THE BARB, OK KING-FISH 313 



THE BARB, OR KING-FISH. 



This is, in all respects, a better and finer fish, both for the captor 

 or the epicure, than the last. 



He is with us, at New York, a summer fish of passage, and is, it is 

 much to be lamented, becoming yearly more and more rare. 



In Mr. Brown's American Angler's Guide, it is stated that, " As a 

 game fish, he is considered as giving more real sport than the Trout, 

 Bass, or Salmon. His name and whereabouts has only to be whispered 

 to the New York angler, and he is off after sport that he has perhaps 

 anticipated for years." 



Now, to this I must record my positive dissent ; for, though it may 

 be, and is, very true that the King-Fish is a great favorite with the 

 New York angler, that he is a game fish, biting briskly in those sea- 

 sons when he is found abundantly in these> waters, and offering resist- 

 ance both longer and stronger than any other small salt-water 'fish-^- 

 still no one — except those jolly ojd cpdgers who consider patience 

 demonstrated by sitting still in an . anchored boat, and comfort evi- 

 denced by the consolation of the inner-man with beef sandwiches and 

 cold brandy-and-water — would dream of considering it better sport to 

 sit for hours, between Black Tom and the Jersey shore, with no hope 

 save that of hooking a little fish, which rarely exceeds two pounds in 

 weight, with a bottom bait and strong ground tackle, than to hook a 

 twenty-pound Salmon with a fly on the surface, and to play him for 

 an hour before he can be gaffed. 



The one sport requires luck and patience — the other skill, hardi- 

 hood, endurance, courage, long experience, quick eye, stout heart, 

 fleet foot, and ready hand. How, then, shall these sports be com- 

 pared ? 



I do not desire, however, to discredit the King-Fish ; nor does he 

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