Fishways

The selection of a proper form of fishway is a difficult matter, and has never yet been determined. Several forms and plans have been selected, from the plain, open, inclined shute to a system of compartments divided from one another and stopping the water by obstructions. Fish will pass up these, even shad, which are among the most timid, but the results bear little comparison to what would take place with an open river and free access to the waters alone. Many fish never find the mouth of the pass, and others are afraid to ascend it. By a law passed in 1874, by the New York Legislature, the commissioners were required to cause to be constructed in the upper aqueduct, in the town of Niskayuna, Schenectady county, a "Brewer's Patent Chute and Fishway." This direction of the legislature was not founded on any act, declaration or advice of the Commissioners, and there was no discretion left them or called for by the act in question. They were to make the contract and see to the proper execution of the work, which they did. The work was well and reasonably done, and while declining yet to express a positive opinion in a matter of such doubt and uncertainty, we have been favorably impressed with the working of the fishway, and hope it will prove what has been so long sought without complete success, an easy and moderately expensive method of overcoming obstructions in a river, either placed there by nature or by man, and which form an insurmountable obstacle to the ascent of fish.

This fishway is twenty (20) feet wide between piers or side walls, its lineal distance is forty-one (41) feet, height of dam five (5) feet, incline one (1) foot in ten. The passage-way for fish is eighteen (18) inches wide by fifteen (15) inches deep. There are six (6) angles, three (3) on each side; and built of timber, stone and iron.

Brewer's Improved Chute and Fish way was patented April 30, 1872, and the contract had to be awarded to J. D. Brewer. This work was pronounced by those present at the opening, to be an entire success. The inventor and contractor in presence of at least twenty gentlemen, with a round scoop net of thirteen inches in diameter, took out two fish at a haul, two thirds of the way up the ascent, and numbers of the fish were taken in the fishway when they were going up. As soon as the coffer dam at the upper end was taken away the roily water rushed down the fishway; the fish, thinking that there was a flood, rushed up. Some were taken with a scoop net nearly at the top of the dam.

Improving Streams

Where a person has a small stream on his place which is adapted for trout, but is not large enough to accommodate many, or grow them to a good size, it can, at very small expense, be made a considerable source of pleasure and profit. All that has to be done is, to dig small ponds or long, narrow holes, say three or four rods long, and five feet deep, and throw some logs or brush in them. If possible, lay the logs crosswise near the bottom, in order to have the water work under them and make a clean "scour." Then all that has to be done is to place some trout fry in the brook above the ponds. As the fish grow they will settle down into the ponds where they can find shelter and safety, and whence they can be taken with a hook and line whenever they are wanted; the danger of fouling around the brushwood being an additional excitement to the angler. The fish need not be fed, as food sufficient will accumulate upon the logs and brush.