THE STRIPED BASS. 31 



whispers that for every pound of Bass brought to shore by these hard-work- 

 ing chib-men, hundreds of pounds of menhaden are cast into the sea. 



An obliging correspondent furnishes the following description of one of 

 these clubs : " The Island of Cuttyhunk is about sixteen miles from New 

 Bedford, at the extreme southwesterly boundary of Buzzard's Bay, whose 

 foaming billows wash its northern shore, while the ocean itself beats upon 

 the south. The Cuttyhunk Club own about three hundred acres of land, and 

 have the exclusive right to fish on the shores and in the ponds of the island. 

 When the club was first formed they stocked one of the ponds on the island 

 with black bass, and these have multiplied so plentifully that they are now 

 caught in large numbers. No fishing was allowed for three years from the 

 time the pond was stocked. Perch and trout are also plenty in ponds on the 

 island. Twenty-six fishing stands have been built at Cuttyhunk, and they 

 extend completely round the island. These stands are built upon prominent 

 rocks, and are supported above the breakers by iron rods. Foot bridges, 

 supported in the same way, are built from the shore to the stands. The 

 stands are all named or numbered, and are drawn forevery night by the mem- 

 bers of the club. A member drawing a stand can fish from it the next day, 

 or it can be used by any one else by his permission. The stands bear such 

 names as ' Nashawena Point,' ' Canepitset,' ' Old Water Line,' ' Cove Point, 

 'Little Bass,' 'Big Bass,' and 'Gull Rocks.' The stands are all removed 

 after the season is over, to be put up again the next year. ' Central Park' 

 seats have this season been placed on the bluff's round the island at con- 

 venient points, from which to watch the fishing at each stand, so that mem- 

 bers who are not lucky enough to secure favorite stands can sit with ease 

 and enjoy the sport of their fellow-members. The favorite fishing is for 

 Striped Bass, and, during the best of the season, the sport is commenced 

 as early as three o'clock in the morning. A record is kept at the club 

 house of the daily catch, by whom caught, where taken, on what station, 

 the number of fish, weight, and date. Some members of the Cuttyhunk 

 Club also belong to the West Island Club, which controls only five acres 

 of land. The West Island Club is limited to thirty members, witli an ad- 

 mission fee of $1,000." 



Professor Leith Adams has drawn a vivid pen-i)icture of Indian Bass-fish- 

 ing in New Brunswick. 



"The Indians (on the St. John's River) pursue them at spawning 

 time. The scene on a beautiful summer afternoon is extremely ex- 

 citing. There a i^w canoes containing remnants of the Melicita 

 tribe may be seen dropping quietly down the river, each with an Indian 

 in the prow, spear in hand, and another at the stern paddling gently; then 

 a sudden splash close by calls for his utmost exertions, and like an arrow 

 the birch-bark skiff is shot towards the spot, when the man in front, rest- 

 ing on his knees, with much force and dexterity sends his three-pronged 

 harpoon straight on the fish." 



