New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-31
THE COMING TROUT SEASON.
APRIL 1 LIKELY TO BE TOO COLD FOR
FLY-FISHING.
EUGENE BLAcKFoRDs STATEMENT OF THE FISH
COMMISSIONS WORK - HOW TO BE
EQUIPPED AND WHERE To GO FOR


II has been late season, after severe winter.
and even now ice is floating down the streams to
which the thoughts of lovers or trout-ishihg nave
been wandering for weeks, specializing on the ad-
ventures of April l and hoping they Will not be Of
q turn In conformity with the day, April Foola
Unless a shower comes soon lovers OF n.y.
fishing are almost certain Of being disappointed In
their plans for Monday II cold rain comes along.
coaxing the dainty, courageous brook trout with
fly may be postponed for at least another fortnight
although fishing with bait may be possible
Eugene G. Backford, who was president for thir-
teen consecutive years OF the New-York Fisheries
Commission. says that 1t would be a fair estimate
to say that during the last twenty years about
100000 fry have been distributed throughout
the different waters OF New-York state Mr. Black
ford who IS an enthusiastic fisherman as well az
an EXPERT goes further and says that IL 1t was not
for the efforts OF the Fish Commissioners IN dis
trbuting the fry OF trout at the headwaters OF all
the streams In the State a brook trout caught wiz
in this State would be good deal more OF curlos-
ity than a kangaroo roaming about the streets OF
New-York
some idea OF the Fish Commissioners work may
he gathered from Mr.. Blackfcrd's quotation from
the annual report for 1898. that over 100000 brook
trout fry were distributed the year before last OF
which It is estimated that about one-haif reached
the size OF half pound. All this immense propa-
cation and culture only about keep matters IN inc
fish world In a fairly normal state and PROVIDE
SNORT for trout fishers II it not for the Fish
Commissioners, Mr.. Blackford says. trout wouid
have entirely disappeared from New-fork Sctes
brooks rivers and lakes some fifteen years ago
The 1894 report of the Fish Commissioners mas
yet appeared. but 1t is already in the hands or
the printers 1t shows that in 1888 3.92s,co brook
trout lO2O 900 brown and 1900 California trout fry
were distributed. The young trout are always
placed near possible to the headwaters OF the
stream TO be stocked. Here they have better
chance of escaping their natural enemies. the black
bass. pike and perch. AS they get older they &C.
scend the streams deep water 10 seek the sus-
tenance their increasing proportions demand ana
attain the size the angling market looks for
Eugene G. Backford's department In Fulton Mar
ket is an interesting place to visit Not only may
all OF edible. curious and horrible saltwater
monsters be seen there. but in the office where MI
Blackboard receives his visitors pictures, aquari-
ums models and fishing appu tenances that ought
to make any lover of hy-casting feel at home. Mr..
Blackford is pleased that amateurs angle for
trout all over NewYork. except in the forest pre-
serves fifteen days earlier than usual This equal
lies matters with Long Island, where for the last
two wears people have allowed to fish for trout
from April l. but not to take their game bags across
the East River. for fear OF arrest. Sir blackboard
believes that nearer 100000 than 100000 Of trout
fry were distributed this year in all parts OF New
York State 1t would be extremely difficult, In fact
inpossible 10 tell anything about the number OF
these that will ultimately find their way INTO mo
fsherman's bag. The trout has SO many haturA'
enemies There now some twenty 10 'N"f'y-
five men In New-York State engaged In the arti-
fetal propagat ion and rearing of brook trout winch
shows that this one time dalliance OF amateurs 10
now an established industry. Mr.. blackboard showed
a letter regarding the shipping OF @"" brook trout
fry to Mr. Ravert Watte. the director OF pScs-
culture at Frcamp, the lower Seine, IN france
A FISH EXPOSITION.
The Blackford department of Fulton Market Will
be an even interesting place to Visit than
mill he
Trout Fishing Day opening and exhibition OF me
specImens of this fish, A live nine-pound uout
caught and now being kept for him GUST "hers
IL was caught Mr. Backford VIII not teip' Is 70 90
the star OF the coming exhibition. Ihen there WIZ
be 500 to 1000 live trout. running from one-han
mound in weight TO two pounds. These come from
different parts Of Long Island. There will also Dc
specimens OF European or brown trout ana o!
rainbow trout of young trout OF various sizes oi
fry OF yearlngs of trout eggs about 10 hatch,
loo of 1000 wild trout from Nova Scotia ana dis
play Of both wild and cultivated trout from Massa-
chusetts number of prominent hsh cultursts
in various other States have promised to FORWARD
exhibits from their preserves.
TROUTING OUTFIT.
II A. Schultz. of A. q. Spading & Brother. says
that IL looks as II Monday would still be itue
cool for fly fishing. and as II anglers might Do
Obliged to content themselves with batting with
worms Mr. Schultz says that a fine kosmic ROD
costs anywhere from SIS $50, but that there are
plenty OF other good ones. costing comparatively
small sums. that may be found satisfactory reel
costs anywhere from 20 cents to SlS. Lines aud
hooks are of but small matters. while crees
or baskets to put captive fish in: leaders Tor at
tachiug flies on hooks. split shot for sinkers' ana
bras wire swives for attaching gut leaders TO line
may also be purchased at prices that need NOT
cause serious reflection even TO a person OF moder-
ate \ landing net Is worth from % cents
TO 81 So There is little that is new this year. Mr.
dos
of trout Among the most popular flies this season
will be the Coachman. Red Fox. Seth Green white
moth, ginger haekle Professor red ant Beaver Beaver M
gray nudge, gray Palmer biueoo'te, black snAt.
cocks fea,hersj, the Montreal Grizzly King and
yellow May Dun.
WHERE TO Co.
Trout fishing this season. from all reports ana
principally owing TO the good work done by the Fish
Commission. will be fairly good in almost all the
streams whipped these many by all sorts
OF anglers.
Almost al! the old waters Long Island, il is be-
eved have more than their usual quota of game
nsh this year, and there are plenty OF streams
across the East River besides those controlled by tho
south Side Club at Babylon, OF which It costs $1,000
to become a member; the Suffolk and Long Island
Country clubs at PASSPORT the several clubs near
Smithtown. But 10 get any good fishing from these
Long Island waters 1t is necessary to be up and
doing among the earliest. These streams on Long
Island are 50 near to New-York that they arc
whipped TO death week days after they
are opened TO get a really good chance at the
trout 1t is better to follow him to the cool recesses
where he turks deep under the huge rocks that
border mountain streams In some OF the less settled
counties OF Pennsylvania and In the high, unsettled
counties OF New-York. The trout loves 70 hide In
these shadowy haunts and disport himself IN clear
headwaters.
one Of the most popular trout fishing localities 70.
territory traversed by the Erie Railway In Pennsyl
Vania is full OF good trout streams, Is that por-
ton OF New York drained by the streams OF Sullivan
and Ulster counties. Milford is only eight miles
from Por. Jegvis; Conasaugh twelve. and Dingman's
sixteen Some Of the best streams Long
Island are be found In the vicinity
OF Brookhaven. far from the grounds.
rather waters. OF the Suffolk Club Carmaa's