898 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
it was all night fishing, and so lost most of its charm. In 
fact, in our thirty days' fishing we did not get any fish 
in the daylight, excepting perhaps a few small ones at 
Shark Creek. At this latter place I believe they can be 
got at any time, but they run small, from fifteen to sev- 
enty-five pounds, and I should say are fish that have not 
been to sea very far ; in other words, those that have been 
bred there. The small fish, mosquitoes- and night fishing 
entirely take away all the charm of this place. We found 
shrimp the best bait when the fish are striking on the top 
of the water, and needle fish the best at Indian Key. For 
the capture of these latter a small mesh cast-net should 
be taken, otherwise they can only be shot with a bullet. 
Mullet are scarce at Indian Key but needle fish plentiful. 
I would like to hear the opinion of sportsmen as to the 
relative fighting of tarpon caught in the passes and those 
caught still-fishing. My experience is, that while those I 
caught many years ago still-fishing fought very hard, 
sometimes taking some hours to land, that it was due to 
inexperience and bad tackle. I have_ always looked on 
still-fishing as the capture of a maimed fish, since I 
caught some which came up with hardly a struggle, being 
hooked very far down and probably being pricked with 
the hook in a vital part. Since then I have never cared 
for this kind of fishing. In Captiva I have had some big 
fights, but there again the curitnt is in the fish's favor, 
and again I had the old reels which were difficult to keep 
from overrunning. In Indian Key, where the current is 
not very great and equipped with these new reels, I had 
no dii^culty in handling what fish I got, but I have heard 
it said that a fish hooked by the mouth, as in pass fish- 
ing, cannot fight so hard in consequence of his mouth 
being continuously pulled open. 
All these questions are interesting and the opinions of 
sportsmen who have caught both on the same tackle 
would be more so. Lorenzo Henry. 
Fish'^and'^ Fishing, 
Caoadfan Trout arc Now Rising. 
W. J. Darlington, of Quebec, one of the neatest fly- 
casters in Canada, drove out to Lake Beauport on 
May Day, the opening day of the Canadian trout sea- 
son, and succeeded in creeling a baker's dozen of- the 
silvery beauties of that exceptionally beautiful sheet 
of water, employing no other lure than the artificial 
fly. This was exceptionally good luck, as well as good 
fishing, for fly-casting seldom succeeds so early in the 
season as this on the lakes to the north of Quebec. 
.Very few of the lakes along the line of the Quebec 
and Lake St. John Railway were altogether free of 
ice until the second week of the present month, though 
the Jacques Cartier River, Lake St. Joseph, and some 
of the other waters in the neighborhood of these latter 
were clear some days earlier. From Lake Edward 
comes the intelligence that the ice broke up about the 
8th inst., and that several fine trout were caught by 
bait a few days later. The^best of the- spring fishing 
in this body of water is expected this year after about 
the 20th inst. At present writing the ice has left all 
the lakes between Quebec and Lake St. John, though 
little or nothing has yet been done by fly-fishermen, for 
the water is still rising in both streams and lakes. 
Lake Kenogami was about the last of the northern 
lakes to become clear of ice this season. On Lake 
St. John, the last of the ice disappeared about the same 
time as it did from Lake Edward, and navigation was 
funy opened there on the loth of May. 
While bait-fishing in the more northerly lakes is 
not likely to give way to successful fly-fishing before 
the third week of the month, it is still more probable 
that the latter sport will not amount to very much 
until after the 24th inst. 
It is likely to be fully as late before the ouananiche 
fishing in the Roberval baj^s, and in the mouths of the 
Metabetchouan and Guiatchouan rivers at Lake St. 
John will be worth anything. The water of the l§ke is 
quite low at present, the lateness of the season, and 
the cold weather that prevailed well into the present 
month having delayed the melting of the snow and ice 
on the northern feeders of the big lake and in the 
forests drained by them. Though now rising rapidly, 
it will be some time before the high spring level of the 
water is reached, and the best of the fishing will only 
set in when the water has commenced to fall. 
New F/shbg Waters. 
While there is no doubt whatever that the lease of 
large fishing and hunting territories to American and 
other clubs, has had for effect the very efficient pro- 
tection of fish and game in many of the districts of the 
Province of Quebec, sportsmen who are not fortunate 
enough to be lessees of such rights themselves, or to 
belong to clubs possessing them, have at times found 
it difficult, without traveling long distances, to find 
good free fishing waters. The rapidly increasing num- 
ber of American anglers, who now come to northern 
Quebec for their fishing, has accentuated this fact. 
Realizing the increased demands for fishing privileges 
which must shortly prevail, the Quebec and Lake St. 
John Railway has taken time by the forelock in con- 
nection with the new branch Ime of railway which it 
is building from a little south of Lake Edward, through 
the interior of the province to the falls of La Tuque on 
the St. Maurice River. This line of railway which 
branches off from the line of the Quebec and Lake St. 
John Railway, some 78 miles from Quebec, is 40 miles 
in length and traverses a country very rich in trout 
waters. Judging that these would be quickly snapped 
up by private lessees, the railway company has leased 
most of them itself, in order that free fishing may be 
at the disposal of the patrons of the road. The new 
line will be open to traffic next winter. 
Salmon Fishing. 
More inquiries than ever for salmon fishing rights 
have been received here this spring, but it is needless 
to say that there is nothing of the kind lying around 
loose, waiting to be picked up, just now. And those 
that have salmon fishing are taking every means to 
properly protect it. Mr. J. J. Hill sent two very prom^ 
inent lawyers here last week to oppose a bill which 
was before the Legislature, in the interests of a 
Canadian lumberman, asking for authority to erect 
dams, piers, etc., in the St. John River of Labrador, 
for the salmon fishing of which Mr. Hill pays $3,000 
yearly to the government of the Province of Quebec. 
Because it was shown that the proposed "improve- 
ments" in the river would injure and perhaps ruin its 
salmon fisheries, the bill was rejected by the Legisla- 
ture. Another bill, which is likely to become law, is 
now before the Legislature, the object of which is to 
prohibit the running of logs in salmon rivers between 
the 25th of June and the 15th of August following. It 
stands to reason that the running of logs while the 
salmon are ascending the rivers to their spawning beds 
is- of a nature to materially interfere with their pro- 
gress up stream. 
Salmon in New Brocswicfc ate Not Decreasing. 
I have just read the last report of Mr. H. E. Harrison, 
one of the fishery inspectors of New Brunswick, and 
am convinced that he is much more correct in his con- 
clusions as to the salmon supply of some at least of 
the rivers of New Brunswick, than are those who would 
have us to believe that the increase of fishcultural 
operations results in a diminished supply of salmon in 
the rivers in which the fry are planted. The mistake 
made by these latter is that they base their estimate of 
the supply of fish upon the returns of the net fishermen 
as to the number caught by them from year to year. 
The incorrectness of this reasoning is thus exposed 
by Mr. Harrison: "A slight falling off in the quantity 
of this (salmon), the most valuable fish caught in this 
district, can scarcely be attributed to a smaller run, or 
to less of them passing up the St. John River; in fact, 
I think I can disprove any statement to that effect, by 
evidence which I will submit with this report, from 
one who is in position to know the facts. I feel safe in 
saying that the decrease in quantity taken is the result of 
better protection, made possible by your department 
giving me an extra guardian the first part of the sea- 
son, and two during the latter part of it, whereby con- 
siderable illegal fishing was prevented. The surface 
fly-fishing on the Tobique River was grand the past 
season, and those who could afford the pleasure were 
delighted with the results." 
What the Head Warden of the Tobiqoe Salmon Club Say?. 
The evidence adduced by Mr. Harrison is contained 
in the report of Mr. T. F. Allen, head warden of the 
Tobique Salmon Club, to the local fishery overseer. 
Mr. Allen is a citizen of the United States who has for 
some years looked after the interest of the club. He 
says among other things: "As to the fishing on the 
Tobique River during the last season, I am pleased to 
say that it was the best in the history of the Tobique 
Salmon Club. This was due principally to the im- 
provement in the protection of the fish in the non-tidal 
waters of the St. John. Without such assistance very 
few salmon would be able to pass the numerous nets 
such as would be in use, unless compelled tO' abide by 
the laws in connection with such protection, by the 
Dominion government on the St. John River. The 
salmon are well protected after they enter the Tobique 
River. Twenty men, residents of the vicinity, are con- 
stantly on duty as wardens on the Tobique River, from 
June I to Nov. i. While the season for taking salmon 
expires Aug. 15, the wardens are retained to protect 
the fish through the spawning season, and until they 
leave that stream to return to sea, these guardians are 
kept at the expense of the club. The fry placed in the 
Tobique River each season from the Dominion 
hatchery, at Grand Falls, are undoubtedly a great bene- 
fit in supplying a stock of salmon for the river. During 
the present season, there were more salmon in the 
Tobique River for spawning (after the season closed for 
taking them), than I ever saw at one time; they could 
be counted by the thousand. This means a grand supply 
for the future. A grand feature in connection with the 
fishing of the past season, was that at no time after 
the salmon arrived was there a day up to the close of 
the season, but salmon could be taken with a fly, as 
far as the condition of the water v/as concerned. We 
had some rain but not enough at any time to put the 
, river above a fishing pitch, or to make it so dirty that a 
fish could not outline a fly distinctly. * * * 'pj^g 
members of the Tobique Salmon Club and their guests 
killed about 325 fish, including salmon and grilse, and 
in private pools controlled by Lord Strathcona and 
residents on the river, there were many fish killed, the 
exact number of which I cannot state." 
E. T. D. Chambers. 
f The Dolphin as a Pilot. 
"Pelorous Jack" is the name of an old dolphin which 
is protected by a special act of the New Zealand Legisla- 
ture. The official proclamation of the Government pro- 
hibits any interference with Pelorous Jack under a pen- 
alty of £100. 
According to an old sailor's tale, a shoal of dolphins 
grounded on the shores of Cook Strait forty years ago, 
and one of them escaped into the sea. That one, which 
is now acknowledged to be Pelorous Jack, never left the 
locality where he lost his companions, and "he is now 
protected by law as he has always been by sentiment." 
The most remarkable fact of all is the reason for the 
passage of the law, which is that Pelorous Jack acts as a 
most effective pilot, escorting all kinds of vessels in and 
out of the French Pass, Cook Strait, always keping to 
deep water. 
For years he was believed to be a beluga, or white 
whale, but recent scientific investigation has shown that 
he is really a dolphin. As he is never absent from his 
duties, the proclamation has been received with keen sat- 
isfaction throughout Australasia by sailors who have to 
use the French Pass. — London Express. 
As teachers of patience in fishing, black bass stand at 
the head of the list, and in their intercourse with fisher- 
men, especially in its early stages, they are the most ag- 
gravating and profanity-provoking animal that swims in 
fresh water. — Grover Cleveland. 
Tarpon at Fort Myers. 
Of the April and May tarpon fishing at Fort Myers, 
Fla., the Press of that town says in the current issue: 
"If the many fishermen who were here in February and 
March making strenuous efforts to entice the wily silver 
king to take their bait had been fishing for the past 
week, there would have been an old-time tarpon record 
that would have run into the hundreds. As it is, there 
were only a half dozen here to enjoy the fine sport, as 
the river is now alive with tarpon, from Four Mile 
Island up to the railroad bridge, and any morning they 
may be seen leaping out of the water by scores. With 
but a half dozen persons fishing the record for the past 
week equals that of the entire season previous to this. 
Two more prominent names of titled foreigners are 
added to the roll of honor for landing the gamest fish 
that swims — they are Baron and Baroness Von Tuyll 
Von Serooskerken, from Holland, the Baron being the 
accredited representative of his country at Washington. 
The Baron and Baroness each landed two fine tarpon, ? 
and their success will undoubtedly be the means of 
sending others of the diplomatic corps at Washington ' 
to try their luck here next season. Another couple ■ 
who have gained fame as tarpon anglers are Mr. and • 
Mrs. E. M. Statler, of Buffalo,_ N. Y. Mr. Statler has 
shown his capacity for operating the largest hotel in 
the world, and now has shown that he can subdue the 
greatest piscatorial fighter of the Gulf, and it is a ques- 
tion between Mrs. Statler and himself as to which is , 
the better angler. Mrs. Statler has a firm hold on the 
record for the greatest number of tarpon taken by a ; 
lady this season, landing six silver beauties, averaging | 
97 pounds in weight, the largest weighing 130 pounds. | 
She also accomplished the rare feat for a lady of land- ! 
ing two tarpons in one day, which she did on April 28. \ 
Mr. Statler has a record of seven tarpon, two of ' 
these being landed on last Saturday, weighing 170 and 
100 pounds respectively. The well-known tarpon 
anglers, Mr. and Mrs. W. Ashby Jones, have both added j 
to their scores the past week, Mrs. Jones celebrating 
May Day by landing two beauties weighing 118 and 120 
pounds. Mr. Jones landed six tarpon the past week, 
two on April 27 and two yesterday. On Tuesday he 
brought in what was undoubtedly the largest silver king j 
killed this season. He weighed 182 pounds, and the 
girth measurement would make him go above this ■ 
weight. Mr. Jones' record for the season up to yester- 
dav was eleven tarpon, and he will likely increase this 
to twenty-five in the next week. More tarpon have 
been taken at Fort Myers this season than all the 
catches combined elsewhere in the State." 
New York and Pennsylvania 
Fishing Notes. 
Sayre, Pa., May 13. — Mr. E. S. Worthington, of Sayre, 
and a congenial party of angling friends, spent a few days 
the early part of the week along some of the most likely 
streams in the vicinity of Satterfield, this State, and 
brought home 140 trout of nice size and a supply of ang- • 
ling tales rich with the flavor of the outdoor life. 
Charles Northrup and some friends were on the : 
Shrader, below Towanda, for a part of the week, but 
caught only eighty-four trout, and advise that not many 
trout are being taken from the streams in that section 
this season, although ordinarily fine sport is due the : 
angler working out that section of country. 
Local streams are not yielding results equal tO' those , 
of former years, and all in all, from reports which come 
to me, it would appear that either the trout supply is less : 
than usual or the conditions for the best fishing have ; 
not sufficiently developed. 
From the streams over along the Auburn Division of 
the Lehigh Valley, between Owego and Groton, N. Y., . 
reports are far more satisfying. 
A good many fine creels of trout have been taken from '. 
strea;ns about Harford Mills, McLean and from the head 
waters of Fall Creek, near Groton. In all that country ; 
the big green meadows reach away to the horizon line, 
and the streams, big and little, many of them really ; 
diminutive, afford about as easy fishing as one can hope - 
for. _ _ ' 
The streams in the vicinity of Slaterville and Speeds- 
ville, probably best reached from Richford on the Auburn , 
line above referred to, or from Ithaca, have thus far, it 
is reported, yielded unsatisfactory results, counting re- 
sults upon the basis of trout taken, but the fishing is ' 
through a picturesque bit of country which in itself : 
affords the angler compensations above the world's lucre. 
The largest California trout said to have been taken > 
from any stream around Ithaca within recent years was i 
caught by a Cornell University student one afternoon last 
week in Buttermilk Creek, below the locally famous But- ■■ 
termilk Falls. The trout when measured reached the tape' 
at 22}4 inches, and weighed 334 pounds. 1 
Pickerel and pike fishing at the Ithaca end of Cayuga 
Lake has been of a decidedly pleasing sort for some time ' 
past. Last Saturday night John R. Woodford, of Ithaca,, 
caught the largest pike ever taken from the local waters 
of the lake, so far as the present generation has knowl-l 
edge, the fish weighing 14I4 pounds. Thousands of pike! 
fry have been distributed in the lake at Ithaca, and under 
the thorough protective measures now enforced, the fish- 
ing should continue to be satisfactory. 
At Sherburne, N. Y., May 6, William Friar caught 
from the Chenango River a brown trout which weighed) 
seven pounds and two ounces and measured twenty-seven.- 
inches long. Through the effort of Assemblyman Carrier' 
this fish was presented to Lewis E. Carr, of Albany. And'* 
in this connection it may be worth while to state that ad-' 
vices from the fine old Chenango are to the effect that; 
excellent catches of brown trout have been made thisj 
.spring from those waters. | 
Coming nearer home I hear that in the Susquehannal 
River, between Sayre and Owego, large distributions o^ 
pike fry have within the week been made, the evident! 
determination being to keep the supply of these fish up- 
to normal conditions. Perhaps the very best pike fishing 
for the entire }engtl| of the Susquehanna is to be hadi 
