80 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Feb. 14, 1884. 



by vigorous writing and repeated successful practical experi 

 ments. satisfactorily demonstrated the eutire feasibility of 

 artificial fish propagation, the restocking of exhausted streams, 

 and the imperative necessity for such legislation as had been 

 found needful and wholesome in Europe, that the generally 

 prevalent apathy on these important subjects gave way to a 

 marked feeling of interest. Up to that period the whole coun- 

 try appeared to have imbibed the idea that either our edible 

 fish supply was inexhaustible or that fish propagation and 

 fish _ protection were matters too trivial in importance to 

 merit public attention— subjects fitted only to interest and 

 amuse the few earnest and sanguine men who had been giving 

 them so large a share of their time and attention. 



But such indifference could not last forever In the very 

 nature of things, it was certain, sooner or later to find its 

 limit, unless the people and then- legislative representatives 

 were willfully determined to bind themselves to the cogent 

 facts which were so persistently forcing themselves into con- 

 spicuous notice, and the logic of which was almost irresistible. 

 Gradually, but surely, the conviction that something must be 

 done and that speedily, asserted itself. It needed no argument 

 to convince those disposed to give the subject thoughtful con- 

 sideration, that almost without exception, the waters within 

 the limits of the then settled portions of the country, had 

 been improvidently drained of their finny inhabitants, and 

 that unless prompt and decisive measures were adopted, the 

 day was not distant when our indigenous edible fishes, once 

 so abundant and so nutritious, would, from their scarcity, 

 become veritable curiosities. 



Eminently successful experiments in artificial progagation 

 and the. clearly demonstrated fact that the streams exhausted 

 of their fish could readily be re-stocked, and at a compara- 

 tively trifling outlay of money, gave additional healthful im- 

 petus to this conviction. Social economists became earnest 

 advocates, and the need for prompt action almost imperative. 

 Demands for the appointment of fish commissions, the arti- 

 ficial propagation of edible fish, and the stocking of streams 

 with such as would afford, in proper season, remunerative 

 employment to the professional fisherman, sport to the angler 

 and wholesome food for the table, came up from every sec- 

 tion. These were supplemented by others for the enactment 

 of laws that would give protection to the great interests 

 which were about to be re-established. 



The responses to these demands were in the highest degree 

 encouraging. Beginning in 1866 with Massachusetts and Con- 

 necticut, closely followed by Vermont. New Hampshire and 

 Maine; these iu 'turn by Rhode Island, California, New Jersey 

 and .Pennsylvania, and finally by all the States except Ala- 

 bama, Tennessee and Oregon, with nearly the whole of the 

 Territories, fishctilture appeared to enjoy almost uaiveisal 

 popular fav or. 



Pennsylvania's first commissioners were appointed April 

 15, 1866, and the first appropriation for general purposes 

 amounting to 818,080, made in 1S73. Appropriations in vary- 

 ing amounts, were continued from that time up to 1883, when 

 the sum of only $7,500 was granted. The aggregate was $1 14,000 ; 

 but in addition, several special appropriations for fishways, 

 amotvntingto $80,0110, were granted; but only $20, 000 was ex- 

 pended, as some of the later appropriations depended upon the 

 unqualified success of the fishways that had been previously 

 constructed. The belief in the entire success of these passage- 

 ways for shad, is not entirely unanimous, though those 

 erected under the direction of our State Fish Commissioners, 

 have as nearly met expectation as any constructed elsewhere, 

 either in this country or abroad. Adding these fish way ex- 

 penditures tp those for general purposes, and we have an 

 aggregate of about $184,000, placing the Keystone second on 

 the list of States, in the matter of encouragement to fish 

 propagation and protection, New York being entitled to the 

 first, her appropriations for like purposes amounting to $240,- 

 000. The sum total of the various State and Territorial appro- 

 priations from 1800 to 1882, inclusive, was 81,110,096. 



Tn 1873 the United States Fishery Commission was estab- 

 lished by Congress. The sum set apart for its use in the be- 

 ginning was ridiculously small, amounting to only $8,500, but 

 it was annually increased thereafter, until in 1882-83. it 

 amounted to ,s229,000: the aggregate for the ten years being 

 $1,190,055.45. This sum represents investments in the form of 

 hatching houses, apparatus, ponds, salaries, etc., together 

 with the purchase of three steamers for the special use of the 

 Commission, and preparations for the national exhibit at the 

 London Exhibition in 1883. 



The sum total appropriated by the National, State and Ter- 

 ritorial governments, during the period named, was $2,292,- 

 051.45. When this large amount — an exceedingly small portion 

 of which was expended in salaries— is considered, and in 

 connection with it the restrictive and protective enactments 

 of Congress and the several States and Territories, a natural 

 inference would be, that the country was in a fair way to 

 have its streams and lakes literally teeming with the choicest 

 of food fishes. It needs not the telling that such is not the 

 case, or, that with a few exceptions, the United States are not 

 greatly better off, as far as the supply of food fishes is con- 

 cerned, than in 1800. 



These facts, thus concisely presented, bring us fairly face to 

 face with the question : With such ample facilities, why have 

 we such meager results? As has been shown, millions have 

 been appropriated and expended for fish propagation within 

 the past ten years, and we should have valuable results, 

 iu some unmistakably tangible form. We have results, but 

 they are not commensurate with these large outlays of money 

 and labor. 



Fish have been artificially propagated by hundreds of mill- 

 ions, and protective laws of the most stringent character en- 

 acted, but the waters yield no adequate return. Why not? 

 Simvlv because the protective laws have not been enforced. 

 There are several reasons for this non-enforcement. Officials 

 sworn to support those, statutes, have not only foresworn 

 themselves bv neglecting that duty, but worse, in many well- 

 attested instances, have been proven comparceners with those 

 engaged in open violation of them. The fishery laws, save in 

 some exceptional cases, have therefore been mere nullities. 

 They are practically so to-day. 



Private citizens are not willing to play the ungracious and 

 unpopular part of informers upon their lawless neighbors, 

 and many county officials wink at proceedings which 

 may appropriately be designated as great public wrongs. 

 The fault is not in the laws, but with the people and the 

 officials. 



The aversion to becoming informers appeal's to be insuper- 

 able. Men who have volunteered to give evidence in cases of 

 poaching, have been boycotted or threatened with personal 

 injury, and in consequence, few are found willing to incur 

 such penalties for the mere sake of having laws in which they 

 are uo more interested than their neighbors, respected. How 

 then are these difficulties to be surmounted? if officials are 

 faithless to duty, and private citizens refuse to interfere, then 

 organized associations must assume the task, or the admission 

 be made that fish protection, through the intervention of law, 

 is an impossibility. 



It was in view of such a conclusion that "The Anglers' Asso- 

 ciation of Eastern Pennsylvania" was formed. A dozen gen- 

 tlemen met a twelve-month ago, organized, and adopted a 

 constitution and by-laws. The purpose of the association is 

 clearly defined in the first article of the constitutioa, which 

 dc lares that "the primary objectshall be the protection and 

 increase of edible fish in the waters of Pennsylvania, and the 

 enforcement of the laws concerning the same." 



Necessarily, the operations of the association have been 

 limited. Starting with a mere handful of members, and with 

 ••treastirf as emptv of money as the streams of fish, it was 

 not to be'expected that much would be accomplished until the 

 organization had 'lengthened its cords and strengthened its 

 stakes."' but notwithstanding this primitive weakness, the 



members have pressed the good work with untiring zeal and 

 energy, and it affords me great pleasure to state, with pros- 

 pects of eminent success. 



The membership during the year has increased to more than 

 two hundred, and is still growing, comfortable headquarters 

 have been secured and nicely furnished, and as the report of 

 the Executive Committee shows, a number of streams in the 

 vicinity of the city, and in some of the northern counties, have 

 been stocked with trout; detectives have been employed to 

 secure the capture and conviction of persons engaged in illegal 

 fishing, and rewards offered for such information as will lead 

 to the exposure and arrest of offenders of all kinds against the 

 fishing laws. Although none of the lawless parties have yet 

 been brought to justice, the effect of these measures has been 

 very salutary. In a number of sections of the State, where 

 fishing with semes, fyke-nets, fish baskets, weirs and other 

 unlawful devices, as well as with hook and line during the 

 close season, was openly practiced; the posting of the Associa- 

 tion's placard, and the suspected presence of detectives, 

 have had the effect of intimidating the wrong doers, and 

 greatly lessening the amount of illicit fishing. This is 

 encouraging. 



But much yet remains to be done. We have only made a 

 fair beginning, but with reasonable prospects of ultimate suc- 

 cess, if we diligently persevere. If violators of the fishing 

 laws are taught to understand, by practical demonstration, 

 that the association is in live earnest, and that it means to 

 press the good work in which it is engaged until the authority 

 of the State laws is fully acknowledged by a respectful ob- 

 servance of them, the men who have hitherto been setting 

 them at defiance will pause and reflect upon the possible con- 

 sequences before indulging in further infractions. That will 

 be a great point gained, for the association, through its corre- 

 spondents, lias reliable information to the effect that in the 

 upper waters of the Delaware, throughout the almost entire 

 length of the Susquehanna, in the Schuylkill, Perkionien, Le- 

 high, Brandy wine, Juniata, and in fact in nearly all the bass 

 and trout streams of the State, the fishing laws are defiantly 

 violated. It has directed official and general public attention 

 to such pregnant truths, and has energetically labored, with 

 the limited means at its command, to counteract these most 

 reprehensible practices. 



"Pv.ome was not built in a day," nor can we reasonably hope 

 to accomplish the reforms at which we are aiming in a twelve- 

 month. They amount almost to a revolution, for attempt to 

 disguise it as'we may, there is no such thing as gettiug away 

 from the fact that publio opinion in the rural districts has 

 undergone a marked change for the worse, in regard to the 

 fishing interests of the State. 



WTien the subject of fish propagation was first introduced, it 

 was received with general favor. The successful practical ex- 

 periments of Seth Green and his coadjutors, had satisfied even 

 those who had been most incredulous, that the artificial 

 breeding of food fishes was feasible. Public expectation was 

 therefore largely excitod. When hundreds of thousands of 

 small fry were placed in the streams of the State, the confi- 

 dent expectation and belief was, that in the course of four or 

 five years, the re-stocked waters would teem with edible fish, 

 and that all who so desired, could have them in abundance, 

 ai the mere cost of catching. So they wotdd, had the wise 

 provisions of the fishery laws been observed. But they were 

 not, and are not. In most instances, they are as completely 

 disregarded as though they had never been enacted. Worse 

 than that, as already stated, iu a number of well authenti- 

 cated cases, county officers who attempted the destruction of 

 dams and other illegal devices for capturing and killing fish, 

 were openly resisted and then lives threatened This warfare 

 upon, and overturning of the work done by the Fish Commis- 

 sioners, began as soon as the young fish had attained finger- 

 ling size, and this discreditable spirit is asserting itself as 

 boldly to-day as at any former period since the re-stocking of 

 the streams "of the State was begun. 



Is it surprising, then, that there should be a revolution in 

 public sentiment, that tax payers disheartened by this decade 

 of virtually fruitless experiment and waiting, have become 

 weary and disgusted, and that there is sturdy opposition to 

 further appropriations? And yet there is no' real cause for 

 despondency. True, the anticipations of the great mass of 

 the people have been disappointed ; but the fact remains, that 

 although the increase of edible fish has not met expectation, 

 there has been a practical re-stocking of all the waters of 

 the State, and, that if it be possible, either b}- enforcing exist- 

 ing protective laws, or by procuring such additional legisla- 

 tion as will make fish-poaching' a misdemeanor, punishable 

 with imprisonment as well as fine, the desired result will ulti- 

 matelv be attained. Ten years of freedom to the fish now in 

 the streams of the State to multiply without let or hindrance, 

 is all that is needed to fill those waters with the finest edible 

 fish in the world. If all the fish dams or baskets now in the 

 headwaters of the Delaware were destroyed, and unrestricted 

 freedom given to the shad to spawn, and to the young shad to 

 migrate to the south in their season, the supply would be 

 equal to almost any conceivable demand that would be made 

 upon it. Instead of being compelled to pay, as the people of 

 Philadelphia have been doing for many years, from forty to 

 sixty cents for a fair-sizad shad , it is hazarding nothing to 

 assert, that fish of equal size and quality would be profitably 

 sold for less than haif the price named. 



The question for the thoughtful consideration of the Associ- 

 ation, is, what remedy, if any, have we at command? A 

 specific is provided in existing laws, could they be rendered 

 practically operative. When it was proposed to the rats in 

 council assembled, to put a bell on their mortal enemy, the 

 cat, the proposition was received with tumultuous jo} r , but the 

 old dread revived when a venerable member of the assembly 

 gravely inquired, "Pray, who is to bell the cat?" That is the 

 problem, we, in common with all the friends of the fishing 

 interests of the State, are now called upon to solve. If, as 

 past experience has so clearly demonstrated, private citizens 

 will not become informers, and officials will not perform their 

 sworn duties in regard to violations of the law, we must seek 

 for other aid. 



The education of public sentiment is one of the remedies I 

 would suggest. Not many years ago, insectivorous birds were 

 generally regarded, either as nuisances, or at best, worthless, 

 except for food. Instead of protecting them, farmers, in many 

 cases, encouraged their destruction— frequently by lending a 

 helping hand, But when their grain crops were devastated by 

 vermin, then- fruits destroyed, and their incomes, in conse- 

 quence, seriously lessened, they began to look around for the 

 cause and its remedy. Science assisted in the search, and very 

 soon demonstrated that the immense multiplication of crop- 

 enemies was due to the wanton destruction of the birds. What 

 was the result? Laws for the protection of the badly used little 

 friends were enacted, and as farmers hadlearned, by costly ex- 

 perience, that they had a direct pecuniary interest in having 

 those laws observed, their own guns were laid aside; the pot- 

 hunters who traversed the country, invading private property 

 and slaughtering birds of every description, were driven away ; 

 respect tor the close seasons was every where manifested, and 

 they are receiving their reward in the form of improved crops 

 and the presence and songs of the unselfish feathered friends, 

 who. onlv a little while before, they were endeavoring to de- 

 stroy. It was the aiyvmentuin ad arwmmam, the potency 

 of the mighty dollar, that wrought the change. 



Now, to my mind, the money value of the fish interests of 

 the State is as readily susceptible of convincing demonstra- 

 tion. Fish food, instead of being a staple article of flails con- 

 sumption, is little less than a luxury to those of humble 

 means. The workingman cannot afford to place it on his 

 table except at occasional intervals;. It is more costly than 

 beef, and hi addition, were the demand very materially in- 

 creased, the supply would be inadequate, for it is a rare thing 

 that fresh fish are so abundant in the Philadelphia market or 



elsewhere, as to cause a glut, or even any marked decline in 

 prices. 



Though without positive data, I do not hesitate to assert as 

 my confident belief, that if the edible fish now hi the waters 

 of the State, were allowed to propagate unmolested for ten 

 years, or even five, and that, if thereafter, the protective 

 laws were enforced as they should be, the annual gain m the 

 form of wholesome and nutritious food would exceed a million 

 of dollars. If niy conjecture is even approximately correct. 

 has not every citizen a direct pecuniary interest m the matter 

 of fish protection? and if this were clearly demonstrated, as 

 it so readily can be; wotdd not each one instinctively feel that 

 he had an indisputable right to a share in the products of the 

 State's waters, and that those who infringed the protective 

 laws were defrauding him of a portion or perhaps the whole 

 of his rightful dividend? Therefore, one of the first and most 

 important steps to be taken is the education of public senti- 

 ment in the. direction indicated. Let it be shown that this 

 immense annual addition to our animal food supply, can be 

 had almost without cost. The investment has already been 

 made. The stream are sufficiently stocked now. Give the 

 fish fair play. Let them alone for a few years, and the increase 

 will come as certainly as that day follows night. Impress 

 upon the popular mind another simple truth, narnely, that in 

 order to maintain this abundance, the only requisite will bo 

 the adoption of the course so successfully and profitably prac- 

 ticed towards the birds— protect them. 



But where shall this educational process begin? With the 

 printing press of course— with the newspaper, the magazine. • 

 and statistical facts iu form of printed documents liberally 

 distributed. The people must be taught that the ' ; the gods 

 help those who strive to help themselves,'' that if they would 

 have fresh fish in abundance they must unitedly assist in pro- 

 tecting them against both open and secret enemies. They must 

 be taught to regard every man who kills edible fish out of 

 season, or by illicit means at any time, as a public enemy. 

 They must be confronted with such startling truths, as that a 

 single fish-basket in the spawning waters of the Upper Dela- 

 ware, causes the destruction of a great number of young shad 

 than are taken full grown in an entire season, by one-half of 

 all the fishermen on the Delaware Biver. It may sound im- 

 probable, but I give it on no less authority than that of one 

 of the State Fishery Commissioners, that "drowned shad, of a t 

 finger's length, have been hauled away from such traps by the 

 wagon load, to be converted into manure by farmers in the 

 vicinity. 



I have personal knowledge of the fact that nearly every 

 paper, daily or weekly, published in Philadelphia, has pledged 

 the full weight of its influence in behalf of this valuable in- 

 terest. I doubt whether there is a single one that is not ready 

 and willing to co-operate heartily in the work proposed to be 

 done by the Anglers' Association. With such powerful aux- 

 iliaries, the educational process will be begun under the 

 most favorable auspices. What has been said of the readiness 

 of the city press to assist, will as fully and properly apply to 

 the newspapers of the State. Let us begin with them all and 

 begin now. 



Again, public sentiment must be educated up to the point 

 of believing that our association was not organized for mere 

 sporting purposes. Sport is one of its cardinal features, but 

 it has others of still higher importance; for, if we would have 

 angling sport, we must have fish, and can have fish only by 

 protecting them, as the law provides. Id should therefore be 

 our earnest endeavor to convince every one, that while we are 

 striving to enlarge the means of fishing recreation, we are at 

 the same time laboring to build up a most valuable State in- 

 terest. There are few men in Philadelphia or the State, who, 

 if made thoroughly acquainted with the character and object 

 of the association." will not cheerfully become members, even 

 though they never caught a fish or expect to do so. They will 

 recognize and appreciate the fact that the organization is 

 purely unselfish, and that if successful, a great boon will be 

 conferred upen the whole people. Some of these will be in- < 

 fluencedby the voicings of the press, but the most effectual 

 method is the personal presentation of the association's 

 claims, by the members themselves. All business men know 

 that sucti an organization cannot be effective in its operations 

 without funds, and all who are possessed of the right kind of 

 public spirit, will regard it as a privilege, or at least a duty, 

 to join our ranks. If they find that there are those ready and 

 willing to give time and effort to the good work indicated, 

 and without other remuneration, either present or prospec- 

 tive, than the consciousness of being in the discharge of a pub- 

 lic duty, I shall be greatly disappointed if hundreds who now 

 stand aloof because they have had no proper conception of the 

 real objects of the Anglers' Association, do not rally to its 

 support. 



As already stated, the membership has increased greatly in 

 numbers and influence. It is composed of gentlemen of 

 wealth and respectability, and I am pleased to note the watch- 

 ful care exercised in regard to the admission of members, in 

 order to prevent the introduction of any mischievous element. 

 We want more of this influential material, and we shall fail 

 in duty if we neglect to make the effort necessary to secure it. 

 There are* special reasons why the organization should 

 number its membership by thousands instead of hundreds. 

 First, the funds that would accrue from such accessions arc 

 needed; second, necessary and important legislation will 

 have to be applied for. If such application is backed up by a 

 thousand or two of the best names in Philadelphia and vicinity, 

 the granting of it will be at once almost assured. For these 

 and other reasons that could readily be advanced, we need a 

 great many more members; we shotdd and can have them, it 

 those now connected with the Association will act promptly 

 and energetically. 



It is an axiom as old as humanity that if we would have 

 others respect us we must respect ourselves. If we preach 

 fish protection and practice fish destruction, our false preten- 

 sions will naturally and rightfully earn for us distrust and 

 contempt. It therefore behooves every angler to frown upon 

 practices of every kind that tend to the wanton killing of fish. 

 To some who wield the rod and reel it may seem something 

 noteworthy to be able to boast the taking of a hundred trout, 

 but how contemptible the boast.when, if the entire catch were 

 put in the scales, it would not draw five pounds. There are 

 such Dot-hunters— unfortunately, too many of them— who 

 wotdd" have the world believe them sportsmen. They have 

 not a vestige of claim to the title. No true angler can possibly 

 entertain for them auy other than a feeling of profound con- 

 tempt, and I am gratified iu being able to say that the Anglers' 

 Association of Pennsylvania is free from all such travesties 

 upon sportsmanship. 



The Governor must be urged to make pointed 'illusion to the 

 importance of the subject in his next message, and it is not 

 hazarding anything to say that the request will be cheerfully 

 complied with. 



The formation of auxiliary societies throughout the State,, 

 or at least ia the vicinity of large strearns, should be en- 

 couraged. 



The names of sheriffs and other public officers, who either 

 neglect or refuse to perforin their sworn duty in regard to the 

 Fishing laws, should be reported to the proper authorities. 



Regular correspondence should be kept up with kindred 

 associations in other States. 



There should be a library composed of all procurable publi- 

 cations bearing upon the commercial and spot ting fishery 

 of our country and of the world. Measures looking to BUi 

 result have already been taken, and can hardly fail QI«Ui 



But <mr efforts at fish protection must not be confined to the 

 waters of our own State. Those of New Jersey, especially the 

 sea coast, have strong claims upon the attention of the Asso- 

 ,n. The Legislature of that State being foiled in its well- 

 meant, endeavors to abolish illicit fishifg along its coast, 

 because of lack of jurisdiction, the important .nib ice t was im- 



