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196<br />
From Collingwood I sailed to Owen Sound, taking advantage of the opportunity<br />
to verify the compass on the "Boulton Ranges," after which I called atTobermoray<br />
the principal fishing station in Overseer Shackleton's district. I learnt that the<br />
fishermen were in the habit of leaving home in the spring for the various fishing<br />
grounds without obtaining licenses; that they were all using undersized nets; that<br />
they threw overboard the fish offals on their way to the shipping station, and would<br />
fish during the close season whenever they thought they could do so with impunity<br />
This state of affairs necessitates the presence or the fishing grounds of an inspector<br />
with a vessel, as by this means only can the fishery laws be enforced, and illegal<br />
practices punished.<br />
Tobermoray, I found to be the headquarters of an average of 20 fishing boats,<br />
each using from 10,000 to 15,000 yards of gill nets, and two small tugs which were<br />
said to fish upwards of 20,000 yards each. But this I could not verify, as the men in<br />
charge claimed 15,000 yards to be the utmost set by them. All the boats were using<br />
nets of 4 to 5-inch mesh. The smaller mesh nets however, were old ones, which<br />
they fished by permission of the Department until used up, when, they promised<br />
they would comply with theDepartment's orders and replace them by nets of legal<br />
mesh. I cautioned them with regard to the disposal of fish olfals and other provisions<br />
of the law.<br />
I ascertained that up to the 17th of August, the catch of whitefish had reached<br />
the average and realized good prices, while the catch of trout exceeded the average<br />
• take. Messrs. Clark & McKay, and Allen Porter, of Wiarton, each send a tug<br />
capable of carrying forty cars * of fish on alternate days, and pay the fishermen 8<br />
cents a piece for the fish without culling, excepting "dead fish."<br />
Overseer Shackelton having collected his license, fees, I left for Wiugfield Basin.<br />
This is one of the best natural harbors oa Georgian Bay, there being an average of<br />
four fathoms of water with mud bottom. It is also well sheltered, but owing to a<br />
bar at the mouth, which could be removed for about $2,000, I could not enter with<br />
my vessel.<br />
Overseer Shackelton and I went ashore to collect fees and make a general<br />
inspection, the result of which was that we found about the same state of things<br />
prevailing as at Tobermoray.<br />
I seized 600 yards of undersized nets (4k- inches mesh) from a fisherman, who<br />
informed me he would use undersized nets as long as he could get them. These I<br />
gave to Overseer Shackelton to keep at Colpoy's Bay. There were eight boats<br />
making their headquarters here, each fishing about 12,000 yards of net.<br />
From here I ran to Dyer's Bay, and ascertained that the prosecutions of last<br />
year had caused mill owners to respect the law regarding the disposal of sawdust.<br />
Lion's head Village was next visited. I found but one boat fishing here with<br />
very little success<br />
On returning to Colpoy's Bay and finding much dissatisfaction among the fishermen<br />
about the pound nets of Messrs. Allan & Porter, I proceeded to Wiarton and<br />
ascertained that the nets complained of were set for the purpose of procuring ova for<br />
the Government hatcheries.<br />
Overseer Miller, of Owen Sound, joined me at Collingwood and stated that no fish.<br />
ing was going on at present in his division, but that after 1st October the fishermen<br />
now fishing at Tobermoray and on the north shore would move to the vicinity of Point<br />
William and Griffith's Island.<br />
The above being applicable to Overseer S. Frazer's district also, I intended<br />
investigating the north end of Georgian Bay. but the weather proving Un propitious<br />
I ran into Meaford, and warned Mr. MacIntosh, a fish buyer, against continuing to use<br />
amall meshes after the present season, and as he had been in the habit of buying.<br />
during the close season, for his freezer, gave him to understand that the law would<br />
be rigidly enforced.<br />
On my way to Cabot's Head, I called at Wingfield Basin where the fishermen<br />
promised to observe the close season and not renew their small meshed nets. Bad<br />
weather compelled me to make Tobermory Harbor for shelter, after which I visite&<br />
Fish cars.
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