FOREST AND STREAM 
155 
have been shooting at long ranges for fifteen years, many of their 
breech-loading rifles do excellent shooting, they say, at 1,000 yards in 
favorable weather; but in any competitions where any rifle is al¬ 
lowed, the muzzle-loaders are always used. A good example of the ac¬ 
curacy of the Rigby rifle is shown in last year’s contest for the shield. 
There was a strong puffy breeze from the left front (nearly in front) dur¬ 
ing the whole of the 1,000 yards shooting, yet the Irish team put all but 3 
of their 120 shots on the target, and six of them put all of their 90 shots 
on. Wilson’s score, as you will see, was 11 bull’s eyes, 1 centre, and 3 
outers. All this may be old to you; if it is pray excuse it. But I would 
not like to see our team beaten, and if you find one suggestion for a text, 
I shall be repaid for writing the above. Respectfully, G.. H. S. 
shooting, and it was determined'that members of the asso¬ 
ciation should do all in their power to induce their friends 
to enroll themselves in the _N. R. A. It was announced 
that Company I of the Seventh had joined the association. 
The meeting was of the most harmonious character, and 
the interests.of the association will no doubt be fully cared 
for by the officers. There were present the Secretary, Col. 
Gildersleeve and Messrs. Wingate, Smith, Casey, Church, 
Shaler, Woodward, and McMahon. 
The inquiries put by our correspondent G. H. S. are very much to the 
poinc, and we trust shortly to be able to answer the question of muzzle- 
loaders v-s breech-loaders in full.—E d. 
--- 
San Francisco, Cal., April 1, 1874. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Company E, First Regiment N. G. C., to improve themselves in rifle 
shooting, have instituted a series of matches, dividing the Company into 
three classes, each class shooting for a badge at distances suited to their 
skill-the third class 10 shots at 100 yards; second class 5 shots at 100 
yards and 5 shots at 200 yar, s; first class 10 shots at 200 yards. I append 
the score of the first class at the match shot March 29. Rifle, Sharpe’s 
military, new model. Distance, 200 yards; 10 shots. Wind, moderate, 
parallel to line of fire. Target, 4x6. Bull’s eye, 8 inches square. 
Name. 
At 200 yds. 
Private W. B. Grant. 
Private J. Robertson . 
Private C. Nash. 
Lieut. E. O. Hunt. 
Private J. Baptist. 
Private J. S. Campbell. 
Private A. M. Hunt.I 0 3 2 2 2 
1 3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
15 
3 
3 
3 
3 
4 
16 
1 3 
3 
2 
3 
4 
15 
3 
4 
2 
2 
4 
15 
1 3 
2 
3 
4 
2 
14 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
15 
2 
3 
2 
2 
4 
13 
4 
£ 
3 
2 
3 
14 
1 3 
2 
4 
3 
3 
15 
3 
2 
0 
3 
4 
12 
3 
3 
2 
3 
4 
15 
2 
,2 
4 
2 
4 
14 
2 
2 
0 
3 
2 
9 
2 
3 
2 
3 
3 
13 
2 
2 
2 
3 
2 
11 
2 
4 
2 
2 
2 
12 
3 
3 
4 
2 
0 
12 
2 
3 
2 
2 
2 
11 
1 2 
2 
2 
3 
3 
•' 12 
2 
2 
2 
2 
3 
11 
1 o 
3 
2 
2 
2 
1 9 
o 
2 
3 
2 
3 
12 
Total. 
31 
30 
29 
27 
27 
29 
24 
23 
23 
23 
21 
Total. 140 
Average per score, 12.95. 
145 
—The change of targets at Wimbledon, mentioned by us, 
has of course caused a certain amount of controversy in 
England. In the Volunteer Service Gazette we find a long 
letter from Edward Ross, the well known rifleman, in oppo¬ 
sition to the change, and one from Major Leech, winch we 
publish:— 
Dublin, March 26, 1874. 
Sir. —I^o rarely trouble the Volunteer Service Gazette with 
a letter, that perhaps you will concede to me the privilege 
of now doing so, with the view of eliciting public opinion 
on the sweeping and unexpected target changes lately 
proposed for Wimbledon, to be adopted, it appears, by the 
N. R. A. "* J 
These alterations appear to me to have been too hurried¬ 
ly made, and the subject of paper versus iron targets has not 
been sufficiently discussed, nor any committee, that I 
know of, formed to inquire and report upon the relative 
merits of each. 
As I understand it, the hits are to be indicated on a 
dummy target, distinct from the paper target, which latter 
moves down to be mended after each shot, and then moves 
up again; and the tired soldier takes little or no interest in 
the proceeding, but with every disposition to do what is 
right, indicates tolerably near, perhaps, where the shot hit. 
The maker has little to guide him, as the projectile from a 
small bore almost glides " through the paper,’ and there is 
trouble in finding a hole little bigger than a pea. 
The constant strain upon the attention of the marker, 
even assuming the aid of an intelligent non-commissioned 
officer, will be over much for him to mark with sufficient 
precision for match-shooting purposes. 
At present the hit upon the target calls the marker to at¬ 
tention, and the splash of the bullet makes its position suf¬ 
ficiently visible, an advantage also possessed by the shooter 
with the aid of a telescope. 
The proposed system is not suitable for Wimbledon, 
where speculation should have no place, and where all re¬ 
forms should be introduced after proof of their value and 
necessity 
I believe the opposition to this innovation will be both 
loud and just. —I have the honor to remain, your faithful 
servant. Arthur B. Leech. 
We believe that we repeat the feeling of our own IN. R. 
Ar in regard to the changes at Wimbledon in the form of 
the targets,when we reiterate the statement made in our last 
that at least for several years to come the old forms of 
targets will answer our purposes fully. Please gracious, 
when we are thoroughly proficient, we will devise a new 
system of target, if necessary, for ourselves. As it is, for 
comparison sake, we can use the Wimbledon scores of the 
last fourteen years. 
-- 
—Some time ago we expressed our doubt as to whether a 
muzzle-loading fowling piece could be converted into a 
breech-loader, so as to give entire satisfaction. We are, 
however, in receipt of the following from a correspondent 
in Corinth, Mississippi, under date of April 3d, which 
pleases us to give verbatim:—“Messrs. Clark & Sneider, of 
Baltimore,^altered a gun for me from a muzzle-loader to a 
breech-loader. I cannot say too much in praise of the work. 
It works admirably, and I sincerely trust that sportsmen in 
their section of country who have good muzzle-loaders and 
want them altered will send them to Clark & Sneider, for 
they can make such change without injuring their shooting 
qualities or adding to the weight of the gun. R. Y.” 
Meeting op the National Rifle Association. —On 
Tuesday last, the 7th April, as we were going to press, was 
held the 25th regular meeting of the Board of Direction of 
the National Rifle Association. The Committee on the 
range reported that the damage caused by the rains of the 
wiDter was fast being repaired, and the hope was expressed 
that by the 1st of next month everything would be in order. 
The question of inaugurating the coming season with a 
spring match was referred to the Executive Committee with 
full power to act. A balance of $600 was shown by the 
Treasurer’s account, all of which will be wanted for the re¬ 
pairs at Creedmoor. Measures were proposed for the fur¬ 
ther propagation of sound ideas on the question of rifle 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Will you permit an old and now superannuated rifleman a 
word or two in relation to the proposed International Rifle 
Match, in which I naturally feel a deep interest? What has 
most struck me in regard to the regulations is—first, the dis¬ 
tance; second, the absence of all restrictions relating to the 
time that is to intervene between the raising of the rifle to the 
shoulder and the firing; third, that nothing is said rela¬ 
tive to “arm or body resting. ” The distances respectively 
are 800, 900 and 1,000 yards. These may be all right if the 
practice is for military purposes only; but if for sporting, 
these ranges are, if not wholly, at least largely too great. 
In this country—excepting of course in war times—the rifle 
is used mainly for sporting purposes, and sportsmen will, I 
think, agree with me that it is rarely that they are called 
upon to draw trigger upon game at such ranges. Second, 
the absence of restriction in regard to the time allowed the 
shooter betwe.cn the raising of the rifle to the shoulder and 
the pulling of the trigger. Sportsmen who are desirous of 
becoming rifle experts will soon learn to know how much 
of their success will depend upon quickness of aim. To 
take a deer “on the fly” or even to dislodge a squirrel, at 
times requires sharp practice, and this will certainly not be 
attained by adherence to the printed regulations in your last 
issue. Third, the silence in regard to “arm or body rest.” 
By this, I mean the resting of the elbow of the left arm on 
the hip, which is a natural, if notan artificial rest. Offhand 
rifle shooting I have always understood to be the holding 
of the rifle in such a way that the left arm shall not touch 
the body except at its natural connection at the shoulder. 
All these objections may be provided against in the Wim¬ 
bledon regulations for 1873, by which, I observe, the match 
is to be governed; if not, do you not think them worthy of 
attention, if not in this contest, at least in those of a purely 
sporting character? I am aware that there are those who 
ridicule the idea of rifle shooting at such distances as 40, 
60, or 100 yards, but let such try their hands at it and they 
will find that it is not the easiest thing in the world to strike 
a tliree-quarter-inch mark half a dozen times in succession 
at forty yards, or, as your correspondent “Ogils” remarks, 
“to hit a three-quarter-incli mark several times consecutive¬ 
ly at twenty-five yards, off shoulder, is little easier than to 
make seven consecutive six inch circular bull’s eyes at 200 
yards, in clear weather.” 
Allow me in conclusion, not as a matter of boast, but as 
one of fact, to state that several years ago, I made sixty- 
two consecutive off-hand rifle shots, the total string meas¬ 
ure of which from the break of the ball nearest the centre 
was twelve and five-sixteenth inches. Shots that demolished 
the centre point counted nothing. The targets were re¬ 
tained for a number of years but are now lost, or I 'would 
be pleased to send them to you. If any of your 800, 900 
or 1,000 yard shooters have done better, or think they can 
do as well or better, I shall be pleased to hear from them 
through the columns of Forest and Stream. A. M. S. 
§eu and §iver 
FISH IN SEASON IN APRIL. 
Salmon, Salmo Salar. Salmon trout, Salmo confinis. 
Trout, Salmofontinalis. Shad, Alosa. 
Land-locked Salmon, Salmo gloveri. 
L Under the head of “ dame, and Fisn rn Season" we can only specify in 
general terms the several varieties, because the laws of States vary so much 
that ivere we to attempt to particularize we could do no less than publish 
those entire sections that relate to the kinds of game in question. This 
would require a great amount of our space. In designating game we are 
guided by the Iciws of nature , upon which all legislation is founded , and 
our readers would do well to provide themselves with tlue. laws of their re¬ 
spective States for constant reference. Otherwise , our attemnts to assist them 
will only create confusion .1 
—The weather is precarious for fly-fishing. During the 
past week local storms of sleet and snow have occurred in 
the mountain regions, and cutting blasts have swept the 
plains of Long Island, bringing a shudder at the mere 
thought of taking “a days’s fishing.” Norminally the 
troutiqg season opened on the 16tli of March; to-day, a 
month later, rods and creels are still in “ordinary,” as the 
sailors say, and we have scarcely heard of a string of fish 
being taken. Seth Green is perhaps the only person who 
has been in luck. Hear what Seth saith. Seth says:— 
“There is no trout fishing within fifty miles of Rochester, 
except preserved streams. I fished in Caledonia Creek last 
Thursday, the stream that Mr. Collins’ trout ponds are on, 
and caught six pounds of trout in three hours. There is 
more trout in that stream than in any stream of fits length 
in the world.” 
—Adirondack lakes are still (April 13th) ice-bound, snow 
a foot deep, and thermometer thirteen degrees above zero. 
Our readers wall be informed as soon as the streams open. 
—We have received from Dr. J. R, Romeyn of Keeseville, 
a trout fly devised by Dr. Ely, of Adirondack fame, and 
named the Romeyn fly. It has a green body, with 
wings made from the mottled feathers of the wood duck. 
We shall try it for shad on a number four hook. 
—Bass fishing was excellent on the Susquehanna last 
season between Dauphin and Clark’s Ferry. Fish Com¬ 
missioner Duffy is of the opinion that there will be an 
abundance of these fish in lower waters of the Juniata, 
this season. What appears singular in regard to these fish 
is, that in the vicinity of Peach Bottom, which is from 
fifty to sixty miles nearer the mouth of the river, a very 
few bass have been taken, the number not exceeding half a 
dozen within three years, and these were caught in seines 
and fish baskets. 
—The subject of fly fishing for shad seems to increase 
in interest as the season for that almost untried pastime 
approaches. As to the selection of suitable localities, all 
the directions that can be given in a general way are con¬ 
tained in the following notes from Prof Baird and Seth 
Green: 
United States Commission, Fish and Fisheries, ) 
Washington, April 6, 1871. f 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
At present the theory in regard to the shad is, that instead of migrating 
up the coast from south to north in the spring and back again in the fall, 
they simply spend their oceanic life in the seas quite adjacent to the riv¬ 
ers where born, and return to them in the proper season. 
I cannot give you the locations where the shad may be taken with the 
fly, as this has not been a subject of research with me. As a general 
rale you may safely assume that where fish are arrested in the rivers by 
rapids and impassable dams, there they can be taken to the best advan¬ 
tage in this manner. Very truly yours, Spencer F. Baird, 
Commissioner. 
Beth Green’s experience and practical knowledge of the 
habits of the shad can add but little more information. 
Fie says, in reply to a private letter from this office: 
“Shad can be taken with the fly in the different waters at the foot of 
any sharp running reefs by letting the line run out and swing down to 
where the water is comparatively still, and move it gently back and forth. 
The greatest trouble in all streams is to find the shad. They are not 
plenty enough in any waters except at Holyoke Dam. 
On any other river you may fish an evening and not see a single shad. 
Before I hatched shad in the Connecticut River, you might have fished 
for shad several evenings without seeing one. I did the first shad hatch¬ 
ing in the Connecticut River in the spring of 1867, and in the year 1870, 
the shad Were more plenty than the oldest inhabitants had ever seen 
them. But Mr. Chalmers has described the way to take shad so much 
better than I can, that I will not say much about it. I took young shad 
eight inches long with a fly, at Holyoke, in the year 1867. I have uever 
taken a full grown shad with a fly, but I have not the least doubt that I 
can, after reading Mr. Chalmers letters. He is authority in these mat- 
tera. Yours, Seth Green. 
—The following inscription is attached to an imperial 
photograph at Andrew Clerk’s, representing an angler in 
full regalia, with a fish nearly as large as himself hung sus¬ 
pended Deside him, so as to exhibit their relative propor¬ 
tions :— 
“A bass weighing 75 lbs., caught by Wm. B. Post, Esq., 
at Newport, Rhode Island, August, 1873, he standing on 
the shore, and with the rod and line shown in the picture.” 
The capture of this fish by rod and line was a remarkable 
feat. Scarcely less creditable was the capture by Mr. Cooke 
Evans in Serpent Lake, Minnesota, last fall, of amuscalonge 
that weighed 17 pounds and a half and measured a yard 
and a half long, with an eight ounce split bamboo rod. 
—As to the angling in Maine, the northern and western 
parts of the State are “full of it.” Mount Desert, of late 
a favorite seaside resort, combines more trout and salt 
water fishing within a smaller radius than any other resort 
that we know of. We have taken pound trout from Eagle 
Lake, only about two and a half miles from the ocean. It 
is beautifully situated up among the Mount Desert hills, 
and is well worthy a visit. There are lots of small lakes 
in Hancock county where trout may be taken, but they 
usually run quite small, from one quarter to half a pound. 
Moosehead, the Umbagog Chain, Grand Lake, and the 
country lying about them are the localities after all for the 
experienced angler, and we very much doubt if their su¬ 
periors can be found out of Maine. As to the Umbagog 
lakes, we prefer the Andover route to the Upper Dam. 
Leaving Portland at two P. M., by Grand Trunk road, you 
arrive at Bryant’s Pond at four o’clock, where a stage takes 
one to Andover, a distance of twenty miles, stopping at 
Rumford, half way, for supper. Stop at Gregg’s, who 
keeps an excellent house, and who will provide guides and 
take you to the lake, twelve miles, on a buck-board. If 
you have a fair wind you will reach the camp at Upper 
Dam in season for the evening fishing. 
—A pleasant summer resort on Long Island is thus de¬ 
scribed by H. C., a frequent correspondent: 
Sag Harbor, L. I., March 26,1874. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
Last Tuesday I took the 3:15 P. M. train from Hunter’s Point and ar¬ 
rived at Sag Harbor at 8:15, after a tolerably pleasant and certainly safe 
ride of 102 miles on the Long Island Railroad, the fare being $2.70. Next 
morning 1 accompanied the genial Mr. Barker, the Noyac miller, to his 
trout preserve at the head of the waters which supply his mill-pond, and 
1 was well pleased to see the success of his experiments in raising trout 
so strikingly illustrated. The arrangements of the preserve are simple 
but very ingenious and effectual. A fine cold and never-failing spring 
of water is utilized to supply a gentle flowing stream which, forced 
through three or four sieves, runs over beds of fine sand contained in a 
covered box of about fifteen feet in length by a foot in depth. On these 
beds are laid the trout eggs, and on opening the box I saw the water 
gently flowing over the beds, on which were hundreds of diminutive 
trout swimming about, looking like half-inch pieces of black thread 
Next to the spawning trough lay a longer and wide trough, covered with 
laths, through the openings of which could be seen hundreds of trout of 
a year’s growth, the water running over their beds about four inches in 
depth. The laths are requisite to keep off the kingfishers and other 
birds, which would otherwise feed on the young trout. Further on the 
creek itself is allowed to run, unobstructed by any troughs. This part 
of the stream is arranged so as to have places under the embankments 
for the trout to hide in. It is not over a foot deep and about fifty feet 
long. In it there were some sixty fine trout gathered, sunning them¬ 
selves, but they soon vanished from sight. Next season Mr. Barker 
proposes drawing off the water from his mill-pond and clearing out the 
eels and perch it contains, supply it with trout, which originally existed 
in the brook forming the pond. It is just the locality for a trout pond, 
having a depth or some twenty odd feet in some places, while it is nearly 
surrounded by woods, and charmingly located as a summer resort. Mr. 
Sampson’s farm adjoins the pond on the southeasterly side, and he has a 
spare room for a couple of boarders during the summer months. There 
is good perch fishing in the mill-pond, and occasionally one may get hold 
of a trout, but they are scarce. Permission from Mr. Barker is required 
to fish in the pond, which he readily gives. Noyac is a cultivated strip 
of land running along the southerly shore of Little Peconic Bay from 
Sag Harbor to North Sea. The Harbor once had 6,000 inhabitants and 
over, but now has scarcely 2,000, and in Noyac there are but three of 
the old residents left, viz.: the Pearsons, the Edwards, and the Eldriges 
Once upon a time the waters of the shores of Noyac were full of 
game fish, but what, with seines, nets and ‘‘pounds” they have all been 
driven away, and though the locality used to abound in bass, not a fish is 
now to be caught there. Off Jessup’s Neck-a strip of land covered with 
cedar brush and full of nests of musquitoes-there is excellent biuefish- 
ing to be had in season j and in the bay scollops abound, as also ^ G p1! 6 u 
