St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-11-23
FISH AND GAME.
THE VERMONT LEAGUE-SPORTS-
MEMS CONGRESS-ANNUA
MEETING AND DINNER.

was held at the Van Ness House,
Burlington, Nov. II. The pro-
gramme for the day called for a con-
gress of the sportsmen of Vermont,
to be convened at 2 p. m.
This meeting was attended by
sportsmen from various parts of the
state, regardless of membership in
the League. Its object was to have
an informal talk on subjects kindred
to the aims OF the League and the
work of the state fish and game
commissions. The meeting was an
experiment, it being the first one OF
its kind, and although the attend
ance in the afternoon did not at any
time exceed thirty men, it was a
pronounced success. Commissioner
Titcomb presided, and Richard Rath-
burn of the United States Fish Com
mission was present and answered
many practical questions. The fol-
lowing topics were discussed with
much interest:
The decrease of fish in Vermont
waters and some of the causes
How to best increase the supply Of
| fish and game; The introduction of
new varieties of game; Statutory
limit as to length of fsh-whether
best form of protection; The pro-
lection Of game.
Three professional seine fishermen
from Lake Champlain were present
and contributed much information
with reference to the decrease of fish
in the lake.
The statutory limit as to length of
fish was perhaps more freel y discussed
than any other. Commissioner Tit
comb suggested plan to do away
with the so-called "six inch law" as
follows Empower the commission
ers with authority to close up all
the small tributary streams in which
the trout do not grow over six inches
before they work down into deeper
waters. Post these streams and
publish list of them in the state
papers, county by county. Have a
heavy fine for the mere act of fishing
in waters so posted, and allow free
fishing regardless of size in the main
streams. 1t was generally believed
that such law could be better en-
forced than the present six inch law,
although the latter is quite gener-
ally observed by the market fisher
men. The congress adjourned at
$50. At Up. m. the board of man
agement assembled, with Gen. W.
w. Henry in the chair. Some recon-
mendations tor action at the annual
meeting were made and at 100 the
Annual Meeting
was called, Vice President Henry
still in the chair. The treasurer's
report was read and adopted.
Thirty-four new members were
voted in as follows; Robert T. LEI
fets, Flatbush, N. Y. J. B. Reynolds,
Rutland, and New York in winter;
Guy H. Reynolds, Rutland and New
York; w. G. Paine, Highgate Springs
and Kingston, Pa; H. c. Jennison,
Highgate; E. L. Ripley, Burlington;
L. K. Hazen, st. Johnsbury; E. H.
Thorpe, Middlebury; Chas. c. Gil
more, Swanton; John B. Pickett, IT,,
Bradford; E. w. Raymond, Post
Mills, representing Ompompanoosuc
Valley Fish and Game Club, 35 mem.
bers; Fred Arnold, Bethel; E. S.
Fleury, Isle La Motto; j. Mead,
West Randolph; Fred H. Wells,
Burlington; w. P. Horton, Rutland;
W. F. Burditt, Rutland; DR.. c. B.
Ross, West Rutland; Martin L.
Washburn, West Randolph; Henry
M. Wires, West Randolph; Hiram
Tobias, Grand Isle; John W. Nc
Geary, Burlington Morris F. Atkins,
Montpelier; Edward A. Tyler, Brat
tleboro John R. Tones. Brattleboro;
Geo. c. Ross, Proctor; John G,
Church, St. Adams; ]. 6. Belrose,
Burlington; ]. S. Pierson, South
Burlington; DR.. Joe H. Lindley, Bur
lngton; B. R. Seymour, Burlington;
c. F. Wheeler Burlington; B. !.
Derby, Burlington; A. L. Barrows,
Burlington; F. c. Kinney, M. D.,
Greensboro.
The following were appointed a
committee to bringin list of officers
for the ensuing year: DR.. c. A. Gale,
Rutland {. c. Warren, Waterbury,
w. r. Peake, Bristol; Geo. Atkins.
Montpelier; A. w. Ferrin, Mont.
pelier; F. ]. Hawley, Swanton; N.
w. Fiske, Isle La Motto.
DR.. T. H. Bean and Richard Rath-
bun, members of the U. S. Fish Com
mission, were elected honorary men,
bers.
The bylaws were amended as fol-
lows: Section 1, substitute in place
of 5, so that the membership fee will
be So per year instead of SIS, and
substitute in the place of the figure
2, so that the annual assessments
shall be So instead of SO. 1t is un-