CHAPTER IX. 



BLACK FISH ANGLING IN SUFFOLK CO. L. I. 

 By T. D. L. 



EITHER shore of the Sound affords fine fishing, but the reefs 

 and boulders of the north side of Long Island, especially, are 

 favorite feeding grounds of the Black Fish. Off Montauk on 

 a calm day, after the clearing up of a southwest storm, may 

 be seen a hundred to a hundred and fifty sail of smacks, busily 

 employed fishing, and they generally succeed in filling their 

 wells in a tide or two, at most. But the beautiful and pic- 

 turesque north shore, anywhere between Port Jefferson and 

 Oyster Pond Point, affords the true angler the best sport, be- 

 cause thereabouts fish are neither too provokingly scarce nor 

 disgustingly abundant. 



Greenport, the eastern terminus of the L. I. Railroad, is most 

 deservedly a favorite resort of anglers in pursuit of health and 

 pleasure. Having the Peconic Bay on one side, and the Sound 

 within two miles on the other, it is a convenient point of de- 

 parture for bay or sea fishing, as you incline, or wind and 

 weather may determine. The Sound is the preferable fishing 

 ground, for it always affords sport, though very unequal. A 

 party in a boat, with hand lines, and bait of soft clams, or 

 " Fiddler" (as the soldier crab is called), will always take fish 

 at any time, because able to follow them unto water too deep 

 or too swift for successful rod fishing. But there pleasure ends 

 and labor begins. One skilful angler, who, with rod and reel, 

 fishes from a good rock, between half tide and high water, 

 where it never exceeds three fathoms, will not only have more 

 sport, but get larger and better game than any ordinary party, 



