Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16

spend their summer days downtown in Omaha, and who like to
spend their summer evenings somewhere by the watersde. Bunga-
lows have sprung up on both sides of the lake and club houses and
bathing beaches and a fleet of boats of all conditions, sizes and de-
scripions. from the nat-bottomed punt to the expensive motor boat.
The skf and the rowboat, the canoe and the yacht, fit over the
placid bosom of the waters, and the evenings ar merry with the
songs and laughter of the Iighthearted folks who are enjoying the
beauties that those who stay downtown know nothing of.
For Cutoff lake is coming into its own. and the Rod and Gun
club is making it a place of pleasure for its members and for the
unassociated who enjoy indirectly the benefits Of the clubs enter
prise. This organization was originally formed to protect the fishing
at the lake. Year after year the state had planted game fish in the
waters there, and year after year poaohers had sened them out. Then
came the strong organization, and now fishing is protected. Any
citizen can enjoy the privileges of the waters at any time, but the
sener finds his nefarious efforts thwarted by the law, enforced I'M
der the watchful care of the Rod and Gun club. But the club has
far outgrown its original scope, and now finds itself taking on the
aspect Of one of Omahas important social organizations. Its grounds
and club house have become the nucleus for a cluster of summer
homes, and around them center a pleasant little community that
daily invaded by a host of folks who have to spend the hot hours
down town. but who find on the lake the surcease that comes with a
bathing suit OF a canoe. And the lake is peopled as it should be all
through the days of summer until late in the fall. Then, when winter
has come, the skaters and the ice-boaters have their turn. and so
Cutoff is a scene for outdoor aquatic sport all the year round.
Now that the public is interested, through the Park boards con-
tol Of ieyi Carter park, Cutoff lake and it's surroundings are to be
made 81 n more attractive, and a place where all the hot folks of the
a mtre eupAcnlous name will in time be adopted. but Cutoff will
always be dear to the old-timers, who cling with obstinate fondness
to the nomenclature of the days that are as dear to them IS passing
years can make the past to any OF the actors in its history.
The Omaha Rod and Gun club was formed in 1905. and since
that time 1t has made a continued and persistent fight against the
illegal seiners and poachers who live by SEEMING these waters, which
belong to the public. The half-hearted manner in which they have
been prosecuted does not seem to stop the lawbreakers' and after
they serve a short jail sentence they soon secure another seine and
resume operations. Members of the club have tired of this sameness
and, to act more effectualy' the club has hired an attorney to assist
the county attorney in the work of prosecution. Since its organiza-
ton the club has hired a man, appointed a deputy game warden,
whose business 1t has been to patrol the waters OF the lake at night
and stop the SEEMING. This has helped to some extent, but a united
effort is now to be made to stop the seners altogether.
Frank Brown. a man familiar with the waters around Omaha,
on request of the club, has been appointed deputy game warden, with
jurisdiction al Inc lake. ~ PToscc: :he .!=h. Ute salary is paid in full
by the Omaha Rod and Gun club, On request of the club Frank
williams and Gus wiudheim have also been appointed deputy game
wardens, and with this additional help and the assistance of a special
attorney. the club hopes to clean out the illegal seiners and fisher
men that the fish may be protected for those who love to spend an
evening with the rod and reel
Cutoff lake is a natural home for black bass, one Of the great