THE STRIPED BASS. 31 
whispers that for every pound of Bass brought to shore by these hard-work- 
ing club-men, hundreds of pounds of menhaden are cast into the sea. 
An obliging correspondent furnishes the following description of one of 
these clubs: ‘‘ The Island of Cuttyhunk is about sixteen miles from New 
Bedford, at the extreme southwesterly boundary of Buzzard’s Bay, whose 
foaming billows wash its northern shore, while the ocean itself beats upon 
thesouth. The Cuttyhunk Club own about three hundred acres of land, and 
have the exclusive right to fish on the shores and in the ponds of the island. 
When the club was first formed they stocked one of the ponds on the island 
with black bass, and these have multiplied so plentifully that they are now 
caught in large numbers. No fishing was allowed for three years from the 
time the pond was stocked. Perchand trout are also plenty in ponds on the 
island. Twenty-six fishing stands have been built at Cuttyhunk, and they 
extend completely round the island. These stands are built upon prominent 
rocks, and are supported above the breakers by iron rods. Foot bridges, 
supported in the same way, are built from the shore to the stands. The 
stands are all named or numbered, and are drawn for every night by the mem- 
bers of the club. A member drawing a stand can fish from it the next day, 
or it can be used by any one else by his permission. The stands bear such 
names as ‘ Nashawena Point,’ ‘ Canepitset,’ ‘Old Water Line,’ ‘ Cove Point, 
‘Little Bass,’ ‘Big Bass,’ and ‘Gull Rocks.’ The stands are all removed 
after the season is over, to be put up again the next year. ‘Central Park’ 
seats have this season been placed on the bluffs round the island at con- 
venient points, from which to watch the fishing at each stand, so that mem- 
bers who are not lucky enough to secure favorite stands can sit with ease 
and enjoy the sport of their fellow-members. The favorite fishing is for 
Striped Bass, and, during the best of the season, the sport is commenced 
as early as three o’clock invthe morning. A record is kept at the club 
house of the daily catch, by whom caught, where taken, on what station, 
the number of fish, weight, and date. Some members of the Cuttyhunk 
Club also belong to the West Island Club, which controls only five acres 
of land. The West Island Club is limited to thirty members, with an ad- 
mission fee of $1,000.”’ 
Professor Leith Adams has drawn a vivid pen-picture of Indian Bass-fish- 
ing in New Brunswick. 
“‘The Indians (on the St. John’s River) pursue them at spawning 
time. The scene on a beautiful summer afternoon is extremely ex- 
citing. There a few canoes containing remnants of the Melicita 
tribe may be seen dropping quietly down the river, each with an Indian 
in the prow, spear in hand, and another at the stern paddling gently; then 
a sudden splash close by calls for his utmost exertions, and like an arrow 
the birch-bark skiff is shot towards the spot, when the man in front, rest- 
ing on his knees, with much force and dexterity sends his three-pronged 
harpoon straight on the fish.’’ 
