The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1894-07-27
WE WANT FISH.

From recent issues OF the valley papers
noti1e appeals for the construction OF |
fish ladder at Oregon City, for which the |
last session Of the legislature made an
appropriation. There is not much hope
OF 1t being done while the state's money
is locked up, as now. Then what should
he the next step taken TO supply the up
per Willamette aud its tributaries with
edible fish? Above the falls there is not
fish that ia worth the anglers effort to
pull from the water, except mountain
trout, from far lack toward the head OF
cold brooks fed by perpetual snow. In
the long stretch OF the willamette river
running for 200 miles through the most
fertile valley in the union Of states there
is not fish that invites the palate Of the
epicure or attracts the attention of the
angler. The few that are found are
suckers and chubs, with an occasional
inteIloper Of as poor quality as either OF
the two mentioned. Those mentioned
are so sluggish that to depend on catch
ing them with hook and line is a waste
Of i.me, besides they are full OF needle
boD-s, and it Is "a source of annoyance and
positive danger to attempt to eat them.
Il
the falls of the Willamette while below
the river and creeks are full OF them.
An attempt was made some years ago
to build fish ladder at the falls. a good
many thousand dollars were gobkled or
equandered in the enterprise, the fat
tening qualities OF a soft Job Hero the
special luxuries OF few favored bolitical
mendicants, and nondescript isame put
up which some ole jocosely saTd was the
imitation OF q fish ladder. 10 fish ever
succeeded in ascending its-tlough many
tried bard to do so. but finding The ladder
too steep and dangerous OF ascent they
amused themselves with something more
! possible, and since that time fish Of in
quiring minds climb creased pole
/ erected near by for their benefit or
shoulder their camping outfit and take Q
! trail around the cliff, when fley want 10
see the river above the famous cataract
| Since the courts have said "Keep off the
grass" the latter ronte OF pedSstrianism
| has not been eagerly sought by the fes-
/ tive salmon and sportive sturgeon and
| this legal ostracism has effectually closed
! the gates OF the valley waters against
those sealey refugees from the ''s1lt seas
mad dashings"
The scare-crow called a feb ladder
went out u ith the first rise in the river
| and j. was feared, for time, the sight 81
| il while floating in the bazaus vi the
| lower Wiliamette would breed defoTmity
| with the unmatched finny minnOws TO in
habit the waters later on. Ii the ieal
Was realized We OF he upper current are
DO, aware OF it.
The preston this far up the valley il
how are we TO proceed TO get the great " q
tershed of the central valley inhabited
by something OF utility while waiting for
4 repetition OF the uncertain fish ladder
process Of ascension
Why not arrange TO have the river
above the falls and many OF the streams
putting into il supplied vi h carp and cat
iish al which there are now Thousands be
low Portland. They we're brought from
eastern waters 3 few years ago and put ir
the water below Portland and now rhG
mar<eis Of the metropolis are full O
them. AT a yers small expense the
lovers OF the hook or line could have
shipped from Portland enough Of these
aud other desirable fish.to soon have tbs
CalipooiA and other streams suited Il
their propagation alive with them /
we wait for fish ladders We will coniIuu'
TO pay tribute 10 other waters peYhap
for years TO come for our fish smal
outlay now would in = few years max
| the Calipooia, from mouth TO source.
perfect paradise for fishing parties Th'
. great length OF the stream IN i:s serpen
tine uAnteriags through the country
with a number oi tributaries reaching il
opposite directions, that now contain non
OF the fnEy Emily worth notice woul'
De freqnen ted by scenes OF pleasure seek
ers thereafter Respectfully,
J. L. HUI