•778 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Nov. 25, 1911. 
supply of fish is increasing. How to accomplish 
this result is a question upon which there may 
be divided opinion, but this department feels that 
it is upon the right road, and that the results 
will show that its efforts will bring success. 
In the distribution of trout in the future it 
is proposed to send out yearlings so far as pos¬ 
sible, except that in the fall, if the streams are 
in the proper condition, fish will then be shipped 
at a size varying from three to five inches. 
Where clubs and parties who have built ponds 
or otherwise made arrangements for taking care 
of their young fish and carrying them to a 
mature age, the department expects much as¬ 
sistance and will ship the fish in the spring in 
the young stage, because that will relieve the 
department of the necessity of carrying them 
in its own waters to the advanced stage. 
The department cordially invites the co-oper¬ 
ation of all sportsmen and fishermen in assisting 
it in increasing the supply of fish in this way 
because large areas will be necessary to carry 
the trout to the size that the department thinks 
is desirable for their distribution. Bass propa¬ 
gation has been largely an experiment, due to 
the fact that no method of propagation has yet 
been discovered except the natural one. Ex¬ 
perience has shown that large areas are neces¬ 
sary for the propagation of bass, and it is the 
intention of the department to utilize hatcheries 
where such areas can be obtained and to ship 
the bass in the fall when they are from three 
to five inches in length. 
Wall-eyed pike, whitefish, blue pike, lake her¬ 
ring and shad will be shipped in the fry stage, 
because, owing to the enormous quantities in 
which they are hatched, it would be impossible 
to hold them, and hatcheries could not be main¬ 
tained in which these fish could be successfully 
propagated. The eggs of these fish are taken 
at the spawning season by the commercial fisher¬ 
men and the spawn would be a waste product 
unless taken by the department, hatched and 
planted in suitable waters. As to yellow perch, 
the small ponds and other suitable waters in 
the inland waters of the State will be supplied 
in the fall instead of in the spring. 
One of the most important points in the propa¬ 
gation of fish is to interest the farmer, and there 
is no question that there are a number of fish 
that can be successfully propagated which would 
not only increase the food supply of the people, 
but be profitable to the farmer. It is, therefore, 
desired at the next session of the Legislature 
to secure such legislation as will enable the de¬ 
partment to give more assistance to farmers and 
fish raisers in this direction. 
The number of hatcheries in the State is not 
so much of a factor as the efficiency of the hatch¬ 
ery in producing fish. Efficiency is only secured 
where the water supply is ample and this water 
supply can be conserved to the highest degree. 
With this in mind, the department, which is 
controlled entirely by the amount of money 
voted by the Legislature, thinks that the up¬ 
building of stations where the conditions are 
most favorable will secure better results in a 
more economical way than distributing the money 
over a number of stations, none of which are 
up to the highest state of efficiency. No one will 
dispute that a hatchery fully completed with all 
its ponds in working order and its water supply 
ample, will produce better results than a hatch¬ 
ery which is incomplete as to its pondage and 
an inadequate water supply. Is it not better, 
then, to concentrate the efforts of the depart¬ 
ment on those hatcheries where ail the condi¬ 
tions needed prevail and spend the money there 
to complete those hatcheries than to spend money 
on plants where the experience of the past 
shows from their lack of facilities the best re¬ 
sults cannot be obtained? 
Fishing in California. 
San Francisco, Cal., Nov. 15 .-—Editor Forest 
and Stream: Trout fishing above tidewater was 
brought to a close on Oct. 31 after a successful 
season. Never before have trout been more plen¬ 
tiful or general conditions more satisfactory. 
With extremely heavy snows in the mountains 
last winter and a cool summer, there was an 
abundance of water, and excellent sport during 
the entire season in streams where it usually lasts 
but a few months. For the first time the great 
Feather River country was made accessible to 
the rank and file of anglers. 
The Fish and Game Commission has been 
stocking streams and has operated the hatcheries 
to full capacity with the idea of reaching sec¬ 
tions that have received but little attention here¬ 
tofore. The only trout fishing now is for steel- 
heads in tidewater, now legal any time in the 
year. The limit has also been removed, but 
heavy catches are not often made. I11 fishing 
above tidewater during the open season there is 
a limit of fifty fish per day on steelheads. 
One of the surprises of the season was the 
few complaints received by the commissioners 
in regard to the trout limit of ten pounds and 
one fish. It was anticipated that in sections 
where large fish are common, protests would be 
made, hence this provision of the law is con¬ 
sidered a success. Chief Deputy John P. Bab¬ 
cock says that even in the Lake Tahoe section, 
which was visited recently by the commission, 
the rule seems to meet with general approval. 
To determine whether or not crawfish migrate, 
Prof. B. M. Allen, of the United States Depart¬ 
ment of Fisheries, is commencing a series of ex¬ 
periments at the islands off Santa Barbara. 
That illegal fishing is being practiced at the 
mouth of the Napa River was discovered recently 
by William PI. Armstrong, a deputy sheriff, who 
confiscated a net. Napa River is one of the 
streams set aside as a breeding place for fish 
and net fishing is prohibited. 
Plans are being made for the erection of an 
aquarium on the Harbor View grounds of the 
Panama-Pacific International Exposition that will 
rival the famous one at Naples. Data are now 
being secured by the designers and plans made 
to make this a permanent institution. The United 
States Government, the California Fish and Game 
Commission and the Hawaiian Exposition officials 
have all promised their support. Already the 
California commission is preparing for its ex¬ 
hibit, the golden trout taken from Whitney Creek 
having been secured for this purpose. Marine 
life from the Hawaiian Islands will be a feature, 
and the advantageous location of this city will 
make it possible for this exhibit to be the most 
comprehensive ever made. 
Striped bass fishermen have been meeting with 
success in the sloughs, and a number weighing 
twenty to thirty-five pounds have been taken. 
Golden Gate. 
Tuna Club. 
Avalon, Cal., Nov. 15.— Editor Forest and 
Stream: The third annual winter tournament 
of the Tuna Club began on Oct. 1, and will con¬ 
tinue until April 30 next. Prizes are offered 
as follows: 
tuna. 
Banning Cup—For exceeding club record, 251 
pounds. 
Earlscliffe Cup—For exceeding his record, 180 
pounds under 1898 club rules (barring drags). 
Burns Cup—For exceeding club record, 251 
pounds. 
Morehous Cup—For exceeding club record, 
251 pounds. 
Stearns Prize—For exceeding his record, 197 
pounds, tuna reel. 
Montgomery Cup—For largest of season over 
100 pounds. 
Brock & Feagans Medal—For largest of sea¬ 
son. 
Club Prizes—For first, second and third 
largest of season, respectively, gold, silver and 
bronze watch fobs. 
YELLOWTAIL. 
Simpson Prize—Gold ring for exceeding his 
record, 6 o l / 2 pounds. 
Eddy Cup—For largest of season. 
John F. Francis Medal—For largest of season. 
Club Prizes—For first, second and third 
largest of season, respectively, gold, silver and 
bronze watch fobs. 
white sea bass ( Cynoscion nobilis). 
Club Prizes—For first, second and third 
largest of season respectively, gold, silver and 
bronze watch fobs. 
albacore ( Genno alalonga). 
Banning Cup—For the angler taking the 
largest of the season. 
Streeter Albacore Medal—For the largest of 
season over 40 pounds. 
Club Prizes—For first, second and third 
largest of season, respectively, gold, silver and 
bronze watch fobs. 
Conditions governing award of club prizes: 
First—One prize only will be awarded to an 
angler. Second—If an angler should qualify in 
two or more species of fish, he may take his 
choice of prizes in those classes. Third—If no 
fish of gold button, blue button or red button 
size is taken, a silver prize will be awarded for 
the largest, and a bronze prize for the second 
largest fish taken. 
Club prizes are reserved for members of the 
Tuna Club. 
professional boatmen’s prizes. 
For boatman who takes the largest number of 
tuna over 100 pounds from Oct. 1, 1911 to Oct. 
1, 1912, cash prize of $25. 
Victoria Alden cup. 
For boatman who takes the largest number of 
swordfish from Oct. 1, 1911, to Oct. 1, 1912, 
cash prize of $25. 
To boatman whose angler takes the largest 
tuna of season, 9-ounce rod. 
To boatman whose angler takes the second 
largest tuna of season under blue button rules, 
reel. 
To boatman whose angler takes the third 
largest tuna of season. 300 yards of 9-strand 
line. 
(Continued on page 784.) 
