A BAIT FOR STRIPED BASS. 



103 



the New York markets, the average retail price being twenty 

 cents a pound. The smelt is eminently the winter sport for 

 the angler, succeeding the white perch in small tidal creeks. 

 This fish will also take the fly when sunk to their feeding- 

 level near the bottom. 



When twinkling icicles depend 



From woods that with the bright freight bend, 



When salty stream and open sound 



With adamantine ice are bound, 



Then o'er the solid frozen stream 



The tents of the smelt-fishers gleam ; 



Each opes with axe the crystal floor, 



Then patient watches at the door. 



THE SPEARING, OR SILVERSIDES. 



This is the same order of abdominales .as the smelt and 

 caplin, shoals with them, and is eminently a bait for the sal- 

 mon and striped bass. Late in October, in a tideway, bait 

 with this fish for striped bass. On Pelham Bridge, anglers 

 are seen letting the line carry out with the strong tide this 

 shiny bait, or casting with float, light swivel sinker, and this 

 bait, which where the most rapid current slackens toward 

 an eddy attracts the leap of a striped, satin-sided beauty, 

 forcing the blood to the ends of the digits of the angler. The 

 upper part of the head is rather flat, and the tiny gill rays 

 are six in number, and the side-belt shines like silver. 



" Color. Pale olive-green above the lateral line ; opercles 

 mid sides silvery ; obscure traces just below the lateral line 



