The San Francisco call., 1898-03-12
KILLING TROUT
 BEFORE SEASON OPENS.
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Every angler is well aware of the fact that it will not be in order to catch trout above tide waters until April l.
 The coast streams are very low and clear this season, because of the light rains in January and February. Conse- quently poachers find little difficulty in spearing the few large fishes which took advantage of the recent freShet to reach favorite spawning beds
 The Call has frequently stated that little protection at this season of the year is of more value than all the stocking (such as it isl the coast streams have re- ceived in past years.
 From now until the opening of the ang- ling season much good service can be rendered by Deputy Fish Commissioners if they were ordered to patrol such streams as are being depleted of their fishes by those who have no respect for game or fish laws.
 The Paper Mill, Sonoma, CalaVeras, San Gregorio, Purissma and Pescadero creeks are being fished out by poachers who use spears, cartridges and nets, not to mention the numbers Of small nSheS that are taken by means of hook and inc. MessrS. NogelSang and Gould Of the Fish Commission are unquestionably of the opinion that the streams should De protected, but the force of deputies at their command is exceedingly small, con- sequently they find the task of protec- tion to all streams most difficult under the present condition of affairs political
 But they say that whenever they learn of any infringement of the law a deputy is ordered to the place where game or fish is being unlawfully killed. Sports men and anglers who take an interest in game protection should, therefore, lend their assistance and send word to the Fish Commissioners whenever their as sistance is required. few lines from the country viii receive eiI,e prompt attention
 The following letter to The Call is self-eXplanatory:
 SAN FRANCISCO March g, 1898.
 Sporting Editor of The Call Last Saturday afternoon on my return tramp from Libertys. which Is the headwaters of the Lagunitas Creek, saw two men wading in the Lagunltas Creek about one mile above it's confluence with Paper Mill Creek. They had spears and were looking for salmon in the deep pools. did not see them spear any fish, but l dare say that they did not overlook an opportunity to kill whenever chance offered. In chatting with some of the people who live at Camp Taylor l informed that several trout have been caught in the Paper Mill during the past month. As The Call is the champion of the angler in exposing the nefarious doings of some men who take pleasure in destroying the of season, l thought I would take this oppor- tunity of proving to brother anglers how our streams are protected by our State Fish Com nissioners. It is certainly about time that arrests made and an example set for those who laugh at our laws and the way they are carried out by the proper authorities
 HENRY B. WOODWARD.
 Anglers will be pleased to learn that John Benn, the famous dresser of trout flies has not left this city to reside in Humboldt County. Benn is ndustriously at work tying favorite flies at his old place on Montgomery street, where he will be pleased to see at any time his old friends of the angle.
 James Watt, who is more familiarly known to anglers as "The Doc visited Point Reyes last Sunday and met with good success, having hooked and landed two nice fish, one ten pounds and the other two and half pounds. Messrs. Gallagher and Cross had also fair sue cess There are large numbers of small trout in the stream which can be taken by means of fly casting.