178 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
IMabch 4, igos. 
of a department of the Canadian government seems in- 
capable of doing what he conceives and knows to be 
right, without consulting his colleague in the _ cabinet 
who may happen to represent, for the time being, the 
particular district of territory afifected by his action. 
There is still another proposition to be placed before 
the people of New York and Vermont wJio are en- 
gaged in fighting this iniquitous seining matter; but 
I hesitate to suggest it in print, knowing as I do, how 
money and influence will be immediately employed by 
the commercial fishing interests, in order to defeat any 
and every move which they may make. And failing 
every other means of remedying the evil, I sincerely 
hope and trust, as I had the honor of saying the other 
day at the annual banquet of the Massachusetts Fish 
and Game Protective Association, in Boston, that an 
appeal will be made to Washington to entirely pro- 
hibit the importation of pike-perch from Canada into 
the United States. Deprived of the American market, 
the privilege of seining this fish would be next to 
valueless. And there are any number of Canadians who 
are ready to join in such an appeal ; for truly loyal as 
they are to their country and its commercial and other 
interests, and for that reason strongly opposed to the 
acceptance of the New England demands for reci- 
procity in trade, they are too neighborly and too much 
devoted to the cause of the honest protection of fish 
and game, to stand for one moment for such rascally 
rapacity as the wholesale netting of fish upon their 
spawning beds. E. T. D. Chambers. 
Mr. Prefontaine's letter is as follows: 
"Office of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries of 
Canada, Ottawa, Feb. 17, 1905 —E. T. D. Chambers, 
Secretary-Treasurei N. A. F. & G. P. Assn., Quebec, 
Dear Sir: I have again considered the question of 
spring seine fishing in ^lissisquoi Bay, and, after reviewing 
the various representations for and against the pro- 
posed prohibition. I have come to the conclusion that 
the case of the Canadian fishermen is a strong one, and 
it is not justifiable to deprive them of the privileges 
which they have exercised for so many years. 
"You may recall the fact that when the Canadian 
prohibition was enforced about ten years ago, under 
a mutual arrangement with the adjoining States, it came 
to the knowledge of the department that in spite of 
our action, and the understanding arrived at, Vermont 
State issued a considerable number of licenses, and thus 
strengthened Canadian fishermens' opposition to the 
restriction ever since. 
"Yours faithfully, 
(Signed) "R. Prefontaine." 
The Anglers* Casting Tournament* 
Hetd in Madison Square Garden, New York Ci<y> in 
Connection with th- Motorboat and Sportsmen's 
Show, Feht^aty 21 to March 9, Inclusive* 
The tournament for 1905 opened with the Sports- 
men's Show the night before Washington's Birthday, 
ana the events have been cast every afternoon and 
evening, with the exception of Sundays, since thfeh, the 
attendance, as well as the active interest displayed, 
showing that our anglers have not ceased to appreciate 
the full value of such affairs; hence it is safe to predict 
that the tournament now running will be remembered 
by all as one of the most successful held so far in the 
garden. 
i^ooked at through the eyes of the visitor, the tourna- 
ment seems to be but slimly attended and watched, 
but there is a very good reason for this. In order 
to make the lake as large as possible for the accom- 
modation of the large motor boats it was necessary 
to cncrouch on floor space heretofore given to ex- 
hibits or to the casters, and it must at one time have 
been a serious problem where to put the casting tank. 
This was solved easily, however, by building a plat- 
form over the exhibits on the island and placing the 
casting tank on this platform some fifteen feet above 
the water in the lake. The building department there- 
upon placed certain restrictions on the management, it 
allowing only a given number of persons on the plat- 
form during any event; hence it became necessary to 
restrict the attendance to casters only, although the 
committee very generously permitted press representa- 
tives to be present. Not a few old anglers who came 
to the Gardtm complained that they would like to ob- 
tain a better view of the casting than could be obtained 
from the galleries, but there was no help for conditions. 
On the other hand, the casters had their affair all to 
themselves, the light during the day being excellent, and 
at night the tank was nearer the immense central 
electric light chandelier than during other shows, when 
it was held on an arm of the lake; in short, the tank 
was better lighted than ever before, and this was ap- 
preciated by men whose eyesight is not so strong as 
It was in former years. It seemed, therefore, less of 
an exhibition for the benefit of the general public and 
more of a tournament in which only those at the tank- 
side were interested, and those who have at past tourna- 
ments suffered slightly from stage fright forgot all 
about this in a few minutes and did their best work 
with fly or rubber frog. Good nature ruled through- 
out and the sentiment was invariably that the best 
caster should win. Our record for this week is closed 
with the event_ cast the night of Monday, Feb. 27. 
.Other scores will be given in next week's issue. 
Openiog Event, Feb. 21, Evening. 
The initial event was grilse or salmon fly-casting for 
distance only, open to all. rods not to exceed 14 feet 
in length, casts to be made with fly furnished by the 
committee. The judges were H. B. Leckler and M. 
H. Smith, with Chancellor G. Levison as referee. W. 
T. Morrison was the first contestant to cast, and came 
away with 76 feet 3 inches to his credit, followed by D. 
T. Abercrombie with 80 feet 8 inches; but the gold 
medal went to E. J. Mills, who scored 90 feet 10 inches. 
Feet. Inches. Feet. Inches. 
E. J. Mills 90 10 W. T. Morrison... 76 S 
, J), X. Abercroinbie. 80 8 J, H. Wainwright.. Withdrew 
Event I, the Afternoon of Washington's Birthday* 
The increase in interest in bait-casting with short 
rods and free reels, throughout tiie country, but es- 
pecially in the west and northwest, had something to 
do with the lively competition witnessed in the first 
event open to this stjde of casting, but the fSct thit the 
day was a holiday helped, and the event passed off very 
pleasantly, to the satisfaction of the committee and the 
contestants who won. This was for single-hand bait- 
casting, distance alone to count and open to all who 
had never cast more than 100 feet in any similar con- 
test. Any rod, reel or line could be employed, but 
casts were all made overhead and from the reel, which 
was free running. Half-ounce rubber frogs were used 
and distance alone was scored. Three trial, casts were 
permitted, then the next five casts coutlted, with the 
longest one to scOre. For the benefit of our English 
readers, who do not understand perfectly the conditions 
governing events of this kind, but who take no little 
interest in them, it may be as well to state that rods 
used in such events are generally five to six feet long, 
sometimes six and a half. They weigh five to seven 
ounces and are often fitted with three or four narrow 
agate guides of large diameter and an agate top placed 
at an oblique angle to the plane of the tip, with the 
first guide above the reel some 30 to 36 inches, distant; 
in short, a rod through whose guides the line will 
run with little resistance. A very fine line, little more 
than a thread, of braided silk but not dressed or 
enameled, is the favorite. This is wound on the spool of 
the reel over a dummy line, so that the diameter of the 
surface of the line on the spool will be as large as the 
pillars will accommodate. The frog is attached directly 
to the line, on which no leader is used. By this means 
the line may be wound in until the frog touches the 
top of the rod, and it is cast just exactly as one would 
throw an apple attached to the end of a willow switch. 
No brake check is used to prevent the reel running 
away with the line, all control of this being given by 
the right thumb, which is pressed on the spool hard or 
light, according to the speed of the bait in the air, 
the reel being stopped the moment the bait touches 
the water. The cast having been recorded by the 
judges, the line is reeled in, the left thumb guiding it 
evenly on the spool, so that in the next cast it will 
run out smoothly and without snarling. The judges 
were Lody and Milton H. Smith, with C. G. Levison 
as referee. G. M. L. LaBranche scored 104 feet and 
won the gold medal, seconded by W. D. Cloves, with 
loi feet 6 inches, while C. R. Rockwood was third. 
The score: 
Feet. Inches. Feet. Inches. 
G. M. L. LaBranchel04 H. DeRaasloff 82 
W. D. Cloyes 101 6 C. Stepath 71 
C. R. Rockwood.... 97 H. G. Henderson.. 71 
L. S. Darling 94 6 D. T. Abercrombie. 70 6 
E. B. Rice.......... 88 
Event 2, the Night of Feb. 22* 
It was too bad that this event did not attract mofe 
boys, as it was given for their benefit, it being open 
to youths of 20 years or less who could employ any 
rod or leader they chose, while the committee very 
kindly offered to supply rods for any intending con- 
testants who would enter. The casting was with trout 
flies, for distance only. H. DeRaasloff and W. D. 
Cloyes were the judges^ R. H. Klotz referee. The 
score : 
Feet. Inches. Feet. Itiches. 
W. H. Cruickshank. 78 Albert Bafends ...-51 7 
H. G. Henderson.Jr. 52 
Event 4> Thursday Aftfernoon, t'eb. 23. 
This was a trout fly-casting contest for distance only, 
without restrictions on weight of rod or length of 
leader, and open to all who had never cast more than 
6o feet in single-hand club or tournament contests. 
Lody Smith won the gold medal. The judges werfe H. 
G. Henderson and C. G. Levison, with E. J. Mills as 
referee. The score: 
Feet. Inches. Feet. Inches. 
Lody Smith ........ 61 R. H. Klotz 56 10 
C. Stepath .......... 59 9 G. M. LaBranche.. 52 
Event 5, Thursday Nigh^ Feb, 23. 
This event was for switch trout fly-casting for distance 
only, without restrictions on weight of rod or length of 
leader, but only those who had nevfer cast further than 
75 feet in a similar club of toutttament contest were ad- 
mitted. All casts had to be made with an obstacle 15 feet 
behind the platform. The judges were H. B. Leckler attd 
J. S. Farlee, M. H. Smith refereeing. The score: 
Feet. Inches. Feet. Inches. 
L. S. Darling...... 76 8 D. T. Abercroinbie. 55 
E. fi. Rice......... 61 • R. J. Held 52 4 
Event 5, Friday Aftfrnoofl, Feb. 24* 
Another contest in which any rod or leader could be 
used, the only restrictions being that a fly on a No. 4 hook 
furnished by the committee must be used, and only such 
contestants as had never cast further than 75 feet in any 
similar contest were admitted. It was for black bass fly- 
rods, distance alone to count. W. T. Morrison, who was 
second to cast, scored 66 feet 3 inches and was high man 
until the last one to cast, Mr. Henderson, had finished 
with 67 feet 6 inches and stepped to first place, while 
third was tied and cast off, Will K. Park, of Philadelphia, 
winning. Robert B. Lawrence and Perry D. Frazer were 
the judges, and R. H. Klotz was referee. The score: 
H. G. Henderson.. 67 
W. T. Morrison.... 66 
Will K. Park...... 56 
The cast-off: 
Park ............... 58 
Feet. Inches. 
6 H. DeRaasloff. 
3 R. J. Held.... 
Feet. Inches. 
56 
51 3 
DeRaasloff 5.S 
Event 6, Friday Evening, Ftb. 24. 
Light trout fly-rods were used in this event, which was 
cast oflt with trout flies, distance alone to count, and open 
to those who had never cast further than 60 feet in any 
similar contest. Rods were limited to five ounces, but 
under Rule 16 (see Forest and Stream of February r8, 
page 139), three-quarters of an ounce was allowed rods 
with solid metal reel seats, and a further allowance of 
three-fourtlos of an ounce if the handle was separate and 
made with the usual butt ferrule. Will K. Park used a 
414 and Charles Stepath a 45'^-ounce rod, while those of 
King Smith and H.. G. Henderson, ^r.. weighed iVz 
ounces, and Harold DeRaasloff's rod weighed sM ounces, 
the three last named having solid metal reel seats. The 
judges w?re Milton H. Smith and W. D. Cloyes, with 
J. H. Cruickshahk aS referee. The score: 
Feet. Inches. Feet. Inches. 
King Smith ........ 77 H. G. Hendersoil,Jf. 55 
H. DeRaasloff ..... 61 4 C. Stepath ...50 7 
Will K. Park 57 6 
Event 7> Saturday Aftfrnooh, Ftb. 2S. 
This event attracted more attention from contestants 
and spectators thaii any other one so far held. There 
were ten contestants, while so many anglers came to the 
platfoi-m to see the fun that many had to be turned away 
for safety's sake. As .it was the event lasted until long 
after the lights were turned on, and the attehdanls barely 
had time to clear away the targets in time fbf tile' next 
event to be started. The conditions called for single-^ 
hand bait-casting with quarter-ounce rubber frogs, from 
free running reels, for both distance and accuracy. Only 
those who had cast further than 100 feet in any similar 
contest were barred, and any rod, reel or line could be 
used, but every cast must be from the reel. Each con- 
testant was allowed one trial cast, then was required to 
make five casts for atiCuraey tit a buoy 60 feet distant 
from the casting pldtform. after whitih he was allowed 
one trial cast at the 70-foot buoy, followed by five easts 
for accuracy at that buoy. After all had finished the 
distance half of the event was called, and each man made 
two preliminary and five casts for distance alone. There 
were a good many withdrawals before this half was 
started, as it was then long after the dinner hour, and 
some of those who withdrew had small chance of pulling 
up their low scores in the accuracy trial, and were loth 
to prolong the affair. For accuracy the scores were 
recorded in this manner : For each foot or fraction of a 
foot the frog fell from the buoy cast at a demerit of i 
was scored, the sum total of these demerits, divided by 
10, Counting as the demerit pet cent. This, deducted 
from 100. constituted the accuracy per cent. The average 
of the ten distance casts, added to the accuracy per cent., 
counted as the score. The rods used were various in all 
but length. In this they varied only from 5 to 5^ feet, 
with one split cane rod longer than 6 feet. One steel rod, 
two wood rods, one split cane, and the balance were six- 
strip split bamboo. The use of agate or narrow ring guides 
from one-half to five-eighths of an inch in diameter was 
the rule, while most of tile fods carried two or three 
guides and a top instead of more. In the short tods 
those of one piece, with possibly a separate hand-grasp, 
were in the majority. Only two reels were alike, these 
being of the all-metal take-apart variety, with automasic 
click. There were two aluminum reels, one all rubber, 
and three of the smallest size used in such work, carrying 
about forty yards of F silk line. The lines used were all 
of the smallest size made for such use, with none larger . 
in diameter than the No. 53 Natchaug line and most of 
them smaller, in faCt, mere threads of the finest braided 
silk, not enameled. It is not an easy thing to cast a 
quarter-ounce frog at a target 60 or 70 feet distant with 
a free-running reel, and lack of practice puts the expert 
oil an equal footing with the tyro, as was evidenced in 
this event, when some of the old-time casters failed to 
make a much better showing than those who were on the 
platform for the first time, and merely over-zealous or 
suffering from mild attacks of stage fright, or "buck 
ague," as a visitor laughingly asserted. He added that to 
him the distance from the platform to the 60-foot buoy 
had at first seemed trifling, but after Watching the efforts 
to place the frogs on the targets he Came to the conclu- 
sion that the distance increased steadily until it seemed 
about 400 yards to the tyros. The judges were Lody 
Smith and H. G. Henderson, with H. B. Leckler as 
referee. The score, percentage to count : 
Distance Accuracy Total 
Average. ' Average. Average. 
L. S. Darling........... 80 1-5 92.40 172.60 
C. R. Woodward 68 3^5 91.00 159.60 
C. Stepath 44 4-5 95.70 140,10 
C. M. Lucky 129.40 
D. T. Abercrombie..... 112.80 
C. C. Ingraham 100.00 
Chancellor G. Levison, Milton H. Srriith, Harold DeRassloff 
and Perry D. Frazer vi'ithdrew. 
Event 8, Saturday NighS Feb. 25, 
An open event in which weight of rod and length of 
leader were not restricted, distance alone counting. AH 
casts had to be made with an obstacle 15 feet to the rear 
of the Casting platform, which was about one foot above 
the water level. Judges, H. G. Henderson and Lody 
Smith; feferee, R. H. Klotz.- The score: 
Feet. Inches. Feet. Inches. 
R. Leonard 88 H. Hawes 83 
L. S. Darling 83 9 E. J. Mills,. ,. 7S 6 
Event 9, Mocday Aftefnoon, Feb. 7. 
A light fly rod contest, distance only to count, and open 
to those who had never cast further than 75 feet in a 
similar contest. Rods were limited to five ounces with 
allowances mentioned above (event 6). The judges were 
Chancellor G. Levison and Edw. Boote; referee, R, H, 
Klotz. The score : 
Feet. Inches. Feet. Inches. 
R. F. Cruickshank. 81 6 W. H.- Hammett.... 67 
H. G. Henderson.Jr. 67 6 H. DeR&aslofi ,...,57 
All used 5%-ounce rods. 
Event JO, Mocday Night. 
Same as event 9, but rods limited to four ounces, with' 
allowances as per rule 16, and open only to those who 
had never cast further than 75 feet in any club, or open 
contest with rod weighing four ounces or less. The length 
of leader was not restricted. The judges were C. G. Levi- 
son and M. H. Smith ; referee, R. F. Klotz. The score ; 
Feet. Inches. Feet. Inches. 
W. H. Cruickshank. 77 H. G. Henderson.. 65 C 
W. H. Hammett.... 71 H. DeRaasloff .....64 
__Rods: Hammett, 4%-ounce; Cruickshank, i%; DeRaasloff, 4%; 
Henderson, 4%. All had metal reel seats. 
All communications for Forest and Stream must be 
directed to Forest and Stream Pub. Co., Nev^ YpJ^i iS 
receivf qttentiq^. }Vf hm^ no other o^cf. 
