Aug. 12, 1899.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
129 
not as big, though, as those we afterward found in Mo- 
bile Baj', else I would not have stowed away so many. 
We "borrowed" a fish net somewhere over on the main- 
land, and with it had fine times dragging the surf for a 
change from meat to fish diet. When the boys wanted 
oil for their guns they baited shark hooks in the Pass 
and thus supplied themselves with the necessary lubri- 
cant by frying the grease out of sharks' livers. 
It was a lonely place, varied only by the routine of sol- 
dierly duties. Om quartermaster kept on hand a goodly 
supply of commissary whisky — the meanest, hottest liquid 
on earth at tliat time. Christmas eve the Major ordered 
that the boys should have all they wanted to pay for. 
You may bet there was a warm period around tliat cajnp 
that night. At headquarters we played scven-up and 
euchre and drank milk punch — made of condensed milk 
and bad whisk}^ — until the undersigned didn't know the 
ace from the ten-spot. Every "bugger" about headquar- 
ters was laid out except the hospital steward, who stayed 
sober long enough to put the rest into their bunks. 
From laying around the trenches at Vicksburg and 
swamps at Port Hudson, and at New Orleans, my system 
had absorbed a large quautits^ of ague poison, which no 
amount of quinine could neutralize. But that night T got 
such a quantity of villainous Avhisky under my skin that 
it completely knocked the fever and ague out of me, and 
I have never been troubled with it since. I suppose it 
was on the principle of "like cures like" — the whisky 
poison was stronger than title ague poison and the latter 
had to clear out. 
Well, I would like to visit the old region om^ again, 
if somebody can present its charms in sufficiently glow- 
ing terms, Senex. 
The St. Lawrence Anglers. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
For a number of years past there has been a strong 
desire on the part of the true disciples of Izaak Walton 
whose faA'orite resort for angling is the St. Lawrence 
River, to have the laws regulating the catching of fish 
on the American and Canadian sides of a uniform nature. 
The Anglers' Association of the St. Lawrence River, 
which is made up largely of leading business men of 
'Clayton and Alexandria I5ay and prominent men from 
different parts of the United States who own summer 
residences at the Thousands Islands, has been zealously 
working with this end in view, and none of the members 
have manifested a deeper interest in the matter than those 
who reside in the Dominion. By special invitation of the 
, Canadian members of the organization the sixteenth an- 
nual meeting of the Anglers' Association which occurred 
Wednesday, Aug. 2, was held at the Gananoque Inn, 
Gananoque, Ont. 
In the absence of President Wm. C. Browning, of 
New York, who was prevented by the severe illness of his 
wife from being present, First Vice-President Henry R. 
Heath, of Brooklyn, occupied the chair as presiding 
officer. The latter called the meeting to order at 12 :30 
P. M., and explained the cause of President Browning's 
absence. Mr. Heath said: "This is the first time that the 
Anglers' Association has held a meeting on the Canadian 
side of the, river, and it is by invitation of Mr. Britton 
that we have the pleasure of assembling here now. We 
appreciate the cordial co-operation of our Canadian friends 
in supporting the laws for the protection of the fishing 
interests on the river. They have met us at least half- 
way in these matters. In another manner they have shown 
friendship for us during the past year. In our time Great 
Britain has always shown herself our friend." [Ap- 
plause.] "The thanks of our Association are due to Mr. 
Britton for the privilege and pleasure of meeting here 
to-day." [Applause.] 
Hon. Charles E. Britton, of Gananoque, on behalf of the 
Canadian people, welcomed the members of the Anglers' 
Association to Gananoque. He said that the fish ought to 
be protected and he was willing to do all he could to help 
the cause along. He said that Mr. Bastedo, the prime 
authority on fishing matters in the Province of Ontario, 
was present. Up to a j^ear ago the Dominion Government 
had control of the waters of the river on the Canadian 
side, but now it is in the hands of the Ontario Govern- 
ment. Mr. Bastedo is the gentleman who administers 
the law. The Government set aside several islands for 
the benefit of the public, and we hoped to see them im- 
proved, as those on the American side set apart for park 
purposes have been. Mr. Britton explained why several 
prominent officials who had been invited to attend the 
meeting were not able to be present. He said the 
Gananoque people were glad to welcome the anglers, and 
he hoped their deliberations would be prolific of good 
results. He hoped to be able to show the visitors around 
the town after the meeting was over. 
W. E. Wolcott, of Utica, was elected secretar}^ of the 
meeting. 
After the minutes of the last annual meeting had been 
read and approved, Vice-President Heath called on the 
second vice-president, Hon. Charles R. Skinner, of Al- 
bany, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, to make 
a report in the absence of President Browning. 
Mr. Skinner said that if there had been any doubts 
about the cordiality of the reception the anglers would 
have they had already been dispelled. He had never 
had any fears, however, on this score. The fact that the 
Anglers' Association was meeting on Canadian soil he 
thought was significant for more than one reason. It 
affords additional evidence, said he, of what has already 
been made apparent — the tendency toward the establish- 
ment of closer relations between the greatest republic on 
earth and a part of one of the greatest nations which has 
done so much to make the world better. [Applause.] 
Mr. Britton has done much in past years toward helping 
'On the interests of the river. Mr. Britton and his friends 
"have lone been recognized by us as co-workers in behalf 
of God's own country, this beautiful island region. It 
never looked well to be quarreling as to whether a Clay- 
ton man should come over to Gananoque to fish or a 
Canadian go to Alexandria Bay to fish. It is an interest- 
ing incident that the Anglers' Association meets on 
Canadian soil. We can congratulate ourselves that in 
President McKinley and Queen Victoria we have two 
of the best rulers in the world. [Applause.] There is 
np reason why two such govejrn.tneiit§ jylxere th? people 
- :«BS£r 
have the same blood in their veins and s*peak the 
same language should not have close relations. England 
has done much for her Indian possessions, and her in- 
lluence there has been" for good. It has sometimes been 
necessary to use force, but it lias been for the right. To- 
day the United States is trying to determine what shall 
be done with the Philippine Islands. We were forced 
into a conflict in the interests of justice and humanity, 
and now we must give the Philippines good government. 
If the people of the Philippines will not listen to reason 
without it, then I believe an army should be raised of 
sufficient size to make a desert of the islands if necessary 
in the interests of good government. The time will come 
when the language of the world will be the English. I 
believe an Anglo-American alliance is coming and that the 
English-speaking people will eventually control the world. 
I never could see why text books should teach favoritism, 
why children in the schools should not be taught about the 
great events in which England has figured, as well as 
tliose in which our own country has. It is only during 
the past year that the flags of the United States and 
England have been displayed side by side, as they will 
hereafter pass down into history together. [Applause.] 
This has been the feeling deep down in our hearts for a 
quarter of a century. There has never been a time in 
half a century when any interloper could have instigated 
a conflict between England and the United States. The 
Spanish-American conflict had a tendency to bring our 
two nations more closely together than ever before. 
Spain, when Anctorious, has not been a merciful con- 
queror, and while looking at the ruins of the battleship 
Maine in Plavana Irlarbor, and then at the battered hulks 
of the Spanish warships, T could not help thinking, "Old 
Spain, it served you right," Mr. Skinner related in a 
feeling manner the scene in Congress when the letter 
written by Queen Victoria to the President was read, of- 
fering to send the ship Alert to the relief of the Greely 
expedition. Pie said he should remember this act of 
courtesy, kindness and humanity as long as he lived. Such 
events only foreshadowed what the future relations of 
these nations will be. If we in this Association can only 
do a little toward fostering these friendly relations, we 
Avill find our reward in our humble instrumentality in 
bringing clo.ser together these two great nations. [Ap- 
plause.] 
W. H. Thompson, of Alexandria Bay, presented his 
annual report as secretary. He said : The work of the 
As.sociation has not been as laborious during the past 
year as it has been in some years, owing to the lack of 
attempts at objectionable legislation. Only one attempt 
in this direction was made, and that was in regard to a 
bill to permit certain netting in the St. Lawrence River. 
This we opposed, and the bill was changed. One annoy- 
ance we had was in regard to the move on the part of the 
Canadian Government to charge $5 license for each rod 
used by an American in Canadian waters. We wrote to 
the Canadian officials and received satisfactory assur- 
ances that the license would not be insisted on at present. 
We think there should be a record made in some way 
regarding the matter. Under our laws Canadians have the 
same rights to fish in American waters in the reserva- 
tion that we have. Our work has been mainly done in the 
reservation. Since our last meeting docks for steam 
yachts and skiff landings have been placed at seven dif- 
ferent points in the reservation, and the grounds have 
been cleaned up. An effort was made to have places of 
shelter erected, but this was given up for the present, as 
the appropriation of $10,000 was so nearly exhausted. Wc 
desire to see co-operation on this side of the river so that 
we can say we have an international park. Agreements 
were made some time ago, but we would like to see the 
matter placed on record. 
Treasurer R. P. Grant, of Clayton, presented his annual 
report which made this showing : Balance on hand in 
August, 1898, $359.22; received for dttes, $45 ; from Secre- 
tary Thompson, $37.25 ; total, $441.47 ; disbursements, 
$91.24; balance on hand, $350.23. 
Mr. Grant spoke of a bill which was drafted last win- 
ter which contained a clause permitting netting for 
coarse fish in the St. Lawrence River, but this was 
stricken out through the efforts of the Anglers' Associa- 
tion. The Association received and planted during the 
year 2,000,000 muskallonge fry, one-half of which were 
sent to Alexandria Bay and the other half cared for at 
Clayton. About 100,000 of the fry were placed in Hill's 
Pond, where they will be kept until they are yearlings. 
The most successful results from planting muskallonge 
can only be obtained by keeping them in a pond until they 
are 5 or 6in. in length. 
Secretary Thompson presented the report of the execu- 
tive committee. He said the committee had been working 
with the Commission to get more points and more islands 
into the public reservation. An effort was made to have 
the $30,000 appropriated for the reservation expended 
before it reverted to the State. The Attorney- General 
allowed the balance of the appropriation to be used. 
Rev. R. PI. Pullman, of Baltimore, Md., moved that a 
committee of three be appointed in connection with the 
reservation matter. Carried. 
The chair named as such committee Hon. Charles R. 
Skinner, Wm. B. Hayden and Judge J. C. Spencer. 
Major J. W. Pond, Chief State Game Protector, who 
came up from Albany on purpose to attend the meeting, 
was asked by Hon. C. R. Skinner as to whether netting 
was allowed on the St. Lawrence at an}^ time during the 
year. Major Pond replied that it was not, and contuiuing 
he said : "I think the game laws in New York State are 
in fairly good shape. Last year we had 372 actions com- 
menced, and had 335 connections. The department is 
self-supporting as to the expenses of court and attorneys. 
People are becoming more interested in protective mat- 
ters. Legislation is improved a little every year, and with 
sentiment growing in favor of protection I think there 
is no necessity for much change in the law. The hatching 
stations are turning out many young fish. 
Hon. Chas. R. Skinner — It seems idle to put into the 
river small muskallonge fry. It is only feeding the 
pickerel aifd perch. If the young muskallonge are kept 
until they are 4 or 5in. long, additional facilities will be 
required. What would the expense be? 
Chief Protector Pond — If the fry could be transported 
to Long Island the expense of feeding them would be 
slight. It is better to plant a speckled trout in the fall, 
when six months old, than t-o keep it yntil b, jt^v olcl, 
Railroads are very good about transporting fish. If more 
rearing ponds could be made on Long Island where the 
tide water sets in there would be no cost for the fecdin.g 
of young fish, as there are plenty of shrimps ^'^us^^:aI- 
longe and perch thrive there. 
Hon S. T. Bastedo, Deputy Comnii ..ioncr nf Fisheries 
for the Province of Ontario, assured i.tie anglers that he 
appreciated the honor conferred upon him in inviting: 
him to be present at the meeting. He said he had to travel 
day and night to get there. He had been Deputy Com- 
missioner of Fisheries for seven years. There is some 
division of power now as to the fisheries subject between 
the Dominion and the Provincial governments. Tlie 
Dominion Government has power to regulate seasons and 
stipulate the implements of capture. You will receive our 
hearty co-operation, 1 think, in any measures you may 
adopt. [Applause.] We should have uniform seasons for 
fishing. There are no licenses for netting east of 
Kingston. Our statutes empower us to pass regulations. 
We have power to prohibit netting in the river. The 
matter of an international park does not rest with the 
Provincial Government,' but with tlie Dominion Govern- 
ment. 
W. H. Thompson — What are the regulations regarding 
bass fishing on the Canadian side? 
Mr. Bastedo — We limit the catch to twelve bass for one 
p.erson in a day. The size limit is loin. The close sea- 
son is from April 15 to June 15. No bass can be caught 
except with rod and line. After Dec. i bass can only be 
caught for immediate table use. 
R. P. Grant — There was an understanding that the 
season should open June 9 in the entire reservation. We 
would like to see the same closed season on the Canadian 
side that we have on ours. Would it be satisfactory to 
you to have the season open June 9 instead of June 15? 
Mr. Bastedo — The question of closed season is fixed by 
the Federal Government at Ottawa. 
Messrs. Pond, Thompson and Britton also spoke on the 
subject. The latter thought the Association ought to 
favor a conference between the xjroper officials as to the 
best date of the closed .season for bass. 
Mr. Grant moved that the executive committee be 
authorized to appoint a committee of three to confer with 
Messrs. Britton, Taylor and others in regard to the ques- 
tion of uniform fishing regulations. Carried. 
The following committee was appointed to nominate 
officers for the ensuing year: Walter Fox, Rev. R. H. 
Pullman, G. M. Skinner. 
On motion of Mr. Grant the executive committee was 
authorized to appoint sub-committees to take charge of 
matters that might require attention during the year. 
A recess was then taken for dinner. 
The members of the Anglers' Association enjoyed a fine 
banquet at the Gananoque Inn at 3 P. M. Subsequently a 
post-prandial session was held, Hon. C. E. Britton pre- 
siding during the first part, and being followed by Hon. 
Chas. R. Skinner. The toasts were : "Queen Victoria," 
"President McKinley." "Success to the Efforts of the 
Anglers' Association," "Vice-Presidents Pleath and Skin- 
ner," "The Legislature," "The Banking Interests of the 
Two Countries," "Old Settlers on the River." Speeches 
were made by Hon. C. R. Skinner, Albany ; Hon. C. E. 
Britton, G. H. Burrows, Mayor W. B. Carroll, F. W. 
Strong, Gananoque: Hon. John P, Graham, Brockville; 
R. P. Grant, Clayton; Rev. R. H. Pulltuan, Baltituore. 
Md.; Judge J. C. Spencer, New York, and others. 
Later in the afternoon the Association reconvened and 
concluded its business. The committee on ' nominations 
reported in favor of the following officers, and they were 
dulj' elected: President, Wm. C. Browning, New York; 
First Vice-President, Henry R. Hea'th, Brooklyn ; Second 
Vice-President, Charles R. Skinner, Albany; Secretary, 
Wm. H. Thompson, Alexandria Bay; Treasurer, R. P. 
Grant, Clayton; Executive Committee, A. C. Cornwall, 
Col. O. G. Staples. W. Fox, Alexandria Bay: G. H. 
Strough, G. M. Skinner, John Foley. Clavton : George C. 
Boldt, Charles G. Emery, New York; Wm. M. Griffith. 
Utica; Rev. R. H. Pullman, Baltimore, Md. ; F. A. 
Gillespie, Pittsburg, Pa.; Charles E. Britton, Gananoque; 
R. E. Waterman, G. R. Malby, Ogdensburg. 
At the conclusion of the meeting the members of the 
Association enjoyed a carriage ride around the town. 
W. E. Wolcott. 
Utica, N. Y., Aug. 8. 
Maine Waters. 
Boston, Aug. 7.— Fishing in the Maine trout waters 
continues better than usual at this season. Mr. J. Parker 
Whitney, who is spending the entire summer at his ele- 
gant camps at Mosquito Brook, Richardson Lake, says 
that witli a guest last week he had most remarkable luck, 
taking trout from grounds that had never been thought 
of before. Mr. H. A. Phinney, of Arlington, with Mrs. 
Phinncy, Mr. F. S. Frost. Mr. W. G. Peck and daughter. 
Miss Lillian, and Mrs. Helen G. H. Dolliver, are having 
good sport at Round Mountain Lake. The other day 
Mr. and Mrs. Phinney and Mr, Frost, Mrs. Phinney's 
father, went with a team from Green farm over towarcl 
the station to fish. The horse was hitched beside the 
road, with Mrs. Phinney in the carriage, while the gen- 
tlemen went down tlie stream. Soon the men came out of 
the bushes into the road, when right between them and 
the team was a large bear, of which they all got a sight 
before the beast took for the woods. In all his seventy 
years it is doubtful if ever Mr. Frost wished for a camera 
or sketching materials more and time to use them. The 
two sons of Mr. C. S. Claphani, of Boston, and whose 
home is in Somerville, are suddenly developing into 
great fishermen. Their names are Harry and Foster, 
aged thirteen and fifteen. They have fallen in with a 
fishing enthusiast of more years than they — an old man. 
in fact — and he has inspired them with a fever that they 
'will hardly ever get rid of. One of their last trips Avas up 
to Lake Quannapowit, in Wakefield, which waters were 
then just legally open for the sea.son. Their first trip 
they took a fine string of pickerel, with several large ones. 
They have also taken some good strings of perch. Their 
father says that they arc crazy over fishing, and he does 
not disccnu-age it, while their mentor, the old gentleman, 
inspires them on by discussing the tackle and telling of 
former exploits. They have also fished the trout streams 
for quite a di§tance siroW,pd, often gone ^11 daj? 'rtad 
