The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-20
FISHING IN THE RUSSIAN.
A PETITION THE SUPERVISORS OF
SONOMA COUNTY WILL
CONSIDER.
METERS WHO WANT AN ORD1-
NANCE PROHIBITING THEIR
FISHING REPEALED.

The Fish Commissioners are closely
watching scheme which has been con-
cocted by the net fishermen residing at
Duncans Mills for the reopening of the
mouth of the Russian River for the fishing
of steelheads.
1t will be remembered by anglers that
two years ago the Fish Commissioners, at
the request of residents of Sonoma and
Marin counties, decided if possible to stop
net fishing in Russian River
Tons of fine edible fish were shipped to
this city weekly from Cazadero and Dun
cans Mills, and as a consequence the
streams that are feeders of the Russian
River soon became barren of game fishes.
The Commissioners, after having the Su-
pervisors of Sonoma County pass an or
dlnance making the capture of steelheads
IN Russian River misdemeanor, sent the
chief of their patrol, Babcock, and Deputy
A. Wilson to Duncans Mills, where they
confiScated several nets and made some
arrests.
The fishermen made a legal effort to de-
feat the aims of the Commissioners, but the
trial went against them and the result was
that fishing by means OF nets at the mouth
OF Russian River was stopped.
The hsh, which could not reach their
| spawning grounds, had free passage after
the nets had been withdrawn, and as re-
suit every stream that empties into the
Russian River is now well supplied with
young fish, and good sport this coming sea-
son is assured, provided the law as it now
stands relative to the capture of steelheads
with nets remains unchanged.
a few days ago the Commissioners
learned that those who had formerly been
living on the revenue derived from the sale
OF steelheads were using considerable influ-
! 10 I'D, ..
County to change the ordinance so that
they could legally use nets again in Rus
sian River during the season when the fish
are passing to their spawning beds. Deputy
Commissioner Mcfarland said he was sat
aisfied that the Supervisors of Sonoma
County thoroughly understood the great
value to the residents of Sonoma County
OF having the streams well stocked with
fine table fish, and that if the capture of
steelheads by means of nets was permitted
| the creeks would very soon be as they were
formerly-barren of fish.
Deputy Mcfarland also says that MANY
anglers from this city would leave consid-
cradle money in the country during the
open season for trout-fiShing provided the
inducements were offered them for good
fishing.
Deputy Wilson said that it would be a
shame to permit net fishermen to kill the
goose which lays the golden egg.
"If the parents of the trout are slaugh-
tered during the breeding season." said
Wilson, chow can anglers expect any
sport during the angling season?'
Chief of the Patrol Babcock said that he
was perfectly satisfied that the Supervisors
of Sonoma would not make any alterations
in the law as it stands.
The new Fish Commissioner. Harry
Emeric, was of the opinion that the SUPER
visors of Sonoma County would not make
oh. l.
of handful of lazy fellows who are afraid
of work.
John Sammi, secretary of the San Fran
cisco Rod and Gun Club, said that him.
dreds of anglers visited Sonoma County in
April, May and June for the pleasure that
comes from angling, but if the streams
were known to be barren of fish thew would
certainly go elsewhere.
Charles Ohm, who is well known to the
local fraternity, has written to THE CALL
from Shellville that the. Supervisors of
Sonoma County will meet to-day, and I'M
less something is done to offset the pres
sure that has been brought 20 bear on
them by the fishermen, the ordinance
which now stands in the way of the METERS
may he repealed.
Ohm says: "a big scheme has been
concocted to overthrow the good work that
the Fish Commissioners have done in stop
ping net-hShing at the mouth of the Rms
sian River, and petition, signed by MANY
residents of this county, has been filed
with the, Supervisors to repeal the ordin-
anee Considerable influence is being
used by the fishermen to carry out their
plan, and had it not been for one member
OF the board who asked for more time at
the last meeting to consider the matter the
4estroyers OF our noble game fish would
nave carried their point and the good sport
lhat Is promised anglers in the future
would be knocked in the head