I' 
Jan. 28, iSgg.J 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
71 
Sea Trout. 
"Who hath seen the "beaver bUsied? Who hath watched the black- 
tail mating? 
Who hath lain aloue to hear the V&^d goose cry? 
Who hath worked the chosen iyaier -where the ouananiche is 
waiting? 
Or the sea trout's jumping crazy rar thp fly?" 
— Rudyard Kipling. 
Of all the trails laid for the travels of the wayward 
"feet of the yoiing men" some years ago, mine led me 
through the camps of "proved desire and known delight," 
to the head of an inland estuary, where a lazy stream after 
weeks of pleasant dawdling through wild and romantic 
scenery at last finds rest in a calm salt-water basin, far 
inland from #16 Atlantic's turbulent waters, and in a 
spot exactly similar to that of which Kipling must have 
been dreaming when he sang of "the sea trout jumping 
crazy for the fly." 
We were a goodly and pleasant compatiy, comprising 
the Judge and members of the Bar, Avho had been holding 
the Supreme Court on Circtiit in the many scattered towns 
built in the deep bays and fiords in southern and western 
Newfoundland. We had held court in several harbors 
and dispensed justice to the straggling populations, who, 
from the nature of their avocations, could neither afford 
the time nor the money to seek justice in the capital; and 
for days wc had drowsed during the heat, in the small 
stuffy court houses, listening to and adjusting the various 
- cases of fishery disputes and trespasses — the offending 
against the laws being confined to such minor offenses 
among these peace loving people. , 
But "it fell upon a day" that we were clear of all court 
work and were in the neighborhood of "the chosen 
waters" for salmon, grilse and sea trout, and as we had 
some hours to spare, it took very little persuasion to de- 
cide his Lordship, the presiding Judge of the Circuit, who 
was a keen angler Itimself, to give the niembers of the 
Bar a few hotirs fisliing. Accordingly we started for 
Miller's Passage in Old Man's Bay, and had a pleasant 
run. Our clipper .steam yacht Thecla was well adapted for 
a pleasure cruise of this kind. The boys all idled around 
smoking and chatting, or listening and laughing to the 
pleasant anecdotes of two of the best raconteurs, whose 
equals it would be hard to find — one a witty and cultured 
Irishman, "a descendant of Irish kings." and the other a 
leading Queen's counsel, who had traveled some, and had 
laid up and digested choice morceaux where'er he had 
sojourned, and now brought them forth from the crucible 
enriched with touches of genuine humor, and regaled the 
lounging listeners, who repaid his efforts with loud and 
spontaneous bursts of laughter. Even the crew on deck 
involuntarily drew near and added their quota to swell 
the merry chorus. 
The water was as calm as oil; the scenery was grand 
and changing, and to crown all, a gentle sou'west wind 
was sighing, but not with sufficient labor to ripple the 
clumbering water of the bay. Before we had time to 
realize that we were near our journey's end, the yacht's 
siren awoke the echoes of the hills, putting to wing here a 
flock of black duck that took a direct flight far from the 
invaders, and there a company of white winged sea gulls, 
who sailed round and round in magnificent circles, utter- 
ing sharp querulous notes, as if interrogating the in- 
truders. In a very few minutes after the anchor had 
been dropped, all the anglers of the party had their "rods 
and reels and traces" all ready to enjoy the "sport that 
many had enjoyed in anticipation in their dreains for many 
a daj' before. The cutter was launched and manned, and 
all hands bundled in without the usual regard of prece- 
• dence or seniority, and in a few moments wc landed at 
the mouth of the river flowing into Old Man's Bay. 
There was not room enough here for the whole party, so 
most of us started for a small lake on the river about a 
half a mile away. After a short tramp through the 
shrubbery, the long looked for lakelet burst pleasantly on 
our view, nestling cosily at the base of a high hill, which 
was clothed to the very summit with its gorgeous garb 
of evergreens, flecked here and there with the flickering 
foliage of larch, birch, aspen and other deciduous trees 
arrayed in all their nn'dsummer finery. Then "there was 
hurrying in hot haste" to joint the rods and bend the 
favorite flies. There were seven rods in the party; the 
"non-combatants" carried the baskets and landing nets, 
and stood by and cracked jokes at the anglers as they 
waded out in the shallow waters. The writer and a 
chum knew a trick Vv'orth two of trying around the mar- 
gin, and made a bee-line for the "likely spot" at the head 
of the lakelet, where the river mingles with its waters, and 
rests itself gently, before resuming— as it does a few hun- 
dred yards further on, with increased briskness — its last 
lap on its journe}' to the sea. With what eager haste I 
joined my rod, and bent my flies — a cast that had been pre- 
pared for many days before. How cautiously I waded out 
over the intervening shallows — how gently dropped the 
seductive flies just where the flowing ceases and the water 
darkens and deepens. And then ! Ah, then for the sight 
and sound that a true angler would encompass a half a 
hemisphere to experience — ^the mad rush of eager "sea 
trout jumping crazing for the fly" — the electric thrill of 
the successful "strike," the music of the running reel, as 
with a rush and a whirr the sportive beauties made the 
glittering baits their own. And then came the struggle 
between science and guile on the one part and strength 
and innocence on the other, with the usual result, in this 
world at least, the triumph of the wicked — except, of 
course, as always happens with the largest fish of the lot, 
whose main strength and stupidity saved him for a while, 
as after an ingenious wrench, that cleared him from the 
hook, he "waggled" away with speed, his tail and fins 
showing unmistakable tokens of the utter contempt in 
which he held his seducer. I had hooked four, and after 
a few minutes landed three of them. They were gamy 
little fellows, but didn't weigh more than YaVo. each. I 
threw several times and each time got a fish on every fly — 
but not the fish I was after. 
In the meantime m}^ companion had gone a little further 
on and crossed the stream, just where it eddied in under 
the base of the hill, and where the large white water lilies 
lay in leafj"^ luxuriance. On hearing a satisfied grunt from 
him, I raised my head, and a glance at his taut line and 
pliant rod making a complete segment of a circle told me 
more plaiiily than any xyotds th?,t h^ had hole! ()f one OT 
more of the brand we were after. A short struggle, and 
two beauties weighing about 2!bs. each lay, like pictures, 
in the grass at his feet. With his permission I cast into 
his preserve, and in less than a moment felt that my 
fondest dreams of fish were realized, and that I had hold 
of two or more "speckle tails that were well worth the ad- 
mission fee." Then began the most interesting tussle I 
think I had ever enjoyed. Thej' started for the middle of 
the lakelet with the vigor of unbroken colts. I had jier- 
force to give them their wilful way — my only consolation 
the music of the running reel. Presenth^ they "let up" 
a bit and my turn came to take a hand in the sport. How 
tenderl}^ I checked them ! With what firm though sensi- 
tive fingers I wound them in ! How bravely they tightened 
the silken cord, and what beautiful curves the rod de- 
scribed, as with waning strength they gallantly disputed 
every inch. They are coming — cf)ming slowly, unwilling- 
ly, but surel}^ I have their noses over the water now, 
and they're nearly mine. I am just conjecturing as to 
their probable weight when "whish," with a last grand 
effort, off they start again, making a brilHant dash for 
freedom, taking nearly all the line from the reel in the 
gallant attempt. But alas, 'twas only an effort — an unsuc- 
cessful effort — and in a few moments more, with the aid 
of a landing net, I have landed the captives and feel 
proud of my conquest. They weigh a little over albs, 
each, and make such a pretty picture as they lie at my 
feet in their mossy bed, that I make up my mind that 
even if I do not hook another fish. I am well satisfied with 
my evening's work. The rest of the party had been getting 
small fish in abundance, but as they all had been specta- 
tors of the sport at the mouth of the stream, they all 
surel}"-, but slowly, gravitated to the spot, shaking the 
small fry off their hooks as they waded along. There 
were six or seven rods whipping the one small place, only 
a few j'ards in circumference, and of course we expected 
that the sport would soon be over. But no ; notwithstand- 
ing the noise and bustle made by over anxious fishermen 
outraging every canon of the "meditative man'^ art" the 
sport held for over an hour; and from scientific angling, I 
fear, I have to confess that it degenerated into indis- 
criminate slaughter. I am afraid we acted very much like 
"trout hogs," but our pleas in defense were, that we had a 
ship's crew to supply, that not a fish wottld be wasted, 
and that perhaps for the following twelve months they 
would not be again disturbed, except perhaps by poachers 
who might go there with nets and haul them as articles 
of commerce. As 'twas coming on dusk, we gathered our 
fish in baskets and on "gads" and made our way down to 
the beach where the boat was awaiting us. In a few mo- 
ments more we were aboard the yacht, handing over our 
trophies to the steward, who welcomed this toothsome 
addition to his larder, and filled a large ship's pan with 
beautiful fisK the largest of which, by actual weight, 
tipped the scales at loz. over 4lbs. We all sat down with 
appetites sharpened by the bracing air and evening's ex- 
ercise, and over the dinner table each vied with his 
neighbor in detailing with great good humor the A'arious 
events of the evening, and enjoyed the sport over and 
over again. And when the covers had been removed and 
the faithful "briar roots" produced, and the votaries of 
the goddess of Nicotine had burned incense in honor of 
their deity, the wearied anglers sought their couches, 
lulled by the soft evening breezes, and soothed to rest by 
the scarcely perceptible motion of the steamer, and en- 
joyed the deep restful sleep that comes ever to those "who 
work the chosen waters" 
"Wliere the sea trout's jumping crazy for the fly." 
W. J. C.\RR0LL; 
St. John's, Newfoundland. 
Connecticut Fishing Interests. 
Commissioner A. C. Collins sends us the biennial re- 
port of the Connecticut Commissioners of Fisheries and 
Game, from which we make the following excerpts: 
The hatcheries consist of two small buildings on leased 
ground, one for shad hatching at Shelton, and the other a 
makeshift at Windsor Locks, for hatching trout and sal- 
mon. Both hatcheries are not worth over $200! The 
State owns a building at the retaining ponds at Joshua- 
town, in the town of Lyme, not fitted up for hatching 
purposes. This is all the State owns in the way of State 
hatcheries. The second duty is that of the introduction, 
propagation and distribution of such food fish and game 
as are adapted to the waters and lands of the State. 
There being no appropriation available for the intro- 
duction or propagation of game, it is perhaps needless to 
say that we have been unable to do anything in this direc- 
tion. In our report of 1895-96 we said; "We suggest the 
wisdom of authorizing your Comtnissioners, when it can 
be done at a reasonable or nominal cost, to lease tracts of 
land as State game preserves. The main expense to the 
State would be that of posting said land and prosecuting 
poachers. There is no county, we are sure, where this 
could not be done, and unless the State means to take 
up on quite a large scale the propagation and introduc- 
tion of game, its extinction is merely a question of time." 
With an ever increasing army of sportsmen, with no more 
territory than fifty years ago — that time will arrive much 
sooner than many expect. 
There being no appropriation for the "enforcement of 
all laws relating to fish and game," we found it a very 
difficult matter to police the State, without a dollar ap- 
propriated for such work. Through the "Special Protec- 
tors of Fish and Game," appointed by this Board, we 
have enforced the laws relating to fish and game as well 
as possible under existing conditions. All known cases 
of infraction of the fish or game laws have hew prose- 
cuted. 
During the last two years we have co-operated with the 
United States Commission of Fisheries and Fish in the 
propagation of lobsters, resulting in over 50,000,000 of 
young lobsters being planted in the waters of this State. 
The State of Connecticut is the only State in the Union 
that retains in ponds young shad six or seven months. 
The young shad are then 3 to 5in. long before they are 
liberated. The beneficial results of this method of stock- 
ing have abundantly been shown in the large number of 
adult shad taken this year in the Connecticut and Farni- 
ington rivers. 
x\y% kst-n?imed river §had fishing liad b<?en of 
account for years previous to 1895. In that year we 
placed nearly 500,000 shad fry in a pond situated in Po- 
quonock, .on the Farmington River. In October, 1895, 
we liberated from the pond the young shad in the Farm- 
ington River. When given their liberty the shad were 3 
to sin. in length. Mark the result, Thousands of the 
finest adult shad were taken in that river during the past 
season, as was predicted by your Commission. As one 
shad fisherman expressed it: "There were more shad 
this year than we knew what to do with." This year shad 
have been cheaper in the market than suckers. We find 
Connecticut people now boasting of the superiur quality 
of their shad, as compared with all others in the market. 
Unless the artificial propagation of the shad had been 
carried on in this State, we think there would be no shad 
worthy of mention in our rivers. In turning out millions 
of young shad 3 to Sin. in length, as the State is now do- 
ing, the adult fish do not command the fancy prices of a 
few years ago. The State is concerned as to the abun- 
dance, quality and price of the products taken from the 
waters. 
When the conditions afe topaired, when there is evi- 
dently a decrease in the fnod-fish supply, then it bceome.s 
incumbent upon 'the State to adopt prompt measures to 
arrest any decline. The rational method of dealing wilh 
the fisheries is to supplement as far as possible by arti- 
ficial propagation any deficiency in the natural reproduc- 
tion. We doubt not that the broad-minded, free-hande<l 
Connecticut people will adequately support with their 
good will, and a reasonable appropriation, a thorough, 
well-considered and efficient plan for future fish propa- 
gation. 
In providing such a plan, and in carrying it out to a 
.successful termination, no agency can be so adequate m 
stocking our rivers, lakes and streams as fingerling fish. 
The late Col. Marshall McDonald, when United States 
Fish Commissioner, said: "My judgment is that 1,000 
yearling fish is the equivalent of 100,000 fry." Fingerling 
trout and shad planted in the fall are stronger, and a 
more active fish. They find an abundance of food hatched 
out for them. They have a better start in every way to 
fight their way, as they must certainly fight in the wild 
waters. In fact, the planting of shad or trout during the 
fry stage of life is a" waste of money, e'ffort and time. 
The late Thomas Andrews, of Guilford, Englan'd, one of 
the most successfid fish breeders in Europe, said: "My 
experience has taught me that one vearling fish is wort'n 
a thousand fry for stocking purposes." 
Advanced fishculturists in Europe are united in ac- 
knowledging the superiority of fingerling fish for stock- 
ing waters .successfully. Young fry are too risky. The 
growing demands for fingerling fish for stocking pur- 
poses, by those who can appreciate the incomparable ben- 
efits derived, is very gratifying. There is no speculation 
in this method of planting fi,sh. It is high time that the 
citizens of this State should understand clearly and pre- 
cisely how tills matter affects them. The stocking of 
waters with fish fry is clouded with too many uncertain- 
ties, as to be egregiously disappointing. So the true dif- 
ference, then, between the two methods of stocking waters 
is this: First stocking with fingerlings means, success, 
while stocking with fish fry a step backward, a precarious 
uncertainty, a happy-go-lucky system. 
Common prudence must therefore suggest that b'y stock- 
ing waters with fingerling shad, trout and salmon will 
disperse any cloud of uncertainty, remove in the most ef- 
ficient manner the most cherished illusions attending the 
fry planting, and at one remorseless blow discontinue the 
planting of practically helpless minute fish fry. These 
remarks may appear singularly blunt and bold, but by 
the present system of stocking the waters of the State 
there is no such word as failure. It should be remem- 
bered what fish propagation means to us as a State; the 
cheap, healthful and abundant food for all classes of its 
people; the livelihood for the hardy fisherman; the indus- 
trial prosperity of many sections of our State; mental re- 
laxation for the toiling masses of our cities and towns in 
all the busy pursuits of our intense and intensifying daily 
life: that these and many other objects of vast importance, 
socially, morally and financially, are involved in trying to 
preserve and maintain for the enjoyment of the present 
and future such food fish as are adapted to our waters. 
Fish propagation and protection means much to the peo- 
ple of this State. The opponents of fishculture find it 
always easier to criticise than to create. With requisite 
means and appHances, the successful breeding of shad, 
salmon and trout, the waters of this State can be stocked 
as never before since the Revolution. Sometimes it has 
been charged by those who have not given the subject 
careful consideration, that this Commission is largely en- 
gaged in propagating game fishes for the few at the ex- 
pense of many. An examination of the tables herewith 
submitted in this report will prove the absurdity of the 
charge referred to. It should be taken into consideration 
that "the so-called game fishes are the highest order of 
fishes, and that the love of angling is on the increase. 
The people from the farm, shop, store, factory, pulpit, 
studio, counting-room and court find a healthy relaxation 
from their cares in angling. The commercial fisherman 
and angler both have their right, which we are bound to 
respect. The whole people must be considered in the 
matter of propagating and planting fish in the waters of 
the State. Too often we hear the misleading statement: 
"Let nature take is course and we will have more fish." 
Agriculture is not the development of such immeasura- 
ble antiquity but what the tiller of the soil knows that 
to reap he. must sow. Whenever human knowledge is 
broadened by investigation and careful consideration, 
much good results. A given area of land compared with 
the same area of water for food producing power, the ar- 
gument is in favor of water. The soil is tilled, it is pre- 
parecl for seed, it is watched constantly until the crop is 
garnered, it is marketed, all at the cost of effort and 
means. As to the waters from which fish are taken, the 
seed is sown and it grows to maturity under natural con- 
ditions and practically at no cost. We have men in this 
State who urge that it is useless to hatch shad to be 
caught beyond absorptive capacity of the markets, but 
it should be understood that with the perfect refrigerating 
appliances and improved facilities of transport of the 
present day, there need be no fear but what the shad 
fishermen may reap their harvest and the toiling masses 
be ablo !o buy sh?i4 ^.t Xiio^\ rea.sQiiable prices,. Qyr frvats 
