FISHES OF THE EAST ATLANTIC COAST. 11 



Forester's expressive sentence: "The striped bass is the boldest, 

 bravest, strongest and most active fish that visits the waters of the 

 midland States." 



Every extensive work on angling in American waters contains a 

 reference to the striped bass fishing to be enjoyed in the water? 

 about Manhattan Island. The great depth of water r nd the narrow 

 rock-strewn channels combine to form a very paradise for the bass, 

 who seems to find the greatest enjoyment of his existence in darting 

 through the Hell-Gate mill-race and among the rapid tide-ways of 

 the lower Sound. Twenty years ago the striped bass fishing in New 

 York Harbor was simply superb ; every flood tide would see the 

 <-apture of hundreds of bass in their season. There was one place in 

 particular, the mention of which will perhaps recall to many an old- 

 time angler some of his fishing tnumphs — " The Willows," as it was 

 termed. This famous spot in the Harlem Kills was often so encircled 

 by row boats that any late arrival on the ground was forced to push 

 his boat stern foremost into the crowded ring. 



As New York waters were and still are the center of striped bass 

 fishing, I will first describe the methods of fishing here and the tackle 

 and baits used. As the monster fish of former days are not now 

 looked for, the New York fisherman fixes his rod and line for bass 

 under ten pounds. 



The kind of fishing most popular in our waters is " trolling." By 

 some the rod is used, but of tener we see a solitary boatman leisurely 

 rowing and holding a long and heavy line in his teeth (a sure sign, I 

 take it, that they are his own). How anyone's jaws can stand such 

 a strain I do not know; no doubt, though, enthusiasm gives them 

 three-fold strength. I have seen such a lone fisherman rowing along 

 with the stillness and imperturbable gravity of a Sphnix, suddenly 

 drop his oars, take the wet line from between his teeth and after a 

 struggle bring to his basket a three or four-pound striped bass. 

 Imagine what a tooth-pulling strike such a fish must have made. 



Trolling for bass in the channels of New York Harbor is more 

 work than sport, and requires too little skill to suit the accustomed 

 wielder of the fly-rod. It is the way though by which most of the 

 large fish are taken, and therefore is worthy of notice. The best 



