Dec. 5, 1908.] 
The Sale of Black Bass. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
i At a meeting of the St. Lawrence River 
Anglers’ Association, held at Gananoque, Ont., 
luring the past summer, a resolution was 
aassed recommending legislation to prohibit 
“he sale of black bass in the State of New 
York. 
While this resolution was undoubtedly in¬ 
troduced and passed with the best of inten¬ 
tions, the question arises whether the people 
of this State are ready to withdraw this highly 
esteemed food fish from the market and there¬ 
by either go without or place themselves under 
obligations to their friends, provided they were 
unable to catch them, or could not afford the 
time for this recreation. 
The black bass is not only a game fish, but 
a food fish as well, and to deprive many peo¬ 
ple, who have always been accustomed to 
having their table supplied with this species of 
fish from the market, when so inclined, would 
be an injustice. It is well to bear in mind that 
those who angle for black bass are few in 
number compared with those who consume 
them. If this resolution should become a law, 
not the least hardship would be felt by the 
angler and his immediate friends, but those 
outside of that circle would be entirely pro- 
• hibited from participating in the enjoyment of 
feasting on this delicious food fish. 
It is a well known fact that through de¬ 
forestation and pollution many trout streams 
have been ruined, and probably will never 
again be habitable for this beautiful fish; hence 
a law prohibiting their sale, when taken from 
waters within the State is proper, but with the 
black bass this condition does not exist, as the 
lakes and rivers in which they thrive are 
almost without exception as capable of pro¬ 
ducing them in large numbers as they ever 
were, provided they are protected during their 
spawning season, and caught only by angling 
with hook and line. The State has already 
enacted laws with this object in view, and also 
1 placed restrictions on the number and size of 
fish. The law as it now stands is ample for 
the perpetuation of the black bass, provided it 
j is enforced. 
With the object of the better enforcement 
of the law, and also that the surplus catches 
of black bass may be legally marketed if so 
desired, there has been formed at Cape \ in- 
cent, N. Y., on the St. Lawrence River, in the 
vicinity of which is probably located the best 
bassing grounds in the United States, an asso- 
1 ciation whose membership includes every pro¬ 
fessional guide now engaged in conducting 
fishing parties to the most favorable locations. 
In order that the aims and objects of this as- 
j sociation may be fully understood, the agree¬ 
ment which has been subscribed to is herewith 
reproduced: 
“Whereas, we are all desirous of protecting 
the bass and seeing that the law is strictly en¬ 
forced with reference to catching the same, 
“Now therefore, It is mutually agreed, by 
each of the undersigned, all of whom are 
! guides, fishermen and oarsmen residing at 
Cape Vincent and in the vicinity, as follows: 
“First—We and each of us agree not to in 
any respect violate the statutes of the State 
of New York, with reference to the taking of 
1 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
bass or any other kind of fish, either as to 
number or as to the proper season for the tak¬ 
ing of the same, or in any other particular, and 
also agree not to permit any one by whom we 
shall be employed to violate the statute. 
“Second—We also agree not to take any 
black bass under twelve inches in length, and 
in the event of so taking to immediately re¬ 
place in the water with as little injury as pos¬ 
sible to the fish. 
“Third—We also agree to turn over to the 
people by whom we are employed all fish 
caught by them or by us while in their employ 
when requested to do so. 
“Fourth—For the purpose of procuring the 
enforcement of the law, we and each of us 
hereby mutually agree to constitute ourselves 
and each of us as a game warden, and agree 
to inform the proper officials of each and 
“Hoy, hoy! Pull away, zur; yer caught a foine un now.” 
(From a Seymour print in the \\ oodward Collection.) 
every violation of the law concerning which 
we have any knowledge or may receive any 
information, and we agree to aid the officers of 
the law and its enforcement by giving and 
procuring evidence and doing everything in 
their power to prevent violations thereof and 
to secure the punishment and conviction Oi 
violators of the law. 
“This agreement is voluntarily made for the 
purpose of aiding and procuring the enforce¬ 
ment of the law and preventing the slaughter¬ 
ing of game fish. 
“In witness whereof, we have affixed our 
name and place of residence this 9th day of 
September, 1908.” 
In connection with the above the following 
agreement also received a large number of 
signatures, among them being many prominent 
citizens, who have been active in the preserva¬ 
tion of fish and game for many years past: 
“We, the undersigned, anglers and residents 
of Cape Vincent and vicinity, who are anxious 
to preserve the game fish and prevent the un¬ 
lawful taking of the same, do hereby assent 
to the foregoing agreement, and hereby agree 
on our part to live up to all the terms thereof 
insofar as the same are applicable to us. 
“Witness, our hands and seals this 9th day 
of September, 1908.” 
9OI 
The law on the statute books now permits 
the retaining of ten-inch bass, but the guides 
propose to increase the limit two inches, which 
is further evidence of their sincerity in the 
matter of preservation and protection. When 
it is understood that it is not the laws alone, 
but the enforcement thereof, which makes 
them of value, it is plain to be seen that with 
every guide a self-appointed fish warden, in¬ 
volving no expense to the State, that it rend¬ 
ers them effectual from every point of view 
and carries out both the spirit and letter of the 
same more vigorously than could possibly be 
done if the present force of state game and 
fish protectors were increased manifold. 
Not the least doubt is entertained but that 
the above resolution was introduced by the 
anglers’ association with the idea of the great¬ 
est good to the greatest number, but it is very 
evident that such a law would operate on an 
inverse ratio, and virtually deprive many peo¬ 
ple of a highly prized food to which they are 
entitled during the open season. 
The breeding habits of the black bass are 
such that because of the parental care of the 
adult fish over the eggs and young, in the way 
of protecting the nest from the depredations 
of enemies, and remaining with the brood 
until old enough to feed and care for them¬ 
selves, there is practically no danger of the 
supply ever being reduced if the present laws 
are observed. Chester K. Green. 
Tournament Casting Classifications. 
San Francisco, Cal., Nov. 11. —Editor Forest 
and Stream: My attention was called to an 
article on fly- and bait-casting contests in your 
issue of Oct. 31, signed by Lou S. Darling, 
and inviting the views of anglers on this par¬ 
ticular subject. 
In reference to the article will state that I, 
like Mr. Darling, have been classed a profes¬ 
sional by the National Association of Scientific 
Angling Clubs. I was appointed by our club— 
the San Francisco Fly-Casting Club, of this city 
—to represent it at the second international tour¬ 
nament, held in Chicago by the Illinois Bait-Cast¬ 
ing Club on Aug. 14 and 15 last. Before start¬ 
ing to Chicago I thought best to write to the 
National Association of Scientific Angling Clubs, 
asking for a little information in reference to 
this tournament. I received an answer stating 
that I was classed as a professional. I also re¬ 
ceived a letter signed by H. Wheeler Perce, 
president of the association, outlining why it 
was best to classify such casters as myself as 
professionals, and stating that it was undeniably 
true that under this ruling a hardship would be 
worked to a very few thoroughly sportsmanlike 
gentlemen similarly located to myself, but much 
as this is to be regretted, the provision seemed 
necessary. 
It appears to me that there could be some way 
such as stated in this article, by classifying the 
contestants, whereby everyone would be on an 
equal basis. The club of which I am a mem¬ 
ber has not so far objected to my casting in 
the regular club contests; in fact, we make 
no discrimination, and I can see no reason why 
the National Association of Scientific Angling 
Clubs should do otherwise. 
I have been an ardent member of our club 
since 1902, and have won a number of cham- 
