One of the most striking features of Oceana is the numberless springs that break out from its undulating surface, and form brooks of the clearest crystal water, just the cool, shady streams that brook trout would delight in. As there were no trout in these waters, the thought occurred to a number of gentlemen in Hart, lovers of the gentle art of Isaak Walton, that they could be planted, and by protection could be made to fill the streams. Accordingly, they purchased and planted 2,000 brook trout in 1878, and on May 5, 1879, organized the Hart Sprotman's Club, with L.G. Rutherford, president, and in 1882 J. R. Butler is president; E. D. Richmond is still secretary. Besides these gentlemen, many others have taken a deep interest in the affairs of the club, among whom is L. A. McIntyre, respresentative to the State Fish Convention in 1881, and who has been deputed to bring the fish from the hatcheries. Messrs. White, Thorp, Russell, Wigton, Flood, Johnson and others have taken an active interest in the club. Of brook trout there was planted in 1878, 2,000, in 1880, 9,000; and in 1881, 75,000. These have been placed in many of the townships of the county, especially Hart, Elbridge, Crystal and Shelby. The trout ae breeding and thriving well; some now measure over a foot long. Some white fish have been planted. Landlocked salmon have been planted in Stony Lake, California Salmon in Round Lake, Golden and Crystal Lake, Hart; at the latter place they are breeding. This plant was made in 1879. Or lake or Mackinaw trout there was planted in 1879, 9,000 in Stony Lake, 6,000 in Pentwater Lake, 9,000 in Cob-moo-sa Lake, 9,000 in Round Lake, 2,000 in Hart Mill Pond. In all, the club has planted 130,000 fish, and the fruits will soon be evident in stream fishing becoming a source of revenue to the county. The grayling, which is a delicious and gamey fish, was disappearing from the streams of Oceana, from over-fishing, but protection may restore it. It is of a delicate flavor, resembling that of the trout, but the meat is not red. It is expected that soon hatcheries will be established, and fish farms will become common.
|
