CHAPTER III. 



TROLLING FOR STRIPED BASSE. 



THOSE who prefer the more active and invigorating practice 

 of our much admired art, will find trolling for this beautiful game 

 fish as exciting a recreation as any that comes within the angler's 

 reach. It has two advantages over the ordinary bridge and boat 

 fishing (always allowing that the angler knows his ground 

 well) ; one is, that, as in the scientific pursuit of trout, his scene 

 is more changeful and varied, being relieved from the sometimes 

 tedious and monotonous stillness ; and the other is, that the 

 game is more likely to be attracted by his bait, from the more 

 continual change of position, than it could be by the usual 

 mode of casting and drawing from the boat's side, bridge's 

 height, or projecting bank. 



At Harlem river and Hurlgate,* near New York, they are taken 



* Perhaps it were better to give this place its original and more appro 

 priate appellation of Hellgate. No angler should attempt to fish there 

 unless with an experienced hand who knows the ground ; for unruffled 

 and inviting as this favorite spot appears at slack water, less than an houi 

 may change it from the gentleness of the lamb to the raging of the lion, 

 and before he be aware of it he may be hurled into the Pot, among the 

 Hen and Chickens, on the Hog's Back, Frying-pan, or Gridiron. Wash- 

 ington Irving, in his celebrated History of New York, says : 



"This is a narrow strait in the Sound, at the distance of six miles 

 above New York. It is dangerous to shipping, unless under the care of 

 skilful pilots, by reason of numerous rocks, shelves, and whirlpools. / 



These have received sundry appellations, such as the Gridiron, Frying- 

 pan, Hog's Back, Pot, &c. Certain mealy-mouthed men, of squeamish 

 consciences, who are loath to give the devil his due, have softened the 

 above characteristic name into Hurlgate, forsooth ! Let those take care 

 how they venture into the Gate, or they may be hurled into the Pol 

 before they are aware of it." 



