The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1918-03-21
FINS. FURS AND FEATHERS

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The purpose of the Hood River
County Game Protective Association
was comprehensiyely told by j. II.
Fredricy, one of the most enthusiastic
members and officers of the organiZa.
tion, in commenting W. l.. Finley at
the recent meeting held here. Mr..
Fredricy said:
We come before you this evening as
the representatives of the Hood River
County Game Protective Association.
an organization conceived and incorpor-
ated under the laws of the state of Or
egon. The purposes of this organlza-
ton are the propagation, planting and
protection of fish and game birds: the
improving of Hood river at various
places so that fish may enter the
stream aud continue toward the spawn
ing grounds in the upper reaches of the
river. One of the first projects We
have in mind is the confining of the
river at the mouth to one channel, so
that the salmon and other large fish
can enter. At the present time there
are four channels and the water is SO
SHdIiOW tilS hot bAONo tHN bfios
Another project we contemplate is a
fshway at the Punch Bowl, so that fish
may proceed to the upper reaches of
the West Fork, Lake Branch and Green
Point.
Individually we can accomplish some
things, collectively we can accomplish
much. In order to accomplish effective
facts we must organize. Hence the
Hood River County Game Protective
Association, and tonight want to ap-
peal to all the people of this valley to
get squarely behind this organization.
Give us your support financially, NOR
ally and physically attend the monthly
meetings and give us the advantage of
your counsel and experience. The
membership fee is one dollar per an
mum, every penny of which will be ex-
pended in Hood River county in i'm
proving conditions along the river and
stocking the streams of this county
with fish fry. These baby fish are
given and delivered at stations
along the railways by the state. All
they ask from us is that the fry be
planted in the streams and protected
until they have reached the legal size
and during the closed season. 1t might
be well to state at this particular
time, that the funds for the support
of the fish hatchery and game farm
are not obtained by taxation of prop
erty, but are obtained from the sale Of
hunting and fishing licenses. Thus
you will observe that the burden is
carried by the commercial fishermen
and the sporting fraternity. The rev.
enue thus obtained is net sufficient for
the state Commission to accomplish all
they wish to do, therefore they have
asked the sportsmen in all of the
counties of the state to form organiza-
tions, such as Rod and Gun Clubs or
Fish and Game Associations, to assist
the Commission in the distribution of
fish fry and game birds.
| You have no doubt noticed in the
papers and other periodicals that reach
your home through the mails, urgent
requests made by the government to
plant war gardens, raise pigs,
don't waste food, and warnings under
various captions, all of which should
be needed. We must work and save as
never before. We must intensity along
all lines of endeavor to increase the
prodution of food stuff and materials
for the successful prosecution of the
war. Americas young men have gone
into foreign land to battle for demo-
cracy have gone forth to battle that
government by the people and for the
people shall not perish. America s
young women have gone to the battle
ground as angels of mercy. All must
be nourished and sustained by this
great nation. We not only must feed
our own army, but must furnish food
stuff for the armies and people of the
allied nations.
Now let US stop for moment and
make a careful survey of our resources.
Our land. by diligent toll, is made to
produce great quantities of food, but
we are not overlooking our greatest
natural resources? refer to the beau
tful stream. Hood river, and its trib-
utaries, wholly within Hood River
county and pronounced by experts to
be the finest trout stream in the state.
have been told by old timers that fish
in this stream years ago were so pen-
tiful they could be taken with hand
dip nets. some stating that the stream
was so full Of fish that they crowded
members of their tribe out of the
water. However. it is fact that fish
were plentiful enough that anyone,
expert or not, could take pole and line
and within a short time catch all the
fish they possibly could use. There is
no reasons on earth. to my knowledge,
why this cannot be made the case at
the present time. We should not only
consider the restocking of our streams,
but people who own land upon which a
spring is located should construct pools
or basins and stock them with trout.
The trout fry will be given to them by
the state, and anyone desiring to stock
apond should file an application with
Alva l.. Day, the secretary of the AS.
sociation, who will gladly fill requi.
sition with the proper authorities for
the fry and same will be delivered tc
those persons when the fish car, Rain
bow visits our valley
The eminent state biologist has just
thrown on the screen reel Of pictures
showing you how the fish culture is
conducted. You have seen in those
pictures millions of fish fry about
ready for distribution. The gentleman
has explained to you that a salmon
lives but four years and spawns but
once. He also has explained to you
that the life of % trout has not beer
definitely determined. but conceded tc
by great number of years and that
they spawn every season. Mr.. Finley
has explained to you that it is just as
easy to raise trout as it is to raise
chickens, in fact the trout are less
troublesome.
These pictures have been revela
tion to us, and the accompanying lee.
ture very instructive and feel that
we owe this eminent gentleman debt
of gratitude for being with US during
this meeting. | want to thank the
people of this community for coming
and bringing the children to view the
pictures. | feel that your presence
here this evening has amply repaid us
for cur effort and hope you feel just as
kindly toward us.
In conclusion | wish again to appea
to the people of this county to back us
up in this work, help US to stock W
the streams and get prepared for the
coming wear when beyOnl question ot