LUNG ISLAND TKOUT FISHING. 347 



contains much larger fish, tlie most beautiful, both in shape and 

 brightness of colour, of any on the Island. In this stream, two 

 pounds is a very common size ; perhaps, fish are as frequently 

 taken of this weight as under it, and upwards to four pounds. 

 Their flesh is very highly coloured, and their flavour, as I have 

 observed before, second to none. Indeed, it is but a few years 

 Carman^s fish were estimated by old sportsmen the onhj fish 

 worth eating ; of late, however, fashion — which rules in gastro- 

 nomic tastes, as otherwise — has veered a little in favour of the 

 Islip Trout, and it remains at present a debateable point between 

 the two. The course of Carman's stream lies chiefly through 

 open salt meadows, and the banks are entirely destitute of covert, 

 so that very careful and delicate fishing is necessary in order to 

 fill a basket. Even with ground bait it is desirable to keep 

 completely out of sight, walking as far from the bank as pos- 

 sible, and to avoid jarring the water, so wary and shy are the 

 larger fish. It is also advisable to fish down wind. Trolling is 

 very successful in this water, the same precautions being taken, 

 and the bait-fish being dropped as lightly on the surface, as if 

 it were a fly, so as to create neither splash nor sound. The 

 pond above is likewise deservedly celebrated, the fish averaging 

 at least a pound in weight, and equal in all respects to any 

 pond Trout in this or any other region. The fly-fishing here in 

 season is probably the best on Long Island, although of late, 

 here, as everywhere else. Trout are becoming comparatively few 

 in number; so that it has been found necessary to impose a 

 limit to sportsmen. 



" Not many years ago, a celebrated English shot and angler, 

 who has since left this country, and who, I believe, was among 



