March 5, 1885. 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



109 



would be affected in proportion to the amount of the timber 

 cut, or land cleared. 



But this is just the reverse of the fact. Tbe decrease in 

 the watorflow has been substantially uniform in all of these 

 streams. 



It has been as marked and uniform between the sources, 

 and the points where the adjacent lands have been cleared, 

 as below. The Beaverkill, for instance, has suffered as 

 much in its first few miles of unbroken forest as below. 



The decrease in the streams where the land is but partially 

 cleared, is precisely the same as tbat in those where the land 

 is fully cleared, it has not been hastened by any unusual 

 cutting of timber or clearing; nor has it been retarded by 

 the absence of cutting or clearing. And the most marked 

 feature in this respect is this, that the annual decrease of 

 the waterflow in these streams has been uniform with that 

 of streams of the same size and character in the adjacent 

 counties, where the land has been fully cleared, and under 

 full cultivation for years. 



If it is desirable to know the condition of any of these 

 streams at any time, it is only necessary to look at any stream 

 in tbe cultivated portion of Dutchess or Orange counties, and 

 you will see its counterpart. 



If we have stated the facts correctly, and we think that 

 every angler will corroborate them, to what cause is this 

 change in our streams to be ascribed? Can it be wholly, or 

 even "principally local ? Is there a subtle connection between 

 the springs and fountains in mountain and valley, scores of 

 miles apart, or must we look elsewhere for the real cause? 



We suggest (it is only a suggestion) that the cause is purely 

 atmospheric. Commencing at the western slope of this 

 watershed, the land has been gradually cleared and drained 

 westward for hundreds, almost thousands of miles. The 

 prevailing winds are from the west. Before the forests were 

 destroyed the atmosphere was supplied by natural evapora- 

 tion, with sufficient humidity to keep it in its normal con- 

 dition. 



The reverse is now the case. The cleared land, and even 

 the lowlands and swamps, which, through ditch and drain, 

 have sent into the streams the water which they should have 

 retained, become parched and dried by the sun; aud instead 

 of supplying moisture to the air, rather draw from it that 

 which it already contains; and thus the air from its increased 

 affinity and capacity for moisture, takes it up with all the 

 greater force and rapidity, from every stream, lake, swamp, 

 spring and forest over which it passes. 



Thus the region of which we have spoken is robbed, by 

 unnatural and excessive evaporation, of the moisture which 

 would otherwise find its way through spring and streamlet 

 into the larger streams, which, after all, are only aggrega- 

 tions of springs and rivulets. 



If the streams in the upper watershed have been affected 

 in a manner similar to those in the lower one, as to which, 

 however, we are not sufficiently informed to make any posi- 

 tive statement, then that fact lends strength to the above sug- 

 gestion as to the cause. 



if this theory is the true one, we fail to see any remedy for 

 the evil. Lookiug at the streams from an angler's stand- 

 point, we fear that some are ruined forever; and that as to 

 many of tbe rest "their days are numbered." 



J. S. Van Cleef. 



Poughkeepsus, N. Y., Feb. 18. 



VARNISH FOR RODS. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



"Wig Wag," Feb. 12, speaks of hard oil for rods. I think 

 he must mean hard oil finish. 1 have a very fine rod of 

 laucewood that is as good, if not better, to-day than when 

 it came from the maker. When I put my tackle in working 

 shape about this time of year I take the rod and clean all the 

 metal parts with rottenstone and sweet oil, but never touch 

 the male ferrules. Then with a piece of old fine felt, a little 

 extra fine pumice-stone and raw linseed oil I rub it down 

 thoroughly, being careful in the wiping not to chafe the silk; 

 wipe off very clean and let it stand for a day or two to get 

 dry. Then take a fine-haired flat brush and with hard oil 

 finish give one coat, suspend the rod by strings for one or 

 two days and give the second coat, and suspend again for 

 five days or more and let it get hard. Now take old felt, raw 

 oil and rotten-stone and rub it lightly but thoroughly; wipe 

 off with an old rag and you will have the handsomest finished 

 rod you ever saw. Water will not affect it. You may (as I 

 have done and hope to do again) stand out from morning till 

 night, in rain and sunshine, no matter, it will still have that 

 beautiful dead gloss. Again, when you quit fishing wipe the 

 rod dry, and when you get home or to camp nib it well with 

 raw oil on a rag and oil the male ferrules with a drop of 

 good gun oil, polish your mountings, place in a partition 

 bag and hang up in a cool place. If you tie the bag tie it 

 very loosely. I have always done this to the letter with my 

 rods, for I know it is best. No shellac for me. W. S. S. 



Lam; Linden, Feb. 16. 



BASS FLIES AND GAME BASS. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



I wish to express my appreciation of the very valuable 

 series of articles now appearing in your journal on the sub- 

 ject of flies, fly- tying and the most killing flies, and to con- 

 tribute a little from my own experience. I wish to speak 

 only with reference to fishing for bass. 



Years ago when first beginning, the dealers recommended 

 only gaudy flies, like the scarlet ibis. Experience taught me, 

 however, that the best results in this section of Central New 

 York were uniformly obtained by darker and more sober 

 flies. Early in June," when the water is still high and dis- 

 colored, the Reuben Wood is an excellent fly, as it is during 

 the season on cloudy days, or when the water is not clear, 

 But the only bright, gaudy fly, which is uniformly good 

 throughout the season, is the silver doctor. Bass take it at 

 ah seasons, and it is a favorite wdth pike as well. Many fly- 

 casters in Syracuse have caught pike in Onondaga Lake 

 within the past two seasons on this fly. 



The brown turkey feather for wings of flies, dressed with 

 orange, yellow, red, green or peacock hurl body, is a very 

 killing fly at almost all seasons. But upon our local waters 

 the most successful fly with all anglers throughout the sea- 

 son is the magpie, made with wings and tail of the white- 

 tipped black tail of turkey, black silk body and black hackle, 

 or black and white coch-y bon-dhu. The bass constantly 

 rise to this fly when no other will tempt them, not only dur- 

 ing the day, but long after sundown, when it is too dark to 

 see the flies drop. 



I have recently forwarded patterns of this fly to Mr. Chas. 

 N. Orvis, who has tied me some samples, which are all that 

 can be desired. At my suggestion he tied them upon short 



double- twisted loops, which I believe to be the only correct 

 manner of tying flies for bass fishing. 



And now one word as to the almost worn out subject of 

 the relative merits of huge and small-mouth bass. Dr. Hen- 

 shali and Mr. Mather have had wide experience on many 

 waters, .aud both seem firm in the conviction that the. large- 

 mouth is as gamy as the small-mouth. No one who lias ever 

 cast a fly in Central New York could hold such an opinion 

 for an instant. The habits of the two fish here are utterly 

 unlike. One lives in sluggijSb water on mud bottom, the 

 other in deep, clear water, on sand or gravel bottom, or on 

 rapids with rocky bottom. The large-mouth rarely rises to 

 the surface to meet the fly, but generally takes it under water 

 as it is trailing, and when caught he sulks near the bottom 

 until he finds tbat won't do, when he comes just to the sur- 

 face and gives an ugly shake like a bulldog with a cat in his 

 mouth. He never makes bold leaps for freedom nor desper- 

 ate runs. The small-mouth, on the contrary, is all game. 

 The instant he strikes he goes for deep water to enjoy his 

 morsel in peace, but when he feels the sharp sting of the 

 hook, as though suddenly realizing his danger, he makes a 

 grand leap for life aud freedom, frequently rising three, four 

 and five feet clear of the water. If that fails, he rushes for 

 deep water with an energy and power that thrills and de- 

 lights the fly-caster. Aud he gives up only alter a desperate 

 struggle. I have kuown small-mouth bass to leap clear of 

 the water live or six times before submitting to be netted. 

 Did any large-mouth ever do as much? The small-mouth, 

 again, fights with bis mouth shut, while the iarge-mouth 

 comes to the net with jaws gaping like a pickerel on a troll- 

 ing line 



Anglers in sluggish Florida waters are welcome to the 

 joys of fishing for the large-mouth, but give us the royal 

 black bass, pure and simple. Rob Rot. 



Syracuse, N. Y, 



COMMUNICATION AMONG FISHES. 



Editor Forest and Stnam: 



Having derived much pleasure from your paper for a, 

 number of years, I feel in duty bound to relate a little inci- 

 dent in regard to trout fishing that as yet I have never seen 

 noted. For a number of years with a fellow medico, we 

 have belonged to the family of outers, and wheu we can get 

 away from our patients long enough to let them get well, 

 we hie away to the woods and lakes of Maine, aud oh, what 

 a relief to be able to get away from poor suffering humanity 

 and to go where all is abounding in health. I know from 

 experience that my life has been prolonged by the month 

 that I fake in these glorious wilds — but to my story. 



We belong, I am glad to say, to the class of fishermen that 

 do not kill "any more trout than w r c can cat; but sometimes 

 we cauuot forego the pleasure of casting a fly for the sake of 

 the extreme pleasure of playing a good fish, and we fre- 

 quently have gone to a favorite pool, and for, say the space 

 of half an hour, had a rise for every cast we would make. 

 We always landed our fish gently and with care returned 

 them to the pool, but after half an hour of fun wc are never 

 able to get another rise in this particular spot, although we 

 know that the fish are still there, as they will rise, but not 

 to our flies, no matter what fly we may offer them. The 

 only explanation we can give is that perhaps those fish we 

 catch and let go tell the others. 



We have had built a new camp this winter in the Dead 

 River region, and perhaps, if agreeable, may at some time 

 or other drop you a taking fly or line if it would be accept- 

 able. Medico. 



Brooklyn, N. Y. 



SIZE AND WEIGHT OF BLACK BASS. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



It very often happens that correspondents differ on 

 questions because they do not fairly understand each other. 

 This was lately exemplified in your columns by the discussion 

 on barbless hooks, where one writer meant a hook without a 

 barb, a needle-pointed hook, and the other referred to a 

 patent contrivance with a "snap and catch 'em" attachment. 

 I do not pretend to say that such a misunderstanding exists 

 between the gentlemen who have been writing on the com- 

 parative size and weight of black bass, and giving their 

 tables of weights and measurements, but it seems possible, 

 and I will show how it is possible, and also probable, before 

 I close this letter. 



In your issue of July 24 last, Vol. XXIL, p. 510, I gave a 

 table of weights from half a pound to 3 lbs. 8oz., of fish 

 measuring from 8 to 15 inches. This was followed, Feb. 5, 

 Vol. XXIII., p. 32, by "Woodcock" whose fish were much 

 lighter than mine of the same length, his 15-inch fish weigh- 

 ing only 1 lb. 8 oz., or just 2 lbs. less than mine. In your 

 issue of Feb. 19, "N." agrees with "Woodcock," and "M." 

 comes nearly to him, his 14£ inch fish weighing 1 lb. 12 oz., 

 while Dr. Sterling's list is nearer to my table; his 15-inch 

 fish scaling 2 lbs. 14 oz. 



Now for the possible cause of the differences which 

 appear so great. I stated that my fish were measured from 

 the nose to the end of the caudal fin, and so say "M." and 

 "N." On looking over my memoranda again I find that I 

 did not so measure my fish, but from the nose to the end of 

 the tail proper, which does not include the fin. This is the 

 usual mode, of measurement adopted by the naturalists, of 

 which Dr. Sterling is one, and would make our 15-inch fish 

 full 3 inches longer, according to the measurements of the 

 others. Really the tail fin should not be included in the 

 length any more than the dorsal and anal fins should be 

 included in the depth or girth. Anglers often speak of the 

 caudal fiu as the tail of the fish, but I believe the ichthyolo- 

 gists call the muscular part of the body between the anal 

 fin and the caudal flu the tail, or technically, the caudal 

 peduncle. 



To give a hard and fast rule for weight by measurement 

 is impossible, because of the different conditions of depth 

 and thickness in individuals. Doubtless a cubic inch of the 

 flesh of one black bass will weigh the same as that from 

 another, but a large fish with a 4-oz. chub in it will weigh 

 just so much more than if the stomach be empty, still we 

 would all like to be able to approximately tell the weight of 

 a fish by its length. 



Even though we measured our fish differently, I cannot 

 help thinking that "Woodcock's" fish were light in weight 

 for their length, and agree with Dr. Sterling in saying that 

 "my impression is that they were not well fed." "Wood- 

 cock's" bass weighing 2 lbs. 6 oz., measured 17 inches (to end 

 of caudal fin) While one of that weight in Dr. Sterling's table 

 measured only 14 inches. If the Doctor followed the 

 rule of leaving out the caudal fiu in the measurement the 

 fish would agree very well in length. 



POKE-O'-MOONSHXNE, 



[The stuffed black bass in our office caught by Chas, 



Gilchrist at Rice Lake, Ont,, which weighed 6 lbs. (see 

 Forest and Stream of Aug. 18, 1881) measures 17 inches 

 without the caudal fin, or 20 inches including it. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



In your issue of Feb. 19, "U.," of Esperance, N. Y., asks 

 to hear from us in regard to weight and size of black bass, he 

 agreeing with "Woodcock." Like Dr. Sterling, of Cleve- 

 land, O., I think "Wookcock's" fish were very gaunt. I 

 only measured one last spring, it measured nineteen inches 

 and weighed four pounds one ounce. Jat. 



St. Joseph, Mo. 



NOMENCLATURE OF ARTIFICIAL FLIES. 



r PHIS subject, which has occupied the attention of some 

 JL of our correspondents of late, is in a somewhat con- 

 fused state iu this country, owing to the fact that fly-tiers do 

 not always follow patterns exactly, and also to the constant in- 

 troduction of new forms to which new names are given, only 

 few of which ever attain popularity. Practically the com- 

 binations of wings, bodies, hackles, tails, etc. , are almost 

 endless. It is easy for any person to take a standard fly and 

 slightly change it by the introduction of shade of color some- 

 where and christen it anew r . This has been done to such an 

 extent as to have become a source of bewilderment, if not an 

 evil, and to have given rise to all the articles lately published 

 under the head of "Vagaries of Fly Nomenclature." These 

 articles have done much good, not only in attracting atten- 

 tion to this subject, but in throwing some light on the origin 

 of some of the flies and their names. 



We do not think that in England, which is the country 

 where fly-fishing had its greatest growth, if not its origin, 

 there exists the confusion in nomenclature which we have 

 here, Ronald's "Fly-Fisher's Entymology," published first 

 in 1836 and running through eight editions to 1877 is, with 

 its nineteen copper plates of the natural fly aud its imitation 

 side by side, still used as a standard, notwithstanding it is 

 known to contain a few errors. Other writers, among whom 

 are Bainbridge (1812), Clark (1839). Fletcher (1851), Blacker 

 (1855), Froggott (1861), and Ogden (1879), have also added to 

 the literature, but they appear to have consulted aud followed 

 those who have gone before, and thus have avoided confu- 

 sion 



We learn that Mr. Charles P. Imbrie, of the well-known 

 fishing tackle house of Abbey & Imbrie, is preparing an 

 illustrated work on this subject, which will include not only 

 every standard trout, bass and salmon fly, but also their 

 variations. Mr. Wakeman Holberton, the celebrated fish 

 artist aud fly-tier, who can probably name more flies at sight 

 than nine dealers out of ten, has carefully drawn and colored 

 over two hundred and eighty flies for this work in his care- 

 ful mauner. These flies will represent over twenty vari- 

 ations of the well-known "jungle cock," as called for in dif- 

 ferent parts of the. country, with their differently colored 

 bodies, and some five or six variations of the black palmer, 

 etc. , therefore they will not all be radically different flies. 

 The work will be a very expensive one and will not be pub- 

 lished this year. 



No doubt there is a great deal of nonsense in the multipli- 

 cation of flies with but slight differences in their coloration, 

 but it serves to make our fly-books bright, while if we try to 

 follow their numerous names it will work an opposite effect 

 on our brains. It serves the dealer's purpose in offering a 

 great variety, and this is about all. We hope to see a good, 

 authoritative work on the subject, which will be so complete 

 and exhaustive that it will be accepted by all as a standard, 

 and then, should Congress pass a law making it a felony to 

 add a new combination of wing, body and hackle and bur- 

 den us with a new name, we will bow to the majesty of the 

 law and say so mote it be. 



THE VERMONT FISH LAW. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



I have no dispositiou to take up the cudgels in defense of 

 my position against one who has done the State such good 

 service as "H. A." has iu the cause of fish protection, and I 

 confess that 1 have no figures to support my statement that 

 a bass weighs a pound whose length is under ten inches. I 

 only wrote of them as I remembered them, and I must con- 

 fess, too, that I am not a scientific, or greatly experienced, 

 or lucky angler. But "convinced against my will, I am of 

 the opinion still." That whatever he may weigh, a bass 

 whose length is a half inch more than the width of these 

 columns of this paper (and may they never be narrower, nor 

 shorter, nor fewer), will give the not too ambitious angler 

 excellent sport, and has "lots of good meat in him." 



If it can be enforced, the law as it now stands will doubt- 

 less tend greatly to the increase of bass and pike-perch, but 

 the trouble with it is that in these features it is unpopular 

 with the majority of those who have been friendly to and 

 active in the enforcement of the fish laws; and though very 

 few such will violate the laws themselves, they will not be 

 very forward in prosecuting a neighbor who catches with 

 hook and line a few pike-perch in May or the first half of 

 June, or fails to let go a bass falling a portion of an inch 

 short of the legal standard. And so in my humble opinion, 

 the last fall's tinkering of the fish laws will result in very 

 little good. 



I have no more inclination to engage in a controversy con- 

 cerning the Vermont fish laws than "Stanstead" has, but if, 

 as "one of that class of fault-finders," I said nothing in re- 

 ply to his communication, it might be thought that I ad- 

 mitted his charge of standing aloof and doing nothing but 

 grumble. 



When "Stanstead" asked in your columns thatVermonters 

 should give him their views respecting the changes that 

 should be made in our fish and game laws, I gave him mine 

 and those of my friends here who are interested in protec- 

 tion. Early in the session of our Legislature a meeting of 

 our club was held and a gentleman was chosen to draft a 

 petition asking for the amendments that we thought desir- 

 able, but he failed to perform his allotted duty, and when it 

 became evident that he was not likely to do so, I wrote, as 

 secretary of the club, to the chairman of the Fish and Game 

 Committe, stating the action of our club and the instructions 

 given the gentleman who was appointed to draft the peti- 

 tion. I have never heard that the slightest attention was 

 paid to it, and I have no reason to suppose that any more 

 attention would have been given to the suggestions had we 

 made them in person, for none of us have any political in 

 fluence whatever. Yet we claim to know a little of the 

 habits of pike-perch and bass in the streams where we fish 

 We know that pike perch do not come into Great and Little 

 Otter and Lewis creeks to spawn, whatever may be their 

 habits at the north end of the lake, and that their spawning 



