30 THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 
OREGON SPORTSMEN SPEND MUCH MONEY 
By Harry M. Grayson, in The Oregonian 
Did you ever stop to think how much Oregon anglers spend for 
their occasional jaunts after fish? 
Approximately $1,266,750 a year. And this is a very low estimate, 
according to Dr, Earl C. McFarland, president of the Multnomah 
Anglers’ Club and Oregon Sportsmen’s League; Ray C. Winter, secre- 
tary of the Salmon Club of Oregon; Walter F. Backus and other expert 
anglers. 
The State Fish and Game Commission tells us that there were 
approximately 50,670 fishing licenses issued in 1916. Say one-half of 
these were taken out by individuals who follow the sport fairly en- 
thusiastically. After averaging up the money spent by a few hundred 
members of the Multnomah Anglers’ Club, it is found that each 
angler has an average expense account of $40 a year for incidentals. 
One-half of 50,670 is 25,335. The latter figure multiplied by $40 
gives you $1,266,750. Pretty big industry, eh? 
That’s a very conservative figure, too, say the experts. 
‘‘T spend more than $300 for angling yearly,’’ said Dr. MeFar- 
land, ‘‘and I know of hundreds of fellows spending more than myself 
and a good many who spend as high as $500 every 12 months. Why, 
one trip to the McKenzie River costs a fellow $50.’’ 
Take the average Portland fisherman, for instance. Say he makes 
up his mind Friday night to take a week-end run out in the country 
after a few speckled beauties. First thing he needs is a line, then a 
dozen hooks. Of course, he will get hungry, so he takes some lunch 
and is very apt to eat twice at some farmhouse. 
Salmon eggs or some other kind of bait are necessary. 
Woolen gloves, shirt and other articles of clothing come in for 
their bit, and then of course there is automobile or railroad fare. 
According to Dr. McFarland, Mr. Winter and Mr. Backus, the 
following is about what an average angler will spend on a short trip: 
Line? ...¢2 2734 A a eae eee $1.25 
Dozen: ‘hooks “OFM Os Lee eS See eee 50 
Bare TO ROOT aes, ee ae PD ae eee -00 
Clothing’? 020 BP8 208: Tae Oe ee ee 50 
Auto or ‘raitead fare’ aie. Vel Pees. eee eee 2.50 
Tobacco ..... L se Oe a Rok Te Oe ee ee 50 
Pood 222% .2 sein Mey DORR. Da a eee 1.00 
Total.” x eksee ee ‘we « due oe Oe, FO aa ae $6.75 
Of course, there are many country anglers living close to streams 
which afford excellent fishing. These fellows are out often after get- 
ting an outfit which lasts them indefinitely. Then, too, fishing is not 
good all year round. You can cast for trout more than six inches 
long from April 1 to October 31, and the best salmon fishing, espe- 
cially at Oregon City, comes for a few weeks between April 1 and 
May 31. After October 31 the boys must confine their trout opera- 
tions to the beauties more than ten inches long. 
But there are bass, eroppies, catfish, Williamson’s white fish, sal- 
mon, sturgeon and other species of the finny tribe to entertain the 
red-cheeked angler between seasons. 
