and the Maritime Provinces. 169 



which is attached to a very strong line, fifty or more yards in length. The 

 squid is trailed astern the swiftly-moving yacht, which is sailed in different 

 directions over the shoals, quartering the water as the trained pointer covers 

 the ground, until the presence of bluefish is discovered by the practised 

 eye of the skipper, the fact being established by a " slick " of oil, which 

 escapes from the feeding fish, and makes a greasy scum on the surface of 

 the water. 



As soon as the " slick " is discovered, the course of the yacht is 

 directed across it, and in a few minutes the bait is seized by the voracious 

 fish, and the sport begins. 



The fisherman, feeling a sharp tug and heavy pull at his line, excitedly 

 begins to haul it in, but he soon finds that he has no puny antagonist to 

 deal with, for the bluefish is one of the strongest and quickest-moving 

 fish that swims. 



It darts in every direction, dives like an arrow, and then leaps clear of 

 the water, and while refusing to yield an inch, attempts in every way to 

 shake the hook from its mouth. 



The yacht, meanwhile, keeps on its course, the drag of the fish there- 

 by being considerably increased, and the fisherman, to secure his prize, 

 must be strong of hand and arm, and ready to meet all the feints and arti- 

 fices of his antagonist with coolness and dexterity. 



A pair of thick woolen gloves on the hands is a necessity, for the 

 strain is such, when a large fish is hooked, that unless the hands are thus 

 protected, the line is sure to cut them severely. 



The battle continues sometimes for a number of minutes, but the fish 

 at length is conquered, the line grows shorter and shorter, and finally, with 

 a quick pull, the glistening prize is lifted out of the water and swung into 

 the boat. 



And what a beauty it is with its silvery sides and blue and green and 

 leaden-colored back ! A different fish it seems, indeed, from the speci- 

 mens which are seen in the markets, fish that have been out of their native 

 element for many days. But no time can now be spared for admiration, 

 for the other lines are busily engaged, and the sport becomes intensely 

 exciting. Aside from the use of the fly-rod, with which nothing can be 

 compared, there is hardly any fishing that is more enjoyable than this. 



The pure and invigorating sea-breeze, the swiftly-gliding boat, the 

 rippling waves, the bright, unclouded sky, and a jolly companionship, all 

 make an environment that is truly exhilarating, and added to this the 

 sport of capturing one of the most gamy fish that swims, makes it a recre- 

 ation almost unsurpassed. 



The best trolling for bluefish in New England is now found in the 

 neighborhood of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, but there are many 



