162 
FOREST AND STREAM 
April, 1921 
FORESTand STREAM 
FORTY-NINTH YEAR 
FOUNDERS OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETY 
ADVISORY BOARD 
GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL, NEW YORK, N. Y. 
CARL E. AKELEY, American Museum of Natural History, New York. 
EDMUND HELLER, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C. 
WILFRED H. OSGOOD, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, 111. 
JOHN M. PHILLIPS, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
CHARLES SHELDON, Washington, D. C. 
GEORGE SHIRAS, 3d, Washingon, D. C. 
JOHN T. NICHOLS, American Museum of Natural History, New York. 
WILLIAM BRUETTE, Editor 
JOHN P, HOLMAN, Managing Editor 
TOM WOOD, Business Manager 
Nine East Fortieth Street, New York City 
THE OBJECT OF THIS JOURNAL WILL BE TO 
studiously promote a healthful interest in outdoor rec- 
reation, and a refined taste for natural objects. 
August 14, 1873. 
|BROOK TROUT FISHING 
(''A UR cover picture this month will appeal strong- 
^ ly to the anglers of the Eastern States, who 
have for so many months awaited with impatience 
the coming of the opening of the season for trout 
fishing. . , . , 
There is a fascination m exploring brooks, and 
all streams known among anglers as early waters, 
in April. The warmth of the sun makes itself felt 
if the day be fair, and the close touch with nature 
in which one finds himself while wading a brook is 
not equaled later on when the foliage hides many 
things now visible on all sides. The opening wild 
flowers, the bursting buds, the droning of peepers in 
the low place, together with the fascination of at- 
tempting to lure the trout from their hiding places 
— all combine to make every angler rejoice in the 
mere fact that he is alive and capable of the full 
enjoyment of life in the open. 
The number of fish creeled is but an incident to 
the day’s sport, and while there are few anglers 
so philosophical that they can honestly say they 
are as well satisfied with the empty as with the well- 
filled creel, it is growing more and more noticeable 
that the doctrine, “It is not all of fishing to catch 
fish,” is taking firm hold on an increasing number 
of our sportsmen. The result is becoming more ap- 
parent every year. While the accidents due to 
drouth and freshet are more disastrous than in the 
days of forest-bordered streams, with restocking 
and a broader conception of moderation in fishing, 
there is ground for the belief that in time “fished- 
out waters” will be far less numerous than they 
have been in the recent past. 
In a large number of our brooks the element of 
uncertainty that is closely associated with all an- 
gling is accentuated by the fact that, through care- 
ful stocking, trout may now be taken in satisfac- 
tory numbers where but few were found a year 
ago. In such waters the angler is thrilled when, 
hoping against hope, he finds the fishing, if not actu- 
allv what it was when he waded the same brooks 
as a barefoot boy, at least sufficiently tempting to 
lure him back again and again. The pleasant mem- 
ories of surprises of this sort assist materially in 
keeping men young. 
One precaution which no angler should neglect is 
the careful handling of trout that are returned to 
the water. Always handle such fish with wet 
hands, and liberate them by immersion rather than 
by tossing them into the water. 
THE JONES BILL PASSES 
r T 0 the great satisfaction of the friends of the 
A national parks, the Jones-Esch Bill passed both 
Houses during the very last days of Congress and, 
at this writing, it has just been signed by the Presi- 
dent. 
The Federal Water Power Law, which specifically 
defined national parks and national monuments as 
public lands which might be used for commercial 
purposes, was signed by the President only after 
the promise by Senator Jones of Washington, that 
he would introduce, and endeavor to push through 
Congress, a bill to except these reservations from 
the provisions of the Water Power Law. This Sen- 
ator Jones, with the assistance of Mr. Esch of 
Michigan, has done ; and it is hoped that the Presi- 
dent will complete the protective act performed by 
Congress, by approving the measure. 
The earnest support given these bills by the pub- 
lic confirms the belief expressed by more than one 
friend of the national parks that as soon as the 
public understood what the invaders contemplated, 
the people generally would speak up in defense of 
their rights. 
Like so many forbidden things, the national 
parks, because forbidden to the speculator, are 
eagerly desired by him. It is the business of the 
public to protect its own rights in these reser- 
vations, and we firmly believe that it is entirely 
competent to do that very thing. 
ATTENTION, SPORTSMEN! 
A BILL (Number 290) was introduced in the 
New York Assembly on January 25th, read, 
and referred to the Committee on Conservation, en- 
titled: “An Act to amend the conservation law, 
in relation to hunting and fishing on private land 
used for agricultural purposes.” This new legis- 
lation aims to amend the old law by adding thereto 
this section: “Protection of cultivated land. No 
person shall take or disturb fish, birds or quad- 
rupeds on any private lands used for farming or 
agricultural purposes or tresspass thereon for that 
purpose, without the written consent of the owner 
thereof or his duly authorized agent.” 
Here is something for the sportsman to ponder. 
Note that it is restrictive class legislation directed 
against him, as distinguished from the mere hiker 
or camper. It is especially worthy of attention if 
our information is correct that “agricultural,” as 
a term, has been held to include woodland. 
The gist of the matter seems to be that, under 
the amended form of the law, farmers or other 
private owners of woodland, even though unin- 
closed, are not required to post the same against 
trespass, and that, for example, before fishing any 
streams adjoining or running through such lands, 
the angler lays himself open to action for trespass 
when fishing such waters, though stocked at public 
expense . if he so much as sets foot on such prop- 
erty without having obtained written consent. 
