A STUDY AND A LUXURY. 279 



to the weight of from sixty to seventy pounds in the upper 

 lakes, as well as in Ontario and the River St. Lawrence. But 

 when so large they are less active than when from ten to 

 thirty pounds in weight, as in Rice Lake, and the River Oitan- 

 abee, which enters Rice Lake opposite and about four miles 

 from Gore's Landing. The greatest number that I ever took 

 in one day on this lake and river was sixteen, and as I took 

 them legitimately with rod and reel the gentlemen at Har- 

 ris's Hotel decided that I had won the spurs, and invited me 

 to their club. I there learned that it was the greatest num- 

 ber ever taken from the lake in one day with a single rod and 

 reel ; and as the club was chiefly composed of retired officers 

 of the English army and navy, Avith a sprinkling of civilians 

 who own charming boxes on the margin of this beautiful 

 lake of thirty miles in length, I regarded the compliment as 

 a very flattering one. 



Maskinonge are taken on a troll like either of those repre- 

 sented on another page, under the title of "Spoon Victuals for 

 Long-snouts." 



Instructions. Troll with a striped bass rod about ten feet 

 long, and on a reel which will carry six hundred feet of fine 

 bass line place three hundred feet of the largest linen reel 

 line. To the end of this line attach your feathered squid. 

 In trolling, let your squid be about sixty feet behind the boat. 

 The oarsman will regulate the speed. Then the first saluta- 

 tion that you will probably receive will be a shock-ing jerk, 

 and you will see at the end of your line, and about six feet 

 above the water, a maskinonge suspended like Mohammed's 

 coffin, only shaking the squid so that it jingles. In that case, 

 don't get excited, for it is the last time probably that day 

 that you will see him. Row on ; do not turn to go over the 

 ground to retrieve your loss, but be ready for a new adven- 

 ture. After he hooks himself, do not play him with too stiff 

 a line, nor yet slack enough to let him get a bight in it. Tire 

 him out, and bring him gently to gaff, and see that your gaff 

 be the best of the striped bass pattern. Keep away from 



