438 Reminiscences of 



I well remember when a boy catching them on a misty- 

 night, and after leaving some of them in the wet grass 

 behind me finding them alive in the morning. 



Most fishermen are familiar with the marsh grass 

 chub netted along the sea-shore, which retain life so 

 long out of the water. In former years, late in winter I 

 have frequently carried them up to the Rangeleys for 

 live bait, packed in cigar boxes, with flannel between 

 layers. They will keep lively for some days if kept cool 

 and put in water over nights. 



I am of the opinion that all kinds of fish in the lakes 

 hibernate more or less as frogs do during the winter 

 months, and certainly become dormant to a consider- 

 able extent ; and I do not doubt that trout in a limited 

 way go into the fluffy mud somewhat as about all the 

 chubs and small fry do. In the open season the waters 

 fairly swarm with the latter, while they are difficult to 

 find after January. 



Trout stalking when the conditions are favorable 

 may be accounted the most fascinating, exciting, and 

 artistic method of taking the speckled beauties. 



The season in the northern waters of Maine is Sep- 

 tember, when the summer heat is over, and when the 

 cool days and nights have lowered the temperature of 

 the surface waters down to 63° Fahrenheit, and below; 

 the field, that of a placid lake or pond where trout 

 abovmd, when the surface is entirely smooth, or agitated 

 only by faint ripples. 



The afternoon is more favorable than the morning, 

 although some days are throughout favorable. 



With the above conditions, and a light boat and com- 

 panion guide at the stem who can skilfully propel the 

 boat over the water with scarcely a ripple from the 



