A inerlcan G.une-Fiskes 



each restrictor notes those characteristics 

 of a game-fish which give him sport ; and 

 the result is rather an analysis of the pe- 

 culiarities of the angler than of any defi- 

 nite group of fishes. Two very good 

 essays at a definition, by Dr. Browne 

 Goode, may be combined, and from them 

 the following characteristics selected. A 

 game-fish should have beauty, sapidity of 

 flesh, and a certain degree of rarity, to 

 excite the desire of the angler, as well as 

 courage, strength, nimbleness, and cunning 

 to test his skill in a contest rendered the 

 more even by delicacy of tackle. 



It so happens that game-fish do usually 

 possess beauty of form or color, some far 

 more than others, it is true ; but sapidity 

 of flesh is a more important quality, since 

 no true angler seeks a fish that is not, at 

 the least, good food ; nor will he consent 

 to the slaughter of any which is not dan- 

 gerous to man or to better fish, unless 

 there be a pretty sure prospect that it will 

 find a welcome upon some table. Adhe- 

 rence to this rule sometimes cramps sport 

 in remote regions where fish are large and 

 abundant and human mouths few ; but the 

 self-denial is as nothing compared to the 

 disgust at the waste of fine fish. However 

 beautiful or sapid a fish may be, few would 



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