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THE OREGON SPO'RTSMAN 



in everybody to prevent the useless destruction of a single fish. A 

 further appeal to our sportsmanship and love of fair play is made, when 

 we consider their gameness to fight and to continue fighting though 

 battered and scarred by nets and rocks. Without food or rest after 

 entering the fresh water, but solely on the stored-up force and vitality 

 gained in the ocean, they strive for and reach the very headwaters of 

 the rivers, whether a hundred or a thousand miles inland. However, 

 many people apparently are quite indifferent to the salmon's value to 

 the state, or whether or not it gets a square deal. This is undoubtedly 

 due to thoughtlessness or ignorance. 



Mills, factories, power plants, irrigating ditches, etc., are of para- 

 mount importance. In operating these a little forethought in placing 

 fish ladders and screens, and in preventing acids, dyes, sawdust, etc., 

 entering the streams will help save thousands of fish each year. 

 Another loss occurs after the salmon have reached the spawning 

 grounds. Here hundreds are killed by sportsmen (?) to get the eggs 

 for trout fishing and many are shot or killed just for the "sport" of 

 killing something. The killing of just one of these may be the means 

 of depriving the state of more than $100 worth of fish. 



There are laws covering all these points and the law will be applied 

 wherever violators are found. A very little study of actual conditions 

 pertaining to salmon fishing should enable anyone to appreciate the 

 economic reason for the law, and voluntarily comply with the spirit 

 of it, which is to allow the greatest harvest of fish possible each year, 

 but saving enough for seed purposes to insure the future supply. 



True, there are some who are utterly indifferent to the common 

 good of the state or community and have a regard only for their selfish 

 interests. These can be held in restraint only through fear of the 

 law. Still there is hope that most of these can be reached if the 

 proper educational methods are used, and it behooves all who are 

 interested in fishing to help spread the gospel of "Saving the Spawners 

 for Spawn." 



It is hoped no one will be led to believe from this article that 

 there is any danger of our streams becoming depleted of salmon. Due 

 to the hatchery work the supply of fish is gradually increasing year 

 after year, and we have a right to hope that in time the salmon will 

 become as numerous as they were before the demand created by the 

 canneries made such inroads upon the natural supply. 



The point for consideration, and which is a most important one, 

 is the waste of spawning fish. These can be saved at very little addi- 

 tional expense in most cases, and in many instances at no expense 

 whatever. The saving would possibly add half a million dollars to the 

 state's revenue each year. 



Germany's success in the war thus far is due primarily to the 

 national thrift which backs up her army. Who can say when the 

 United States will have to fight a world power or a combination of 

 them? But whether that ever happens or not the practice of thrift is 

 a national necessity. Is there a better way for Oregonians to start the 

 practice of economy and the conservation of natural resources than 

 in the cultivation and preservation of our salmon fisheries i 



