464 



RECREA HON. 



his offer of paper to wrap them in, we went 

 to our several homes. I remember as we 

 were going up the street, each with his fish, 

 that Pete asked Harry if he knew how 

 many different kinds of a darn fool a man 

 could be. Harry gave it up. 



A WOMAN'S EXPERIENCE ON TOMAHAWK 

 LAKE. 



Marion, Ind. 



Editor Recreation: Our vacation, and 

 where we should spend it, had been the sub- 

 ject of most of our conversation for some 

 time. At last, we concluded to take the ad- 

 vice of some friends and try the lakes which 

 abound in the Northern part of Wisconsin. 

 We left here one hot sultry day, in August. 



Our destination, Tomahawk lake, was 

 reached the following afternoon. We hur- 

 ried to the hotel and were soon ready for a 

 pull out on the lake. 



The first afternoon we were disappointed; 

 but seeing others coming in with strings 

 of bass and pike, we knew there were 

 fish, and fish we were bound to have. 

 Next morning, our guide, Patrick Deeney, 

 Mr. R. and I started for the West arm of 

 the lake, which is about 8 miles from the 

 wharf. A good lunch and a jug of milk 

 were put aboard the boat and, of course, 

 the ever present camera. We fished over a 

 good deal of ground, gradually working 

 our way to Gibbs point, where we were to 

 lunch. The Gibbs party had taken frying 

 pan, lard, etc., so we might enjoy a fish fry. 

 If Mr. George Gibbs ever should want the 

 place of chef in a hotel, I think suitable rec- 

 ommendations could be furnished him. 

 His fish were done to a turn, even if they 

 were turned with a forked stick. 



After taking some snap shots of the situa- 

 tion, we started on up the lake. We fished 

 until almost night, every one doing his 

 best. 



The party came home tired, but elated 

 over the day's catch. Every day was a 

 repetition of the one preceding it; always 

 in the boat or wandering through the big 

 pine woods in search of botanical and geo- 

 logical specimens. Some of my friends 

 think they could not sit still in a boat, to 

 fish. Let them, for 15 or 20 minutes, play a 

 3-pound bass, or an 8^-pound pike, as I 

 did, and they would grow enthusiastic over 

 fishing, too. I can feel that electric thrill 

 in my arm yet, as it came up through my 

 little steel rod. Let me tell the ladies a 

 thing or 2. When you are tired out in body 

 and mind, with all the vexations that go 

 with keeping house, just pile a few old 

 jtfeings in your grip, and tell that husband of 

 yours you want to go fishing with him. I 

 will guarantee your headaches and house- 

 hold cares will disappear as if by magic; and 

 after your first experience with a small 

 mouthed bass you will always be a devoted 

 fisherwoman. Et Cetera. 



A surrejoinder in the OUANANICHE 



CASE. 



Burlington, Vt. 



Editor Recreation: I have a word more 

 to say about the ouananiche, and my rea- 

 sons for regarding that fish with less favor 

 than some writers claim it deserves. I 

 have had some experience with game fishes. 

 In fact, I have been fishing for them 40 

 years. In the last 13 years have caught 

 them in Nova Scotia, Canada, and in 14 

 States of the Union, and therefore believe 

 I know something of a fighting fish and 

 how to handle a rod. The latter I can prove 

 by the 21 pound 10 ounce, lake trout ex- 

 hibited in a window on Washington Street, 

 Boston, some 4 or 5 years ago. During 

 that time I have seen 3 men only, that as 

 fishermen with light tackle, would rank as 

 Gilbert and R. Heiks do among shot gun 

 men. One, the best, was at the Grande De- 

 charge last June. Two or 3 things have 

 been admitted anyway. The Decharge may 

 be over fished. There may be times when 

 the ouananiche loses his nerve. And 4 

 pounds is a big one. Now then, a lady, 

 with hardly any experience in fishing, bor- 

 rowed an old cheap rod at the hotel, and 

 brought in an ouananiche that weighed 

 nearly 4 pounds. As her name, with an ac- 

 count of her catch, is recorded on the hotel 

 books, I give it here: Mrs. S. W. Ritter, of 

 Philadelphia. 



" You must learn all over again. No pre- 

 vious experience is of any value." Opinions 

 do not amount to anything? Well, here are 

 facts to consider. Could the lady have 

 landed a trout of that weight, in a boiling, 

 roaring stream? 



H. O. Wilbur, of Philadelphia, is a fish- 

 erman of mature age and wide experience. 

 Here is what he had to say, after having 

 fished the Metabetchouan and Grand De- 

 charge: " Philadelphia, September 8, 1897. 

 I am glad you wrote as you did in Rec- 

 reation, about the ouananiche. It is a 

 much overrated fish, and does not com- 

 pare with the trout and salmon. Go for 

 him; I will back you up." That's another 

 opinion based on experience, and as reliable 

 as any. It is better than some which, if 

 common report is true, were written to 

 boom business for R. R. and hotel people. 

 I have plenty more of the same sort, but 

 one is as good as 100. 



The ouananiche resembles a mackerel in 

 shape and color. Some jump out of water 

 and some do not. They are a game fish, 

 but cannot out jump all the bass nor out- 

 fight all the trout. The hotel rates are 

 high. The trains run every other day, up to 

 about June 15; boats next day, and same 

 way on the return trip. I believe it is any 

 sportsman's privilege to express his opin- 

 ion of any fish or fishing ground. I have 

 stated the truth as it appears to me. I have 

 no friends to reward or enemies to punish. 

 J. C. French, M.D. 



