THE SMELTS 
327 
ripple on the water. This is generally seen at the middle of the lake, where the water is the deep- 
est. Smelt can be caught in Lake Champlain in any of the summer months by going to the right 
place and using the right means, but I do not think to much advantage, as they lie in deep water 
and are more scattered than in winter; still, by a little effort enough can be caught to use for bait. 
Here I want to raise a note of warning to those that think of introducing smelt to feed lake 
trout; they are ferocious little brutes and persistent destroyers of small fish living in all depths of 
water; they would destroy the young trout. This I think is one reason lake trout are not more 
plenty in Champlain. 
But meanwhile Cheney had been enlightened by another distinguished observer. 
In the April 18, 1896, issue of Forest and Stream he stated that his friend, Rowland 
E. Robinson, had written him a letter concerning the question of residence and 
migration of the smelt, from which he quoted as follows: 
Hon. M. F. Allen, of that place [Ferrisburg, Vermont], told me a few years ago of catching 
pike-perch off Split Rock, in Lake Champlain, that were gorged with smelt. I do not recall the 
date, but it could not have been earlier than the middle of June, and may have been in July or 
August. Mr. Allen is an old angler, well acquainted with the varieties of fish common in our 
waters, and could not have been mistaken in the identity of the smelt. 
I well remember seeing an occasional specimen among the great hauls of other fish taken 
in the old days of unrestricted seining on the then famous fishing ground at the mouth of the Lewis 
Creek, the Sungahneetook, or Fishing Weir River of the Waubanakees. These facts go to show 
that the smelt remain in the lake during at least part of the summer. 
Cheney then went on to say that the author of “Uncle Lisha” was the first person 
to his knowledge residing on or near Lake Champlain to call the smelt of the lake 
by its proper name, or, in fact, to admit that it was a smelt. Cheney then continued: 
That Mr. Robinson has himself observed the smelt among the fish caught in the lake, and 
that Senator Allen bears like testimony, should settle the question of their presence in the lake in 
summer. There is a whitefish found in Lake Champlain the young of which might be mistaken 
for the smelt when found inside of other fish, unless the observer was familiar with both species, 
but this would not apply to either of the gentlemen quoted. A strange thing about the smelt is that 
they have not been caught by those who have searched for them in the summer months. My 
information on this subject comes from fishermen at Port Henry only. A year ago, when smelt 
fishing through the ice was at its height, I visited the fishermen on the ice, and questioned them as 
to their knowledge of the smelt in the summer months. All agreed that although search had been 
made for them they had not been taken. Another strange thing is that no one seems to know 
anything about where they spawn. 
Another very interesting response to Cheney’s communication was contributed 
to Forest and Stream by a correspondent signing himself “Ferris” (1896). He 
wrote : 
I think your correspondent in Forest and Stream of March 28 wrong in his opinion that 
Lake Champlain ice fish or smelt are not permanent residents of the lake. Perhaps for those who 
are interested in this matter a few of the incidents coming under my personal observation may 
prove of interest. 
At Thompson’s Point, situated on the shore just across from Split Rock lighthouse, is no doubt 
one of the best fishing grounds for the American pike perch to be found along the lake. On the 
point are nearly two score of cottages, among them being that of Justice J. D. Brewers, of Wash- 
ington, D. C. Here each season are to be found many of the disciples of Izaak Walton enjoying 
their summer outing. 
On the reefs just off the point I have caught many a fine string of pike, and very many times 
have observed that after getting them in the boat they would disgorge one or more smelt. This 
