“Ava. 21 ; 
measured nine feet in length, The darky had but little 
skin left on his fingers. Annoyed at such base sport, 1 
pulled up anchor, and after a pleasant sail reached home, 
JACKSONVILLE, Fila. AL FrREsco. 
7 FROM SUCKER TO BASS. 
4/7 OUR correspondent, “W. 8. P.,” in your issue of July 
24, commenting upon the gaminess of suckers and red- 
horse, calls to mind an incident of “lang syne,” where one of 
diy old friends. who had been wedded to that sort of fishing 
for years, renounced his first love and established his ortho- 
doxy by becoming an expert and successful angler for the 
Saracen of our Western rivers and lakes. One morning, late 
in the month of March, Sam §. called for me and promised 
tare sport if 1 would go with him to the fishing grounds. It 
was rare, but the best act in the play was not mentioned on 
the programme. I had already looked upon several graphic 
pictures, wherein ten-pound suckers had figured prominently, 
When I was admonished by a shake of the hand to tread 
easy. Passing quietly down the steep bank, poles were soon 
rigged and the ball set rolling. Lnmedisiely in front of us 
lay a great sycamore tree, with just a strip of its bark above 
the water. lt was close in shore, and after making a cast 
Sam would rest the tip of a pole on this tree. He had some 
five or six lines out, and it was not long until the play was 
going on merrily, Ab, me! what a time that was. It was 
one of those rare gray days when the winds seemed to be 
stl wearing their winter wings. The waters looked dark 
and cold, and just the thoughts of a plunge in the icy pools 
was maddening, 
Por a time there was a great oufcoming of the sucker fam- 
ily. Sam was vigilant, and his tackling substantial. Every 
now and then something would flash through the air like a 
meteor, and when an instant later | would hear a loud thump 
up on the side of the levee, I always knew another sucker 
hid paid the debt. By and by there came a lull, and 
stories of fine ten and twenty-pound fish began to float out 
again. Just at this period one of the poles slipped over the 
tree and out of sight like a flash, leaving a trail of sparkling 
bubbles in its wake, suggestive of more than one fish-power. 
Ti was but the work of a moment for Sam to cast aside 
his shoes, hat and coat. Turning to me with a Jook of tri- 
tinph, he said; ‘Parson, you have had your langh; when 1 
produce the fish, then—well, then I willsmile,” Then there 
was a great splash, and a few seconds later the grim, deter- 
mined face of the old boy was turned shoreward, I came 
down the beach and led ihe hero from the waves. ‘Sam, 
itis a sucker?” 
MV og |?” 
“A white sucker?” 
eSam ge 
“Well” ; 
“These scales make the weight just 2 pounds 54 ounces.” 
From 2 sheltered place I watched elm poles and hickory 
| poles go whirling over the watery wastes and in their wake 
glistening bait can. And last, but not Jeast, about two yards 
of suckers arose uboye the horizon of the levee and as full of 
evolutions as a Chinese balloon. It was then that the scepter 
departed out of Kgypt. It was a shoeless, hatless and coat- 
less clyclone that swept down that river bottom. It did not 
| destroy much timber, but the electricity, the thunder and the 
_ odor of sulphur substantiated the identity of the phenomenon, 
if it was human, 
That night [taught Sam to spell Henshall and a week 
later he had a rod of that name, 
Take it pound for pound and | think a sucker has as much 
nerve as a whale, but the power and activity of the bass he 
sadly lacks. Jt is not necessary for his existence that he 
should be so samy as the bass. The latent power awakened 
by the touch of the hook is like the force of spent embers. 
Tt glows for a moment in the gale and is puffed out. 
Parson O’GATH. 
BatRp TRon Works, Ohio. 
TROUT IN MOOSELUCMAGUNTIC. 
| ee trout fishing here is something remarkable. Yester- 
“ day, Aug. 8, a gentleman took five trout weighing 
together twenty-eight pounds. A few days before he cap- 
| tured eight weighing thirty-eight pounds. The only mode 
- to get these larye fish, veritable leviathans in size and nature’s 
jewels in glistening beauty, is by deep-water bait-fishing 
he angleworm is very catching, and a long line of say 
| sixty yards is needed. 
For smaller fish one needs to go to Lake Kennebago, over 
along and bad carry of ten miles, professedly by buck- 
board, but actually for seven miles of the route walking is 
Jess fatiguing, Once arrived there the sport is very excel- 
| lent, it being an easy catch to get forty specimens, averaging 
six ounces. <A party of three took 120 in about six hours. 
Tt is the only lake in this range of the Androscoggin Lakes 
where the angler is certain of getting enough trout for a 
meal, And here they are always on the table, while at 
the other hotels or camps they appear very infrequently, 
unless at the “Elmwood,” which, although located out of 
the vicinity of the Jakes, is always well supplied, and indeed 
is the hest house in the sporting region. 
Jarge fish are better faken in June and September, and 
some of the weights are appalling, But I have taken pains 
to yerify some of the stories, and find them true. A twenty- 
| four pound trout (Salmo fontinalis) was taken here in 1872 
by a boy who had left his hook baited over night with a 
minnow, the fish haying swallowed the bait and hooked him- 
self. Since then, seyenteen, fifteen, twelve and eleven and a 
half pounds arethe largest weights. Five, six andeyen seven 
pound captures are frequently made. I will show you the 
head and expanded jaws of a six-pounder-when I return. 
Tt looks like the skull of an average-sized muskalonge. 
There are other sports—caribou, deer, moose, partridge, 
etc., but all in the season, mainly after Sept. 1. 
Canoeing is good on these beautiful waters. The ‘‘carries” 
are easy, except the Kensebago route, and there is a continu- 
ous water journey of over seventy miles. The owner of the 
Stella Maris is here, with his new boat, the Gaviota, and, in 
-eompany with a lady, is making the tour of the lakes. She 
(the canoe I mean) behaved very well with the double load in 
a rather heavy sea on the sail through the lake, and although 
somewhat long (16 feet), is a good sea boat. 
This is a charming way to make the trip, and a lady, if 
not too delicute, cannot trayel more pleasantly. Of course, 
wet garments and rough walking must be taken with the 
balmy skies and zephyr breezes, black flies and mosqui toes 
have no respect for lily brows and rosy cheeks, But apart 
from this there is a zest in the journey and rough lite a 
“Woman can never enjoy lounging upon a hotel piazza; but 
ladies the shady side of thirty had better hesitate. The 
(3g 
. 
== 
a : 
a rt ~ een? Oa ok a” 
OREST AND STREAM. 
would-be lady canoeist must have young blood and fresh 
spirits as well as a strong back and stout limbs. 
There are no photographs of these fairy waters, each one 
a Lake George on a small scale, which convey any notion of 
their varied beauty. Mr. Woodman, who is an amateur 
photographer as well as a preacher, has taken many views 
hereabouts, but these are mainly of small size, cabins with 
their handsome lady occupants posed on the outside, canoes, 
camps and similar scenes, An artist could find no better 
field for remunerative work than here, and this, too, would 
enable your readers to form some idea of this beautiful chain 
of waters. Come here in September, bring warm clothing 
and a small Remington, and you can have five-pound trout 
and a chance for a caribou. _ KNICKERBOCKER. 
Camps Bemis, via Rangeley, Me., Aug. 9. 
ANGLING NOTES FROM COLORADO. 
HAVE just got in from a ten days’ camp on the Rio 
[ 
Grande. Fishing good, but the river not at its best; too 
much water. J managed to save one trout weighing two and 
ahalf pounds, Col. Steele brought in one that weighed three 
and 4 quarter pounds, and I reckon I saw twenty dead fish 
that would weigh over pound apiece. But to fish at Wagon 
Wheel Gap to advantage one must wade, and wading at 
present is not possible, The fishermen who come later will 
have the best of sport. If I were to make a trout stream, as 
a model | would copy the Rio Grande ten milesup and down 
from Wagon Wheel Gap. Next to the supreme Nepigon, it 
is the river, Curious as it may seem, it is reached by rail- 
road, and there is a choice of hotels (either is good enough). 
If one gets the cramp in the ice water, there is a hot sul- 
phur bath to take it out; and as it is not all of fishing to fish, 
there 1s scevery to satisfy the eye. And up well toward snow 
line there is plenty of game—deer, elk and some grouse. 
am home for a few days and then am going into Middle Park 
to join a couple of your correspondents, Franee and Byers, 
and hope to have something to report by the middle of Sep- 
tember. 
I had an old timer for a cook, and was pleased to see that 
the little book of ‘‘Nesmuk’s” had fallen good ground. 
Mr. Sears will be pleased to know that thanks are paid him 
from many a camp between here and him. 
Myron W. Rep. 
Denver, Col., Ang. 13. 
THE ENGLISH TOURNAMENT. 
: hes fourth annual ‘‘Fishing Gazette Tournament,” in aid 
of the Anglers’ Benevolent Society, was held at the 
Welsh Harp Fishery, on Saturday, July 26, af 2 P. M. 
The following officers selected by the Committee of the 
| Anglers’ Benevolent Society: 
General arrangements under the direction of Mr. R, B. 
Marston, assisted by the committee. 
The Salmon and Trout Fly-easting Competitions, —Judges: 
Mr. Geo. M. Kelson, and Mr. J. C, Murray. 
Thames and Nottingham Style Bait casting Competitions, — 
Judges: My. Philip Geen and Mr, A. J. Little. 
The ‘‘Go-as-you-please” Roach Anglers’ Race, the Getting 
Ready for Fishing Competition, and the Two Hours’ Peg 
down Fishing Match, under the direction of Messrs. R. Mur- 
phy and E. Chambers. Referee: Mr. J. Woodward (cham- 
_ pion roach angler). 
RULES FOR THE FLY CASTING. 
1. Hach competitor to be in readiness and to proceed when 
called upon by Mr. Kelson to do so. 
2. Five minutes will be allowed for each competitor to make 
his cast; the judges, however, may give further time 
if they consider it necessary, for repairs, 
. Each competitor must have some treble and single cut at- 
tached to his line. 
. Each competitor to use one of the flies which will be pro- 
vided. 
5. Any competitor entering for Prize No. 2 who shall make 
a longer east than any one of those competing for 
Prize No. 1, shall be entitled to his choice of any one 
of these prizes in exchange. 
6. Gentlemen will be allowed to enter in assumed names, 
and an entrance fee of ds. to be paid by all competitors. 
RULES FOR THAMES AND NOTTINGHAM BAIT-CASTING, ETC. 
The Committee have decided on the following rules; 
1. Competitors are at liberty to use their own rods, lines and 
winches, except where otherwise specified, and subject 
to the undermentioned regulations, ' 
2. No rod shall exceed the following lengths: Single-handed 
competitions, 12 feet 6 inches; double-handed, 16 feet; 
salmon, 20 feet; Thames style bait, 14 feet; Notting- 
ham style bait, 14 feet. 
3. No allowance in points (or distance) shall be made for 
difference in lengths of rods. The term rod shall be 
understood to mean a Jond Jide fishing rod, 
4, Bach competitor shall use the artificial baits and flies for 
casting provided by the management. 
5. Competitors shall draw lots to determine the order in 
which they shall cast, and must heready to commence 
when called upon by the time-keeper. 
6. In each competition five minutes will be allowed for cast- 
ing; the judges, howeyer, may allow further time, if 
they consider it necessary for repairs. 
%. The fly competitions will take place on the water, and 
each competitor will be required to cast from the same 
position, either from a punt on the lake, or from the 
bank (according to the wind), as may be decided by 
the judges. 
8. The bait castings will take place on the grass, and each 
competitor will be required to stand on the selected 
ground, which will represent as far as possible the 
floor of a punt. 
= oD 
-9, In no case will three prizes be awarded in any competi- 
tion unless there are at least four competitors, 
10. In the “Go-as-you-please’” Roach Anglers’ Race, also in 
the Getting Ready for Fishing Competition, and in the 
Peg-down Match, the competitors must submit their 
boxes, rods, tackle, etc., to the judges. The ordinary 
recognized roach angling rod, box, etc., will be used 
in bank angling, : 
11, On discovery of any unfair act or attempt, the judges to 
disqualify the competitor at once. 
12, The decision of the judges to be final in all cases, — 
The English contests have usually had to contend with bad 
weather, and the day was no exception. The Meld says: _ 
What many gentlemen considered the most artistic exhi- 
bilion of the tournament was Major Treherne’s splendid sal- 
mon castof 45yardsifoot. Until now, the late Pat Hearns, 
of Ballina, stood first on the record of prodigious casts, but 
the Major has besten him by over a yards, Mr. Francis 
69 
admits in his book that 342 yards from a boat was the best 
up to the time of his writing he had achieved, and that is 
excellent work, But at the Welsh Harp on Saturday Major 
Treherne, as we have stated, cast a capital line, straight and 
fight, 5 and 40 yards and a foot to spate. This must, until 
a better is authenticated, be regarded as the best salmon cast 
ever made. The Major is a tall, powerful man, which is the 
first consideration in such a coutest, and his experience and 
skill are of course known to all Irish anglers, and to most 
English.” The rod was under 18 feet, and a beautifully- 
balanced spliced implement. The best all-round success was 
fairly attained by Mr. Mallock, of Perth, who scored time 
after time, and practically, as the saying goes, carried every- 
thing before him. His cast of 37 yards odd, in the ‘“‘switeh” 
trick, was uncommonly good, and not less so was the cast 
of but a few inches under 40 yards with a salmon rod under 
16 feet long. In the competition in which Major Treherne 
created his sensation, Mr. Mallock also came very close with 
43 yards 2 feet, 3 inches. Such a pair of casts were prob- 
ably never seen on one day. We append the details of the 
competitions: 
Amateur overhand fly-casting with salmon rod, not ex- 
ceeding 16ft, in length.—Mr. P. D. Mallock, 39yds. 2ft. 8in., 
1; Mr. Kelson, 37yds. 9in., 2; Mr, Thomas, 80yds. 1ft. 6in., 3. 
Amateur oyerhand fly-casting, with salmon rod not exceed- 
ing 18ft. in length.—Major Treherne, 45yus., 1; Mr. P. D. 
Maliock, 48yds. 2ft. 3in., 2; Mr. Kelson, 39yds., 3; Mr. 
Thomas, 36yds., 0. 
Amateur switch fly-casting, with any salmon rod; 6ft. only 
allowed behind the competitors for the red or line to ex- 
tend.—Mr. P, D. Mallock, 37yds. 1ft. in., 1; Mr. Kelson, 
d2yds, 2ft. 8in., 2; Major Treherne, 32yds. 2ft. 6in., 3; Mr, 
Thomas, 29yds., 0. 
Amateur fiy-casting competition, with single-handed fly- 
rod.—Mr. P. D. Mallock, 80yds. 2ft., 1; Mr. Marston, 
2d8yds., 2; Mr. Thomas, 21yds., 3. 
Amateur fly-casting competition, with double-handed trout 
fly-rod.—Mr. P.D Mallock, 8yds. 1ft., 1; Mr. Thomas, 
s0yds., 2; Mr. Marston, 28yds. 2 ft., 3. 
Special competition (open to United Kingdom only) fly- 
easting with single-handed split-cane fly-rod, lent for the 
purpose by Mr. F. L. Andrews, of Uppingham.—Mr. P. D, 
Mallock, 28yds. 2ft., 1; Mx. Marston, 24yds., 2; Mr, Thomas, 
Q3yds., 3. 
Two hours’ fishing match, pegged down.—Mr. Mayory, 
Good Intent, 3lbs. 120z,, 1; Mr. Osborn, Hoxton Brothers, 
ib. 50z., 2; Mr. Gadbury, Ilb. 307., 8._ Eight competed. 
The Richtaond cup (presented by the Richmond Piscatorial 
Society) for bait-casting in any style, Thames or Notting- 
ham.—Mr, Powell (Thames style), 1; Mr. States, 2; Mr. 
Simpson, 3. 
Go-as-you-please roach anglers’ race, competitors to be fully 
equipped, with red in bag, and roach. basket or box (course 
about two miles and a half).—A. Tucker, Cobden Club, 1; 
Osborn, Hoxton Brothers, 2; Castell, City of Siondun, 3; 
Moenrow, 0. ‘Tucker soon had the race in hand, and ulti- 
mately won as he pleased. Time, 21m. 
Amateur compefition in casting in the Thames style.—Mr. . 
Simpson, 1. 
Amateur competition in casting from reel in the Notting- 
ham style.—Mr. States, 1. 
Amateur competition (open fo Thames and Nottingham 
style) in casting toward a fixed mark, the angler casting the 
bait nearest the mark to win.—Mr. Simpson, 1. 
Professional competition in casting in the Thames style,— 
Andrews, 1, 
Professional competition in casting from reel in Notting- 
ham style.—Martin, 1. 
Amateur competition in casting in the Thames style, each 
competitor to use the same rod, line, winch, and weight 
(80z.).—Mr. Alfred, Jr., 1, 
Competition in throwing the bait with forked stick in the 
Welsh Harp style.—Sawyer, 1. 
The race round the lake in the roach anglers’ race was 
probably more amusing to the spectators than to the 
competitors, who girded themselves to the long course 
burdened with some seven or eight pounds weight of para- 
phernalia. If ever winners earned their prizes they did. 
The pegeed-down fishing match was also worthy of the m- 
imitable pencil of Dendy Sadler, whose great picture on the 
same description of sport, but with river scenery, is being 
engraved by Mendoza, of King street. But the anglers were 
not lucky. The frequenters of the Welsh Harp fishery have 
this summer been catching quantities of coarse fish, especially 
bream, and within the month a boy hooked and hauled out 
bodily a ten-pound carp. Saturday’s competitors experienced 
an afternoon of small things, and the first prize went for a 
gross weight that has been frequently of late equalled by one 
bream taken in the same water. There was no such possi- 
bility on Saturday. Some of the arrangements of detail 
were not, perhaps, as good as they might have been; but 
necessary allowances were made, The weather upset every- 
thing, and it was to the credit of the promoters that the 
tournament was not altogether abandoned. 
DEAD FISH IN WISCONSIN LAKES.* 
N ADISOWN lies between two of a series of four lakes, the 
larger one of which is known as Fourth Lake or Lake 
Mendota, and the smaller Third Lake or Lake Menona. The 
discharge of water is from Fourth Lake into the Third Lake 
and soon from Second to First Lakes to the Rock River. 
All of these lakes are well stocked with fish; perch, pickerel, 
white and black bass, whitefish and some other varieties. 
The same families of fish are found in each lake. 
About two weeks since, the perch of Fourth Lake com- 
menced dying in all parts of the lake, As they came to the 
surface they were driven by the waves tothe shore, Great 
numbers have been driven upon what may be called the city 
shore, becoming yery offensive. Probably upon this shore 
a greater portion of fish have been driven than upon other 
parts of equal length of the shore of the lake. What we 
designate as the city shoreis probably three quarters of a 
mile in Jeugth, and its form, together with the prevailing 
winds, have tended to bring upon it a somewhat greater por- 
tion of the fish than have gone to other portions. ; 
The city has had a force of men constantly employed in 
the work of burying the fish as they come. The force has 
averaged from twelve to fourteen men, with teams. On one 
day thirty-eight men were employed. It is estimated by the 
street superintendent that he has buried in excess of a hun~ 
dred tons, calling a wagon load, with double side boards, a 
ton. The fish dying are mostly perch. Latterly quite a 
number of whitefish have been found with the perch and a 
few suckers und white bass, but no more of the yarieties of 
*From an official report by the mayor anda State Fish Commis- 
sioner tothe United States Fish Commission under date of Aus, 4, 1864 
