OCt. 22, I904-] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
847 
Fish Chat. 
BY EDWARD A. SAMUELS. 
The Tautog or Black Fish. 
Among the fishes on our coast which are ranked as com- 
mercial species, but which are also included by many in 
the list of game fishes, the tautog occupies a not insig- 
nificant position. Its value as a food fish has long been 
recognized, but until a few years, comparatively speaking, 
it was more an object of attention to the "hand-line 
brigade" than it was to those anglers who were satisfied 
with nothing short of the use of the rod and reel. But 
now its fame as a strong and sturdy fighter is so well 
established, the number of anglers who seek it with more 
elaborate tackle than that which was formerly used has 
become quite large. 
Dhtribuiion and Hafcits. 
From the Delaware Bay all along the shore northward 
to Cape Anne, Mass., it is more or less abundant, being 
most plentiful in localities where there are ledges and 
rocky reefs overgrown with kelp and other marine plants, 
among which it gleans its food. 
It may possibly occur north of Cape Anne, but I have 
never known of one being so taken. From the rocky cliffs 
of Eastern Point, Gloucester, I have had my best success 
with this species, the fish averaging of good size and very 
gamy, particularly when hooked in the heavy surf, which 
almost always pounds that rugged shore. 
A considerable number are also taken from the kelp- 
covered rocks of Nahant; the estuaries of some of the 
rivers further south on the coast, such, for example, as 
the Weymouth River and the stream which flows from 
Scituate and Marshfield teem with this species, but they 
do not there attain the large size which is often seen in 
Vineyard Sound. 
Large fish are also taken over the submerged ledges 
near the Minot's Ledge lighthouse, off Cohasset. South, 
of Cape Cod it is one of the principal species caught in 
the weirs and pounds, as is shown by the reports of the 
Massachusetts Commissioner of Fisheries and Game ; but 
so destructive are those traps, the catch is becoming less 
and less annually, and the average size of the fish is also 
decreasing. Tautog weighing 5 to 8 pounds twenty years 
ago were common, but are now rarely met with, and if we 
were to inspect the catches all along the coast, we prob- 
ably would not see a 10-pound fish oftener than once or 
twice in a season. 
Nomenclature. 
In some portions of Buzzard's Bay and thence south, 
it is known popularly as the "black fish ;" the name tautog 
is being dropped throughout its southern range. 
There are many rocky reefs in the Sound and along the 
coast of Long Island where the tautog is pretty abundant, 
some quite large fish being taken over the reefs off Rye 
and Port Chester. An angler of my acquaintance creeled 
fifteen fish at Rye in one tide last season, which weighed 
over sixty pounds, and this may, I think, be considered a 
record catch for these times; an average of over four 
pounds being something remarkable. 
Tackle and Bait. 
In angling for tautog, my favorite rod is a stiff bait- 
rod, not so heavy as that usually employed in striped 
bass fishing, but stout enough to withstand a severe strug- 
gle with a heavy fish. This species is remarkably strong, 
its thick, deep body, combined with great breadth of fins, 
gives it a wonderful power of resistance to the rod. A 
glance at its sturdy body would convince even an inex- 
perienced angler that the fish has all the essentials for a 
stubborn fight, and this is proved by the first encounter 
with one that falls to him. Long, swift runs it does not 
make; neither does it break water, even when the time 
for the landing net has arrived, but it "hugs down" to the 
bottom with the greatest pertinacity, a bulldog obstinacy, 
as it were, a 6 or 7-pound fish at the end of six to eight 
fathoms of line being sufficient to test the strength of 
almost any bait-rod that is in common use. 
As for bait, almost anything goes; a piece of shedder 
crab or lobster, sand-worm or clam, being acceptable in 
most localities. My best success has been with small 
crabs an inch to an inch and a half in breadth, such as 
are plentifully found beneath rocks and seaweed along the 
shore where they have been left by the receding tide. 
In biting, the tautog lacks the bold rush of the sque- 
teague or the bluefish. Genio C. Scott, in treating of this, 
says: "The tautog bites like the sheepshead, but with 
less power. You feel the premonition, but when he 
dashes aside the pull is weaker than that of a sheepshead. 
I mean now a tide-running tautog of from 3 to 8 pounds 
which feeds on the edge of swift. water, has a white nose, 
and is fair game." 
The tautog which feeds close to the base of the rocks 
is an adept in getting hooks or sinkers fast in the clefts. 
Accustomed as it is to glean its food of small mussels, 
barnacles, crustaceans, etc., among the kelp in a leisurely 
■way, it takes the bait in a sort of indolent, half-hesitating 
manner, but the moment the hook strikes home in its 
tough, leathery mouth, it darts beneath the shelter of an 
overhanging rock or ledge, from which, if the fish is of 
any considerable size, it is dragged only with a severe 
struggle. This shelter-seeking habit has caused the loss 
of many a fine fish and no end of tackle, and the expe- 
rienced angler never dallies when the tautog is first 
struck, but lifts the rod sharply and raises the fish above 
any possible lurking place. 
Although it is a bottom feeder, as a rule, and is taken 
by still-fishing, Mr. Scott describes a method for captur- 
ing it which may be worth a trial by the angler who is 
of an experimental turn of mind. He says that an angler 
of his acquaintance sculled his boat to the edge of the 
tide on the banks between a rapid current and nearly slack 
water, and near an islet or reef of rocks in the Seconnet 
River where the water was about fifteen feet deep, 
anchored his punt, and standing up in the stern he cast 
some seventy-five feet of line armed with two hooks about 
two feet above the sinker and baited with clam. "In this 
way," says Mr. Scott, "I have known him to take IOO 
pounds of tautog in an hour." 
Is Salmon Culture Profitable? 
In Forest and Stream for August 20, The Old Angler 
reiterates his conviction that the artificial stocking of our 
salmon rivers is unprofitable and impracticable, and that 
if the salmon is to be preserved it can be done only by 
very greatly curtailing the privileges now enjoyed by 
netters. In his communication he criticises some of the 
statements I have made, asserting that they are founded 
on information which has been obtained second-hand, and 
largely from unreliable sources, such as guides, boatmen, 
overseers of fisheries, etc. Now, I have nothing but the 
most friendly feeling for The Old Angler, and I regard 
him as one of my most valued correspondents. I know 
he is quite fully informed in fishing matters, and that 
everything he says is entitled to most respectful consider- 
ation; but no one is infallible, and I believe that his 
views on artificial propagation of salmon as a means of 
restocking our rivers are, in a measure, erroneous._ If I 
am entirely wrong in my opinion, and he is right in his, 
the extirpation of the Atlantic salmon is only a question 
of time. 
My contention is that the artificial stocking of our 
rivers will do much to keep up the supply of fish, but this 
alone will not bring about the desired result, for no mat- 
ter how abundantly the rivers are thus stocked, if the 
existing conditions of excessive netting are continued, the 
supply inevitably must fail. In this last respect The Old 
Angler and I agree ; we both believe that the destruction 
caused -by the nets must, if possible, be stopped; but if 
that is not practicable, it should be curtailed to the 
smallest possible limit, in order that a fair share of the 
fish may be spared to ascend the streams and carry out 
the work of reproduction in a natural manner. 
Now, I do not profess to be a scientific fishculturist. 
I wish I were one, but I know something of the art, for 
I have investigated it personally and studied its feasibility 
and economic value, so that what I know of the matter is 
not obtained entirely from hearsay. That I am not right 
in my belief that our salmon rivers may be artificially 
stocked, has not yet, in my opinion, been shown, and I 
find, the more I look into the matter, that my belief is 
shared by a great many other observers. 
Evidence from the Blue Bock. 
The Old Angler often refers to the Reports of the Do- 
minion Commission of Fisheries as containing facts and 
figures which seem to substantiate his theories. I also 
find in them many statements which support me in my 
convictions, and from these I will make a few selections. 
Isaac Sheasgreen, superintendent of the Miramichi 
hatchery, in the last blue book, 1903, says : "While con- 
siderable evidence could be given to demonstrate the 
benefit resulting to the waters of the Miramichi from the 
operation of this hatchery, I feel that as the work of 
keeping up the supply of salmon by artificial breeding has 
been so thoroughly proved successful, it is needless in this 
report to adduce any other evidence than that the state- 
ments from all reliable sources show that the salmon fish-- 
ing and angling during the past year have been well up 
to the average, and show no signs of decrease. Notwith- 
standing the enormous strain that is put upon it by 
reason of the large number of netters operating their 
traps every year from the mouth of the bay to the head of 
the tide on the main river, as well as all the branches, 
and besides, every available portion of the non-tidal 
waters yields its quota of fish to the sportsman and 
angler. The rivers are all abundantly supplied with 
breeding fish ; grilse and parr are also seen in great num- 
bers in all the streams tributary to the Miramichi " 
Alexander Mowatt, superintendent of the Restigouche 
hatchery, reports that : "All travelers up and down the 
rivers, with whom I have been talking, say they have 
never seen the salmon more plentiful than they were this 
year (1903). The guardians are unanimous in corrobo- 
rating this. As I stated in former reports, with good 
protection, combined with the good work the hatcheries 
are doing, there need be no fear for the welfare of the 
salmon fisheries of the Restigouche." 
L. N. Catellier, superintendent of the Tadoussac 
hatchery, states that "Mr. Simon Dufour reports that he 
never saw so many salmon on the spawning grounds for 
the last twelve years, while guardians of the River St. 
Marguerite. * * * Chas. Angers, Esq., M. P. for 
Charleroix, informs me that the planting of salmon fry 
in the River Murray is a success." 
Mr. Alfred Ogden, superintendent of the Bedford, N. 
S., hatchery, reports that "Bedford Basin and Sackville 
River are each year showing a large increase in salmon; 
some have been caught with fly in the river, and quite a 
number have been taken in nets in the basin. 
That the artificially hatched salmon ffy are as healthy 
and vigorous as those produced in the natural manner, ! 
have always believed, but to be absolutely certain on this 
point, I sent the following circular note to a number of 
officials connected with the fisheries. 
"1. Will you kindly inform me whether or not, in your 
opinion, the artificially hatched salmon fry compare 
favorably in health and vigor with those which are 
hatched naturally in the river. 
"2. Are salmon streams benefited in any considerable 
degree by planting in them salmon fry artificially 
hatched?" 
To these interrogatories I have received the following 
replies : 
"Stowe, Vt.— Edward A. Samuels, Dear Sir— Your 
favor of recent date, in relation to the planting of artifi- 
cially hatched salmon fry in Vermont waters, received. 
From my experience in the past, and point of view at the 
present time, I am convinced that the planting of salmon 
fry has been successful. Only a few years ago there were 
no salmon in Vermont waters. Lake Caspian, Wil- 
loughby Lake, and several ponds have been stocked with 
salmon fry, though these waters previous to that were in- 
habited by trout. Willoughby Lake also' had maskinonge. 
Salmon have seemed to thrive and are vigorous healthy 
stock, and this year many good catches have been made. 
"It is my opinion, in relation to the health and vigor 
of artificially hatched salmon, in comparison with those 
hatched naturally in rivers and ponds, provided that the 
artificially hatched are taken from other waters than those 
in which they are planted, they would be more vigorous 
and the native stock improved. I think this has been 
fairly well demonstrated and proven, and methods on this 
line are adopted at our hatchery. H. K. Thomas." 
"Miramichi Hatchery, South Est., N. B., Aug. 20, 
1904. — Dear Sir— I have just returned from the head- 
waters of the Miramichi, and find your circular note 
awaiting a reply. 
"In answer to the interrogatories contained therein, I 
may say that, in my opinion, artificially bred fry compare 
very favorably with those that are hatched naturally. My 
experience during the past twenty-five years has been 
altogether with salmon and trout, and it is my firm belief 
that there is no difference whatever between the fry 
turned out of the hatcheries and those hatched in the 
natural way. My observations lead me to believe that 
they are just as strong and vigorous as the fry bred in 
the beds of the streams. 
"There consequently cannot be any reason why the 
rivers in which large numbers of these artificially bred 
salmon fry are planted should not be immensely benefited 
thereby, and it is conceded by nearly all the fishermen of 
the Miramichi that salmon culture, as carried on here, 
has been a great factor in supplying the demand that is 
annually made upon this fishery in these waters. 
"William Sheasgreen, F. V." 
"Bedford, N. S., Aug. 5, 1904.- — Edward A. Samuels, 
Esq., Dear Sir — I beg to acknowledge receipt of your 
circular letter, and in reply to question No. 1 would say 
that I firmly believe salmon fry artificially hatched do 
compare favorably in health and vigor with those which 
are hatched naturally in rivers. 
"No. 2 — Salmon streams are benefited to a large degree 
by planting in them fry artificially hatched. 
"It is estimated that not more than 4 per cent, of the 
ova deposited naturally in streams ever live to age of 
six weeks, or fry stage of one inch in length ; whereas 
at the hatcheries fully 75 per cent, of the eggs taken from 
the parent fish are hatched and planted when about six 
weeks old or about 1 to i 1 ^ inches in length. 
"About six years ago I had all obstructions removed 
from the Sackville River at this place, giving the fish a 
clear run to the lakes from the sea, and since then have 
been planting from 20,000 to 40,000 fry each year. To- 
day there are large numbers of salmon in the Bedford 
Basin waiting for the waters in the river to rise so they 
can ascend. 
"There are no deep pools in this river, consequently not 
good for fly-fishing. A considerable number of salmon 
have been netted during this open season in the basin. 
"Alfred Ogden." 
The above statements, coming as they do from experts, 
show conclusively that The Old Angler is not without a 
degree of error, at least in his assertion that the artificial 
culture of salmon is valueless as a factor for restocking 
our rivers, and that my claim that it is not only feasible, 
but eminently profitable, is correct, and that the time and 
money which have been expended on it have not been 
wasted. 
Barnegat Sea Fishing. 
Asbury Park, N. J., Oct. 15. — This bit of Jersey coast 
claims to be a good fishing pond ; but we do have to lower 
our colors to Barnegat sometimes when it comes to taking 
in a big load of bass and sheepshead. A party went from 
here to Barnegat the other day, headed by John F. Seger 
and Captain Fenimore, who returned home yesterday. 
There were twenty-two in the party, and a jollier and 
more congenial crowd it would be hard to find. They 
stayed during the outing as the guests of Mrs. James H. 
Komaine, of the Sunset Inn at Barnegat City. Altogether 
.3,245 pounds of channel bass were taken, 71 pounds of 
'striped bass, and one sheepshead weighing 15 pounds 
v. as captured by Robert A. Inch. Captain Fenimore 
hocked the largest' fish, a channel bass weighing 73 
pounds. Frank Conway got the largest striped bass, a 22- 
poimd beauty. 
Captain Fenimore not only caught the largest fish, but 
also caught the highest number of pounds, taking alto- 
gether 393 pounds. Robert A. Inch came next with 335, 
and L. P. Streeter third, with an even 300. In the words 
of the fishermen, "it was a grand trip," probably the best 
they have ever had, and next year they expect to take 
many others who did not go this time. 
Following is the catch of each member of the party ac- 
cording to the figures of the statistical secretary, John F, 
Seger : 
Charles A. Atkins— 36, 44^ 42^; total, 123%. 
J. Woodruff — 26. 
Winfield Scott— 36, 26 ; total, 62. 
