Evening star., 1924-08-24
THE NATIONAL FISHERMAN
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN

southern Alaska to the Siberian
coast in less. than a year
The bureau has already counted
the salmon that swim up two Alaskan
rivers. A weir built across the river
prevents the fish from passing ex-
cept through a narrow channel. A
man with counting arrangement is
stationed at this point to count the
nsh as they go by. AS many as $4,000
incoming fish have been counted by
one Of these men in a single day.
These Investigations, like similar
ones of other fishes. are made for
the purpose of establishing facts on
which to base rational conservation
measures.
One of the provisions of the salmon
protection bill makes 1t unlawful to
take them So hours of each week
unless the salmon from a particular
stream can return to their own home
waters to lay their eggs the supply
Will soon become exhausted. In re-
turning to their home waters salmon
o1ten make long jumps up falls that
impede their way. Their ability to
90 this Is explained by the fact that
at the bottom Of falls there is usual
iy a very deep we'll. The salmon
swim to the extreme bottom Of this
wen and II they have sufficient depth
get the power to jump by swimming
1ast and clearing the water with
great momentum.
Boston . Great Fish Port.
Boston is the most up-to-date fish
port in the world, and in production
Is exceeded only by Grimsby. Eng.
land. 1t has ono Of the largest fish
piers In existence, built at the cost of
$5,00o,o0o. with an area of $4,000
square feet. 1t has a capacity for
simultaneous discharge Of 80 vessels
The eel Is one Of the most mysteri-
Gus of all denizens Of the water. rh.
American species breeds southwest of
the Island Of Bermuda in 200 faith
oms OF water, and migrates manv
thousands of miles after breeding
time. The European eel breeds in
the same general locality or a it'll.
southeast Of the Island of Bermuda
These cells never breed in fresh water
nor migrate in fresh water when th.v
are young. 1t is interesting TO note
that these two breeds have never
been known to cross, and when the
time comes for them to migrate to
their proper sections the European
eel has never been found in Ameri.
can waters or one Of our kind abroad
From constant observation the
Bureau of Fisheries has learned manv
strange and interesting things about
the various members Of the finny
tribe. For instance. the bonito, a
member OF the mackerel family, is
probably the fastest swimmer. The
sapo is called the singing fish be.
cause 1T lives under stones near the
shore, and makes a peculiar hum
ming noise with its air bladder Tur-
ties can find their way to water If II
Is not more than = mile or SO away
from them. The sturgeon will not
take bait Of any kind, but must be
caught by snagging. Fish swim up-
stream because it is easier for them
to get their food when heading
against the current. Turtles mead
not be fed at all during the Winter
II kept in warm place. II buried
In a cellar In box Of mud they
Will sleep all Winter without eating.
Fish do not suffer much when they
are hooked or caught. Some trout
have been known to be hooked two
or three times in the same day by
fisherman using the same type of
bait Fish. no doubt, have a sensa-
tion Of discomfort, but not so great
as that of the higher animals. They
have a few nerves around the mouth
where they are apt to be hooked.
The fishing fever is an immutable
part of human character. In his
primitive days man had to fish in
order to eat. Hence all with an aver.
sion to fishing starved to death. That
explains the fact that nearly every
one at some time or other experiences
. desire to 90 out and throw q line
In the water and catch q ash.