The Flounder or Flatfish 



for this little favorite, perhaps because he 

 is the first fish to make his appearance in 

 the spring, almost while the ice is in the 

 bays. The angler, before the long winter 

 is past, is eager to again stir him up from 

 his hole in the sand bars with a clam 

 rake. But toward the middle of May his 

 big brother, the plaice, puts in an appear- 

 ance and remains with us till the frost 

 comes again to nip our fingers. Angling 

 for flatfish is a favorite pastime of women 

 and children. The fish lie in water not 

 too deep, and from the boat may be seen 

 diligently biting at the bottom. This makes 

 it doubly interesting, for they are remark- 

 ably agile after being hooked they skip 

 off, but are suddenly reminded that they are 

 wanted above. The rod is of little service 

 in flounder fishing hand lines are invari- 

 ably the rule; just a simple line, snelled 

 hook and sinker. No leader is required. 

 Two or three hooks may be attached if 

 the fish are plentiful, and it is not uncom- 

 mon for three fish to be hauled in at once. 

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