232 
THE SPORTSMANS AND TOURIST’S GUIDE. 
that branches from the river a little below | 
Hickman, Kentucky, debouching near Grassy 
Point. When the river rises very high, the 
lake and surrounding bottom are overflowed ; 
some seasons the water reaching as high as 
fifteen feet above the level of the lake, as may 
be verified by the water-marks left on the 
trees; at such times it is restocked with fish 
of every variety found in the Mississippi, to 
an unknown extent, as the supply seems 
never to diminish. Reelfoot Creek, running 
from the east, a stream of considerable size, 
also empties into it. The outlet of the lake 
is through the Obion River into the Mississip- 
pi. On this curious and weird lake, from Oc- 
tober to their return northward in the Spring, 
geese and ducks, of all varieties, abound ; then, 
too, bass fishing is at its best, the water be- | 
ing cold enough then to put-all the requisite | 
snap and vim in their movements, to suit the 
most fastidious Waltonian. 
On the Tennessee River.—Excepting Reelfoot 
Lake, perhaps the best hunting and fishing | 
grounds in the State are found on and along 
the Tennessee River. There are many places 
plong the river, easily accessible by steam- 
boat, where excellent turkey, quail, duck, and 
goose shooting can be had, and where the 
black bass, catfish, drum, buffalo, perch, 
trout, bream, and pike afford most excellent 
sport. As good places as any to stop at is 
Hamburg, Pittsburg, Landing, Savannah, &e. 
COAST REGION OF SOUTH 
CAROLINA. 
The best hunting and fishing grounds 
in South Carolina is in what is called 
the Coast Region. Game may not be as 
plentiful as in some part of Florida, but 
the climate is delightful, and the section 
an inviting one. 
A little investigation will show that the 
coast region of South Carolina possesses one 
great advantage over Florida whether for 
sporting or agricultural operations. With but 
little difference in climate, and that difference 
a positive benefit many visitors think. With 
abundant game, and in great variety, the 
sportsman, visitor, or settler still maintains 
sure and easy communication with family and 
friends at home. Steam and electricity are 
both at his service. Moreover, in comparison 
with the most points further South, his desti- 
nation is quickly reached and no time wasted 
en route, as is always the case where change 
of cars, steamer, or stage is called for. In 
chess the best judge of position wins the day, 
and the time is not far distant when the unri- 
valled position of South Carolina, and especial- 
ly of the noble harbor of Port Royal, will 
challenge and attract the attention of the world 
to its manifold merits. It is safe to say that 
all the common varieties of ducks abound on 
all the South Carolina rivers where rice is cul- 
tivated. Mallards, black ducks, widgeon, pin- 
tails, gadwalls, teal, and shovelers, ring-necks, 
greater and lesser scaups, buffelheads, ruddies, 
and mergansers. All the foregoing will be 
found abundant. The Chesapeake, or Curri- 
tuck habitue, will miss the accustomed canvas- 
back, red-head, and Canada goose. The latter 
is replaced in some localities by the white- 
fronted goose. To get at this kind of game 
the gunner must make his headquaters at the 
nearest house he can find to his field of opera- 
tions, with a full outfit of boat, decoys, &e. 
January and February are the best months, as 
they are the coldest and roughest months of 
the year. Ifa party of gentlemen would like 
to visit these parts and test the shooting of 
the Bull River and Combahee region, or of any 
other region in the vicinity,  Rusticus,” writ- 
ing from Port Royal, says: “ I will assist them 
so far as may be in my power, with informa- 
tion, as also with boats, decoys, &e., of which 
I have a supply, but quite rusty withal, for 
want of use. Should other varieties of game 
be desired, partridges are at present abundant 
on my premises, not having been shot at the 
whole season. Deer can be had on the Hunt- 
ing Islands, about twelve miles distant. An 
hour’s ride by rail will take them to a locality 
where partridges qre very numerous; also 
snipe and some woodeock, but, if I mistake 
not, these latter migrate about the end of Feb- 
ruary. The same locality will also yield wild 
turkeys to the persevering sportsman, and 
ducks in variety. I have a boat on the spot, 
or at least had one there last Winter. Ihave 
forgotten to enumerate rail among our game, 
which are very numerous in the salt marshes, 
and can easily be bagged twice a month when 
the Spring tides oceur. Their flight being slow 
and heavy, they are just the birds for novices 
