The San Francisco call., 1896-02-08

water is omparatively clear and low, fall
easy prey to the spearmen.
1t is too bad that such a nefarious sys-
tenn of fish slaughter is allowed to go on
unheeded by a Fish Commission and al
most under their very noses.
There can be no reasonable excuse Of
fered in this case by the commission for
The CALL, one deputy at least should be
detailed to patrol those streams that are
within reasonable distance of the anglers
of this City during the months of Febru-
ary and March. The Commissioners, when
asked why they do not dispatch officers to
places where the law is being openly vio-
lated, answer that their funds are so ex-
tremely low that they cannot afford the ex-
pense. The Commissioners contend that
the appropriation which they received
from the State has been exhausted in the
maintenance of fish hatcheries and the
labor employed in the stocking of far-away
streams with fry.
This may be all well and good in its
way, but it remains a fact, nevertheless
that the anglers of this City, of whom
there are many, would be pleased to see
the Commissioners devoting some atten-
tion to the coast streams which are extern
sively whipped by the local fraternity
when the trout season opens.
If the breeding fishes are killed off by
pOdNlCiS W ndV hIHO vi SpOIb Cdu tuOSc w UO
observe the law expect when they repair
to those well-known waters for few days
trouting? Anglers who can afford the
time and expense that are attached 10 a
trip into the mountains are few in COM
parlson to the numbers who journey into
the near counties for few days outing.
1t is hoped that the Commissioners will
at least show some desire to stop the pres
ent slaughter of breeding fishes by detail
ing deputy to patrol the principal ang-
ling streams near at home from now until
the opening day of the trout-iishing season.
1t is strange that of the many anglers
who fish for large steelheads there are COM
paratively few among them who under
stand how to play fish properly. To
those who have had but limited expert
ence in playing game fishes the following
instr uctions may be of value:
Immediately after striking fish prepare
for little desperate play. If it rushes off
any great distance from you get near it
again as quickly as possible and never
allow foot more line than is necessary.
Keep your rod we'll up and firm strain on
it at all times. The reel should be always
up and not underneath as sometimes seen
when inexperienced anglers are handling a
rod. Should the fish leap from the water
lower the point of the rod quickly 50
as to avoid his striking the line and tight
en- the line instantly he disap-
ing. Never allow him to lodge if
possible and fight HIM up stream,
keeping we'll below him. As soon as his
wild rushes are over press him as hard as
you can, according to the strength of your
tackle, and work him toward the place
you have selected for a landing. He will
generally make rush when he finds him.
self in shallow water, in which case let him
go safe distance, but be careful that he
does not snag you, should there be any
sunken roots or tree stumps near at hand.
A steelhead will invariably head for
such places in his last dash for freedom.
Ii fish sulks it is good plan to get be-
low him, if possible, then drop the point
your rod so that the weight of the stream
will place the greatest vibration on the
line, and this will generally get him to
move; If not, hit the butt of the rod few
times and you will hear the reel sing.
Should fish dash down stream where
you cannot follow and is likely to take all
the line on your reel and leave you to
with your right hand, while with the left
throw off some five yards of line from the
reel. At the same time your rod should
be well up, and when you have your slack
ready, throw your rod forward as if
switching. This scheme has frequently
proved successful and saved many yards
of line and good fish, The fish either
turns on feeling the slack line before him,
or more probably on being freed from the
pressure of the line fances he is free, and
turns his head up stream again.
In Calling fish there are many ways, but
the suresi and best method is to watch
quietly favorable opportunity, with the
gaff extended in the water, the point facing
upward, and when the fish is brought
fairly over the instrument, strike it and
hold the right arm well UP so that the
nsh will not slip off. Several splendid fish
have been lost by inexperienced handlers
OF the gaff.
Several large steelheads we're caught