SUCKER FISHING 33 



I have thoroughly enjoyed sucker fishing, and 

 so may my readers. In the spring, whilst the 

 snow-water yet runs down from the mountains, 

 the fish are gamey, and fight with a good deal of 

 bull-dog like courage. Moreover, they are quite 

 palatable to eat ; and that my boy readers may 

 know how to clean and prepare the fish for cook- 

 ing, the following few words of experience will 

 be in order. 



Kill your fish by means of a stone or stick, 

 striking it on the back of the head. If it is a 

 small one, you can place your thumb into its 

 mouth, — its soft mouth cannot hurt you, — and, 

 pressing the ball of the thumb against the roof 

 of the mouth and the finger on the head outside, 

 quickly jerk the head back. This will break the 

 neck, and death is instantaneous. Kill all fish at 

 once after catching them : it is merciful to do so 

 (and " blessed are the merciful "). 



When you get home, whilst the fish is still 

 fresh and moist, plunge it into scalding water 

 (two parts boiling, one part cold), and after let- 

 ting it remain a few seconds, withdraw it, and see 

 if the scales come off easily ; if not, give it rather 

 more time in the hot water. When the scales 



