FOREST AND STREAM. 



195 



WILL BLACK BASS TAKE A FLY. 



Editor of Forest and Stream:— 

 W I observe some discussion on this point in Forest and 

 Strelm. Over thirty years ago I was in the habit of taking 

 the black bass in this way in western waters. I found, 

 however, that il was only in rapid water that they could be 

 taken by casting. In lakes and still rivers I trolled with 

 three gaudy flies of a large size. In the Rock and the Fox 

 rivers in northern Illinois and in a small stream in Wauke- 

 sha County, in Wisconsin, called Back river, I have taken 

 both the black bass and the rock bass by casting with 

 bright colored flies. In the Calumet, a river twelve miles 

 south of Chicago, which winds through extensive marshes 

 of wild rice, I used to have great sport, trolling for bass 

 and pickerel along the edge of the weeds. Thac was before 

 the introduction of the spoon, and my favorite bait was a 

 strip from the white belly of the dog-fish, (amiacalva), 

 which being as tough as leather, would resist the teeth of 

 the pickerel. 



In July, 1841, two of us killed in that river in one day's 

 fishing, 110 bass and pickerel, weighing 250 lbs. My 

 largest bass weighed six and three quarter pounds, and 

 being taken on a fly rod, gave me great sport for ten or 

 fifteen minutes. My largest pickerel was about eight 

 pounds, though I have encountered them in that river of 

 much larger size, and have repeatedly had twisted brass 

 wire bitten off by them. Although this river has Lake 

 ' Michigan for a reservoir, it has been depopulated by thirty 

 years' fishing and netting, and three years ago I fished it 

 caref ully for two half days, and only got half a dozen smad 

 pickerel and bass and two or three dog-fish. 



In 1840 I used to anchor a skiff a short distance up the 

 north branch of the Chicago river, and catch a mess of 

 black and rock bass there in a very short time. One day 

 while fishing along side of a sunken wreck in that river 

 with small frogs for bait, one of them escaped and swam to 

 the wreck, and climbed upon a part of it which was above 

 water. He had not sat there long when a black bass rose 

 from under the wreck and lifting his head from the water 

 picked off the frog and descended with him to the depths 

 below. At the present time not even a dog-fish could live 

 in those fetid waters. 



There is a fine sheet of water in McHenry County, 

 Illinois, which is known as the Crystal Lake. About 1840 

 I visited it; there was then only one house near it, and there 

 being no boat upon it I could not fish it. The next winter 

 I sent out a skiff upon the sled of the nearest inhabitant, 

 and in July, 1841, my friend and I drove to the lake and 

 had a day's fishing. We trolled all round the lake, which 

 is perhaps three miles long, and we killed fifty black bass, 

 averaging three pounds each, two fine specimens .of the 

 northern pickerel of about five pounds each, and a half 

 bushel of rock bass and perch — about 200 lbs. of fish. Now 

 there is a village of 2,000 inhabitants on the banks of the 

 lake, and a row of tall icehouses, from which the Chicago 

 people cool their summer drink by the aid of a branch rail- 

 road to that fair city. 



My greatest catch of bass in numbers, was made in April, 

 1842, in the Fox river, near Ottawa. In company with 

 Delano, mine host of the Fox River House, the greatest 

 sportsman of that region, I went to a part of the river about 

 four miles from the village. We brought home that even- 

 ing over a hundred black bass, all of one size, about a 

 pound weight, taken with a minnow. The next day we 

 set out again, followed by half a dozen fishermen, who 

 were anxious to learn where we caught the bass — but 

 Delano drove out of town in an opposite direction and 

 baffled his pursuers. We got rather more that day than 

 the proceeding, but of the same size. When we returned 

 that night with a wagon box full for the second time, half 

 the men and boys of the village were waiting to see our fish, 

 and the third morning they followed us so sharply that 

 although we outdrove them and got to work on our old 

 ground before they arrived, yet, they found us out, and a 

 cavalcade of fishermen appeared, headed by the County 

 Judge, who, if I mistake not, adjourned court to find out 

 where "old Delano" caught his bass. Of course our fun 

 was over, and we packed up our tackle and departed. Our 

 score for the three days was nearly 400 bass, all of one size, 

 and all taken with live minnows — and they would touch 

 nothing else. 



I agree with your correspondents who believe that it 

 would be a dangerous experiment to introduce the black 

 bass into trout streams. I think it is as rapacious a fish as 

 the pickerel, but more particular in its food. I have often 

 found the bass would only take a live bait, paying no at- 

 tention to a dead one; while I never observed that it made 

 any difference to the pickerel; the]' would run at a piece of 

 fish or pork as readily as at a live minnow. So, appreciat- 

 ing the difference between a young trout and a shiner or 

 chub, Mr. Bass would probably take the more delicate fish. 

 The bass can hold their own against the pickerel. Before 

 the waters in the West were much fished, we used to find 

 the two species in about equal numbers; but of late years 

 the bass being the more choice fish, are mere pursued, and 

 are soonest exhausted. In game quality, and long resist- 

 ance to capture, I think the black bass is equal to any other 

 fresh water fish — pound for pound. I think he is a harder 

 fighter than the trout or salmon. 



The naturalists have so murh the habit of re-naming our 

 birds and fishes every few years that it is hard to keep up 

 with their nomenclature, even if one knew which Professor 

 was right. We used to know the black bass as Centrarchus 

 fatciatux, following Cuvier and DeKay. Then Agassiz, I 



think, named it Grystes nigricans; and now Professor Gill 

 calls it Micropl&rus achic/an; and presently some other 

 icthyologist will hunt his Greek Lexicon for a still harder 

 name. How are we simple anglers to decide when Doctors 

 disagree? *#* 



[This question promises to become as interesting as the 

 one respecting snakes swallowing their young. We pre- 

 sume that after a little more testimony in the affirmative, 

 doubters will surrender. Ed.] 



71 Broadway, N. Y., Oct. 31. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



I see by your paper that some of your readers seem to 

 doubt that "black bass" will take the fly. I have been in 

 the habit of catching them many seasons in Canandaigua 

 lake and outlet, and never took one in any other way than 

 with a light trout rod and fly. They run from, say half 

 a pound up to five and even six pounds, and as you can 

 imagine, afford most exciting sport. 



The large ones are taken in the lake from a boat, and it 

 is very exciting to play a three or four pound bass with 

 light tackle. In casting it is necessary to allow the fly to 

 sink about two feet under water and draw it gradually 

 toward the boat. The season is from June 1st, until 

 August 1st. In the outlet, we wade and fish the same as 

 for trout, using brighter flies. The season there lasts until 

 October 1st. After August 1st they retire to very deep 

 water which is the reason they will not take the fly in the 

 lake. Yours truly, 



Wakeman Holberton. 



AUTUMN TN NOVA SCOTIA. 



AS the season progresses, the waters surrounding this 

 almost insular Province, lose their arctic chill, and 

 the cool airs of early fall do not become charged with the 

 dense fogs that so often at other seasons hide earth and 

 sky from the eye of the tourist. Visited at this time of the 

 year, when almost every variety of game is in full fur and 

 feather, and many fish are still excellent, there is about the 

 hunting camp, as tempting a section for rod or gun, and as 

 satisfactory results for the cuisine as are to be found in any 

 district that is as easily and rapidly reached. The Inter- 

 colonial Railway now bears the sportsman and his impedi- 

 nenta, by the head of the Bay of Fundy, under the shadows 

 of the Cobequid Mountains, by many a charming vista of 

 woodland, ponds, and streams suggestive of salmon, to Hali- 

 fax, or by its branches to Pictou and Shediac, from which 

 points steamers of safe size and reliable management con- 

 vey tourists to many points in New Brunswick, where a 

 coast swarming with waterfowl, rivers with fish, and forests 

 abounding in game, offer at each season some peculiar 

 temptation to the sporting tourist. 



From Halifax the all-rail route to Annapolis, reaches 

 many points from which access to "The Forest Primeval" 

 is easy and immediate; in the phraseology of the country, 

 the stations are handy to the woods, while a good road 

 renders a drive down the sea coast a most tempting excur- 

 sion. This route alone passing between the spruce clothed 

 highlands, with mountain scenery on one hand, and every 

 variety of sea coast and estuary on the other, would require 

 a separate letter to describe, with mention of the salmon 

 rivers, the trout ponds, the seal ledges, and the broad surf- 

 swept beaches of glistening sand, that are reached in 

 pleasing variety. 



Delightful recollections come before us of days passed 

 along this road, but let them remain, a valued companion- 

 ship of agreeable associations, to be shared perchance with 

 some of your readers who have lingered among the same at- 

 tractions, while our wandering pen abandons its divergent 

 ways, for a few bits of informal gossip about the trout 

 lakes among the mountains. 



Landed in early September at Thompson's Station, on 

 the Intercolonial, with rod case, gun case, camp pails, and 

 the paraphernalia that would not fit one for Saratoga or 

 Cape May, we were delighted to have a fine, hearty man 

 pointed out in response to the query, " How will we get to 

 Purdy's ?" and to find our host himself, to our good luck, at 

 the station. We surrendered ourselves to him, and care 

 was at an end. His strong horse and wagon would carry 

 us, but not our traps ; and ^ould we leave our things, our 

 carefully-chosen odds and ends ; selected from half the 

 sporting stores of New York and Boston? rods from 

 Clerk, Conroy, and Bradford & Anthony ; guns from Read 

 & Son ; lines and flies from every shop from Marquette to 

 Enterprise ; and little inconveniences that had been made 

 or bought with heart and mind full of the charming antici- 

 pations that gather about one's preparations for the wood- 

 land camp ? Could we leave them until the next day ? 

 Not a bit of it ; we must sleep with them under our pil- 

 lows, like children with new toys. So said we to Purdy, 

 while he replied, "All right," believing there was not a 

 charterable horse nearer than River Philip, but smiling 

 with the confidence of one who reaches port with wind 

 fair or foul. Just at this moment of uncertainty the rattle 

 of a wagon was heard, and a conveyance halted at Purdy's 

 hail with a promptitude that endangered its surrounding 

 framework, rope lines and general structure, and after a 

 cherry salutation our host said, "Now, Cusped, turn 

 around lively and take this luggage home for me." " Can't 

 do it, Mr. Purdy ; sorry, sir, but must sell my blackberries 

 and a leg of mutton." "Just what I want," replied Purdy, 

 "berry pies and mutton, just what I need. I will buy 

 them, so turn around." "But, Mr. Purdy, I just want to 

 do a bit of trading," replied our half -willing recruit, as he 

 fumbled in the straw that carpeted his wagon and finally 

 developed a black bottle with a broken neck, "I just 



want this filled." "Chuck it in the bushes," responded 

 Purdy with unfailing promptitude, "my cellar is full of 

 better bottles, and you need not take home an empty one." 

 Cusped fondled the black bottle; evidently it was associated 

 with some genial hours, but slowly his eye twinkled, and 

 not wishing to be the only man who could resist Purdy's 

 rapid resource and winning tones, he carefully deposited 

 the broken bottle in a bush, and soon our traps were 

 loaded, hung and tied on his groaning conveyance, which 

 said in many tones that another straw would break its ven- 

 erable back, as Cusped seized his whip and strode by his 

 horse, while we spun away behind as good a roadster as 

 one often finds. 



Before us to the southward were the forest ckd Cobequid 

 Mountains, with a round, high dome crowning the pile, 

 known as the " Sugar Loaf," the highest land in the pro- 

 vince, and a landmark for many a mile of wilderness, 

 guiding weary hunters from Moose Barrens to Caribou 

 Plains even as far east as Cobequid Bay, whence the eyes 

 of the settlers of Grand Pie gazed upon it in the days of 

 Evangeline. Our road, like the roads of almost all the 

 province, was good, and all about were the characteristic 

 features of the country that has so long furnished haunt 

 and home for the noblest game of the continent. 



From a bridge just west of Thompson's Station we 

 looked down upon River Philip, a famous salmon and 

 trout river ; a superb stream, that is being ruined by the 

 usual effectual means of badly-guarded mills, netting, 

 spearing and fall fishing. Here and there on our way we 

 passed streams that are still full of fair brook trout, 

 and as we gained elevation our way was by the half mossy 

 plains, with a low growth of dwarf shrubs, where moose 

 and caribou arc still seen, and these dreary expanses of 

 grey, sullen looking land were bounded and broken by 

 hardwood forests and full of fur-bearing game, and still 

 sheltering many animals of value for their game nature, 

 and fur-bearing character. As still greater elevation was 

 reached the black spruce and balsam became frequent, giv- 

 ing with their sombre color and pointed form a new aspect 

 to the same, while as we approached the summits more and 

 more extended rivers opened to the northward. Prince Ed- 

 ward Island was visible, and the water about it like a ring 

 of silver. The cool twilight found us still upon this up- 

 ward road, but as the chill was forcing its way despite our 

 wraps, and our eyes were becoming weary of tracing the 

 strange outlines in the deepening gloom, we drove up to our 

 ample homestead, and in a moment were toasting by a huge 

 open fire, enjoying the snugness and comforts of " Purdy's." 

 All ramblers know how welcome is a hot supper and a rest 

 under snowy counterpanes ; all of which were ours, with 

 dreams of midwood ponds that may find realization in our 



next. L. W. L. 

 -«►**- 



HEDGE HOG SHOOTING. 



Edttor Forest and Stream:— 



In the fall of 1861 1 took a ramble over on the north side 

 of Ossipee Mountain, for the purpose of having a little 

 sport shooting hedge hogs. We left our home bright and 

 early, and after a rough tramp of three miles arrived at the 

 base of the south side of the mountain. The scramble up 

 its side was toilsome in the extreme, over yawning preci- 

 pices and broken granite slabs, which if near our large cities 

 would be a mine of wealth for building purposes. Among 

 these vast piles of broken granite the rattle snake makes his 

 home, and after a long dull spell of weather they come out 

 and lie on the rocks for the purpose of sunning themselves. 

 We were so lucky as to miss seeing a single one,, and 

 arrived at the crowning peak. The trees were so thick we 

 could not make the observations we wished, so we climbed 

 to the top of an ancient spruce tree, What a splendid pan- 

 oramic scene burst on the eye, one that well repays any one 

 for the toils of the way. Hills and mountains, lakes and 

 rivers were all around, and the forest foliage touched by the 

 early frosts flamed out magnificently. After a long look 

 we descended the north side, and as we progressed the trees 

 grew larger, mostly spruce, and oh! what spruces, running 

 up straight as a gun barrel to the height of eighty or 

 ninety feet. We soon began to see indications of hedge 

 hogs. The "quilling" of spruce trees seems to be their 

 delight, if we could judge by the number of dead ones. 

 As we stood listening to the chirping of the squirrels and 

 drumming of the partridges, we heard something scratching 

 up the side of a spruce, and turning round there was a 

 hedge hog of large size standing on a limb looking down 

 at us. We got a rest for our rifle, and let her sliver; down 

 he came with the top of his had gone. I had barely 

 loaded when I saw another, and popped him over, and I 

 kept shooting as I descended the mountain, until my tally 

 counted ten. I emerged from the forest into what is called 

 the Perkins settlement, and it being nearly night, we 

 directed our steps to the home of John Evans, and received 

 a kindly welcome, and tarried over night. Evans said the 

 hedge hogs had destroyed his crop of corn, and in the 

 morning we took a look at it; it was all torn down. He 

 said they came to his apple trees, climbed the trees, shook 

 off the apples, then came down, rolled over on the apples 

 and stuck them on their quills, and went for the woods! 

 We did not see a single porcupine on our tramp, though 

 many say the hedge hog and porcupine are all one, but I 

 consider there is a marked difference in size, color, weight, 

 and food. On our return tramp we shot five more, making 

 fifteen. When on the ground and tackled by an enemy, 

 they roll themselves up like a ball, placing their tails up 

 against their side, and when the dog or any animal comes 

 up to smell of them they strike round their tails suddenly, 

 filling whatever it hits with quills, which if not pulled out 

 immediately will wwk through flesh, bones and all. 



J. L. Herset, 



