978 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[June 22, 1907. 
The Racine Tournament. 
The sixth scientific angling tournament, given 
by the Racine Fly-Casting Club, under the aus¬ 
pices of the National Association of. Scientific 
Angling Clubs, will be held in Racine, Wis., 
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15, 16 and 
17 next. 
On the first day, at 8:30 A. M., the accuracy 
bait-casting event, half-ounce weights, open to 
professionals, will be held. • 
At 10:30 A. M., delicacy fly-casting event, 
open to professionals only. 
At 1 P. M. professionals’ event for quarter- 
ounce bait-casting for accuracy. Six prizes m 
each event. . 
At 3:30 P. M., distance fly-casting for ama¬ 
teurs, for a diamond trophy and seven other 
Special event, 5 P. M. salmon fly-casting for 
distance; open to professionals; prizes, a silver 
cup, cash and merchandise. 
On Friday, Aug. 16, at 8:30, delicacy fly-cast¬ 
ing for amateurs; sixteen prizes. 
At 10:30 A. M., accuracy fly-casting for ama¬ 
teurs; ten prizes. , 
At 1 P. M. quarter-ounce bait-casting tor ac 
curacy; open to amateurs; eighteen prizes. 
On Saturday, Aug. 17, 8:30 A. M., half-ounce 
accuracy bait-casting; open to amateurs; nine¬ 
teen prizes. . 
At 4 P. M„ half-ounce distance bait-casting, 
open to amateurs; fifteen prizes. 
Entrance fees will be $2 for each event, or 
$10 for any six events. The National Associa¬ 
tion rules, which were published in Forest and 
Stream of April 27, will govern. The condi¬ 
tions of each style of casting follow: 
Distance Fly.—Weight and length of rod unrestricted 
Reel unrestricted. Line unrestricted, but same must 
not be knotted or weighted. Leader must be of single 
gut and not less than 6 feet in length One fly omy 
shall le used, not larger than No. 5, will nook bioktn 
at the bend. Single handed, overhead lasting. _ 
Each contestant shall be allowed ten minutes in which 
to cast for distance. He shall stand upon the platfoim 
and make his cast parallel with a buoy line or measuring 
board, upon which shall be marked accurately the points 
of distance from the platform. The length of cast 
shall be measured from where buoy line is made last, 
to the spot reached by the fly. Should any competitor 
whip off fly, he shall replace it with another one. No 
cast shall count after judges have notified the contestant 
that fly is missing until after fly is replaced. No time 
allowed for replacing flies or any other accident. 
Accuracy Fly.—Rod shall not exceed 11 feet in length, 
nor 814 ounces in weight. Reel unrestricted. Line un¬ 
restricted, but same must not be knotted or weighted. 
Leader must be of single gut, not less than 6 nor more 
than 12 feet in length. One fly only shall be used not 
larger than No. 5, with hook broken at the bend iind on 
which the snell shall not exceed 6 inches in length. 
Single handed, overhead casting. c „ , 
There shall be three 30-inch rings, distant 50, 55 and 
60 feet from the edge of the casting platform. There 
shall be made five casts at each ring. If the fly falls 
within the ring or on the rim of same, the cast shall be con¬ 
sidered perfect. For each foot or a fraction of a foot 
outside the ring a demerit of one shall be made. The 
sum total of such demerits divided by the number of 
casts shall constitute the demerit per cent. The de¬ 
merit per cent, deducted from 100 shall be the per¬ 
centage. Not more than one minute will be allowed in 
which to extend the line to 50-foot ring, and scoring to 
begin without extending the line to other rings. When 
the contestant has extended his line and is ready, he shall 
call “Score,” and the next cast thereafter shall be counted. 
When five successive casts have been made at the 50-foot 
ring, the Captain shall announce “Next ring.” Con¬ 
testant must then lift his line, and, if he so desires, can 
make not to exceed five “dry casts” before dropping his 
fly at the 55-foot ring. A like procedure will be followed 
between 55 and 60-foot rings. Should contestant whip 
off his fly at any time after calling “Score,” he will be 
allowed to replace fly and proceed. For this purpose 
he may “work out” to point where fly was lost, call 
“Score,” and resume scoring at point where scoring 
stopped. The same procedure will be permitted if con¬ 
testant’s line is fouled through no fault of his. No 
cast shall count after judges notify contestant that fly 
is lost. Line shall not be knotted or fastened to the 
reel at the 60-foot length. 
Delicacy and Accuracy Fly.—Rod shall not exceed 11 
feet in length nor 5 ounces in weight, but an allowance 
of three-fourths ounce will be made for solid' reel seats 
of metal (aluminum excepted), rubber, bone, ivory or 
celluloid, or in case of an independent handle, providing 
such handle and butt joint of the rod are each made with 
the usual metal ferrule, and the rod, exclusive of the 
handle, is made in three pieces, joined by metal ferrules. 
This allowance will not apply for both these conditions 
in one rod. In no. case shall the rod exceed 5% ounces 
* in weight. Reel unrestricted. Line unrestricted, but 
same must not be knotted or weighted. Leader must be 
of single gut not less than 6 nor more than 12 feet in 
length. One fly only shall be used, not larger than No. 
5, with hook broken at the bend and on which the snell 
shall not exceed 6 inches in length. Single-handed, 
overhead casting. 
There shall be three 30-inch rings, distant 35, 40 and 
45 feet from edge of casting platform, and there shall 
be made five casts at each ring. If the fly falls within 
the ring or on the rim, the accuracy shall be considered 
perfect. For each foot or fraction of a foot outside the 
ring a demerit of one shall be made. The sum total 0 * 
such demerits, divided by the number of casts, shall be 
considered the demerit per cent. The demerit per cent, 
deducted from 100 shall be the accuracy per cent. In 
addition, there shall be kept an account of delicacy. 
The delicacy per cent, shall be determined by the judges 
and the referee, in manner indicated below. 
Contestant will be allowed one minute to extend his 
line by “dry fly” casting to 35-foot ring. Scoring shall 
begin the first time the fly strikes the water. When con¬ 
testant has made five casts captain will announce Next 
ring.” Contestant must then lift his line, and in not less 
than one nor more than five “dry fly” casts, reach the 
40-foot ring. Scoring to begin the first time the fly 
strikes the water. A like procedure shall be lot- 
lowed between 40 and 45-foot rings. . No cast made 
without a fly shall be scored. If a fly is lost, contestant 
may replace same, and m not more than five ( dry ny,, 
casts resume his scoring. Not more than five dry fly 
casts will be allowed between scoring casts. All casting 
shall be done from the reel. Contestant will be allowed 
to start with loose line, exclusive of leader, equal to 
length of rod, and may strip line but once in every re¬ 
trieve and must retrieve last cast. A perfect cast is. 
(1) Fly to fall by its own weight without a splash. 
(2) Fly and leader to strike the water in advance of 
line with minimum disturbance of surface. (3) Retrieve 
must be made with minimum disturbance of surface. 
(4) Contestant must not “foul” his line. A demerit shall 
be scored for each failure to properly execute Nos. 1, Z 
and 3, and for “fouling” line, and five points shall be 
deducted for each demerit scored. The total of delicacy 
demerits divided by the number of casts, deducted from 
100, give the delicacy per cent. The accuracy per cent, 
and delicacy per cent., added together and divided by 2, 
determine the final percentage. . , 
Should “fouling” of line arise from outside inter¬ 
ference, it shall not count against contestant, and in any 
case of “fouling,” contestant may free his line, and m 
not more than five “dry fly” casts “work out” to point 
where “foul” occurred and resume scoring. 
Distance Bait, Half Ounce.—Rod unrestricted. Reel 
must be free running, without click, drag, brake, spring 
or abnormal device or adjustment which would tend to 
retard the movement of the spool. Line unrestricted. 
Weight to be the official jounce casting weight. Single- 
handed casting. .... , , 
The casting in this event shall be done on the lawn 
in a V-shaped court, which is to be laid out as follows: 
From the casting point two. diverging straight lines are 
to be laid out at angle which shall cause them to be 
30 feet apart at a distance of 100 feet away .fro™ th e 
casting point. Diverging lines to be continued in¬ 
definitely at the same angle. Contestants each to make 
five casts in turn, one cast at a time. Length of cast 
to be computed from casting point to where weight falls 
inside of court. The sum total of the five casts in feet, 
divided 1 by the number of casts, shall be the average 
and constitute the score of the contestant. If casting 
weight falls outside the court, the cast shall be scored 0. 
Should the weight fall inside the court and bound out, 
the cast shall be scored from where the weight first fell. 
If line parts after the casting weight has left its start¬ 
ing position at tip of rod, the cast shall be scored 0. 
If line breaks while starting the cast and before casting 
weight has left its starting position, contestant shall have 
the privilege of another cast. , 
If contestant casts with click or drag it shall consti¬ 
tute a “foul,” and contestant must cast again to score. 
Casting shall be done from casting point or in line 
therewith at right angles to the center line of court. . If 
contestant oversteps the casting point or line in making 
a cast and before casting weight falls to the ground, 
there shall be deducted from the length of such cast one 
foot for each foot or fraction of a foot so overstepped. 
The longest single cast in court shall be made a 
matter of record. _ . 
Accuracy Bait, Half Ounce.—Bod unrestricted'. Reel 
must be free running, without click, drag, brake, spring 
or abnormal device or adjustment which would tend to 
retard the movement of the spool. Line unrestricted. 
Weight to be the official half-ounce casting weight. 
Single-hand casting. . . _ 
The regulation target is to be used in this event. It 
will have a “perfect” center, 30 inches in diameter, and 
be so arranged that it can be located at distances of 60, 
70, 80, 90 and 100 feet from casting point on platform 
to exact center of bullseve. There shall be made three 
casts at the target at each of the distances, viz.: fifteen 
casts in all. if casting weight falls within the 30-mch 
center, the cast shall be considered perfect. For each 
foot or fraction of a foot away from the 30-inch center, a 
demerit of 1 shall be made. The sum total of such de¬ 
merits, divided by the number of casts, shall be the de¬ 
merit per cent. The demerit per cent, deducted from 
100," shall constitute the percentage. One cast shall be 
made by each contestant in turn at 60 feet, and likewise 
consecutively at 70, 80, 90 and' 100 feet, then reversing 
same order, from 100 feet back to 60 feet, then again, 
same as first five casts, from 60 feet out to 100 feet. If 
weight strikes any ring of target, cast scores as though 
just inside of said ring. In case contestant casts with 
drag or click, or if line breaks before weight touches the 
water at end of cast, it shall constitute a “foul” and con¬ 
testant must cast again to score. 
Accuracy Bait, Quarter-Ounce.—Conditions, methods, 
rules, scoring arid "target in this event shall be exactly 
similar to those of the Accuracy Bait Half-Ounce event, 
except that weight used 1 shall be the official !4-°un"e 
casting weight, and the distances of the target from cast¬ 
ing point on platform shall be 60, 65, 70, 75 and 80 feet 
to exact center of bullseye. 
The new edition of the Game Laws in Brief, 
dated June 15, contains amendments of the laws 
of thHy-nine States, Territories and Provinces. 
A Final Word for Brown Trout. 
Bennington, Vt., June n —Editor Forest and 
Stream: Owing to the numerous letters I have 
received on the subject of “Brown Trout vs. 
Brook Trout” I am constrained to ask the in-l 
diligence of Forest and Stream once more for 
a final word in reply. It is evident that anglers" 
have caught the trend of our argument and be-1 
lieve in the common sense aspect of same. They 
realize the fact that all over the east the gigan¬ 
tic lumbering operations have so changed the? 
conditions of many of our favorite trout streams* 
that it is a waste of time, energy and money to 
restock with the native species, and that some¬ 
thing else must be done for these waters if wej 
wish to have the sport continued. That is where! 
the brown trout comes in. Do not plant Sahnoi 
fario in good fontinalis streams. If the native 
trout do well, restock with same, but if the water 
is too warm and there are spring freshets and 
fall drouths affecting it, restock with brown 
trout. 
Of course the stream must have all the out¬ 
ward appearances of good trout waters. Any 
old mud hole, dried up pond or stagnant pool 
will not do, no more than it will do. for any 
game fish. But good bodies of water, where the 
timber has been cut off, flowing through 
meadows and now exposed to the hot summer 
sun, where once they were cool and shady, will 
fill the bill all right for brown trout, whereas 
fontinalis cannot long exist in such places. 
Now, it is agreed we all take pride in our 
native trout, “the little charr of the fountain.” 
He is a king in his element and we love him 
more as a patriotic duty as well as for his beauty 
and game qualities, but where he will not exist 
under the changed conditions let us put aside 
our pride and try the browm trout (a most 
worthy substitute") rather than have no trout 
at all. We will not regret it, either, for once 
we become acquainted with the brown trout at 
the end of our lines or on our breakfast table 
we are bound to acknowledge he is in fact a 
worthy successor. 
I am convinced from careful study and ex¬ 
periments that the brown trout will grow on an 
average of a pound a year under. fairly favor¬ 
able conditions. By favorable conditions I mean 
plenty of water and the ordinary supply of 
natural food along trout streams. The waters 
mentioned by Mr. Joseph W. Shurter, of Ganse- 
voort, N. Y., in Forest and Stream, of June 0 
are probably ideal, judging from his descrip¬ 
tion. Let him work up a sentiment for restock¬ 
ing the Snoeckkill with brown trout and in the 
future there will be anglers in that section who 
■will “rise up and call him blessed.” I was alsoj 
much pleased to read the experience of Mr. Ed¬ 
ward A. Samuels, of Fitchburg, Mass., in the 
same issue of Forest and Stream. I know of 
many anglers who have had a similar expeiience, 
and on the instant they changed from , brown 
trout opponents to the most enthusiastic and 
loyal of supporters. 
In your issue of May 18, S. D. J., of Williams¬ 
burg," Pa., hits the bullseye when lie says: “In 
regard to the fish (brown trout) for table use 
I would just as soon have them as the brook 
trout, and for gaminess they remind me more 
of a black bass than a trout.” That is so. dhe, 
way they jump clean out of the water when they 
rise to the fly is more after the bass, and also 
it is a little more exciting than fontinalis’ style. 
Now, our friends are inquiring, “Where can 
we get brown trout?” Is. it not remarkable, with: 
all this public sentiment in favor of Sahno fano 
and the eager call for stock, that our officials 
have stopped propagating brown trout? 
Last year Mr. E. C. Orvis, of Manchester. 
Vt., planted some healthy specimens of browr 
trout from the Caledonia Ponds and thev arc 
doing fine. My advice would be to plant finger 
lings or yearlings instead of fry. Do not stall 
with the "fry. for the results may have a ten¬ 
dency to discourage you. One. fingerling.u 
worth a good many fry. The planting of trout fO 
is more or less of a fine art and ought tb hi 
done under the direction of an expert, whereas 
almost any inexperienced person can plant nn 
gerlings and get results. Brown trout finger, 
lings adapt themselves to their new surround! 
