The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-18
A WORD TO FISHERMEN.


Grover Cleveland, in the Independent.
Those of us who fish in a fair, well-bred
and reasonable way, for the purpose of
recreation and as a means OF increasing
the table pleasures of ourselves or our
friends, may well regret the apparently
unalterable decree which gives to all those
who fish, under the spur of any motive
good, bad or indifferent-the name of fish
ermen. We certainly have nothing in COM
mon with those who fish for a livelihood.
unless it be a desire to catch fish.
We have, in point of fact, no closer rela-
tionship than this with the murderously in
clined, whose only motive in fishing is to
make large catches. and whose sole pleas
ure in the pursuit is the qualification of a
those with whom we have so little sym
pathy, are by a sort of unavoidable law OF
gravitation classed together in the same
fraternity, and called fishermen.
At this season. when the activities of
genteel fishing usually begin, it is fitting
that a word should be Spoken that may not
only rebound to our comfort and satisfac-
ton, but may guard us against tempta-
lions that easily beset even the best of
fishermen.
We who claim to represent the highest
fishing aspirations are sometimes inclined
to complain on days when the fish refuse
to bite. There can be no worse exhibition
than this Of ar entire misconception OF a
wise arrangement for our benefit. We
should always remember that we have
about us on every side thousands OF those
who claim membership In the fishing fra
ternity. because. in a way. they love to
fish, when the fish bite-and only then.
| These are contented only when capture is
constant, and their only conception of the
pleasures of fishing rests upon uninter-
rupted slaughter. If we reflect for a
| moment upon the consequences of turning
an army Of fishermen like these loose upon
fish that would bite every day and every
hour, we shall see how nicely the vicissi-
tudes of fishing have been adjusted, and
| how precisely and usefully the fatal at
| tack of discouraging bad luck selects its
| victims. If on days when We catch few
ment. these should Immediately give way
to satisfaction when We remember how
many spurious and discouraged fishermen
are spending their time IN or
under trees or on golf fields instead of
with fishing outfits, solely on account or
just such unfavorable days. We have no
assurance that If fish could be easily taken
at all times the fishing waters within our
| reach would not be depopulated-a horrible
thing to contemplate. Let II not be said
that such considerations as these SAVIOR or
un~charitableness and ~selfishness on our
part. We are only recognizing the doc
| trine of the survival of the fttest as APP
| piled to fishermen, and claiming that these
"fttest' should have the best chance.
( Occasionally weak attempts have been
made to classify the best of this fraternity
under the name Of Anglers, or some title
of that kind. but such efforts have always
failed. Even Izaak Walton could not
| change the current of human thought by
| calling his immortal book 1.-The Compleat
| Angler" So il seems, however much those
| who fish may differ in social standing, in
| disposition and character, in motive and
/ ambition, and even in mode of operation.
all must abide, to the end Of the chapter,
| in the contemplation of the outside world,
within the brotherhood called Fishermen"
| Happily, however this grouping of incon-
| gruous elements under a common name
does not prevent those Of us who properly
appreciate the Importance of upholding the
| respectability of decent fishing from COM
ing to an agreement concerning certain
causes of congratulation and certain rules
Of conduct.
What has been said naturally leads to the
suggestion that consistency requires those
Of us who are r~ight-minded fishermen to
reasonably limit ourselves as to the num-
Der of fish we should take on favorable
caught in such quantities as 10 be wasted
By restraining ourselves in this matter W.
! discourage in our own natures the growth
| Of greed, we prevent wicked waste, we
make IL easier for US to bear the fall be-
tween what we may determine upon as de-
cent good luck, and bad luck, or no luck
and we make ourselves at all points better
men and better fishermen.
We ought not to forget these things as
we enter upon the pleasures OF our sum.
mer's fshing But In any event let US take
with US when We 60 out good tackle, good
bait and plenty Of patience. II the wind IL
but let's go, wherever the wind may DE
II we catch fish we shall add zest to ouI
recreation II we catch none, we shall still
4 have the outing and the recreatfon-more
1 healthful and more enjoyable than can be
aained In any other way