FISH AND FISHING. 



43 



away without success, then paddled ashore 

 to lunch. After an hour's rest we resumed 

 our fishing. We paddled around an is- 

 land, and as we moved away from the shal- 

 low water there came a straining pull at 

 my line. I jerked and an answering tug 

 gave challenge to combat. My guide pad- 

 dled quickly for the deep water, but I said, 



"Never mind doing that ; this is only a 

 small one, very likely another pickerel, or 

 perhaps a voracious bass." 



Looking back toward the island, along 

 the straining line, I saw it slowly lift, then 

 rise from the water with a swish, throw- 

 ing fine spray into the sunlight. Could it 

 be true ! Yes, a brown body fully 40 inches 

 long ! What a picture ! The light steel 

 rod bent far back, from the strain. Thirty 

 yards of line, every inch above the water 

 and as tight as a banjo string, and at the 

 Tend the frantic "wolf of the water," thresh- 

 ing about in a futile effort to disentangle 

 himself!" 



Three times the muskalonge showed his 

 full length. Then he retired to the depths 

 and sulked. I pulled hard, but he would 

 not budge except to send ominous shakes 

 of his wicked head thrilling along the tight- 

 ened cord. My guide paddled around in a 

 circle, and this changing of position en- 

 abled me to coax Musky from his retreat. 

 Up he came, wavering to and fro, as if ex- 

 hausted; but there was no exhaustion in 

 that wild rush as he caught a glimpse of 

 me! My line whirled out again with a 

 screaming Zr-r-r-r-zr-z-z-z. Sulking again, 

 he lay near his former place of refuge, gath- 

 ering strength for another furious rush. 

 Frantic dashes, wicked shakes of his head, 

 desperate leaps, were all tried in succes- 

 sion, till at last the wolfish fighter came up 

 exhausted, and yielded to the conqueror. 



He was a splendid specimen; not quite 

 so long as I had imagined when first I saw 

 him leap from the water, but long enough; 

 38 inches ; and plump, weighing 38 pounds. 



BLOWN IN ON PAYETTE LAKE. 



IDA HODGSON. 



July 15th, 1902, a party of 6 'started, from 

 our camp on the East shore of Lower 

 Payette lake, to go up the river fishing. 

 With 2 rowboats, fishing tackle and lunch- 

 eon, we set out at 8 a. m. About 10 130 we 

 entered the river and went up as far as 

 the log jam, where we tied our boats. 

 Then, while some of us were getting din- 

 ner, the others went fishing. After dinner 

 we all fished until about 4 o'clock. We 

 had poor luck, catching only 23 fish. 



At 4:30 we started homeward, but when 

 we reached the lake we found the wind 

 blowing hard and the waves so high we 

 dared not cross. There was nothing to do 

 but to remain in the river until the wind 

 went down. 



At 7 130 we tried again, the wind having 

 moderated. By the time we reached the 

 narrows it was blowing as hard as before, 

 and the boys were so tired rowing that we 

 decided to land. It was nearly dark when 

 we beached the boats. The boys brought 

 branches and built a fire, round which we 

 gathered, telling stories and singing until 

 we fell asleep. 



It was just 11 :i5 when I woke and 

 found the wind still high. I walked to the 

 shore to see if we still had our boats. 

 Finding them safe, I stood watching the 

 waves, for by that time the moon had risen, 

 showing white caps rolling high as far as 

 the eye could reach. 



I had been there only a few moments 

 when I saw, far down the lake, a moving 

 light. Presently I heard a whistle. Then 

 I knew it was the steam launch Lyda from 

 Lardo, and thought it must be out looking 

 for us. Going back to the fire, I roused 

 the rest of the party and told them of the 

 coming steamer. Building up our fire as a 

 signal, we went down to the shore and 

 waited. When opposite us the steamer 

 stopped, a rowboat put out and we were all 

 taken aboard. 



The ride back to Lard© was glorious ; the 

 steamer ploughing through the white cap- 

 ped waves and dashing spray high in the 

 silvery moonlight. 



Reaching Lardo, we had to walk about 

 1^2 miles through the sand to our camp, 

 which we reached at 1 130. Having had 

 nothing to eat since noon, we lost no time 

 cooking supper. By 2 130 we were ready 

 for our beds, tired but happy. 



Before the District Court of Sheridan 

 county, Levi Milton was convicted of dy- 

 namiting trout and was fined $250 and 

 costs. This is the first case of this kind that 

 has been tried here. 



J. E. M., Sheridan, Wyo. 



I hope the disposition of this case may 

 have a salutary effect on other game and 

 fish law breakers in Wyoming. There are 

 some excellent judges in the Western 

 States, and our Eastern sages should emu- 

 late their example. — Editor. 



AN ANGLING SOLILOQUY. 



N. M. J. 



Soon I'll straddle my bike, 

 Like an Alkali Ike, 

 And away I will pike, 

 Just to do as I like. 



I will go to the stream 

 Where the bright waters gleam, 

 Yes, I'll go to the crick 

 And I'll go mighty quick. 



