Year: 1878




Results of Cutting Down the Forest Trees-De-
cline Of the Sea Fisheries, and What Causes
1t-Perssnal Remarks,


Correspondence of The Star.


PENOBsC0T BAY, ME, July p, 1878.


Maine is commonly regarded by those who
have not visited the state of late years as an
anglers paradise. Especially is it looked upon
as the home of that speckled and agile beauty,
the brook trout. But the truth is. one must
travel nowadays far into such wildernesses as
have escaped the axe of the lumberman to
make sure of heavy string. Since MOosehead
Lake became summer resort its waters have
been over -fished, and the fisherman must be
an expert to entice the finny denlzens from
their lurking places. The same,I am told, is
true to some extent OF the now well known
Rangely Lakes. In fact,


TROUT FISHING IN MAINE


has become an expensive and laborious pur-
suit. 1t was not 50 formerly, Then, a boy
with earth-WOrmS for bait and an alder pole
for rod, could any day catch such ''mess"
as would make enviOus the most skillful fly
fishing tourist OF the present time. Every
stream then was trout stream. Why they are
so no longer will of course be asked, and the
explanation may be readily given. The clear
ing OF the land of timber has dried up and de-
has been getting rid of her forests with great
rapidity. The cutting of lumber and cord
wood, and the forest fires which annually
spread over large tracts have been supple
mented by the wantOn destruction of trees
which should have been left to beautify the
landscape, to afford shade, and to retain and
promote moisture. The result has been to
produce climatic changes injurious to health
as well as to crops. The winters are more Sc
we're, and there are yearly drOughtS, when
vegetation is parched and wells dry up, and il
is difficult to procure water for live stock and
for household purposes. Within less than half
mile OF where write is a stream known as
Little River. 1t once furnished motive power
to saw and grist mills, and its waters teemed
nj ftpn fal lynIl oir-,i,,
three and four pounds. 1t ran between dark
slate Lodges, under overhanging trees and
hedges 1s d OF alder and in its quiet eddeS the
more than dry bed, save when temporarily
swollen by a heavy rain, and nothing larger
than minnoW is to be found in its shallow
waters.


THE sEA-FIsHING


has also deteriOrated from other causes. Not
many years ago cod and haddock were caught
in any part of this bay, and its waters were
mackerel. Now chowder parties from this
vicinity must catch their fish with a silver
hook before setting sail, and in place of mack
erel we have only thinkers" and these will
steamers are suppressed, as understand they
are to be after this season, under law passed
by the Maine legislature last winter. These
steamers are fitted out to catch porgies, or
menhaden, which are ground up to make Oil.
But, OF course, their nets gather in other fish
besides pOrgies. The other afternoon count
ed eighteen OF these steamers from my veran-
dah, each with its man at the masthead ON
the lookout for school of fish. This system
of fishing if continued, could not fail to utter
ly destroy the inshore fisheries.


CATCHING "TINKERs.'


Just now, however, the "tinkerS'' are fur
nishing fair sport, though individual catches
are reckOned by dozens, whereas few We lrs
ago single fisherman would take barrel or
twoin one days fishing. The time for 'tink-
as l am cOnstitutionally opposed to early
rising, my catch thus far has been small one
Beside CLAIMS for batting your hooks you want
1ne-for throw bait. This you Id dribble out Ha be-
side your lines, and it brings the fish around
your boat. Without throw bait you will have
boats moOred quite close together, one having
throw bait and the others none and the for,
mer would get all the fish, the occupants of
is change from Old time fishing, when guam
titles OF mackerel were caught with a iig hook
using no bait at all.


FISHING FOR HEALTH.


1t Is by no means my purpose, in setting
Maine as a summer resort. For persons who
have become deblitated by residence in a
warm climate, or who have suffered from ma
laria, no better Sanitarium could be desired
And so far as fishing is concerned, l take it
that the anticipation and the going fishing
comprise the major part OF the enjoyment
the number OF fish caught. A day in the arc
matte pine woods by a ripping trout stream,
or afioat in birch canoe on an inland lake, or
dancing in boat on the brisk salt waves of
the bay, be the nibbles ever so few, will GER
tainly furnish quantum of enjoyment, and
as certainly sharpen the appetite and promote
the health of the tourist.


ONLY TEMPORARILY A GRANGER.


L fancy the many friends in Washington
whose. good wishes and kind offices l shall
ever have reason to remember gratefully,
must @ have read my recent letter to The STAR
with some degree OF amaZement. have here
tOfOre appeared in the summer time in the
role OF sailor; and that should have turned
granger Especially now that the granger, in
backer) and ignored the broad bay which
spreads out before me, may well have excited
special wonder. But the truth is. nv only
claim to the title of granger is the successful
tilIing of small kitchen garden; and then
wished to repay, in some degree my DEBT to
nlShed which have given me choice vegetables
weeks in advance of those grown in this Vicin.
lty. Moreover, am


ONCE MORE AFLCAT


and the same pennant which the blue Bird
carried on the waters of the Lower Potomac
is now borne over PenObscot bay bya tidy
little craft OF my own construction. She EN-
bodies improvements on plans furnished the
Scientific american by "PaddlefOOt,n and
though only thirteen feet long over all has
proved good sailer and staunch and dry
sea boat. have not as yet encountered Cope
land in my cruisings. and sixty miles is rather
long trip for so small boat, or l should give
Mckee call at Mount DeSert but live in
hopes of yet getting glimpse of them through
the logs which sometimes Obstruct our view
SeaWard. c. A. p.


A PARALYTIC BOILED TO DEATH-An in
quest was held yesterday by COrOnenEiiiDger
in the case of Charles Reicholdt, an inmate of