144 APPENDIX. 



each individual, or by a party. The consequence of this is that these 

 ponds liave deteriorated very rapidly, and that although they are well 

 stocked with small fish of fair flavor and quality, trout are rarely taken 

 of such a size as to remunerate the exertions of a good fisherman. 

 Half a pound may be taken as a good average of the fish killed here. 

 In the creek below, where the tide makes, there are of course fish, but I 

 never have heard of much work being done in it ; and in truth, except 

 that this is the first southern pond of any note, I would hardly advise 

 the angler to pause here. 



About a mile and a half further eastward is a large pond, and a fine 

 house, both recently constructed at a great expense by Judge Jones — the 

 former exclusively designed as a fish-pond. The place has, however, 

 passed out of his hands, and the house is now kept as a hotel by one of 

 the Snedecors. The pond has hitherto been private, but is now open, 

 though with a limitation. It is well stocked with fish of a fair size. 

 When I was last there, a fortnigiit since, a gentleman had taken eight 

 fish, weighing as many pounds, with the fly that morning. The largest 

 did not exceed a pound and a half, but they were handsome, clean, well 

 fed fish, and, as tiie day was anything but propitious, easterly wind, and 

 very raw and cold, I considered it fair sport. He had not been fishing 

 above a couple of hours. I understand, however, that there are many 

 pike in this pond, and in the stream that supplies it; and I much fear 

 that this must ultimately prove destructive to all the fish in the water, 

 although those resident on the spot assert that the pike never grows in 

 that region to above half a pound, and rarely to that weight, and that 

 little if any detriment is observed to arise from his presence. 



This, however, I cannot believe, for the growth of the pike is usually 

 almost as rapid as his voracity is excessive ; and I am aware of many 

 instances, both in the United States and in England, where ponds and 

 streams, excellently stocked with trout, have been utterly devastated and 

 rendered worthless by the introduction of this shark of the fresh 

 waters. 



The house is well kept, as is almost invariably the case on Long 

 Island ; and I have no doubt that the angler may p-dss some days here 

 with pleasure. 



Some miles beyond this, still keeping the southside road, we come to 

 Babylon, where there is an excellent house under the management of 

 Mr. Concklin, of whom all accommodation may be obtained, both as 

 regards fowl-shooting in the bays and trout fishing in the neighborhood. 

 There are several ponds and streams more or less well stocked in this 

 vicinity, but none of any particular note, either for the size or flavor of 

 the fish. 



Such, however, is not the case with the next station at which we 

 arrive, Lifl". Snedecor's ; in whose pond the fish run to a larger size than 

 in any water we have yet noted. The trout here, both in the pond and 

 in the stream below, are noted for their great beauty both of form and 

 color ; and although there is some debate among connoisseurs as to the 

 compayalive flavor of Snedecor's fish and those taken at Carman's, 

 eigiiteen miles further east, the judgment of the best sportsmen inchnes 

 to the former. 



