Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-09-10
Our Fishing Interests.

The eloquent appeal made at the ban
Cuet of the Vermont Fish and Game
League by Justice David j. Brewer Of
the Supreme Court of the United States
for the preservation and development Of
our fishing grounds, ought to result in
the adoption of measures for the purpose
of carrying out the excellent suggestions
made by our distinguished visitor. His
remarks about the value of our fish sup
ply and the duty of every man TO seek
to conserve our fishing interests, while
applicable to every body of fresh water
in the State and throughout the country
applies with particular force to Lake
Champlain.
We fully realize that determined efforts
have been made by our leading sportsmen
as well as by members of the Legislature to
secure the cooperation of Canada with
the authorities of New York and Yer
mont in the adoption of measures to stop
SEEMING, especially during the spawning
period. We also fully realize the force Of
the argument brought to bear by those
who show that our Canadian cousins haul
seine after seine just across the mag
mary line constituting the internationa
boundary and ship car loads of fish to
the markets of our larger cities. and urge
that the income from this work might as
we'll be enjoyed this side of the line as on
he other side. This consideration does
not diminish the force of Justice Brewer s
assertion, that no matter what law may
be on the statute book. no man has a
moral right to disregard the rights of the
people as a whole IN the matter of pro-
tectinG and promoting the multiplication
of fish.
Justice Brewer rightly appealed to the
sense of right, and such an appeal ought
to prove effective with all classes having
70 do with our fishing interests, If such
an appeal will not cause men TO stop the
wanton destruction of fish in Lake Cham
plain by the wholesale. there is a posi-
bility Of meeting those communities which
stand for SEEMING in Lake Champain on
their own ground.
The only benefit which a community re
Ceives from the liberty to haul senes
within its boundaries is the circulation
therein of the comparative pittance
fish thus taken. Now compare this small
benefit to the results which would follow
were Lake Champlain so well stocked
with fish for angling that our shores
would be lined with cottages and summer
cottages for the accommodation of sum
ner visitors attracted here. In part, by
orr excellent fishing. Would not the large
sums of money thus attracted TO these
shores from the large cities and brought
here by tourists from all parts of the
country, far surpass the amounts re-
ceived from the sale of fish taken in
seines?
If II be urged that even excellent ang-
ling might not mean the realizat ton of the
picture thus painted, it can be stated on
the authority of those whose interests
lead them to study the subject of attract
ing summer visitors to Lake Champlain
that the lack of good fishing with hook
and line is one of the most serious OBJ
factions that they have had to contend
aoainst. They come into contact with
tourists and know the appeals which tend
IN attract tourists to other places where
cood fishing constitutes one of the best
drawing cards
An immense hotel Is TO be erected on
cne of the islands of Lake Champlain in