BLACK FISH ANGLING IN SUFFOLK CO., L. I. 255 



who, unrefined and unbelieving, fish in the common inglorious 

 way. For taking Black Fish, as, perhaps, for all others, the 

 morning, irrespective of tide, is generally best. But in fine 

 weather, when high water happens just after sundown, 

 of a warm summer afternoon, the last hour of flood 

 is worth all the rest of the day. Then the large " tide run- 

 ners" leave the cool deep water, and come in shore to feed on 

 barnacles that grow against the rocks ; and then often may be 

 seen, around some insulated point of rock, the " flukes" of large 

 Black Fish feeding. 



The average size of the fish in good localities may be from 

 twenty ounces to two pounds. Five pounds is large, and such 

 are not numerous, though I have caught several the same day. 

 Very rarely one of ten, even twelve honest pounds, is taken. 

 A steel-yard, which I always carry, is a wonderful corrector 

 of the judgment ; it is a weighty sinker to the buoyant fancy, 

 and often ungraciously translates the poetic quantities of the 

 enthusiast into flat and scaly prose. 



As in these waters the angler may chance to strike a huge 

 Dog Fish, Fluke, or other ugly " varmint," he should be pro- 

 vided against accidents with an extra basse rod the best kind 

 for this fishing, and a dozen hollow sinkers. Hooks* from Nos. 

 5 to 8 (much smaller than those usually sold with hand lines), 

 should be strongly bound with a well-waxed arming to a flax 

 line, double and twisted ; for stiffness, as well as strength, is most 

 desirable in a snell, to avoid entanglement. For clear, warm 

 days, when the fish are shy, and " off their feed," twisted gut 

 is preferable. Then noiselessly approach a rock, gently drop 

 your line, and let it slowly float into the eddy, drawing it 

 along the leeward side, a foot above the bottom weeds ; and 

 if in five minutes a fish does not bite, or quietly draw the bait 

 into his hole, be sure there is no fish there. You can often 

 change your ground with advantage. The white-nosed variety 

 c* 



