FOREST AND STREAM 
1237 
CONSERVATION 
GOOD FISHING NEAR LARGE CITIES 
WE COULD HAVE IT IF WE FOLLOWED THE WISER 
POLICY THAT PREVAILS EVERYWHERE ABROAD 
O NE of the last articles written by Theo¬ 
dore Gordon, of beloved memory, dealt 
with the subject near to his heart—the 
fishing of the future, and the opportunities 
which a succeeding generation will enjoy in the 
way of angling sport. This article, from Forest 
and Stream’s manuscript library, is published 
below and, it will be admitted, possesses a timely 
interest. The idea proposed, namely, the utili¬ 
zation as fishing lakes of the great artificial 
lakes which are to furnish New York’s water 
supply, has been discussed frequently, but never 
has the feasibility been more clearly set forth 
than by this world-famous angler writer of the 
Beaverkill.—Ed.] 
W E CAN still boast of having a wonderful 
country for sport of all kinds, yet one 
cannot fail to feel anxious for the future, 
particularly for the chances of the younger gen¬ 
eration now coming forward. Anglers are being 
created by hundreds or thousands every year, 
and a large proportion of these seem to take 
naturally to trout fishing. Men of fair or large 
means, who have control of their time, can seek 
their sport at a distance, but an immense num¬ 
ber can only get away over a week end, during 
the best of the fishing season. 
Their annual holiday of ten days or two weeks 
usually comes in July and August, and the hot 
dry summers of recent years have caused sport 
to become very indifferent, except during a 
cool spell, or after rain, and freshening of the 
water. In some of our larger streams the habit 
By Theodore Gordon. 
of night fishing has become well nigh universal. 
The trout only come out of their retreats at 
dusk, and the weather is too warm for fishing 
with success during the day. Ten years ago 
not much angling after dark was practiced; it 
was resorted to occasionally, on big pools or 
where trout of unusual size had been spotted. 
Night work has its attractions, but cannot be 
considered scientific angling, although very large 
fish are killed in this way. More streams are 
posted, or leased, or bought up by clubs or in¬ 
dividuals every year. 
Is it to be wondered at that old hands are 
becoming very anxious as to the future of the 
great bulk of the trout fishing fraternity? I 
have done a good deal of thinking, and studying 
if anything practical can be done to provide 
sport for all these good fellows, at a minimum 
of cost. 
A few years ago I noticed that England and 
Wales seemed to be finding a way out of the 
difficulty, and that good trout fishing was being 
created for a vast number of anglers, many of 
the sort to whom the expenditure of a small 
sum is of considerable importance. Cities and 
towns are well administered in England (al¬ 
though at one time this was far from being 
the case), and municipal corporations usually 
own their works, as well as the source of supply 
and the surrounding watersheds. 
Previous to 1904 a few progressive cities like 
Liverpool, had given thought to the matter, and 
after thorough stocking with trout, and a closed 
period to allow these to become mature, had 
thrown their reservoirs open to the public, un¬ 
der proper rules and restrictions. A small 
charge was made for tickets allowing one to 
fish and the amount realized was used to defray 
all the expenses of upkeep, restocking, etc. Very 
often it was sufficient to cover all repairs to 
dams, spillways, and buildings; thus reducing 
the burthens of the taxpayers. 
In the year 1904 the opening if Blagdon Lake, 
the source of the water supply of the city of 
Bristol, to the public, created great excitement 
because of the wonderful sport enjoyed by 
anglers on that beautiful sheet of water The 
trout, brown and rainbow, averaged 5 lbs. 6 ozs. 
during that first open season, and the largest 
recorded weighed 9 lbs. 2 ozs. 
Many cities were quick to see their opportun¬ 
ities to provide healthful recreation for their 
citizens at no cost to the tax payers, and since 
that time about 150 municipalities have stocked 
their reservoirs, and opened them to the public. 
The rules and regulations are strict but fair. 
Among the more important that I can call to 
mind are these. On the large waters, appropri¬ 
ately called lakes, boats owned by the city, and 
in charge of the guardian, are permitted. On 
all others fishing from the bank only is allowed. 
All wading, at any time, is strictly prohibited, 
and the baits to be used are restricted to some 
extent. 
The charge for tickets varies, with the sport 
to be expected, but the average price is said to 
be two shillings and six pence, say 60 cents, 
in our money. For a week, month or season 
