so 
FOREST AND STREam' 
[July ll, 1896. 
spring salmon, his big cousin, is fooled by these, but the 
BOck-eye will not look at them. Though exceedingly swift 
travelers, the sock-eyes have no idea of going straight. 
Perhaps it is because they find their way by groping along 
the shore; perhaps it is only that they love to play in the 
shallow bays along the coast. However this is, they keep 
close inshore, and at Boundary Bay, just before they 
reach the yellow tidal waters of the Fraser, they pay for 
their folly. Here the waters are shallow, though well out 
from the bay there are splendid deep waters where the 
Toad would be safe, as it is broad; but the fish do not con- 
sider this- Instead, they forge along inshore until they 
reach the outward curve of the bay. Here the shore 
seems to change a little; a fine fringe of what may be 
called seaweed runs along it, and here and there in this 
fringe a post occurs. By-and-by a spur of this same sea- 
weed appears on their left. Doubtless it is but a portion 
of the bank on their right which has drifted seaward, and 
there is still a wide stretch of open water on either side, 
BO they pass on until the road gradually narrows and there 
is a wall of this fine mesh on either side of the shoal, with 
but one narrow open way in front. Then perhaps the 
shoal hesitates. They have come far, and become in- 
volved in this weed bed. Some dash at it on either side, 
but though it gives to their rush they cannot break 
through. They swim round, but the impervious weed is 
on all sides of them. Just then there is a heavy plunge 
in their midst, and a sea hawk rises with one of their fel- 
lows writhing in its claws. 
The fi3h are swimming near the surface now, and if 
they look up they will see upon every pole which rises 
from the wall of mesh either a hawk, an eagle, or a great 
gull, ready to pounce upon them. They dive and try to 
swim under the weed. They cannot. The water is shal- 
low and the weed rises from the very bottom, Mean- 
while hawks and eagles are busy, a panic ensues, a few 
fish dart through the narrow way. It is more open be- 
yond, and after all it leads in the right direction. The 
general impulse is to go forward; no one wants to turn 
back and, like sheep, they follow their leaders through 
the gates of death. For after this it is all over with the 
salmon. Before long the wide pool narrows again. 
Again a straight way lays beyond them, and before long 
they are crowding and jostling each other in a pound 
50ft.X30ft., where they stay hopelessly confused, and 
dashing wildly from side to side until a steamer comes 
along with a scow in tow. Oa the scow is a crane. 
Chains from the crane are hitched on to the net which is 
below the pound, and some thousands of strong free fish, 
who had an hour ago the whole sea to swim in, are drawn 
up to the surface and ladled out in scoop nets, knocked 
on the head, thrown on the scow and carried off to the 
American canneries at Point Roberts, where they go 
through a sausage machine and become "canned 
salmon," — Temple Bar, 
THE INTERSTATE PROTECTION OF 
FOOD FISHES. 
BY DE. BDSHROD W. JAMBS, PHILADELPHIA PlSH 
PBOTEOTIVE ASSOCIATION. 
[Read before the American Fisheries Society.] 
Some years ago the subject of the United States 
Government exercising a certain fish protecting control, 
or at least supervision over the rivers which run through 
two or more States, and which are frequented by shad, 
herring, salmon, trout, bass and other species of food 
fishes, was presented before this American Fisheries or 
Fish Protective Society by the late United States Fish 
Commissioner Marshall McDonald, and it was ably de- 
fended by some members of this Society, the U. S. Fish 
Commission, I think, generally supporting it; but the 
majority of opinions outside seemed at that time to be 
unfavorable to the measure. 
The proposition was made for the purpose of securing 
protection to the fish along the coast, and also when they 
are in the act of passing across the State lines in order to 
enter their spawning grounds in the upper rivers and their 
tributaries. Each part of the discussion was clearly in 
favor either of United States or of State supremacy, but 
decisions have been made (by the Supreme Court of the 
United States) that the measure would be unconstitutional, 
so that each State maintains its exclusive right over its 
fishing streams — except in a few instances, such as the 
States of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, where 
these States have entered into an interstate protective 
agreement, which still remains imperfect, however, till 
Delaware joins in the compact. This agreement specially 
relates to the shad, which, runni;ig up on our Eastern coast 
and into their habitat rivers and streams, attain the per- 
fection of flavor and superiority of quality in the waters 
of the Delaware River. For many miles the four States 
herein mentioned have exclusive rights to this desirable 
fish, and it having been proven that non-protection would 
finally result in extermination , the wisdom of interstate 
legislation was acknowledged and joint protection laws 
adopted. Delaware doubtless holdo the law under pro- 
tracted consideration because of the vast numbers of fish 
that have annually fallen into her nets, but when she be- 
comes satisfied that the proposed legislation will actually 
produce better effects for the fisheries of her own domain 
as well as that of her sister States she will, I have no 
doubt, accept the proposed legislation without further 
demur. 
It stands to reason that if a cooperative law guards the 
fish during the spawning season the number will in- 
crease in surprising ratio. Another thing to be considered 
ia the unpalatableness of fishes that are hurrying into 
shallow waters in order to deposit their ova. The flesh is 
soft and somewhat flavorless, and of late years particu- 
larly the roe alone of spawning shad is regarded as valu- 
able. In some of our markets the body of this fish can be 
purchased for a small sum in comparison to the price paid 
lor the crisp, bright flesh of the male, while the roes 
bring fancy prices, according to the wealth of the pur- 
chasers, 
I must confess to an idea that a single debate is not 
sufficient in such a matter, but that we should urge it 
from time to time, until all the individual States thus in- 
terested arrive at some suitable interstate legislation that 
will produce lasting benefit to all concerned. 
We would refer in this connection to the acknowledged 
benefit accruing from the fish hatcheries that have depos- 
ited several varieties of young fish in the upper streams of 
many of our important rivers. If artificially hatched fry 
produce such commendable results, is it not easy to under- 
stand how protection of the breeding fishes and their 
young must necessarily amount to still greater good 
because of the very much larger number that would be 
produced through the natural course of fish spawning, 
increased production meaning increased revenue? 
We must consider that it is the bounden duty of the 
States to provide in every possible, honorable manner for 
the increase of every industry within the limits of their 
jurisdiction, and that the supplying of food fish is, and 
always has been, a very prominent industry, in our coast 
and lake bordering States particularly. We have had it 
demonstrated to our perfect conviction that indiscriminate 
fishing with the numerous devices of modern invention 
has very nearly ruined the food fishing intf^rests in certain 
waters, and that whole towns and bays have been nearly 
impoverished by the lack of supply for home consumption 
as well as for trade. 
We have also had very satisfactory demonstration of 
the astonishing benefit already derived by the protective . 
system recertly adopted by several States, especially in 
reference to the Delaware River. Therefore we cannot 
but express the firm conviction that the governments of 
the respective States should act in such a manner as to 
make mutual State laws to suit the various localities, not 
taking the laws of Pennsylvania*, New Yox'k and New 
Jersey as the text, but let the legislation for each part of 
the country be consistent with the requisites of each. 
New York and Pennsylvania may well be satisfied with 
the outcome of their legislation thus far, and the example 
of each might well serve as a beacon for all other States. 
But year after year passes and border waters still remain 
unguarded to a very great extent. 
Maryland is now making efforts through her State Fiah 
Protective Association and ber Commissioners to join 
with Pennsylvania in protecting the Susquehanna and its 
tributary branches. They have already succeeded in ex- 
terminating all authorized mpans for fishing in this great 
river which runs through Maryland territory, where the 
objectionable pounds and weirs once almost depopulated 
the upper waters of this valuable fish, the shad, just as it 
was aiming to reach the breeding places along the upper 
branches of the Susquehanna. 
The Potomac is yet but partially guarded. Maryland 
has passed a law which applies to tae Potomac and its 
tributary rivers, forbidding fishing from April 15 to June 
1. but it has thus far only received the co- (Operation of 
Virginia, and the law cannot be properly enforced until 
West Virginia laws concur in the project. Thus two 
interstate laws are held somewhat inoperative, each be- 
cause of the non-concurrence of one single State for each 
in a compact which would in reality receive equal advan- 
tage if they would but study the matter wicn unbiased 
consideration. Delaware evidently holds back because 
she has the opportunity of access to the large schools of 
fish as they turn with unwaverinp- instinct toward the 
calm, pure, shallow watera of the Upper Delaware River 
and its communicating streams in southern New York 
and northern Pennsylvania. But can the State of Dela- 
ware claim the same commercial value for the fish as she 
takes them, and the same fish as taken in the upper 
stream under the protective laws of the three adjoining 
States? I think prices will and must speak, and this very 
" season we have some proof. Before the legalized season 
in Pennsylvania it was possible to buy large roe shad for 
from 25 to 35 cents, while the males sold for much less. 
Some of the fish were quite satisfactory, but most were 
soft, devoid of their usual rich fiavor and objectionable, 
though undoubtedly fresh. Then came a week or two 
when right fresh shad could not be had in any quantity, 
and then came the "real fine Delaware shad," no larger 
than the former, but possessing the true, rich flavor 
peculiar to the perfect up-river fish, with its firm, 
white flesh, and these were entirely unattainable in the 
market at retail under 45 or 50 cents for the smaller, 
while the choice specimens ran up to a higher price. 
Now, if the more Southern States were content to legis- 
late with the Northern, and permit the spawning fish to 
ascend the streams unmolested on certain days of each 
week, the shad season would not begin so early in the 
year, but the calch would be more valuable in the end. 
We think it would be wise to teach those who are inter- 
ested in the fisheries that when a roe shad is large and 
flabby and the eggs quite large and distinct from one an- 
other, the flesh thereof is really quite unfit for good 
food, and that in selfishly taking the roe the increase of 
the number of fishes by spawning for the next season is 
lessened by many thousands, for each large roe fish that 
is caught and eaten diminishes the spawn supply accord- 
ingly where indiscriminate fishing is permitted, Another 
thing that is to be taught is that all roe fishes that ascend 
with the schools in the running season do not deposit eggs, 
and therefore it does not preclude the possibility of obtain- 
ing the desirable dainty tish to wait until the spawning 
fishes have gone to their haunts, When these questions 
are fully understood, Delaware and West Virginia,, as well 
as all the other States, will doubtless see the plausibility, 
in fact, the necessity for this interstate legislation. 
But while States in juxtaposition may be prevailed upon 
to pass joint laws, it cannot be looked upon as a certainty 
that they will always maintain them when it is found 
that the interest of one State come into apparent opposi- 
tion to those of its neighbors which border on the same 
waters. Hence is seen the proof of the positive require- 
ment of good conjoint laws. They must not be too 
restrictive upon one territory nor be too lenient with 
another, and yet they must be of such a nature as to be 
the means of adding many hundreds of thousands of 
dollars of increased revenues to each State interested to 
the already present value of the food fish industry. 
Another view to take of this very important subject is 
the probability that wh^n the j)eople of these Stales are 
more enlightened upon the subject and take the matter 
into practical consideration each State will be will- 
ing to cooperate, knowing that self-interest alone can- 
not make the best laws for all. This subject must natu- 
rally arouse some doubt in the minds of legislators of 
neighboring States when each State is allowed to legislate 
only in its own way upon that which is truly a mutual 
affair. 
The dissatisfaction that will sar^ly exhibit itself in 
making interstate laws will at first soon melt away be- 
fore the proofs of the success of such agreements. 
The increased number and value of the food fishes 
which have been hatched in the different authorized fish 
-hatcheries through the country, and the fry from which 
have bi>en deposited in rivers in many parts of different 
States, show the v&lue of the plan too plainly to ever 
allow it to fall into disuse; but when the spawning fish 
are so protected that they also will produce more largely, 
the industry will once more become peculiarly lucrative, 
nob only to iadividuals, but to States and the country. 
Weahh always begets wealth if properly directed, and 
our State governments are not so rich as to be indiffer^ 
ent to augmenting their revenues. Therefore let us 
still keep it before the eyes of the proper authorities that 
State legislation positively requires conjoint laws to im- 
prove the i)resent situation. 
RHODE ISLAND FISHING. 
Providence, R. I , July 6 —There is good fishing off 
Pawtuxet just now, where they are catching equeteague 
in large numbers with a light rod, and excellent sport it 
is too. Every Rhode Islajader knows what a equeteague is 
and what delicious eating it is, but not everybody knows 
how to catch one. To land the majority of those that bite 
is a work of art, for their mouths are very tender and 
they easily break away. The expectant angler sorrow- 
fully exclaims, "By George, he weighed 81bs. if he 
weighed loz." A good story is told about a well-known 
Providence piscator and how he lost a 30 pounder the 
same way. He was fishing alone from one boat and 
two friends were in another some distance away. Pres- 
ently the hero of the yarn began hauling in at a great 
rate, and just as he was about to land his equeteague the 
"snout" of the line broke and away went Mr. Fish. 
"That's too bad!" yelled the angler to his Mends, 
"that's the biggest fish I ever had on a line. He must 
have weighed SOlbs." 
"How do you know?" called back his friends. 
"I guess I've caught fish enough to know," was the re- 
ply. 
All went well until about an hour later, when one of 
the fishermen in the other boat caught a little 41b, eque- 
teague with the selfsame "snout" in its mouth- that the 
other man had lost. . 
However, catches of from six lo twenty pretty gQod<> 
sized Equeteague are being daily made at Pawtuxet. 
John O. and George A. L"wis, of Wickford, have cap- 
tured in their trap in the West Passage of Narragansett 
Bay a rare species of fish for these waters, that is known 
to ichthyologists as the Trichiurus lepturiis, butto ordinary 
individuals as the cutlass fish or silver eel, whose home is 
mainly in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, although it 
has been known to come as far north as Woods Holl, 
Mass., and one was captured off Wellfleet in 1845. This, 
however, is the second one found in the West Passage, 
the first ever seen there having been caught about five 
years ago. The present specimen is an unusually fine 
one, measuring Bfc. in length, the average being about 
20in., and its width is between 6 and 7in., with a scaleless 
covering that resembles in color polished silver. Thi^ 
together with its length helps give it the effect of a scab- 
bard constructed of that metal, and an allied specie^, 
found in European waters is designated as the "scabbard 
fish." The Messrs, Lewis shipped the fish to the Smith- 
sonian Institute at Washington. 
A gray eagle which measured 6ft 6in. from tip to tip; 
was shot by Walter Greene at his farm on Barber's 
Heights near Hazard's quarry, Wickford, about ten days 
ago. 
A turtle with the initials E. D. and date 1818 plainly 
engraved thereon was found in Davisvillea few days ago. 
It was marked by Ezra Davis seventy-eight years ago. 
There is said to be another turtle similai'ly marked in that 
vicinity. 
Farmers in the northern part of the town of Stonington 
report gray foxes very plentiful in that section, and that 
they are doing great damage to the flocks of turkeys. 
W. H. M. 
ON THE GRAND CASCAPEDIA. 
Providence, R. T., June 29. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
Salmon killing of the most extraordinary kind has very 
recently been indulged in on the Grand Uascapedia River, 
just north of New Richmond, Bay of Chaleurs, in the Prov- 
ince of Quebec. Two thorough Providence sportsmen, 
Messrs. Edmund W. Davis and Benjamin J, Bliven, the 
latter being prominent as a Pawtucket manufacturer, 
were the lucky men. Mr. Davis is no novice in a canoe 
or around a salmon pool He has been a most enthusias- 
tic and successful salmon fisherman for years, and is the 
owner of fishing rights adjoining the middle grounds in 
the Grand Cascapedia. 
About four weeks ago Mr. and Mrs. Davis left Providence 
for Woodman, their country place near the fishing pre" 
serves, Mrs. Davis being as ardent in the pastime as her 
husband. As the guest for the month of June, Mr. Bli- 
ven enjoyed the princely hospitality of Woodman's hosts. 
The weather was superb and fishing conditions were 
never better. The inexorable rules governing visitors, 
the use of rods and the number of tish killed each season, 
prevented Mr. Bliven from trying his favorite flies in the 
preserves, but bis admiration of the skill and success of 
his host in the day's fishing on the 15 th will never be les- 
sened by his own prohibition. 
In the first day's fishing Mr. Davis killed thirteen 
salmon, and in the next half day seven salmon, including 
the largest and finest in the lot, tipping the scales at 
lllbg., was killed. The handsome fish began the day'B^ 
sport m the middle ground and made the fourteenth to. 
the record on the little diary -book leaf. It was fully ru 
hour, though, before this salmon was placed safely in the 
canoe. The gamy fighter had given Mr. Davis and his 
attendant with the gaff hook an enforced sail of nearly 
two miles and left some weary forearms on his captors, 
but plu kily Mr. Davis resumed his fishing. There was 
some singular similarity of the fishing on the two differ- 
ent days. For instance, the largest fish killed were the 
first of the fishing on each day ; and the smallest, weigh- 
ing 161bs. each, were the last of the two days' record. 
Each member of the middle grounds club is entitled to 
kill forty salmon during the season on the preserve, and 
the extraordinary feat performed by Mr. Davis in the day 
and a half leaves him only as many fish again to kill dur- ■ 
ing the fishing period. This is the record of the 15th of 
June and the succeeding half day: Whole day, June 15, 
1896-35, 34, 33, 80, 28, 26, 25, 24, 24, 24, 24, 23 and 16lb8.; 
half day. June 16—41, 33, 33, 32, 29, 22 and lOlba.; total 
weight, 5511b8. , 
The preserve, though a close corporation, so to speak, i 
fast getting a world-wide repntaiion, and already th 
Grand Cascapedia River is attracting wealthy sportsme ~ 
from Scotland, England and Europe. Among the te 
