Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-08

may differ IN social standing. IN disposition
and character. IN motive and ambition.
and even in mode Of operation. ell must
abide, TO the end OF the chapter. In the con-
temptation Of the outside world. within the
brotherhood called Fishermen"
Happily, however, this grouping Of in
congruous elements under n common name
does not prevent those OF us who properly
appreciate the Importance Of upholding the
responsibility Of decent hshing from COM
ing to an agreement concerning certain
causes Of congratulation and certain rules
Of conduct.
At this season. when the activities OF
genteel fishing usually begin, II Is hitting
that a word should be spoken tina may
not only rebound to our comfort ana sat
isfaction. but nay guard us against temp
tations 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 nsh refuse TO
bite, There can be no worse exhibition
than this OF an 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
terntty, because, in a way. they love TO
hsh 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 unin-
t%errupted slaughter.
II we reflect for a moment upon the
consequences OF turning an army OF fisher
men like these loose upon fish that would
bite every day and every hour. we shall
see how nicely the vicissitudes Of fshing
have been adjusted and how precisely and
usefully the fatal attack OF dlscouraging
bad luck selects its victims. II on days
when we catch few or no fish we feel
symptoms Of disappointment. these should
Immediately give way to satisfaction when
we remember how many spurious and dis
oouraged fishermen are spending their time
In hammooks or under trees or on golf
helds instead of with fishing outfits, solely
on account of just such unfavorable DAYS
We have no assurance that II fish could
be easily taken at all times the fishing
waters within our reach would not be de-
populated, a horrible thing to contemplate.
Let 1t not be said hat such considerations
as these SAVIOR of uncharitableness and
selfshness on our part. We are only recog-
nizing the doctrine OF the survival of the
fttest as applied to fishermen. and claim
ing that these "%ittest' should have the best
chance.
What has been said naturally leads TO
the suggestion that consistency requires
those of us who are right minded fisher
men to reasonably limit ourselves as to the
number of fish we should take on favorable
days. On no account should edible FISH
be caught In such quantities as to be
wasted. BY restraining ourselves In this
manner we discourage in our own ma
lures the growth OF greed. we prevent
wicked waste. we nah 1t easier for us TO
bear the fall between what we may de-
termine upon as decent 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 fishing. But in any event let us
take with us when we so out good tackle,
good bait and plenty of patience. II the
wind is in the south or west, so much
the better, but let's go. wherever the wind
may be. II we catch fish we shall add
zest to our recreation. If we catch none.
we shall still have the outing and the
recreation-more healthful and more en-
joyabie than can be gained in any other
way. .