FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Jan. 14, 1892. 



INTERNATIONAL FISH LAWS. 



DY the oom'tesy of Gen, R. U. Sherman we give, in 

 JD advance of its publication elsewhere, the full text 

 of the report adopted at the recent Hamilton meeting of 

 the international fisheries legislation committee: 

 REPORT. 



To the Joi.nl UomiiUssi.on appointed lo confer on the sub- 

 ject- of Fish Protection in the international Waters 

 between the Canadian Provinces and the State of New 

 York: 



The undersigned, for the committee appointed by the 

 conference of representatives from the respective Com- 

 missions of Canada and the State of New York to con- 

 sider and recommend measures looking to the adoption 

 of uniform laws for the protection preservation and mul- 

 tiplication of the food fish supply of the international 

 waters lying between these respective countries, respect- 

 fully reports: 



That they have given to this subject careful considera- 

 tion, and in the light of facts have not deemed it practi- 

 cal to fix on such provisions in detail as would be requisite 

 to form a uniform code applicable to both countries. 

 Special needs depending upon geographical conditions, 

 on climate, on different prevailing modes of legislation 

 and of administering laws, forbid such uniformity, but 

 approximation in general features and leading measures 

 may be made to go far toward the attainment of the prac- 

 tical ends desired. 



FALLING OFE OF FOOD FISH SUPPLY. 



That the food fish supply of the great lakes has been 

 for the past thirty years suffering rapid diminution is too 

 apparent to need 'statistical proof. On the New York 

 side of Lake Ontario, where formerly salmon trout,white- 

 fish, and even the lordly salt water salmon were so 

 abundant as to furnish all the near markets with an 

 abundaut supply at prices within reach of the means of 

 the day laborer, the product now scarcely recompenses 

 the netter, and these fish, once so abundant and cheap, 

 are no longer available for food to the multitude, but 

 have become table luxuries to be enjoyed only by people 

 of ample means. On the Ohio side of Lake Erie there 

 has been a nearly equal falling off of the higher grades 

 of fish, but there still remains, on account of the greater 

 fecundity of the coarser kinds, a fair supply of what are 

 commonly known as pickerel, blue pike, pike-perch and 

 bass, which still afford a fair market stock at moderate 

 cost. Yet so enormous has become the draught on the 

 north shore and islands of Erie that the cry of scarcity is 

 already sounded from there. Further up the great lakes 

 the stock of whitefish is yet abundant; not, however, by 

 reason of providence in the use, but from the well sus- 

 tained efforts that have been made by the States of 

 Michigan and Wisconsin and on a lesser scale by Ohio 

 and Pennsylvania, to keep tip the stock by artificial 

 propagation. 



On the Canada side of the waters the supply, though 

 showing each year an additional falling off , j et holds 

 good for profitable netting, and it is from the fisheries of 

 Canadian waters that the principal market supply for 

 the State of New York comes. It may not be long, how- 

 ever, before the necessity of self-protection will force the 

 Dominion government to shut out exportations of fresh 

 fish. Such a condition should be foreseen in time and 

 met by timely measure s. 



CAUSE OF THE GROWING- SCARCITY. 



The cause of the growing scarcity of food fish is too 

 apparent to need discussion. The rapid and enormous 

 increase of population in all the States and Provinces 

 bordering on the great lakes, has caused a proportionately 

 increased demand for food of all kind?. The increased 

 want is made up in respect to the pi'educts of the soil by 

 the constantly enlarging range of cultivation and by im- 

 proved agricultural methods, but in reepect to the pro- 

 ducts of the waters there has been no such extension of 

 culture, and the field remains where nature placed it 

 ages ago when there was comparatively no demand for 

 fish as food for man. 



THE REMEDY. 



Given then, that the food fish supply needed for the 

 consumption of the border States is approaching practical 

 exhauclion, what is the remedy? Two leading measures 

 are obviously necessary. They are protection and multi- 

 plication, and lo make these effective, concert and har- 

 mony r.f action is necessary between all the Government 

 authorities interested. Of the unnecessary causes of 

 depleti <ti, it is evident from observation and experience 

 that th e practice of inshore netting is the greatest. The 

 setting of pound nets of small mesh with leads extending 

 often a mile or more from shore, causes the capture of 

 myriad -, of young fish, scarcely fit for human food, but 

 which, if left to develop on their natural feeding grounds 

 would add immensely to keeping up the market supply. 

 And the innumerable fykes, trap and hoop .nets and other 

 effective devices for the capture of coarse and immature 

 .fish, which seek their focd in the shallows and along the 

 shores, is another of the leading causes of depletion. The 

 use of small mesh gill nets is also a source of material 

 waste. The small fish taken in these nets are of but little 

 value for food, and are a nuisance to the market men on 

 whose hands they are thrown. The remedy for the cure 

 of the ills stated is to prohibit the use of nets of any kind 

 within one mile of the shore line of the great lakes and 

 rivers connecting these and the St. Lawrence River, and 

 to require that the mesh of all pound and gill nets set 

 outside this limit shall be not less than three and one-half 

 inches stretch. And as an effective aid to the enforce- 

 ment of such a regulation, to make illegal the sale or pos- 

 session of any fish of less than specified weights, as fol- 

 lows, viz.: 



Salmon trout, 21bs. 



Whitefish, 21bs. 



Bass, lib. 



Blue pike, fibs. 



None of which fish would be likely to be held by a 

 mesh of 3jin> stretch. It is believed that were in-shore 

 netting to cease, there would be scarcely need of a closed 

 season for spawning fish, such as pike (commonly called 

 pickerel), pike-perch and bass, as the natural fecundity 

 and development of these fish are so rapid as to be proof 

 against any netting that does not destroy them in their 

 infancy. 



CLOSE SEASONS. 



As to close seasons for fall spawners such as salmon 

 trout and whitefish, no changes'from existing regulations 

 where close seasons are provided are demanded, Exact 



uniformity cannot be prescribed on account of diffrreucfs 

 in temperature and latitude and other conditions which 

 influence the spawning seasons. 



NECESSITY OF INCREASED PRODUCTION. 



What has been above suggested by no means embraces 

 all the measures needed to keep up a food fish supply in 

 the international waters, adequate to the wants of the 

 population, who have only that source to look to. Arti- 

 ficial production, and that to the largest available extent, 

 must be established and prosecuted. The States of Mich- 

 igan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania have already 

 proved what great results-may be reached with Conipara- 

 tively moderate expense by suitably located and intelli- 

 gently managed hatching stations. But the Canada 

 Provinces and New York are yet in the background in 

 this vital work. Relief is promised to New York by the 

 proposed establishment at the east end of Lake Ontario, 

 by the United States B'ish Commission, of a whitefish 

 hatchery of a hundred million annual capacity. But no 

 steps have yet been taken by the Dominion authorities to 

 second the great work so auspiciously commenced by 

 the States of the Northwest. It is to be hoped that the 

 agitation of this subject by the present conference will 

 tend to awaken an interest in the important work, which 

 Canada may do in the premises. 



PROTECTION, 



Laws serve no good purpose while they remaiu dead 

 letters on the statute books. If we would have efficient 

 fish protection, we should provide not only wise statutes 

 but the constant means of enforcing them. The system 

 in vogue in the State of New York, and which has been 

 incorporated in the revised code recently framed by the 

 special commission of that State, with improvements, is 

 recommended to the consideration of all the Slates repre- 

 sented in this conference. The sytteni is in brief, a 

 distinct protection department, acting by itself and within 

 itself, its members holding cffi.ee only by good conduct, 

 and having a head to direct and a working force at all 

 times prepared for duty, properly compensated by the 

 State for service and expenses, and with the constant 

 duty of watching for any violations and conducting 

 prosecutions, 



APPLICATION OF REPORT. 



The subjects and recommendations of this report are 

 intended for the consideration, not only of those members 

 of whom the conference was originally officially com- 

 posed, but of all who by invitation have since become offi- 

 cially connected with it as representatives of the interest 

 of their respective States. [Signer! | 



Richard LT. Sherman. 



SALMON FISHING IN CANADA. 



EACH year sees a renewal of the protests of American 

 owners of salmon fishing against the faults of 

 omission and of committal of the Canadian Government. 

 The subject is one of much importance. Thousands of 

 dollars have been invested by men from this side of the 

 line on the strength of laws passed in the Canadian 

 Legislature, laws which are more honored in the breach 

 than in the observance. 



A large proportion of the rights are owned by Boston 

 men, and naturally there is a strong feeling in this city 

 that the present Canadian laws should at least be en- 

 forced, even if it is impossible at present to amend them, 

 Mr. Ivers W. Adams, speaking on this Bubjrqt, said: 

 "It is astonishing that the Dominion and Provincial 

 Governments do not move in the matter, .and work for 

 the undoubted good of the people over whom they rule. 

 I have no hesitation in affirming that in many districts 

 the poor farmers see very little money except that left 

 by the summer anglers, 



"I certainly advocate three changes in the present Jaws. 

 (1) The taking up of all nets in fresh water; (2) a prohibi- 

 tion of any netting in salt water during tw r o clays a week 

 for the next five years; (3) the appointment of honest 

 guardians to watch over the fish when once they have 

 managed to reach the river. Not one in four of the 

 salmon that enter a stream can be caught by the fly- 

 fisherman. This is acknowledged by all expe/ienced 

 anglers, and fair fishing alone cannot depopulate any 

 water frequented by salmon. 



"As to the benefits to be derived by an increase in the 

 number of fish, it will be found that every salmon caught 

 has cost the captor about $1 a pound, the money going 

 where it will do most good— to the almost destitute Cana- 

 dian backwoodsmen. This seems a large sum, but the 

 experience of thousands shows that it is about right when 

 the expenses incidental to the sport are all taken into 

 consideration. As a salmon caught in the net rarely 

 yields more than 25 cents to the man wbo caught him, it 

 is evident that it would be far better for the fly-fisher to 

 be allowed to accomplish the fish's destruction. It would 

 make no difference to the victim, while it would insure 

 the greatest good to the greatest number. 



"Even the present laws, faulty as they are in many 

 respects, would insure plenty of fish were they but ob- 

 served. From 6 P. M. Saturday to 6 A. M. Monday of 

 each week the nets are supposed to be raised, but it is a 

 legal fiction, and in few instances are the nets hoisted 

 unless a freshet renders it more prudent to have them 

 out of the water than in it. I am convinced that, were 

 the laws amended and enfoiced, as they should be, thous- 

 ands and thousands of visitors from the States would 

 visit each year the glorious streams of the Lower Pro- 

 vinces and of Quebec." 



Other gentlemen interested in Canadian streams are 

 known to hold the same views.— Boston Herald. 



Montreal, Quebec, Jan. 8. — The Restigouche Salmon 

 Club of Metapedia, which is made up of gentlemen in 

 New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and other cities in the 

 United States, who are enthusiasts and experts in killing 

 salmon, has purchased all of Lord Mount Stephens's fish- 

 ing rights and the property and houses at Causapscal, on 

 the Metapedia River, in this Province. Thi3 gives the 

 club exclusive control over that river. 



Black Bass and Shad in Utah.— Commissioner Mc- 

 Donald has been informed by Mr. A. Milton Musser, of 

 Salt Lake City, that several young black bass have been 

 taken in Utah Lake, and both shad and bass appear to 

 be thriving in that body of water. On Oct. 12. 1890, the 

 Commissioner sent from Qumcy, 111., to Utah Lake 1,418 

 iarge-mcuth black bass and 05 ring perch, 



SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS FISH 

 AND GAME LEAGUE, 



THE executive committee report that at the annual 

 meeting of the League all the old officers were re- 

 elected. 



For the second time no licences to set and maintain 

 stationary apparatus for catching fish having been 

 granted in Fairhaven it became still more apparent that 

 many of the most valuable food fishes of Buzzards Bay 

 were upon the increase, and were abundantly and easily 

 taken by the hand line fishermen. 



It was a source of some anxiety to the committee, and 

 involved considerable newspaper discussion that the 

 selectmen of the town of Mattapoisett should grant 

 licenses to set traps and pounds in the wafprs of that 

 town, as it had been agreed by them that if Fairhaven 

 continued to refuse licenses Mattapoisett would grant 

 none. We deem it a matter of the utmost consequence 

 at the present time that stationary apparatus should not 

 be set in any of the waters of the bav. and it is mani- 

 festly unjust that any of the selectmen of towns should 

 have the right to grant licenses against the express 

 wishes and sentiments of the people of those towns. To 

 remedy or prevent this evil it is proposed early in the 

 session to introduce an order so to amend Chap. 91 of the 

 Public Statutes as to take the matter out of the power 

 of the authorities of cities or towns to grant licentes to 

 set traps, pounds or weirs in the waters of Buzzards Bay. 



Early in the summer we received information that pub- 

 lic meetings were held and to be held in the towns of 

 Bourne, Falmouth and Wareham for the purpose of 

 arousing the people to take action against the setting of 

 pounds or weirs in the waters of Buzzards Bay and Vine- 

 yard Sound. Committees were appointed in these sev- 

 eral towns to consider and report upon the subject. 



Though we were apprehensive that public demonstra- 

 tions might result in the union of all the forces of those 

 opposed to protecting the fisheries and result also in de- 

 priving us of some of the many advantages wc have 

 gained, we corresponded with those committees with a 

 view to harmonious action. We asked for a conference 

 which has neither been granted nor refused. The result 

 of their several meetings has been the formation of the 

 "Old Colony Club," of which Mr. Joseph Jefferson is 

 president and Charles F. Chamberlayne secretary. 



We believe it to be the policy of this association to 

 work in harmony with ail other associations having a 

 like end in view, so that while we have plans, purposes 

 and views of our own, we shall be at ail times ready 

 to co-operate with other and kindred organizations. 



The great end and object to he obtained is the pro- 

 tection and preservation of the fisheries, to accomplish 

 which an enlightened public sentiment must come in 

 and assist. 



ft i3 a matter for congratulation to us all that the 

 people are getting waked up to an intelligent view of 

 the subject, and are enough alive to their own inter- 

 ests to desire such legislation in the futme as will pre- 

 vent the depletion of our waters and the wholesale de- 

 struction of the fishes. Geo. H. Palmer, Sec'y. 



Hew Bedii'obd, Mass. 



ANGLING NOTES. 



:< TT is an ill wind that blows no one any good," as the 

 JL old saying goes, and although the past watm, wet 



low mid if the c Id weather had set in th< 

 would have suffered terribly, but now 

 clanger. 



aseasonable, 

 As I men- 

 dangerously 

 Jply of trout 

 fare out of 



Inquiry is often made as to how trout tiies can be pre- 

 served from moths. In answer I would say that with a 

 little care it is a very simple matter. Before the flies are 

 put away for the season it is necessary to make sure that 

 there are no moths or moth eggs among them, An empty 

 cigar box is excellent to keep them in, or better yet the 

 folding tin tray boxes sold in the tackle shop;*: these 

 should be well wrapped up in paper; with this precau- 

 tion moths will never trouble them. Camphor does but 

 little good, in fact I believe that moths rather enjoy good 

 camphor. That abominable smelling stuff sold under the 

 name of "camphor hallo" is much better and less expen- 



A few years ago it was almost impossible to get fly 

 lines fine enough; but anglers begin to discover that tbe 

 heavier lines cjtst better, particularly on a windy day, 

 and a heavy line cast straight is much more likely to 

 hook fish than a lighter one that drops in curves and 

 circles on the water. As to color, if trout notice the 

 line at all, which I sometimes doubt, they probably con- 

 sider it a bit of weed or grass, and therefore a greenish 

 or yellowish color is the best. Taper liiusart not so 

 much favored by anglers now as in the past, the taper 

 part is very apt to break after very few days' fishiog. It 

 is a very good plan to splice on a length of stout gut and 

 attach the leader to this instead of the line. It is easily 

 done by winding it for an inch with waxed eilk, and 

 then coat it with a little shellac vamisb. Leaders are 

 now made for the short rods which are so popular, 7^ft. 

 with sliding loops for two flies, 2#ft, apart, but anglers 

 will find that one dropper in addition to the stretcher fly , 

 (two in all) are more f ffective in clear waters than three. 

 The practice of attaching flies to the leader by hanging 

 loops is a poor one, at least when trout are at all shy, 

 they show entirely too plain in the water. The best way 

 is to insert the knot of the gut snell between the sliding 

 loops and then cut the loop above the knot off, arranged 

 in this manner the fly stands out straight from the 

 leader and can be readily changed. Scarlet-Ibis. 



A Salmon Kelt —On Dec. 9 a spent salmon weighing 

 between 12 and 13lbs. was seen floundering in shoal 

 water near the mouth of the Cabbasacontic River, at its 

 junction with the Kennebec. The fL-th was not recog- 

 nized by any one who saw it, and a correspondent for- 

 warded the head and tail to Forest and Stream for 

 identification. According to our information tha salmon 

 proved to be a stranger in thoso waters — a striking com- 

 mentary on the present condition of the salmon fishing 



, in certain localities once teeming with these noble fish". 



( During the breeding season the jaws of the main salmon. 



