880 
FOREST 'AND 1 STREAM. 
[May 9, 1896 
AND LIVED HAPPY EVER AFTER. 
Intent upon fishing, one fine summer's day, 
With rod and with line a young man took his way; 
When going that way there was, too, a fair maid, 
Whom the young man saw, loved, and attentions soon paid. 
When the streamlet was reached, where the fishes are found, 
The maid found her heart in love's meshes fast bound; 
The line being thrown (minus bait, minus hook), 
The fond pair talked love in a nice cozy nook. 
The fishes that day had the rarest of fun, 
As they came to the line and they tugg'd one by one: 
Till tugging at last made the rod leave the ground, 
And swimming along with the fishes be found, 
The owner of rod and of line heeded not, 
For these things he now cared not one Bingle jot; 
Being caught, fairly landed, in love's silken net, 
The charms of fair maid made him all else forget.' 
E'er after that day their true love grew more warm, 
And the man who went fishing (when fish took no harm ), 
And the maiden together might often be seen, 
And looking as happy as king and as queen. 
They .married, and crowds came to see the knot tied, 
And gay pleasant things of both bridegroom and bride; 
The church bells were rung in their merriest style, 
And sounded their joyousness many a mile. 
'Mid shower of old slippers and handfuls of rice, 
And such exclamations as "lovely" and "nice," 
They left for the "lakes," there that sweet time to spend, 
Called honeymoon, which too soon came to an end. 
They next settled down In a "neat little cot," 
On the banks of a stream near a beautiful spot; 
("A nice cozy nook") and as husband and wife 
Lived happily ever the rest of their life. —Fishing Gazette. 
MASSACHUSETTS LOBSTER BILL. 
Boston, April 27. — Editor Forest and Stream: Here 
is what our Governor says and does about the proposed 
law to reduce the legal length of lobsters. 
C. H. Morse. 
Gov. Wolcott sent in a veto of the Short Lobster bill 
this afternoon, says the Journal of April 27. There was 
no surprise when the messenger came in. It had been 
gossiped about the Legislative halls for days that he 
would veto the measure. It had been said by some of the 
experts of the State that the passage of the bill would 
destroy the lobster fisheries and exterminate the lobster 
in the end. On the other hand, experts on the other side 
had said that the bill would do no harm whatever. 
Under this condition of conflicting evidence, it was urged 
by opponents of the measure that the only safe course, 
with a due regard to the interests of the Commonwealth, 
was to veto the measure, and this the Governor did. The 
veto was placed in the orders of the day for Tuesday. It 
was as follows: 
To the Honorable the Senate and the House of Represen- 
tatives: 
|a>I herewith return to the branch of the Legislature in 
which it originated a bill entitled "An Act Relative to 
the Protection of Lobsters," together with my objections 
thereto in writing. This act lessens the protection which 
our statutory laws for 22 years have afforded, by reduc- 
ing the size at which lobsters may be taken and sold from 
10| to 9in. It does not require proof by statistics, but is 
a fact of common observation that during this period the 
average size of lobsters placed on the market for sale has 
diminished, while the price has advanced. This shows 
that under the conditions that have existed the supply of 
this important food has not kept pace with the increas- 
ing demand. 
If it could be shown that the proposed legislation would 
prove of more than temporary benefit to those immedi- 
ately occupied with this fishery, and that this benefit 
would not be offset by injury to the great body of our 
people, it would deserve and receive executive approval. 
Bat from the most careful examination which I have 
been able to give to this matter X am satisfied that this is 
not the case. 
There is no unanimity in favor of this legislation even 
among those actually engaged in the industry. Not only 
from dealers in lobsters, but from numerous lobster fish- 
ermen as well, have come earnest protests against the 
change. Improvident and illegal methods employed by 
those beyond the jurisdiction of this Commonwealth have 
doubtless helped to make more difficult the livelihood of 
our citizens engaged in this fishery; in certain localities 
the condition of those who yield a ready obedience to the 
law, which in any Massachusetts community must 
always constitute the great majority, is without doubt 
one of diminishing profit and increasing hardship. 
But the Executive must look to the effect of proposed 
legislation upon the people of the whole Commonwealth, 
and believing that the effect of this bill, if enacted, even 
if temporarily beneficial to a part of the State, must be 
finally a detriment to all, I am unable in the perform- 
ance of the duty imposed upon me by the Constitution 
to approve it. • (Signed) Roger Wolcott. 
Boston, May 2.— Editor Forest and Stream: I wrote 
you a couple of weeks since of the passage of the new 
lobster law, allowing the taking of 9in. crustaceans instead 
of 10-J-in., as for many years. The Fish and Game Asso- 
ciation made a strong fight against the bill, and it was 
only by a margin of one vote that it passed the Senate. 
When it reached Gov. Wolcott there was a hearing 
at which both friends and opponents were present. Presi- 
dent Clark continued his active work against the bill, and 
brought out a large array of testimony against the bill, 
both from lobster fishermen and dealers, so that the act- 
ing Governor, in sending in his veto two days after, was 
entirely justified in saying that there was no unanimity 
for the proposed legislation. His action was rather un- 
expected to the few advocates of the bill, and the fight 
was entirely knocked out of them. They tried hard to 
rally their forces, but on Friday last, when the vote was 
taken in the House, the veto was sustained by a vote of 
nearly three to one. It is another victory for those who 
are fighting for the proper protection of fish and game. 
William B. Smart. 
EARLY FISHING IN CANADA. 
A Remarkable Change in the Outlook. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
It is the unexpected, they say, that happens. On the 
14th of April, when I wrote you last, sleighs were running 
here and I had worn a fur cap down town the previous 
day. My growl was apparently heard, for a remarkable 
spell of fine weather set in the next day, and so rapid was 
the thaw that in little more than ten days there was 
scarcely any snow to be seen. I wrote on the 14th ult., 
"The warm weather may come with quite a rush when it 
comes at all, and unless it does there will be very little 
May fishing this year in northern Canada, and none at all 
in the middle of the month." We have had the warm 
weather, rush and all, and now we may have the May 
fishing just as well as in any ordinary season, and perhaps 
even earlier than in some recent years. The snow water 
is even reported to be almost entirely out of the woods. 
So much of it came down at once upon the ice of the lakes 
that it grew rotten, and in many cases has disappeared 
already. That on Lake Beauport broke up yesterday. 
Lake Kiskisink is clear, and Lake Bouchette nearly so. 
On Lake Edward it was breaking up yesterday. If it has 
not already gone there, it will be in a couple of days. 
Bait fishing for trout, unless the weather keeps cold, usu- 
ally commences some fifteen days after the disappearance 
of the ice from the lakes. It ought to be good in any 
case this year from the 20th to the 24th inst. in all the 
lakes along the line of the Quebec & Lake St. John R. R, It 
may be good somewhat earlier, but it would be question- 
able wisdom to come much earlier from a distance and to 
run the risk. I certainly do not expect to hear of much 
fly fishing in northern Canada before the 24th, and it may 
not be at its best until a few days later. The conclusions 
that I have arrived at as to these dates are the result of 
careful inquires, calculations and comparisons with the 
records of former years. The signs all point to a success- 
ful season, both in the lakes and also in Canadian salmon 
streams. In all of them exceptionally high water has 
been the rule this spring. This always means an abun- 
dance of fish. A new time table goes into force on the 
Quebec & Lake St. John Railway on Monday, May 4, 
and without wishing to write a railway advertisement, I 
may say that Forest and Stream will confer a favor 
upon anglers by stating that during the month of May 
three trains a week will leave Quebec for Lake St, John, 
namely, on Monday and Wednesday mornings at 7 :30 
and on Saturday night at 6:40. For want of this knowl- 
edge last year a party of anglers was locked up in Que- 
bec nearly three days. 
Ouananiche fishing with bait in Lake St. John ought to 
be good about May 20. The fly fishing in the Discharge 
will probably open about June 8 or 10; certainly not 
much, if any, earlier. 
By the bye, I was pleased to notice in your issue of 
April 25 that your charming correspondent, G. de Mon- 
tauban, urges the Provincial Government to establish a 
hatchery for trout and ouananiche. When in a few days 
now the new book entitled "The Ouananiche and its 
Canadian Environment" makes its appearance from a 
New York press, it will be seen that at page 107 and again 
at 149 I have already not only urged the same thing upon 
the authorities, but have announced the probability of 
some early action of the kind being taken here, of the 
development of which I will endeavor to keep you 
posted. E. T. D. Chambers. 
Quebec, May 1. 
The Whitefish Supply. 
Detroit, Mich., April 24. — Detroit people are great 
lovers of the peerless whitefish, and it seems passing 
strange that, whereas the deep, cold, blue waters of the 
Detroit River formerly afforded the best whitefish, and 
the greatest abundance of them, sufficient to supply not 
only all local demands, but large numbers for shipment, 
now their supply largely comes from Winnipeg. Of 1,800 
tons shipped from that point last winter 800 tons were 
taken for consumption by Detroit. 
The supply of the lake whitefish is 5 per cent, of the 
demand from August to the close of the season. A De- 
troit firm has already sent to Winnipeg a boat and twenty- 
five men to commence fishing as soon as the ice is out of 
the lake. It is said that the fish there are exceedingly 
plentiful, and the catch as soon as made will be placed 
in loose ice, taken to West Selkirk, Manitoba, and hauled 
by the Canadian Pacific to Detroit in four days from the 
time they are taken out of the water. About thirty car- 
loads a week will be brought to Detroit in this way. 
Fishing for the festive perch is now at its height along 
the Detroit River, and every available spot along the en- 
tire river front as far as Delray is fully occupied by 
men and boys with fishing tackle of every conceivable 
description, while at the Sainte Claire Flats those who 
have taken advantage of the fine season thus far are en- 
joying great sport with perch, bullheads, pike and rock 
bass. B. 
New Jersey Coast Fishing. 
Asbcry Park, N. J., May 2. — The first striped bass of 
the season was taken at Manasquan the present week, 
weight 3Jlbs. This beats last year's record by nearly two 
weeks, and is a matter of delight to anglers who are pre- 
pared to give battle to his elusive majesty. Next in in- 
terest to the bass, during the early season, is the kingfish. 
I saw this week some magnificent specimens, which were 
taken in the vicinity of Cape May. This is unusually 
early and portends good sport in the near future. If the 
weather is favorable Decoration Day should find them 
with us, and hard to please must be the angler who can- 
not be content with the sport these game fellows afford. 
The pickerel season opened with us yesterday and 
several have tried their hand Qn our lakes, but with in- 
different success, the prevailing easterly winds not being 
favorable to that pastime. Sages may argue as they will, 
still it is an unquestionable fact that east winds take away 
the pickerel's appetite. Leonard Hulit. 
The Michigan Lake Season. 
Monroe, Mich., April 24.— The season for Lake Erie 
fishing is now open, and the catch of pickerel, herring, 
saugers and perch is better than for some seasons. We 
do not look for nor expect whitefish any longer. That 
magnificent food fish, through the ignorance, idiocy, law- 
lessness and devilment — or all combined — is now almost 
a thing of the past, "a memory and a reminiscence." 
More's the pity and more's the shame. The Ohio Legisla- 
ture passed a law at its late session providing for a close 
season from Dec. 15 to March 15, and prohibits the setting 
of gill nets in water less than 50ft. deep. This will have 
the effect, if enforced, of preventing the taking of under- 
sized fish, and, it is to be hoped, of giving the whitefish 
and all other varieties ' 'a chance for their lives" to be pro- 
longed until they are a proper size for use. The season 
on Lake Huron, the home of the trout and whitefish, on 
the east side of the State, is opening, but of course at this 
early date it is too soon to venture a prediction as to the 
probable catch. . Ketjka. 
Spawn-Eating Habits of Fish. 
Syracuse, N. Y.— Editor Forest and Stream: The mem- 
bers of the Anglers' Association of Syracuse are trying to 
investigate and to get all information they can pertaining 
to fish that eat the spawn of other fish. We would like 
to hear from Mr. Cheney and others their observations 
in this matter. 
Thirty years ago four anglers caught a democrat wagon- 
box full of pike, bass and perch in one day's fishing at 
Oneida Lake. Were there not as many spawn eaters 
then as now? My claim is that the diminution is owing 
to the increased number of fishermen, and the better price 
of fish has increased the number, and of nets, and to the 
improvement of the nets now used. The decrease of bass 
is due to the fact that the bass season opens too soon; the 
fish are caught before they spawn. In Oneida Lake they 
do not spawn until the middle of June in localities where 
I have fished. . Henry Lepler. 
Forest and Stream Fishing Postals. 
Drop us a line about the fishing. 
Neversink (Fallsburgh), Sullivan county , N. Y. , April 
26. — A very large catch of trout was made in the Never- 
sink, near Dean's Hotel, on April 22. The string showed 
eighty-eight fish, all of good size, the largest going 3£lbs. 
The prospects for the season are good. 
Henry W. Dean. 
Canadensis, Pa., May 2. — Brodhead Brook is vigorous- 
ly maintaining the high reputation it won in the days of 
Thad. Norris, and many creels of fine trout have been 
taken from its waters since the season opened. At Spruce 
Cabin House about twenty guests have been in constant 
attendance, and good luck has been very evenly divided. 
W. H. Schroder, of Elmira; E. C. Smith, of Hoboken; 
Geo. W. Shaw, of Philadelphia; Col. H. A. Babitt, of 
Pomfret, Conn., former U. S. Consul to Alexandria; W. 
P. Ketcham, of New York; Benj. Kent, of Paterson, and 
Kit Clarke, of New York, have each brought in fine 
creels of trout. 
Kit Clarke caught a trout 18in. long and weighing 21bs. 
This is one of the largest taken here in years, but a num- 
ber weighing fully lib. have been taken this spring. P. 
Rare Chance for Salmon Fisherman. 
We bave just learned of a fishing privilege for sale for one rod on 
the Grand Cascapedia. The most easily accessible and renowned 
salmon river in all Canada. Price moderate. Address Cascapedia, 
this office.— Adv. ' 
Salmon Fishing for Sale. 
Freehold, on the best fishing waters of the southwest Mrimichi 
River (Burnt Hill). For terms and particulars apply to Thomas J. 
Conroy, 310 Broadway, New York city.— Adv. 
FIXTURES. 
BENCH SHOWS. 
May 13 to 16.— Seattle Kennel Club's third annual show. C. B. 
Yandell, Sec'y. 
May 20 to 23.— Alameda County Sportsmen's Association's show 
Oakland, Cal. H. W. Newton, Sec'y. 
Sept. 7 to 11.— Toronto Exhibition Association's eighth annual show, 
Toronto, Can. O. A. Stone, Sec'y of bench show. 
Sept. 22 to 24.— Milwaukee Kennel and Pet Stock Association's second 
annual dog show, Milwaukee. W. W. Welch, Sec'y. 
FIELD TRIALS. 
Sept. 2.— Morris, Man.— Manitoba Field Trials Club. John Wootton, 
Sec'y. 
Sept. 9.— Kennedy, Minn.— Continental Field Trial Club's chicken 
trials. P. T. Madison, Sec'y, Indianapolis. Ind. 
Oct. 9.— Brunswick Fur Club's annual meet. Bradford S. Turpin, 
Sec'y. 
Oct. 26.— Hempstead, L. I.— Natioonal Beagle Club's trials. Geo. 
W. Rogers, Sec'y, 250 W. Twenty-second street, New York. 
Oct. 28.— Greene county, Pa. — The Monongahela Valley Game and 
Fish Protective Association's second annual trials. S. B. Cummlngs 
Sec'y, Pittsburg. 
Nov. 2 — Bicknell, Ind.— Continental Field Trial Club's quail trials. 
P. T. Madison, Secy. 
Nov. 2,— Oxford, Mass.— New England Beagle Club's trials. W. 8. 
Clark, Sec'y, Linden, Mass. 
Nov. 16.— Newton, N. C. — E. F. T. Club's trials. 8. C. Bradley, Sec'y, 
Greenfield Hill, Conn. 
Nov. 17.— Chatham, Ont.— International Field Trial Club's trials. 
W. B. Wells, Sec'y, Chatham, Ont. 
Nov. 23.— Newton, N. C— U. S. F. T. Club's fall trials. W. B. Staf- 
ford, Sec'y. 
National Beagle Club. 
An executive meeting of the National Beagle Club of 
. America was held at the rooms of the American Kennel 
Club, 55 Liberty street, Monday, April 13. Considerable 
business was transacted in connection with the club's com- 
ing field trials and the following committees were ap- 
pointed by the president, to take charge of trials for 1896; 
Field trial committee: J. W. Appleton, Chairman; H. F. 
Shellhass, George B. Post, Jr., J. B. Lozier, George M. 
Rogers, George Laick, A. Wright Post, John Bateman, 
N. A. Baldwin, the above constituting the executive com- 
mittee; and B. S. Turpin, George F. Reed, A. D. Lewis, 
W. S. Clark, D. F. Summers, Guy D. Welton and F. B. 
Zunner. Field trial sub committee— on judges : J. W. 
Appleton and G. B. Post, Jr. ; on finance: G. Laick and 
G. W". Rogers; on arrangements during trial: G. W. 
Rogers, G. F. Reed, W. S. Clark, H. F. Schellhass; select- 
ing grounds and hotel: A. D. Lewis, A. Wright Post 
and H. F. Schellhass; premium list and classes: J. W, 
Appleton, G. W. Rogers and G. Laick. 
A quarterly meeting of the club will be held at the 
rooms of the American Kennel Club, 55 Liberty street,. 
Thursday, April 30, at 3:30 P. M. 
Geo. W. Rogeks, Sec'y. 
2B0 West Twenty-skoond street, New York. 
