Feb. 38, 1889.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



Ill 



THE MENHADEN BARONS. 



Editor Forest and Stream; 



Occasions frequently occur to cause your read era to feel 

 thankful for the existence of a paper that takes so timely, 

 outspoken and manly a stand in behalf of our fish and 

 game interests, as does Forest and Stream, a paper 

 whose high tone, intelligent conduct and progressive 

 policv enhance its value to its subscribers and readers 

 more* and more. Not given to ill-advised and immature 

 expressions on subjects within its sphere, its words of 

 counsel, advice or warning merit and in fact receive the 

 fullest consideration. . 



In the brief space of fifteen lines in an editorial column 

 of the issue of the 14th inst., you have given a concise 

 and forcible expression of views on the iniquities of the 

 menhaden pirates in connection with their descent on the 

 Maine Legislature. 



Think for a moment ! Think of the great State of Maine 

 taking a backward step and receding from her wise 

 course with regard to her shore fisheries and the use of 

 the seine in the interdicted limit. Such action would be 

 suicidal to her fishing interests. May she never subject 

 herself to such a self-inflicted blow. 



Not her own citizens alone, but those of her sister 

 States, look with admiration and satisfaction on the 

 course of the State of Maine in the enactment and en- 

 forcement of wholesome laws for the preservation of fish 

 and game. Her example is worthy of emulation, and is 

 being followed. Maine has done much and much more 

 remains for her to do in strengthening and providing for 

 the more thorough working of existing laws. 



The three-mile limit la w now in force in that State 

 was adopted to cbeck the exhaustion of the fish supply 

 which, was rapidly going on in her coast waters ten years 

 since. About the same time the menhaden, from known 

 causes, ceased to visit her shores, consequently the seiners 

 had no incentive to violate that law. The season of 1888, 

 however, witnessed the return of the menhaden in great 

 numbers. It was then that these violators of law, when 

 opportunity offered, operated in defiance of the statute. 



Commenting on these violations of law the Kennebec 

 Journal remarks that "a member of the U. S. Fishery 

 Commission savs he shall have all the State laws removed 

 which regulate seining on the coast." A correspondent 

 in a recent issue of this paper states: "The great Mr. 

 Haddocks I learn, is going to have the law repealed." 

 Will he do it? He surely underestimates the weight of 

 public opinion in that State and misjudges the temper of 

 the people. 



I am informed that Mr. Haddocks operated an oil 

 factory at Boothbay last season, and that he appeared 

 against the State as a witness in a case involving a viola- 

 tion of the law. This is certainly an anomalous position 

 for an employe of the Government to occupy. 



Maine knows too well where her best interests lie, to 

 snuff out the light kindled by experience and grope 

 again in darkness. Standing in the front rank as a pre- 

 server of fish and game, continually legislating in those 

 interests, having thoroughly competent and active Com- 

 missioners, she will not now make a retrogressive move. 

 She receives too much benefit pecuniarily and enjoys too 

 much prosperity directly from her supply of fish and 

 game, to act at the dictation and behest of menhaden 

 seiners. 



Massachusetts, in the interest of her shore fisheries, has 

 a law for the protection of Buzzard's Bay. Steamers 

 from Rhode Island went there on several occasions last 

 summer 1 and seined, contrary to la w. but were finally 

 forced to retire from the bay. The State of New York, 

 by a recent law, protects Earitan Bay. New Jersey, 

 Pennsylvania and Delaware have taken joint action for 

 the protection of Delaware. Eiver. The good work of 

 protection is contagious and is becoming popular. 

 Ehode Island cannot be classed with the States men- 

 tioned. She is an unfortunate example of what men- 

 haden pirates can accomplish in the process of extermin- 

 ation. She has able and willing Commissioners, but has 

 practically no laws relating to salt water fisheries. She 

 once was in the lead with famous fishing grounds, as the 

 departed renown of Point Judith, Narragansett, Barring- 

 ton, Newport, Seaconnet, West Island and Block Island 

 attest. Now her waters are poverty-stricken and de- 

 pleted. Yet the oil factories at Portsmouth, with their 

 foreign labor, gather in the dollars for then* owners, who 

 laugh in their sleeves at anything beyond the chimes of 

 an oil barrel. 



The Church steamers of Ehode Island caught 95,000,000 

 of menhaden the last season after July 1. This almost 

 incredible number produced, in round numbers, 500,000 

 gallons of oil and more than 3,000 tons of scrap. The 

 latter commodity more than pays running expenses, and 

 to its value is to be added the snug sum realized from the 

 sale of 10,000 bbls. of oil. The Church influence has 

 dominated in Ehode Island for years, and the fishing 

 grounds have been almost wholly ruined. The monetary 

 loss to the State by the decline of the fisheries is many 

 times in excess of any benefit derived from the Ports- 

 mouth factories with their imported labor. The menha- 

 den men are represented in the State Legislature by Capt. 

 Nat Church. As an evidence of the oilmen's influence, 

 this is what an admirer says in substance of Capt. Daniel 

 T. Church: 



"He has fought over legislation on the fish question year 

 after year and always came out ahead. He has won 

 pitched battles in Ihe Massachusetts Assembly and in the 

 courts of Virginia and other States." 



In the New York Legislature Capt. Hawkins repre- 

 sents the menhaden men. He vigorously opposed the 

 passage of the Earitan Bay bill and characterized it as 

 nfamous. 



In the days when sailing gear was the only appliance 

 for the pursuit of menhaden, but little, if any, opposition 

 to the avocation existed. It is only since the skinning 

 process became possible and prevalent by the exchange 

 of sail for steam power that' opposition has developed, 

 and it will continue with accelerated power till the men- 

 haden men are subjected to the requirements of just and 

 proper State or national la ws. 



The menhaden men are as but one to a hundred of 

 those unorganized thousands who pursue for pleasure or 

 profit the food fishes of the Atlantic coast. These men 

 have invested their millions voluntarily in an enterprise 

 once circumscribed by no law, and desolate waters have 

 been the result. Now that laws are slowly and surely 

 crystallizing in the vital interest of the whole people, 

 they squeal and attempt to undo the little that has been 



done for the general good. In short they violate law and 

 boast that they will effect a repeal. 



No law along the line of this article exists or is in con- 

 templation, a syllable of which is other than absolutely 

 just to them and the people. Their rights are not para- 

 mount, and their business, when properly controlled, 

 will go on the same as now, bringing gold to their coffers 

 (which is apparently all they comprehend), notwithstand- 

 ing their pretended fears to the contrary. 



No interest whatever can suffer by their subjection to 

 law. The net and twine factories will still find a grow- 

 iug demand for their productions. The tackle dealers 

 will flourish as never before, and the millions in money 

 dispensed by summer sojourners will be doubled. This is 

 not all. There are thousands of deserving fishermen 

 along the entire stretch of coast that would be immensely 

 benefited by the revival of their once prosperous calling. 

 Why? Because the conditions known to be the best for 

 the preservation and perpetuation of the food fish supply 

 would be restored to their natural state. 



No, Mr. Editor, it is too late in the day for backward 

 steps where such important economic questions are in- 

 volved. The State of Maine, rather than repeal the law 

 referred to, will, if she continues in wisdom, fortify it 

 for her citizens and the strangers yearly attracted within 

 her borders. She, as well as every other State, bordering 

 on the Atlantice north of Hatteras, should be alive to 

 the fact that those who pursue menhaden for their oil, 

 and those whose dollars are invested in such enterprise, 

 are not safe advisers on the food fish question. They are 

 not vigorous and whole-souled laborers for the restoration 

 and perpetuation of the food fish supply. 



At the yearly dinner of the Massac husetts Fish and 

 Game League in Boston last month. Congressman-elect 

 Eandall advised the holding of conventions in each State, 

 and then a general convention in the interest of fish Uws 

 for the Atlantic coast. Sucli action would undoubtedly 

 result in much good. 



Fish propagation by nation, State, or individual must 

 be supplemented by protection to secure the best results. 

 Propagation and protection are propuly inseparable. 

 The three-mile bruit, as appbed to menhaden seiners, 

 supplemented by a close seasrn, will pave the way for 

 the revival of the shore fisheries. 



The autocratic and dictatorial methods in vogue with 

 the menhaden men render id imperative that they be 

 legislated into reasonable bounds. They must be made 

 to respect the fact that menhaden are in existence for 

 other and more important uses than that of enriching 

 them at the expense of the people. 



If the pursuit of menhaden as conducted with steamers 

 was devoid of harm, the outcry against it would not be 

 voiced. It is by reason of this outcry, wide-spread and 

 determined, that it must be patent to every one that un- 

 restrained seining is productive of ill effects. The war- 

 fare is waged to restore that which has been taken from 

 the people by the menhaden barons. 



In keeping then, with the spirit of the age, when 

 economic questions and natural resources and possibili- 

 ties are being investigated and carefully considered, let 

 Maine add to her present law if need be; let Massachu- 

 setts do the same and let Ehode Island re-assert herself, 

 throw off the domination of the menhaden barons and 

 place her waters under such wise laws as shall restore 

 their former preeminence. 



Uniform laws along the entire coast are much to be de- 

 sired; these, reenforced by a general law, are confidently 

 looked for in the near future. Arthur Martin. 



Washington, Feb. 16, 



CARP AND SUCKERS AGAIN. 



Editor Forest and Stream; 



In last week's number your correspondent, "H." casts 

 objections at suckers and carp, and he states that his 

 methods of observation are somewhat faulty by saying 

 that their food consists of dead and decayed substances 

 that are garnished with mud. Now, as a matter of fact, 

 the food of the Cyprinido}, which are commonly known 

 as suckers, consists principally of the slippery coverings of 

 stones and sticks, and this material is composed, not of 

 dead matter, but of the very loveliest of diatoms and 

 desmids and algse and fungi. The carp are fond of the 

 larger alga? and more highly organized plants. The rea- 

 son why suckers are not very good eating is because their 

 pretty delicate stomachfuls have a peculiar odor that 

 happens to be disagreeable to most people. 



An old farmer, at whose house I occasionally stop when 

 on hunting trips, goes to town five or six times every year, 

 and about" once a year he buys at a corner fish wagon a 

 lot of suckers that have been caught at some time in the 

 distant past. These he tosses into the sunny back of his 

 wagon, along with the calico, crackers, crockery, lamp 

 wicks, oats and hoes, and takes them home to the folks. 

 He says they don't care very much for fish at his house 

 anyway. 



1 will not champion the cause of the sucker, but for 

 the carp I have a good word, and this good word is sup- 

 erfluous among readers of Forest and Steeam, who are 

 familiar with the subject of European table fish. The 

 carp properly prepared, boiled and served with butter 

 sauce and small boiled potatoes, is a luxurious addition 

 to our table; and this expression of sentiment on my 

 part is not original. It may be heard in any first-class 

 restaurant in northern Europe. It is true that the flesh 

 of the carp is redolent of the odor of various algaa and 

 diatoms when the fish has been recently taken from a 

 warm pond, but the particular flavor rapidly disappears 

 if the fifh is put down the well for a few days before 

 being killed. It is not half as much trouble to sweeten a 

 school of carp as it is to fatten one hog, and the profit of 

 the former work may far exceed those of the latter. I 

 profess to be something of a connoisseur at the table, and 

 am willing to make the assertion that "qualified carp'' is 

 delicious. Eobert T. Morris, M.D. 



New York, Feb. 22. 



"Where the Trout Hide," Kit Clarke's new book, is 

 announced for publication during the coming week by 

 Brentanos'. It will be handsomely illustrated and printed 

 upon the finest quality of paper. Mr. Clarke is often 

 aggressive, and usually obstinate in his views, yet always 

 an ardent angler, and his volume will doubtless prove 

 interesting. The author has made a careful study of the 

 wiuinnish of Lake St. John, and after fully describing it, 

 says: '"It has been my good fortune to struggle with hook 

 and line against finny competitors in nearly every quarter 

 of the world, but never have I met so heroic a combatant 

 as the ebony mottled wininnish of Lake St. John." 



MORE PICKEREL— LESS TROUT. 



TN the stocking of inland waters, a grave mistake has 

 been made by the Fish Commissioners of more than 

 one State. Too great prominence has been given to cer- 

 tain game fishes, the favorites of sportsmen, and to fancy 

 kinds from distant localities, and too little regard had 

 for certain other and coarser kinds, capable of yielding 

 large quantities of cheap and valuable food for the 

 people. 



Another mistake has been the experiment, too fre- 

 quently tried, and often at a considerable expenditure of 

 funds, of putting certain favorite kinds into waters in 

 which they had not previously existed, without any 

 certainty that their surroundings would be favorable to 

 development, instead of restocking with indigenous 

 species. As a rule, the plan should be, not to introduce 

 new kinds, that, under new conditions, might or might 

 not thrive, but to restock exhausted lakes and streams 

 with the species natural to them, and to keep up the sup- 

 ply in waters not exhausted by putting in annually 

 enough fry to supply the annual waste caused by legiti- 

 mate fishing. 



Another mistake, more or less plainly seen in nearly 

 all codes for the protection of fish and the regulation of 

 fishing, is the attempt to keep up the supply mainly by 

 preventing the fish from being taken, ins-tead of so in- 

 creasing the production as to allow them to be taken in 

 increased quantities. To say that to enable the people 

 to catch a groat many fish you must prohibit them from 

 fishing:, is an extravagant expression of the underlying 

 idea, but is nevertheless a truthful one. Two or three 

 examples will illustrate the points I wish to make. 



The Jordan and the Boyne are natural trout streams. 

 Formerly they swarmed with the speckled trout. They 

 have been fished out. To attempt to stock them with 

 bass or pickerel, or any similar fish, would be folly. We 

 do not know whether the rainbow trout, the landlocked 

 salmon or other members of the salmon family, from 

 other locabties, would thrive in them or not; but we do 

 know that no streams were ever better adapted to the 

 development of the sportsman's favorite, the speckled 

 trout. Let the Fish Commissioners fully restock these 

 streams with this species, and forever keep them fully 

 restocked, by putting in annually a liberal supply of 

 young fish. Then let the sportsmen fish to their hearts' 

 content, only restricting them to an open season of rea- 

 sonable length and to the taking of fish of not less than 

 a certan size. 



Again, Houghton Lake is a natural pickerel pond. 

 Once it was alive with pickerel, bass and wall-eyed pike, 

 the pickerel rnredorninating in numbers. It is well 

 adapted to the production of these food fishes. A gentle- 

 man whose business has been partly the marketing of the 

 fish from this lake, states that within a few years he has 

 handled more than a hundred tons. But the supply is 

 failing. Let the Commissioners annually put in half a 

 million of pickerel fry. and bass and wall-eyed pike in 

 proportion, and Houghton Lake will continue to be a 

 source of food supply, in comparison with which in value 

 a hundred trout streams like the Jordan and the Boyne 

 would dwindle into insignificance. M. L. Leach. 



Travebse Cxtt, Mich. 



FLORIDA K1NGFISH AND TARPON. 



COCOANUT GEOVE, Fla., Feb. 16.— Now is the sea- 

 son for kingfishing in the open waters between 

 Cape Florida and Foney Eocks Light, where they fairly 

 swarm. The great silvery, gamy fellows can be had in 

 any number by anybody who will go out for them — that 

 is, if he is properly equipped and knows how to catch 

 them. The common mode of fishing for them is by troll- 

 ing with a squid from a quick-moving sailboat, but Mr. 

 Edward Prince, of New York, has recently demonstrated 

 that they can be successfully taken with a rod. During 

 the past week he has caught several weighing from 20 to 

 401 bs. apiece, with an ordinary bass rod, and all the hand- 

 liners now stand ready to follow his example. 



The upper end of Biscayne Bay swarms with tarpon at 

 present, but it is rather too early in the season for them 

 to gorge bait. Messrs. T. B. Asten, Dr. Grymes, Edward 

 Prince, T. F. Falls and Frank L. Anthony, all expert tar- 

 pon fishermen, are now here experimenting with this 

 gamiest of game fish; but thus far without making a 

 catch. They report having caught sight of larger fish 

 than have ever been seen on the west coast, and have had 

 many bites; but the fish will not swallow the bait. They 

 merely take it into their mouths and immediately eject 

 it. Two of our native fishermen went out yesterday, and 

 in less than an horn - one of them had captured three tar- 

 pon with a grains. One of them was a splendid big fel- 

 low, weighing 1451bs. The ill success that has thus far 

 attended the efforts of the rod and reel fishermen is 

 doubtless due to the fact that tarpon rarely gorge bait 

 before March. That month and April make the tarpon 

 season, and if any one wants them let him come and get 

 them during these eight weeks, when they are guaranteed 

 to be on hand in quantities to suit all who seek them. 



O^K. Chobee. 



Steamboats on Eichardson Lake. — Boston, Feb. 19. 

 —I have been expecting to see some mention in your 

 paper of the steamboat troubles on the Eangeley Lakes, 

 or rather on Eichardson and Cupsuptic. I call your at- 

 tention to the matter, as I believe that it will be of in- 

 terest to all sportsmen who go into this region. As I 

 understand the matter, Capt. Barker, wno has heretofore 

 owned the only steamers on these two lakes, has bad 

 everything in his own hands. This winter, Billy Soule, 

 who owns the fine camps on Cupsuptic, brought up a 

 steamer and petitioned the Maine Legislature for a charter 

 to run on the two lakes. At once Capt. Barker put in a 

 counter petition for exclusive right to run steamers on 

 these ponds. 1 may be misinformed, and if so shall be 

 glad to be put right, but under present circumstances I 

 think these lakes should be free to every one, and that 

 there should be no monopoly of any of them in any way. 

 —J. S. C. 



Scarcity of Cod.— For some time past the returns 

 from the inshore fishing grounds and George's Bank have 

 shown a great falling off in the catch of cod. The fisher- 

 men bebeve that the scarcity on George's is due largely 

 to the extensive use of trawls on that bank by haddock 

 fishermen. This fishery is carried on from Oct. 1 to May 

 by a fleet approximating 150 sail. Capt. J. W. Collins 

 informs us that such a fleet will use fully 2,500,000 hooks 

 while fishing for market chiefly on George's Bank. 



