The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-29
R0D ANpGTN.

The Necessity of ErectiDs Fish-Ladders In
Our Streams, and the Law the Subject
Several years ago Law passed By the
Legislature making it obligatory on persons
owning dams on the various streams in this
State TO construct and maintain fsh-ladders
The law is specific in making it the duty of the
township trustee TO see that the ladders are
properly erected but it is saft to say that
trustee IN a hundred has paid any attention to
it, either through ignorance of the statute or by
a fear OF incurring the dlspleasure OF the owner
Of tbs dam. In other States the fish commits
sioner is invested with the necessary authority
20 enforce such law. but here the
salary of the Office is SO small the COM
missioner can hardly afford TO do for il more
than sign the vouchers for his pay, or go on
little inspection trip in uessof red-eyes and sun
necessity If the people de not wish to see the
rivers depopulatsd of all varieties OF fish, and
source of pleasure 70 many persons
entirely destroyed. In the spawning
season nearly all frssh.waser fish have
an instinc tive desire 60 reach shallow
water in which to deposit their eggs and there
fore seek the headwateTs Of the d streams n IN
their progress the spawn IS often wasted py q
compulsory deposit in unsuitable localities:
either where il is too deep or where Il IS open
to the ravaees of egg-devourng fish. The mat
ter has been under discussion At the meetings
of the Fly-ishermen's Club and it is expected
the attention Of the proper authorities Will be
directed to the laws non-enfoTcement-
NOTES OF FISH AND FISHERMEN.
Wn. Wallace went to the Ripple last week and
caught few 6ne bass
The Fly-fishermen's Club has now forty-two
members who have paid initiation fees and
quarterly dues
The fiy-fshermen are getting their tackle in
ORDER preparatory to q little practice before the
tournaments on May 24
Numerous cells have made their appearance in
Eagle creek, thousands of them having been seen
last week below the Washington street dam.
They are about inches IN length.
a couple of weaks ago w. P. Fshback took q
trip to Corners dam, near Noblesyille, and
caught seven bass, between daylight and sunup.
After breakfast the fish could not be lnred With
the choicest of chubs.
At the meeting of the FIy-ishermen's Club
last Thursday evening the executive committee
Stsnaker had expressed q desire to contribute
prizes for the hy-casting tournament A special
meeting of the club will be neld this week. when
the prizes for the several classes viii be
arranged and specified.
General McGinnis. president of the Fly-fsher-
mems Club. relates that several years ago, while
casting minoow for bass in Eagle creek. it
was seized by water SNAKE much to the
Generals discontinue, who wanted bass more
than he did snakes. The same kind of story
is told about john T. Brush, with the differ
ence that instead OF mir ncw Mr.. Brush was
casting fly that was taken by the snake as the
fly touched the water. Both the gentlemen are
temperate in their habits and youch fer the
truth of the stories.
One OF The greatest dlfacul Ties uy-nSnermen
have to contend against in fall fishing. especially
late in the evening, is the vast mum Der of bats
which are always to be seem darling the
eurface of the water in search of bslated fly
or bug. They often take the artificial f1y for
the natural one as il swings through the air at
the end of the invisible leader, and are not aware
of the mistake they have made until the veloci-
tY of their fight takes mp the slack in the line
and fastens the hook in their c8pacious NAV.
When this happens to % tyro he.feels sure
he has hooked q monster fish. as the mo-
M al
Whizzing of the reel with jerk. Richard Boyd,
who has probably had more experience in this
way than anybody, is quite skillful in catching
them, and when fish won't bite devotss his tins
to angling for bats. It il ssid that he has them
dressed and then passes them off on his friends
as squads.