FOREST AND STREAM. 



© 



4,35 



a thread of it ia the bunch as commonly sold. At each end 

 you will see where it has been twisted around the pin, and 

 beyond that, where the piece held in the fingers has been 

 stripped out, which is usually flat. That there are other in- 

 sects than the common silk-worm (how many I do not know) 

 who have this lobe of fluid matter that is utilized into fishing 

 gut I am satisfied. More than forty years ago I got a quan- 

 tity of gut (how or from whom I do not remember}, but it 

 was different from any I had ever seen before or since. It 

 was heavy and long. Some of the threads were nearly three 

 feet, perfect in smoothness and equal in thickness, and as 

 thick as good salmon gut. The color, however, differed from 

 the ordinary gut, being brown-colored, as if soaked m tea, 

 but I am satisfied it was the natural color. I still have a few 

 threads of it in my tackle book, which have been there about 

 forty-live years. Ihave just looked at them and find that the 

 longest yet remaining is twenty-three and a half inches ; a 

 good, clear thread ; one of the lightest of the lot. 



"About as long ago as I can remember there was an article 

 sold called sea-weed, which was used by fly- fishers. It was 

 from three to four feet in length, round, smooth, and tapered 

 from the root to the point, but was not reliable as to its 

 strength. I have not seen any of it for nearly fifty years 

 past. I would like to know if you or any of your angling 

 readers have seen any such gut as I have described as to 

 length and color, and if it is to be had in our market." 



» »«.^» 



FRESH WATER CODLINGS. 



Editor Forest and Stream : 



Some Information about the fish of which the enclosed is a rough 

 outline, taken the day after it was caught, would be quite interesting to 

 many of your readers. It Is a flsh that no one here has ever caught 

 or seen before. It was brought to me to learn if I lcnew what it was. 

 I could not remember of having seen any litre it here during thirty-four 

 years residence. In looking into a work on Ashes published in 'New 

 York, I lound, I think, the Identical fish, called the common fresh- 

 water burbot or eel pout. Describing the nsh to my son, who resides 

 in Minnesota, he writes me that he has caught them either in the Mis- 

 sissippi or Bock" River, aud that three were caught some time ago in 

 Root River, in Minnesota. Are these fish common in the rivers or 

 lakes in the East? Are they used for table? I am well acquainted 

 with these sea species. They were known by the name of Ling, were 

 dried like corttlsh, also sold fresh. 



Davenport, Iowa, Dec. 26, 1S77. WM. Gray. 



[We recently saw some fine specimens of this variety of fish 

 on the stand of Eugene Blackford, Fulton Market. They 

 were taken in Cayuga Lake, in the State of New York, where 

 they are abundant. Some of those which we saw measured 

 two feet in length. They are repulsive in appearance, and 

 are not in request as food. Their color is a greenish olive, 

 something like that of the frog. It is the fresh- water coun- 

 terpart of the salt-water codling, pJiycis tenuis of the family 



Gadidte.l 



♦*♦ 



TROUT FISHING AT TIM POND, ME. 



never making '-two bites of aehernV'an.riiogne* for Ins ball, with a 

 l-uah, and swallows it Without an effort. But the red eye. is a dainty 

 feeder and delioata biter, often taking hold of the tail of the minnow 

 i i holding it in Ills month lor several minutes (that is in still 

 fishing). In the country where the writer spends his summers and does 

 his Ashing. Southern Wisconsin, the black variety is plentiful and quite 

 common, but not nearly so abundant as the green. 



Now, as to the method : An eight-ounce rod, rather stiff, and nine feet 

 In length ; a Couroy double multiplying reel, a firm linen twisted line, a 

 No. 5 Sprout bend hook on gimp, and small yellow perch for bait (not 

 very particular as to the size, for I often use a four-ounce fish). I reel 

 the bait to the tip of the rod, and cast, with the right hand, all about 

 the boat ; and, with a little practice, the bait can be landed within one 

 or two feet of any desired spot. If there is a bass within ton feet of the 

 bait when it strikes the water, he will be on hand as soon as the bait is, 

 and he never misses his reach, if you have no strike, you reel in for 

 another east, and, very frequently, a fish takes the bait on ^ts way in. 

 By this method you can cover a great deal more ground than by trolling 

 or still fishing. You can reach the homes of the fish among the reeds 

 and rushes, and it is a great deal more exciting and sportsman-like. 

 Wliik- the green bass is not quite so gamy a fish when hooked as the 

 black, im is still, eminently, a fighting fish; and a four or five pounder 

 at the end of seventy-five or a, hundred feet of line, will give you all the 

 sport needed for a quarter of an hour or more. 



Now, one or two hints : You cannot cast against the wind, as your 

 line will certainly overrun, so you must make your casts with the wind 

 or across it. The reel should be no more than a double multiplier, as 

 with a heavy bait, the cast gives it such an impetus as to carry the line 

 off the reel faster than it can get through the rings, and hence, with 

 Kentucky or Meeks reels, which multiply four times, the line Is seen to 



I have gone through all the old methods of fishing, trolling with a 

 spoon and live minnow, still fishing, aud everything else, and I can as- 

 sure you that the cast from the bow of a boat excels them all ; indeed, 

 we do not now consider him a sportsman who trolls with a spoon, but 

 only apol; Hunter. 



If any of your readers desiro to enjoy bass fishing in its perfection, 

 let them come to Oconomowoe in June. Within a radius of fifteen 

 miles there are more than forty lakes, and without any odious compari- 

 sons, it is certainly the loveliest spot on the American Continent. 



a ;>!b,:i; 187T. GEO. A. SCHOTBLDT. 



[For specific characteristffcs and modes of catching the seve- 

 ral varieties of bass in North, South and West, see "Hallock's 

 Sportsman's Gazetteer. ' '—Ed. ] 



^nmt\B to ^^respondents. 



No Notice Taken of An 



Co 



ilcnttona. 



Its' - A number of anonymous correspondents will understand why 

 their queries are not answered, when they read the lines at the head of 

 this column. 



W Mt. Vebnon, Maine, Dec. 17, 18T7. 



Editor Forkst and Stream : 



In September last our party of four started for Tim Pond from here. 

 Our route from here lay through the towns of Vienna, Fannington, New 

 Vineyard, New Portland and Ktngfteld, noted forbelngthe home of Gov- 

 ernor King, the first Governor of Maine. 



From Kingfleld we follow the west bank of the river up to Jerusalem 

 Bridge, where we cross the Carrabassett and go up the Height of Land 

 and down on the other side into Dead River Valley ; cross the south 

 branch of the Dead River and go up on what is called the "Ridge" to 

 Kenneday Smith's, where we arrive at noon on the second day. The 

 distance is sixty-one miles. Prom here we have a fine view of Mt. 

 Bigelow and Abram, also of Dead River Valley. 



M Uncle" Billy Stevens, now about eighty years of age, lives here near 

 Mr. Smith's and Is the first settler of the valley, moving here about sixty 

 years ago, and made the first clearing. Flagstaff is ten miles below here 

 on the Dead River. After dinner, our packs made up, we start for the 

 pond, about six miles to the west of Smith's, and arrived there about 

 (tr.Jt. 



We were np in the morning as soon as we could see, and down to the 

 dam at the outlet of the pond, and in a short time we had about twenty 

 fine trout that would average about one pond each. After breakfast wo 

 went to the^other side of the outlet, and the rest of the day was spent in 

 building a camp big enough to accommodate our party. The next 

 morning we caught about twenty-five fine trout. They were handsome 

 fellows, weighing from eight ounces to two pounds ; it is rare that wo 

 get one above that weight. The under side of some of them is about 

 the color of blood and others of a silver color. They both take a worm 

 or rise for the fly In September. There is no tlsli in the pond except 

 trout, and you know what you have every time. The pond covers about 

 one and one-third square miles, aud lies lust at the northwest side of 

 Kennebago Mountain and about five miles north of Kennebago Lake. 

 There is good partridge shooting there,and the deer and moose are quite 

 plenty. Two years ago when I was there we had quite an exciting chnse 

 after two caribou that were swimming across the pood, but they having 

 too much the start tor us got away. I think that there is no better trout 

 ttshing in the State of Maine than Tim Pond. This is my fourth trip 

 there, and I have always found a plenty of fish. This time we were 

 there eight days and caught about two hundred trout. The expense is 

 very small, being less than $10 each for the trip, and we were away from 

 home twelve days. 



Any one wishing to go there can go to Farmington by rail and lake a 

 team from tnere forty-six miles ; or go to North Anson by rail and stage 

 from there to Eustis, when it is five miles to Mr. Smith's who owns the 

 only boat on the pond and wlio will go with you, or furnish a reliable 

 guide at very reasonable rates. One going there must make up his mind 

 to rough it from the time that he leaves Mr, Smith's until he gets back. 

 Any one wishing for further information can get it from Kenneday 

 Sunt n Eustis, Me., or of the writer, M. S. Philbrick . 



A 



BLACK BASS FISHING. 



Editor Forest and Stream : 



Having followed this kind of fishing for nearly twenty years, I can tell 

 how I do it. 



In the first place, it is a common error to characterize all the different 

 species of the bass as " black," or to confuse the black and the green 

 under the same same, wlien they are of decidedly distinct habits, ap- 

 pearance and marks. The genuine black bass is known by one unmis- 

 takable mark, and that is the " red eye." His mouth is much smaller, 

 and he is a trimmer and more symmetrical fish. While you always find 

 ok bass on the sand bars, grave! beds and the margin of shoals, 

 the green Ush is unmistakably a grass fish, found always among the 

 ind rushes and, except perhaps when in search of food, never 

 near the sand and gravel beds. The green bass is a voracious monster, 



C, G, R,, Port Royai.— See agricultural columns for answer to your 

 query. 



Coram.— For elk skins apply to ;Eddy, Harvey & Cutter, 239 Madison 

 St., Chicago. 



Elk.— Where can I obtain elk skins ? Ans. Write to Pember & Prouty, 

 12S West Broadway, New York. 



W. G. S., Ciiatham, N. Y.— For woodcock and ruffed grouse shooting, 

 what kind of a dog do I want ? Ans. A setter. 



C. J. P., Palnesville, O.— See last week's issue in regard to the Wood- 

 ruff Scientific Expedition. Address given therein. 



Findi.ey's Lake.— A correspondent wishes information about this 

 take, which is near North East, on the Lake Shore R. R. 



Reader, Sharon, Pa.— Will some of your readers please inform me 

 through your paper where the wild pigeons are ? 



Ii. E. W., Newark, N. J.— Where can I get pocket lanterns ? Ans. 

 White Manufacturing Co., Bridgeport, Conn. 



Subscriber, Baltimore.— What is the best lubricator for the extractor 

 and working parts of ray gun? Ans. Eaton's Rust Preventive, or re- 

 fined porpoise oil. 



D. W. B., Brazil.— Where can I get King Charles spaniels ? Ans. 

 About the most difficult dog to get. Advertise in Forest and Stream. 



L. G. M., Brier Hill, N. Y.— Fur, Fin and Feather contains New York 

 game laws. We can send it to you, price 50 cents. We have not pub- 

 lished the Black Lake regulations. 



A. W. B., Fort Lincoln, D. T.— It is difficult to get the rifle you want 

 second-hand . We will put the matter before some of our dealers, and 

 If they can find the gun you want, will address you. 



A. S. C, Chicago, — Which is the better rifle, or ? 2. 



What is the extreme accurate range of each ? Ans . 1 . We must re- 

 spectfully decline acting as judges. 2. About 200 yards. 



AG. F., Belleville, III.— It was an unfortunate error of types. Should 

 have been 80 to 75 dollars. To aiter barrels from $40 to $50 ; extra en- . 

 graving and neat finishing make up the remaining cost. 



J. B. D., Brooklyn.— Please inform me where I ean get a muzzle- 

 loader altered to a breech-loader? Ans. Send it to A. G. Gene/.,') 

 Chambers at., N. Y., or to George Hayden, 143 Fulton st. 



A. M., Lake Charles, La.— Give me the name of a reliable house 

 where I can have a shot gun aud rifle rebored? Ans. Send to Fulsom 

 Bros., St. Louis. If you desire to Bend it to N. Y. let A . G. Genez, No. 9 

 Chamber St., do It. 



W. L. B., Sangatuck.— I want to shoot four drachms and \% to \U 

 ounce shot, what weight and gauge gun shall I use to make best pat- 

 tern? Ans. Ten gauge, to weigh 8 pounds and upward. 



C. It., Albany.— From the description you give of the dog would not 

 think there was any Gordon in her. Her diminutive size inclines us tot 

 think there may be a mixture of spaniel. It is difficult to judge withou 

 seeing the animal, 



S. S. H., New York.— Will yon please Inform me through the columns 

 of your valuable paper where cattle raisers In Colorado and Nebraska 

 winter their stock? AnB. They winter themselves on the range. They 

 require no shelter or provided food. 



D. L. V. E., Washington, N. H.— 1. Of No. 1, 2 and 3 which gun for the 

 price would you prefer ? 2. Give me the name of a good house dealing 

 in spruce gum. Ana. 1. For the price would prefer No. 1. 2. No de 

 mand or sale for it. Boys chew, now, parafflne. 



,1. H., Mount Royal.— What is used to prevent kerosene oil leaching 

 through wood ? Ans. Two coatings of glue are used. The method is 

 to .steam the barrel, and while warm, a pound of glue iu solution is put 

 on, and the barrel bunged; the barrel is then turned around, emptied, 

 dried, and the process repeated. 



Subscriber, N. Y.— 1. Have Adam's guns a good reputation? 2. 

 What brands of cheap powder are suitable for a breech-loader ? 3. 

 What is the price 1 4. Would you advise a mixture of Dittmar'S pow- 

 der wltli ordinary black powder? Ans. 1. Good reputation. 2. Haz- 

 ard's F. G. 3. Twenty-five cents a pound. 4. Would not work. 



G. P., West Lebanon.— Where can I get live quail ? Ans. Write to 

 Relbhe Bros., N. Y. (We may state, in reply to numerous inquiries as 

 to birds, that it is very difficult to procure them. Orders with dealers 

 must lie placed fully six mouths before they can be tilled. The migra- 

 tory quail cannot be obtained, they are not for sale). 



Pittsburg.— Is there quail shooting at St. Augustine, Fia.? if not 

 how far away? Is there any shooting at that point, to be had and 

 return the same day ? Is itworth the trouble and expense to take dogs? 

 Ans. Good quail shooting just across St. Sebastian River, a couple of 

 miles. Yes ; take your dog, or you will get no birds. 



A. W. B., Fort Lincoln, D. T.— We can tell you of a. rifle pretty 

 much as] you require— cal. .40, 30-inch steel barrels, set triggers, plain 

 sights and bar locks. Price $25, with peep and globe sights $30. Cost 

 originally fully $60 and is now in good order. Address Mr. Henry C. 

 Squires, No. 1 Cortlandt St., New York city. 



C. J . G., Tom's River.— 1 . Would a Chesapeake Bay dog make a good 

 watch dog on a farm, and also be a No. 1 duck and water dog ? 2. 

 Where could I procure such a pup, and at about what price for the best 

 breed? Ans. 1. Makes a good watchdog, aud can find ducks too. 2 

 Hard to procure. Apply to C. H. Tilghman, Easton, M d. 



Epergos.— 1. Where can Bogardus' rules for glass ball shooting be 

 procured ? 2. Where can I get a form of constitution and by-laws for 

 the organization and governing of a game protective and shooting- club7 



3. Are the "Eagle Claw" traps reliable for catching aud holding rata 

 and larger animals ? Ans. 1. Write Capt. Bogardus to our care. 2. 

 We take pleasure in mailing you one. S. Excellent for the purpose. 



jr. S. F., Philadelphia.— 1. How much will it cost to change a muzzle- 

 loader to a breech-loader ? 2. Is there a London guumaker by the name 



of ? 3. Can I buy the " Sportsman's Gazetteer" in Philadelphia, 



will you send it by mail ? 4. What will a well broken water spaniel 

 cost? Ans. 1. Could not fix a price. 2. Leading gunsmith. 3. Cir- 

 cular has been sent you. 4. About $40. 



Yellow Leg, Auburn.— 1. What is the cost or a passage to Para? 

 2. What will it cost to live there ? 3. What is the duty on bird skins ? 



4. Give me the name of a book with list of birds of Central America ? 

 Ans. 1. $f5. 2. Haven't the least idea, never been there. 3. Twenty 

 per cent, ad valorem. 4. There is no general list published. Special 

 lists have been published by the Smithsonian, and in the annals of the 

 Lyceum. 



T. D., New York.— When deer are shot in the water, if in the red coat, 

 they sink immediately ; if in the blue coat, they float like cork. Now, 

 can you explain the reasons for each peculiarity ? I have always sup- 

 posed that the hairs of the blue coat— nature's protection in cold 

 weather— were filled with air, but my authority being called for 1 can 

 find no printed authority. Ans. The deer Is fatter when he Is In the 

 blue, and therefore floats. Your theory about the hair is correct to an 

 appreciable extent. 



C. E. C, Oil City, Pa.— On page 547, "Sportsman's Gazetteer," the 

 author says : " We would not advise their use in the Winchester rifle " 

 —speaking of explosive ball cartridges for large game. Can you ex- 

 plain why he would not use them ? I have always thought that the use 

 of explosive cartridges would make the Winchester the best gun for all. 

 game, from deer to a grizzly bear, but have never practically tried ir. 

 Ans. Explosive cartridges are not safe in the magazine of tho gun. 



A. S. B., Boston.— What is the " Fergeron Jar" for hatching fish eggs? 

 What, if any, are the special publications on " Fish Culture," on trout 

 particularly, since the book by L. Stone, Esq.? Ans. Write to T. B. 

 Ferguson, the patentee, 192 North Charles Si; , Baltimore. No special 

 publications printed except what Is contained In Hallock's " Sports- 

 man's Gazetteer" (ITS pages) which relate to species, specific character- 

 istics and habits, rather than to culture and propagation. 



T. C. L., Rockingham.— My pointer mashes birds badly iu retrieving, 

 Can I remedy this, and how? Ans. First by patience. Two or three 

 methods are employed which we indicate, but we do not recommend 

 save in a modified way. One is to drive tacks In a corn cob, put it In a 

 glove and throw it to the dog. If he is not careful when he retrieves 

 the glove he is hurt. This is a bad plan, because once wounded in the 

 mouth the dog suspects everything thrown to him to retrieve. The 

 second method is to use a collar with points inside. This too is decided- 

 ly cruel. A thin cord with a slip knot can be used to correct a, fa a] 

 this kind. Tighten it when the dog is at fault, but without choking him. 

 We have seen dogs quite faulty in the respect you mention, with simple 

 warnings and no violence, made so delicate in mouthing a bird, or any 

 object, that they would fetch a lady's fan without hurting it. Hap 

 patience. See Hallock's Gazetteer. 



O. G. P., Linwood.— 1. To whom shall I apply for books on tobacco 

 culture, etc.? 2. How is the climate of Yadkin Co., N. C, adapted to 

 the raising of the Angora goat? 3. Where can I find data in regard to 

 raising Angora goats ? 4. Would the Yadkin River be adapted to the 

 training of black bass and shad ? 5. How can I get ruffed and pinnated 

 grouse to stock with ? Ans. 1. We have none of the books on hand. 

 Write to E. R. Billings, Somers, Conn., who publishes a good book . 2. 

 Should think it very well adapted to raising the Angora goat. 8. Con- 

 sult Vols. II, and HI. of F. & S., and Agricultural Reports for 1ST i-ts. 

 Harrison Gray Otis, Washington, D. O, ii the best posted man on An- 

 gora goats. 4. The Yadkiu would be better adapted to blackbass thau 

 shad. Full information can be found in back files of the Forest a -jo 

 Stream, or from the Pennsylvania Fish Commissioner, H. J. Keeder, 

 Easton, Pa. 5. Write to Reichc Bros., Chatham St., N. Y., for birds. 



W. W. H., Cromwell.— 1. Where can I obtain information in regard to 

 " Evans' repeating rifle?" 2. What, if any, long-range muzzle-loaders 

 are manufactured in the U. S. ? Who are the parties to address ? 3. 

 What Spanish or French author wrote the lay, or lament, of »Ronoes- 

 valles? 4. Has there been an English translation? Ans. 1. Evans Bine 

 M'f'g. Co., Mechanic Falls, Maine. 2. Remington & Sons, New York 

 Sharps, New York— see advertisements. 3, i. The author of Ronces- 

 valles is unknown. In the Oxford Library there is a manuscript of the 

 Ninth Century which contains what little is known of it. The Chanson 

 de Roland was part of the Roncevaux. There is no English translation. 

 French literature has, however, discussed the poem most fully. Refer 

 to Leigh Hunt's " Stories of Italian Poets " for further information. 



Lars.— 1. Why does a ball from an overheated rifle barrel always 

 rise, or shoot over 1 2. Is the $5 rifle advertised a carbine of 50 calibre, 

 etc., etc.? Ans. 1. It must be first positively proved that a heated 

 rifle barrel does throw its balls higher. We are by no means willing to 

 accept that it does. Should, however, this fact be granted, there are 

 some pretty theories, or rather suggestions, in regard to this over- 

 shooting, which merely advance without endorsing it. It is asserted 

 that after repeated firing, when the barrel warms, ihe expansion of the 

 metal cylinder alters from tho horizontal, b eing uplifted from the muz- 

 zle while retained mechanically at the breech. This then, it is said, 

 makes the arm throw high. The barrel ia bent downward, the muzzle 

 belngjhigher. 3. Not the arm you describe. 



