252 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[OdTOBKK 27, 1881, 



;and one Inch in length, and tipped the scales at thirty-three 

 pounds, and was us handsome a specimen as 1 ever saw. 



Mr. R. greatly excited, pleased and somewhat alarmed at 

 the Sue open countenance of my captive, was lauded on his 

 pier, and then trolling an hour longer, captured a four pound 

 pike, which looked like a chub alongside his fellow captive. 

 1 had a healthy, bracing pull home of two and a half miles 

 against wind and water. I think you will agree with me 

 that I had spott fit for a peasant or a king. A, 



Erie, Fmn„ Oct. 20t/i. 



A DAY ON BALSAM LAKE. 



t?-ditm- Forest and stream : 



Sickness in my family running through the whole summer 

 rip- to this autumn not only broke up my trip to New Mexico, 

 Colorado and Wyoming, but it lias kept me from my usual 

 summer haunts. Only" three times in the long and to me 

 dreary summer, have I dropped line in Strkam, while almost 

 all the Forest I have seen was on my own domain. 



One trip to the Beaverkill was made bright by art invita- 

 tion from a member of the famed Willewemoc Club to cast 

 A line in Balsam Lake. Hoping to meet your gifted, but too 

 seldom, em-respondent, Q. W. Van Siclen, the president of 

 the club, 1 accepted, and had but one regret. I was a day too 

 late to meet the genial Van, who stands in the van as a 

 fisherman, game protector and gentlemanly leader of a noble 

 coterie whose great delight is found in true and manly Spgrt. 



Over the roughest road that I ever traveled I drove my 

 buck-board to the margin of the lonely lake, followed by an 

 ox-sled with two boats for Captain King and myself. 



It was near hood before we were afloat, and as the lake- 

 keeper said, not a very go Jd day for trout. But there were 

 trout there, millions of them, as one could see on every side 

 in the cryslal waler, and after testing about half a book of 

 flies to find what they wanted I settled on a new 11 y as yet un- 

 named. It was very like the Beaverkill lly that Jimmy Mur- 

 dock used to tie. The moment I cast that a ten-inch trout 

 of about a half pound weight took it, and with very little 

 play I had him in the floating creel alongside the boat. Cap- 

 tain King, well acquainted with the lake, was already suc- 

 cessfully engaged about eighty rods away, as I could see by 

 frequent rain-bow gleams as he drew the speckled beauties 

 in. 



An hour passed, and about forty of these gamy gentlemen 

 were in the creel, when a shout from shore told us that lunch 

 had arrived from the club-house. An appetite had been 

 shaken up to voracity over that infernal road, and the way 

 cold ham, broiled chicken and the concomitants vanished 

 would have frighted Dr. Tanner to death or at the least put 

 him in a conniption fit. 



Lunch over we returned to the lake, and for an hour more 

 plied the rod faithfully. The result was eighty-five trout, al- 

 most all the same size as No. 1, to my rod and about as many 

 more to that of Capt. King, all we wanted, and we stopped 

 w T enry of slaughter. 



The lake, which is the extreme head of the Beaverkill, is 

 a lovely gem of crystal set in a frame of evergreens, beeches, 

 maples, birch and poplar, so far from the usual haunts of 

 men that it is little fished, and has a stock that would last 

 centuries with proper care. There is one great safe-guard: 

 the road in will never be travelled for pleasure. I have a 

 team of thoroughbreds perfectly brotcen, and I never drove 

 them over such a road before ; the Lord willing never will 

 again ! Through swamps hub deep, over roots, fallen logs, 

 rocks as large as a small house stuck up edgeways, length- 

 ways, crossways aud every other way, making turns so short 

 that we had to lift the latter end of the wagon around to 

 pass, and even unhook traces to get between huge forest 

 trees. But we got there ! And all day I wondered, "Will 1 

 ever get my team out again in safety?" I did, Providence 

 and care assisting. 



The club has as fine a fishing preserve as there is in this 

 State. Long may they live to enjoy it. AajJ now lest G. 

 \\ . V. S. gets into my hair about the road I will promise if 

 duly elected to join the club next season and fish there, en- 

 gaging if 1 can a balloon passage over that road. Tours, sadly 

 hut truly, Ned Buntline. 



RagUs Ned, Oct. 16. 



CANOEING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN. 



nr. — TJUP TO BLAOK 1AKE. 



THE first thing necessary is to provision up, which we do 

 by invading the groceries and bakery. Woodrow 

 thinks we ought to havo bread enough certain; the loaves 

 are pretty big, but we order a dozen and a half. Petie 

 thinks if we have plenty of potatoes and onions we ought to 

 be satisfied ; so we order a good family supply of potatoes 

 and onions ; while Captain chinks in with a remark that hog 

 and molasses are absoluely necessary, a due allowance of 

 which are added, while 1 fid in by procuring everything else 

 I can see or think that will add to the comforts of our larder. 

 Our menu at this point must be as complete as circum- 

 stances will permit. We finally conclude that we have 

 amply allowed for each one's fancy and direct that all the 

 provender be sent to the hotel by 8 o'clock next morning, 

 after which we make arrangements for our wagons to take 

 the fleet twenty-two miles to our destination, a point about 

 midway on the lake, on the eastern shore. 



Captain's boat is the first to be loaded, in which we find 

 ample room lor the majority of our "stupendous collec- 

 tion;" .led affei everything is in order the menagerie moves, 

 led by the elephants brought from South America's sunny 

 clime at the great expense of two ships, under the care and 

 guidance of the genial Mr. Littlcfield, of Cheboygan, who 

 handles the reins, while Petie, Woodrow, Captain and myself 

 are the humble but jubilant representatives of the elephantine 

 family. Following in our wake comes the balance of the 



Leaving Cheboygan we have a good road southeast to 

 Duncan City, a distance of about two miles, when \ve go 

 [trough the property of Mr. Thompson Smith, the owner of 

 the immense saw mill at this point, being the second largest 

 mill in the State of Michigan, then take advantage of a plank 

 road built by Mr. Smith for six miles through the woods for 

 the purpose of hauling logs one winter a few years ago when 

 the light snows proved ineffectual for such purposes. After 

 leaving this road we have a very good Michigan road the 

 balance of the distance. lu many places on tins drive the 

 underbrush and young trees had grown BO close to the wagon 

 rut that ;i complete arch was formed but. a short distance 



r heads, and the branches were continually brushing 



against us. At one point we bad about two miles of just such 

 a road without a break. About fifteen miles out we pass be- 

 tween a couple of deep, dark looking little lakes, called Twin 



Lakes. A ridge rises between them of not to exceed fifty 

 yards in width, but quite high, and 1 learnfrom Captain that 

 the level of the water on the one to our left as we are going is 

 about twenty-rive feet higher thau the other. They areeaidto 

 full of pickerel, and quite large ones, hut they tempt us not. 

 Woodrow keeps in advance of the train considerable of the 

 time on the lockout for a deer, while Petie, Captain and I 

 hold close to the seat on our spring wagon. It pleases aud 

 gratifies me exceeding much to relate that just here or here- 

 abouts. Woodrow sees a deer looking right at him in the mid- 

 dle of the road, and, as he says, Ms first thought was, "Gosh I 

 how thin 1" and afterward concluded to fire, but ye deer 

 hecdeth it not. When within about a mile of Black Lake 

 the waters of the lake con be seen to the right, and in a short 

 time we are brought up standing and a general tumbling out 

 is effected without any special requests, aud by supper time 

 the tent is up, a tip-top balsam bough bed made, and camp is 

 considered in readiness. 



This lake can be reached by a drive of about twelve miles, 

 landing you from four to five miles from the lake at the head 

 of the rapids in Black River, from which point a beautiful 

 trip can be had to the lake: and when the river is free of 

 logs a delightful run can be made down the rapids into Che- 

 boygan River and then to Cheboygan. Unfortunately for 

 us the river was full of logs clear up to the lake, compelling 

 us to take an entirely different route from Cheboygan and a 

 much longer wagon ride to deliver us at our destination. The 

 lake is about three to four miles wide and ten miles long, 

 very rjdep, with the exception of a quite wide stretch of 

 shoal water extending entirely around it, hi some places 

 reaching out into the lake for half a mile. The shores are 

 heavily lined with trees around the entire body of water, 

 and at the south end, which is the head of the lake, quite a 

 limestone ledge rises inio prominence, while on the east side, 

 where we are located, the laud rises into quite a respectable 

 series of hills. There are a number of fine large springs 

 around this lake, the outlet of one being within a few feet of 

 our tent. The time during the evening is put in by getting 

 guns and fishing tackle in order and a crusade against a lot 

 of small frogs, which are safely stored in our minnow bas- 

 ket. In the morning a fishing expedition is formed of all, 

 with the exception of Woodrow, who " goes out to look for 

 a deer." Paddling out to where the water deepens we ex- 

 plore for a short time, and upon discovering a few light, 

 wavy weeds several feet under the surface, a halt is called, 

 aud Petie gets his frog to soak first, and before Captain and 

 I have ours fairly in the water has something on his line, 

 trying to pull him out of the boat, and before he can show 

 up what is "trifling with his affections" Captain and 1 each 

 have a similar complaint. Rip ran out of the water and 

 down for the bottom — water quite deep outssde of the weeds 

 where we are fishing — and, after a tussle, we each have a 

 bass safely lauded. The next thing in order is a little blow- 

 ing from each one, and then a comparison, which must be 

 done immediately. Result : Petie, four pounds ; Captain, 

 four pounds two ounces ; I, four pounds eight ounces. Out 

 go our lines again, with a similar result in a few moments; 

 size of fish about the ssme. The next haul, a "siugle- 

 hander," is by Petie, who demands judgment, and, as all 

 hostilities must cease until settled, we hang his fish upon the 

 scales, and five pounds even is called. Harmony being re- 

 stored, we hustle the fish around for about an hour longer, 

 when we call quits and go back to our camping ground 

 and immediately make our showing. Petie comes in with 

 largest bass, five pounds, smallest four pounds, and one pick- 

 erel seven aud one-half pounds; Captain comes to the front 

 with largest bass four and one-half pounds, smallest three 

 and three-quarter pounds; while 1 am betwixt and between — 

 largest four and one-half pounds, smallest four pounds. 

 Laying them aloDg in a row on the beach, we come to the 

 unanimous conclusion that it is the finest lot of bass we 

 ever saw. How many there were I regret to say 1 failed 

 to note, but there were at least a dozen, with only one fish 

 less than four pounds, aud all, as the balance we catch 

 in this lake prove to lie, the small-mouthed black ba»3 

 and very dark-colored. Not having the conscience to 

 fish any longer, at present at any rate, where they 

 were so plentiful, we lake proper care of our fish, amuse 

 ourselves by a little target practice, get dinner ready, when 

 Woodrow turns up :u time to come in for his proportion, 

 immediately after which he "goes out to look for a deer," 

 while Petie, Captain and i prepare for a tour of investiga- 

 tion to the head of the lake. Following the shore we come 

 to the large limestone ledge so conspicuous from all parts of 

 the lake. The shore here is composed of broken and water- 

 washed pieces of limestone, and very large specimens of the 

 star coral, with pieces of the latter weighing at least from 

 eight to ten pounds each. A drizzling rain sets in, with 

 prospects of a very unpleasant afternoon ; we paddle back to 

 our camping place, snug up things a little, and in a short 

 time have goiDg, in a right cheerful manuer, the camper's 

 delight— a roaring lire. By night Woodrow turns up, a little 

 foot sore and weary, but nary venison. 



The next morning, visions of big fish now having taken 

 possession of our earnest deer hunter, he decides to go with 

 us. The wind is blowing quite strong, and we have consid- 

 erable difficulty in finding the exact location of our former 

 achievements, where we hud the fishing as good as the day 

 previous, aud we take many fine specimens. Petie this day 

 leads, landinga fi ve and one-half pound bass, the largest caught 

 by our parly. Two gentlemen troni Tennessee, visiting this 

 place after we left, brought back to Cheboygan two that 

 weighed six pounds each. 'Returning to our camping ground 

 a pen is built to keep our fish until we are ready to return 

 to Cheboygan. W r e fish awhile again in the afternoon while 

 Woodrow is again out "looking for a deer," and the fish seem 

 to be just as anxious to climb up our lines aud bite off the 

 end of our rods as heretofore. 



I must now wind up my line. As a summary I regret to 

 say that our persistent would-be deer slayer fails to get in 

 his deadly work, but he has had the satisfaction of knowing 

 that he has served faithfully and well, if not successfully. 

 What was remarkable as to our fishing at this point is the 

 fact that but three bass were caught, weighing less than four 

 pounds, while the average was about four and one-half 

 pounds. How many fi-h a person could catch here in one 

 day, under favorable circumstances, their powers of endur- 

 auoe alone could answer; we did not try. As for just the 

 right place togOtOfOr black bass fishing (this excels all I 

 have ever experienced), should any of my brother-anglers 

 have found a superior place, I would, for curiosiiy's sake, 

 like to hear of it. Understand, the small-mouthed black bass 

 average to entire catch four aDd one- half pounds, not in- 

 e.luding the. only pickel t] cai ■■ it Jaing seven undone 



half pounds. 



At noon the next day the teams meet us by appointment, 

 and we return to Cheboygan. Here our party breaks up, 



having been together between two and three weeks. Wdodrow 1 

 leaves for Indian River, there to remain a Couple of day?, 

 then to return home. Petie packs his gripsack, and silently 

 steals away on his return to the bosom ot his family. Cap- 

 tain lives here, while I, having my family in this locality > 

 expect to remain a month longer. We have hod a jovhl, 

 jolly good time together. May it often be repented, and I 

 can only wish my brother-canoeists and sportsmen as pleasant 



a cruise as the one just finished has been f 



F hank N. Be bbb. 



THE QUERY— "AUK T1IEY OF ANY USE;"' 



WHY art thou cast down, O Fishing Editor ? Why art 

 thou discouraged ? Thinkest thou it is possible for 

 such sweetness, such rich emanations culled from the pens of 

 gifted fishermen to drop, to droop, to die unseen, to waste 

 their fragrance on the desert air ': As they have stirred tiiine 

 own soul, and refreshed thee when weary and toil-worn by 

 the way! so also these words have spurred many an angler 

 and incited him to carefully examine his valuable lot of fish- 

 ing tackle, and to prepare them for another 80" Men's work. 



The angler is an enthusiast, and is of I en regardless of the 

 expense he incurs so long as it conduces to his sport, aud is 

 happy in the possession of such fine tackle. The most pleas- 

 ant moments in a fishing trip are those win n Ihe simple- 

 minded country folk gather around us as wo rig up the flue 

 split bamboo trout rod we possess, and see litem open their 

 eyes, until one of them laughingly says : ' 'What are you go- 

 ing to catch with that thing, Mister:" Bill meshing of 

 trout is generally a convincer that the thing is an elegant trout 

 rod. 



As the Fobest asd Stream comes iu on Saturdays my 

 first thoughts are for the yachting columns. These are hasti- 

 ly glanced through to see what discussion is going on. 

 Whether cutter, centreboard or sharpie, simply because I am 

 a water dog and always loved it. Then the "Sea and River 

 Fishing" comes next for these reasons: First, Because a 

 competent angler is at the head of it, and what he writes or 

 sanctions is excellent and worth reading. Second, it is the 

 best part of the paper, at least is the opinion of one angler. 



Now, for one incident of a recent fishing trip. We were, 

 angling in a rapid forest stream, very Shallow, but cold as 

 ice, indeed a dashing stream, hence we were bait fishing at 

 the time. Just below a corduroy bridge we struck a quiet 

 piece of water— a sand wash -over it hung a dense growth of 

 cedar trees. In this wash lay a very handsome trout, rising 

 at everthing that floated down stream. We wanted him : 

 our creel was empty. Quickly changing our hooks we put 

 on a new fly andmade the cast. He rose, but would not take 

 it. We changed to a Grizzly King, then to a Professor. With 

 the same results, rising each tune. We had some fellow 



Mays in our book. To put one on was the work o] 



ment. Then casting carefully up stream about two feel the 

 instant that fly struck water he dashed for it, a slight turn 

 of the wrist and we securely hooked him and brought him 

 in. This makes enthusiasts of fishermen and lovers of fitoll- 

 est ahd Stream. Nokw 



REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD FOGY. 



KttMBEB TWO. 



r looking over Ihe old log-book of a small craft that I bad 

 built I find the following i 1803, August iU, caught a 

 five-pound sheepshead on a very fine line and small book, 

 baited with a small piece of flying-fish. Tins, I believe, is 

 the only instance of a sheepshead being caught with fish for 

 bait, 18G3, August 5, caught a flounder that measured two 

 feet four inches in length aud weighed eight pounds. This 

 is the largest one that I ever saw. 1865, duly 27, caught a 

 shark which measured nine feet in length. In its jaws, em- 

 bedded in the flesh, were seventeen stings and pi ■ 



"rinl of Stlna rays, 



for the sharks, l 



out of the 



ticca particularly 



h. Now, 



stings of the sting ray. Sharks a 

 and I often used parts of them for ha 

 had frequently cut stings and piece 

 flesh about the jaws of sharks, and I 

 that there were no signs of inflamat i< m i 

 the ray sting is terribly poisonous to hiu 



The largest sheepshead that 1 eve* 

 pounds, but one was caught in Great i 

 weighed sixteen and one-quarter pounds 

 fish that I ever saw was caught in a Se- 

 near Beesley's Point, New Jersey, and 1 

 it turned the scale at. fifteen and three-quarter pounds, but 

 Thomas Grace, at Cape May Court House, caught one, with 

 his hook and line, that weighed twenty-three pounds. This 

 is the largest one that I ever heard of. I have . ihl a great 

 many fish, and shot many shore birds, duck and , 

 tween Long Beach and Herreford Inlet, New Jm 

 believe that the shooting has got to be poor, and it was poor 

 when I frequented there to what the old residents told me 

 that it had been in their recollection. C. R, M. 



Johtuoniown, Va., Od-.ll, 1881. 



id fifteen 

 Bay that 

 eat weak 



and Spit, 



'., aud 



ANGLING LITERATURE; 



NO land can compare with England in the variety and 

 richness of its angling literature. It contains works 

 which, like Izaak Walton's, are read by people who have not 

 the slightest interest in fishing, but which are pail of the 

 general literature of the time, and which faithfully reflect 

 the manners of the age in which they were written. .So ex- 

 tensive is this field that there are several books which are de- 

 voted to the history of this literature. Mr. Lainberl has just 

 published one,* a limited number o! whicn hi 

 Messrs. Scribuer & Co., of New York. 



The book is a IGmo. of 87 pages, with index, and, as the 

 author states, is intended to present a clear vie. <f ;'.. m .::[, 

 prominent English angling literature. Some spaceis devoted to 

 descriptions of fishing by Greek and Latin authi 

 the works of the two .great classical peoples of the past are 

 common to all countries." A short account of a few books 

 on other subjects interesting to fishermen, as well as a notice 

 of some biographical catalogues of books on fish and fishing 

 are also given. 



We learu that there have been six catalogues of books oh 

 fishing which deserve notice. The first, called "A Catalogue 

 of Hooks on Angling," was prepared by Sir.! r Ellis in 

 ist'J, and a reprint, without acknowledgment, ia to (JG found 

 in Daniel's "Rural Sports," 181^. Next came Pickering's 



■Angling Literature Is i rcngiimu; [ ami i aosei'lpfcioiisfaiisiii... 



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iv ii -II- '.■: An. in -. i ■.'. ■ ■. ' ■ i: .'i. ... on. i 



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 tea, Sea rle & Rlvlngtou, | Crown t.mi . -■ 



