] bones which cut their way through the meshes; also, 

 that it is a rich and well flavored fish on the table. 



sec 



:.n : Inlet, Florida, May 3, 1881. 



TROUT IN THE ADIRONDACK'S. 



Moira, Frankein Co., N. Y., May 17. 

 rnRODT fishing iu this part of the Adirondack region is now 

 JL ut italiest. The late warm wea.her cleared out all the ice 

 and snow, aud during the past week many fine lots of trout 

 Wire caught in the St. Regis and Salmon rivers and also In 

 Meacham'and Ragged lakes aud many of the ponds. Many 

 salmon trout wore caught at Meacham Lake the past week, 

 one weighing fifteen pounds. From now until the middle of 

 June or the first of July is, in my opinion, the best part of 

 the season for trout fishing. 



if any of the readers of the Fokkst and Stream would 

 like to get a fine specimen of the crane for mounting they can 

 do so by coming here. In a large piece of woods three miles 

 north of here there are hundreds of them now nesting. 

 Every dead tree has from one to five nests in it. They 

 choose the dead trees, of which the woods are mostly com- 

 posed. This is the third season they have nested in that 

 vicinity. Many boys and men go there to shoot them for the 

 sport. It seems hardly right to shoot them, but residents 

 near claim they have caught all the fish out of the large 

 brook that runs through the woods they are nesting in. Two 

 young men last Saturday afternoon shot a dozen with rifles 

 in a. short time. A. C 



Taking Swallows with the Flt. — The Rochester Union 

 tells us that Mr. John Harris, the Arcade confectioner, laid 

 as ; de Ihe cares of business Tuesday, and made a visit to 

 Caledonia Creek, trout fishing. The day was cold and un- 

 favorable for taking trout, but he managed to put a few good 

 ones in his creel. If he had not caught a fish at all, the ex- 

 perience he had would have been ample compensation. He 

 was using the very small lly essential to success on the creek, 

 anl an unusual number of swallows were skimming over the 

 water, and when Harris began to whip the stream'the birds 

 commenced to dart at the flies. There was no way of pre- 

 venting them taking the flies, and before he stopped fishing 

 he caught three of the birds on his hooks. Very light tackle 



