374 PBAIEIE AND FOREST. 



object of attention to the pot-hunter, for I cannot call the 

 man who tries to capture fish in that state by the name 

 of fisherman,) where they remain for some time, probably 

 over a couple of months. This duty performed, they 

 return again to the coast, affording sport for a short 

 period, then disappear, to return in September and October 

 in immense numbers, gladdening with their advent the 

 heart of every sportsman. 



Their size is so varied that they may be taken from the 

 weight of a few ounces up to sixty and even more pounds, 

 the heavier fish generally being captured late in the 

 season ; and woe betide the angler if unprepared he should 

 strike his hook into one of the leviathans, for all his 

 fishing paraphernalia will certainly receive so severe a shock 

 as to render it for after-use completely worthless that is, 

 the portion that is left with him. After spawning, this 

 fish does not lose its condition like the salmon, therefore 

 his capture immediately subsequent is not nearly so 

 reprehensible, the propagation of his species not injuring 

 him to a noticeable extent ; therefore if he be fished for in 

 the rivers after that duty is performed, nothing is so 

 attractive for his capture as a gaudy sea-trout fly ; but the 

 striped bass is not dainty, and many persons of experience 

 persistently use with the greatest success a piece of white 

 or scarlet rag tied over their hook instead of the more 

 complicated and expensive imitation. Fishing in the sea, 

 however, the shrimp is the most popular and gentlemanly 

 bait, trolled along the surface after the manner of the fly, 

 at which the fish break, similar to trout or salmon; still 

 there are days when you cannot thus allure them ; and 



