890 
the frozen water the comfortable lodge, with its ice house 
and boathouse was seen. Orossing on the ice the possibili- 
ties of summer beauty could eusily be recognized by any 
whose imagination can restore green leaves to winter limbs, 
and the view was a beautiful one even in winter. 
The lake is two miles long by One wide and is fringed 
with trees to the water’s edge, with no line of dead timber, 
which defaces all the Adirondack lakes which have been 
dammed to raise the water. It lays almost on a mountain top 
and I felt that it was worth the trip from Utica to see it, es- 
pecially as | was confident that beneath my feet lay princely 
trout of one to two pounds which would rise to my fly next 
spring, and that they were now growing fat and lusty in 
order to test the strength of the fine drawn leader. At the 
same time there was a feeling of regret that the owner of 
this great preserve of trout and deer should be detained by 
increasing age and infirmity from enjoying its pleasures, 
except in the satisfaction of knowing that he can allow 
friends to partake of them. 
Within easy distance of Wilmurt, which is 1x2 miles in 
dimensions, are Big Rock, Snag, Pine, Metcalf, Twin Rock, 
Little Rock, Morehouse, Canada, and other lakes, Indian 
River, Walton High Falls (where the water drops 500 feet 
in a perpendicular line), and other magnificent resorts. The 
new railroad from Little “Falls to Dolgeville will run very 
close to the Home, but the pleasures enjoyed in the over- 
land ride of twenty-six miles from Remsen or Prospect, or 
even the trip of forty miles from Utica via Trenton Falls, 
far exceed any form of railroad communication that will 
hurry one through the magnificent old woods. 
It is believed that no fish but trout live in Wilmurt, a singu- 
Jar thing, if true; but no attempts other than with hook and 
line have been made to prove ‘or disprove this belief, cer- 
tainly no other fish have been caught there, The lakes near 
by contain lake trout, shiners, etc, There are so many ways 
in which fishes are distributed without the aid of man that 
it is strange that a large body of water should lie for centu- 
ries near other lakes and not acquire some of its fishes through 
the transportation of adhesive ezgs on the legs of wading 
birds or wildfowl, tortoises, and such means. Still, it is pos- 
sible that the trout came there in some way not accessible by 
other fish, although trout eggs are not giutinous. 
Mr. Matteson has been besieged with applications from 
strangers who offer to pay for accommodations at his Moun- 
tain Home, but he is compelled to refuse them, as he also 
declines to sell the trout, and has declined offers for the lake 
itself. Next spring, when the ice is off the lake, a neat little 
fly called ‘‘the professor,” which is now hybernating between 
the leaves of my fly-book, may be seen, if you are there, 
flutfering above the waters of Wilmurt Lake, while a ruby- 
fiecked trout, toa impatient to allow it to rest on the water, 
willrush into the air to meet it. The very thought makes 
my recl-thumb twitch, and no doubt the fly has turned over 
in the book as I write. 
It was dark when we reached the Home, and after sup 
per, and an evening with Mr. and Mrs. Stimson, dreams of 
trout, chasing deer throush the forest, wandered over the 
pillow, sometimes in oneform, and then in no order at all. 
At eight the next morning we three left for Remsen, arriv- 
ing at noon, and taking the train for Utica an hour later, 
where we met arround Mr. Matteson’s table at two. At 
half past nine that night the train rolled out of Utica, and at 
6:30 next morning [ was in New York. 
Atdinner Mr, Matteson told stories of Horace Greeley, and 
of the heroism of his granddaughter in brining in a guest 
who was Jost in the woods at night, starting to seck him 
after dark, and lJanding him safely at midnight, until the 
lady begged him to desist. He ioves his forests and likes to 
haye others enjoy them. Before Jeaving he handed me the 
subjoined letter from Gen. Sherman, written some years ago, 
with leave iv print, and I left his hospitable roof with pleus- 
ant recollections, which years will not efface. 
Frep MstuEr. 
New HaArtrorp, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1882. 
Hon, O. B. Matteson: 
DEAR Str—In answer to your request that I should tell 
you what I know of Wilmurt Lake, I reply, that thirty- 
eight years ago, when passing through the town of More- 
house, in the county of Hamilton, on my way to Piseco— 
then the Mecca of sportsmen—a mountain to the left of 
the road was pointed out to meas the site of a lake which 
was said to swarm with speckled trout, and to contain only 
that kind of fish. This gave mea great interest to visit this 
lake (Wilmurt). But the opportunity did not occur till seyen 
years later, when, with a party of afew friends, I made a 
trip to it and ‘had an opportunity to test the marvelous 
reports [ had heard, Our party stayed at the lake two days, 
We caught speckled trout of weights from a quarter of a 
pound to one and a half pounds at any hour of the day, with 
ordinary tackle and bait. And when we left we had a 
champague basket full to take out, though our rustic table 
had been well supplied during our stay. 
Since that occasion | have made many visits to the lake, 
always with success and enjoyment. 1 haye taken pains to 
observe its features and to study its peculiarities. The lake 
lies, as it were, on the top of a mountain. Its altitude is 
2,800 feet above tide water, the last 800-feet rise being wilhin 
the two miles next the lake. The water is evidently the fil- 
tration of the adjoining water shed. The elevation is so 
great that the water, even at the surface, is always cool, and 
snow and ice are often found in the evergreen shades and in 
crevices of rock sometimes as lateas July. The water enters 
the lake almost wholly in cold springs from the sides and 
bottom. The Jake is shallow, and as it contains no other fish 
besides the speckled trout, and thefood of these is largely of 
the insect kind found on the top of the water, the favorite 
and most successful manner of taking them is with the arti- 
ficial fy. There is a constant supply also of insect and crus- 
taccous food at the bottom, which at certain hours and sea- 
sons gives good bait fishing in deep water. There is some- 
thing in the character of the food that, with its abundance, 
gives the trout not only a rapid growth, but a peculiar rich- 
ness and delicacy of flavor. 1 haye never known an ill- 
cunditioned fish taken from the Jake, and any one who has 
known much of the Wilmurt trout can recognize them at 
sight from their plump and symmetrical form and their bril- 
lianey of coloring. : 
The fact that so many springs rise in sandy shoals from 
the bottom of the lake, explains the continued abundance of 
the fish in the face of the almost constant fishing. These 
shoals are the best possible spawning beds. ‘They are never 
subject to the floods and consequent fouling that occurs in 
running streams, nor to the depradatory enemies to be found 
jn-such places, Consequently an unusually large proportion 
of the spawn hatches and a greater number of fry reach 
maturity. This, in my jndgment, taken in connection with 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
the abundance of the best natural food, is the reason why 
this lake, thouzh fished for the-last forty years with more 
persistence and success than any other lake of its size in the 
wilderness, still holds its supply in almost. primitive plenty, 
The virtues of this spot are not, however, all embraced in 
the fishing. The scenery is primitive. Man’s hand has 
done nothing to mar God’s beautiful work, and the charms 
of nature on every side attract the eye and enchant the 
spirit, The airis as pure as air can be, and the pleasure is 
so much greater in living in compliance with nature’s laws, 
that there is scarcely a temptation to violate them. The 
native conditions of health are here, and the invalid who 
fails to feel their rceuperative influence can haye but little 
hope of relief from any human means. 
The facility with which this spot may be approached 
from the outer world—a good wagon road leading to the 
very shores of the lake, and the great wilderness back- 
ground abounding in lakes, streams, and with the best fish 
and wild game—give it a commanding advantage as a rural 
resort. Jam-glad you have had the good taste and the good 
fortune to secure it as a possession for yourself and your 
posterity, and I hope the enjoyment by your family and 
their favored guests of its advantages may add to their hap- 
piness and to the length of their days on earth, 
R, U. Sapraran. 
EXPIRED REEL PATENTS. 
A DEVICE for attaching reels to fishing rods was de- 
signed by Thomas W. Cummings, the patent for which 
expired in 1881. 
The inyention consists essentially of a spring catch and 
hook arranged as shown in the drawings, 
The plate, B, to which the reel frame is secured, has a 
hook, ©, at its front end which projects forward and down- 
ward ane to the back part of the plate is attached a pendent 
eye, D. 
The metal plate, E, is fitted in a recess in the butt of the 
fishing rod. At the under side of this plate is a sliding 
spring bolt, ', the front end of which is beveled. A thumb 
piece, G, is attached to the bolt for operating it. 
In order to detach the reel from the rod, the bolt is shoved 
back out from the eye, when the back part of the reel plate 
is raised, drawing out the hook at the front end, 
Mr. Cummings seems to think his device far preferable to 
the ordinary band which slides on the front end of the reel 
plate. These bands frequently stick on account of the 
swelling of ihe rod from moisture, and cause considerable 
trouble in attaching and detaching the reel fo and from the 
pole, FP. B. Broce. 
WasuHineton, D. C, 
KILL FISH WHEN CAUGHT. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The article quoted by ‘tthe able advocate of protection to 
game and fish,” in your issue of Noy. 18, from the Washing- 
ton Republic, and your “‘very instructive and amusing com- 
ments” thereon, seems to bave interested the fishermen. 
“Fritz Howard” writes to the Republic, Noy. 28: ‘May I 
ask if the bass referred to was not a present? I cannot be- 
lieve the Republic would do sucha thing, Whether fish 
bave feeling or not, they should be entitled to the benefit of 
the doubt. All true sportsmen should kill their fish when 
finally taken from the water, as they are aware, in addition to 
humanity, the fish are better for eating purposes than when 
allowed to die. I, too, have known instances of black bass 
living out of the water as long or longer than that you speak 
of, but am gladto say without my volition. Let us organize 
a society for prevention of cruelty to fish, as auxiliary to 
that for prevention of cruelty to animals.” 
In your issue of Noy. 27 appears a letter from ‘‘H, F.,” 
of Chicago, in which he says: ‘‘During the past summer 
T carried bass eight miles in a wagon, forty-five miles on the 
cars, and one mile in a street car. At the end of this 
journey several of the fish were alive. The fish were taken 
from a ‘live box’ and packed in a basket withice. On 
another occasion I put several bass in a paper flour bag, 
rolled them up and tied the package with string; after the 
above journey two of the fish were found to be alive. I 
think it would be more humane to kill the fish by bleeding 
them. In the above instances I was in a hurry to catch the 
train. Ido not enter my fish to beat the record made by 
the fish spoken of in your issue of the 13th. That fish has 
the ‘record’ for staying powerand distance. My fish, how- 
ever, were somewhat handicapped by not being wrapped in 
a copy of the Formst AND STREAM. I believe that by mak- 
ing frequent applications of Formst AND STREAM a fish 
could be kept alive indefinitely.” : 
This letter in turn is quoted by the Republic, with the 
remark that ‘‘the Republic, it seems, has started all the tellers 
of fish stories—to put it modestly and moderately.” Now, 
Mr. Editor, as the writer of the original article in the Repub- 
lic, | want to say that three black bass were presented to me, 
rolled up in a copy of Forms? AND STREAM as stated, two 
of which were dead, the smaller of the three showing signs 
of life. 
Placed in water it soon became lively. I rather desired 
comment upon the article, so as to cause fishermen in this 
section, as well as others, to consitler the propriety of 
killing their fish. I agree with ‘‘Fitz Howard” that a society 
for the prevention of cruelty to fish would be a consumma- 
a 
a —_—— ae 
[Dec. 11, 1884. 
ee 
SS SSS eee eee ee eee 
. (SS SSS ——————————————— 
tion devoutly to be wished for. I see no reason to doubt 
that fish have feeling, ‘Whether they have or not, they 
should be entitled to the benefit of the doubt.” I have been 
surprised at the number of fishermen who bring their fish 
home alive. Let us all join the society for the prevention 
of cruelty to fish, and do so no more. 
In regard to the Forusr anp Strum, I only wonder all 
of the fish referred to were not alive, as it is certainly a live 
fish paper. I begin each week with ihe advertisements and 
read it through from cover to cover, devoting plenty of time 
to the cuts of all kinds. The next best thing to going fishing 
and shooting—catching the fish and killing the same—is to 
read of it in the Forrest anp STREAM. 
I trust that all who read the articles on the ‘Vitality of 
the Black Bass” will resolve to kill their fish when taken out 
of the water, and that the Forrst AnD STREAM will continue 
to ‘‘prosper and be happy.” W. H. M 
WASHINGTON, Dec, 1, 1884. 
if AWAKE with a start, and rub my eyes and wonder 
where I am, and why I awake so suddenly in the middle 
of the night. I look about me and in the dim light I see that 
I am in a comfortable farmhouse, and remember that I am 
out for a day’s fishing. Going to the window I see that 
dawn is just breaking, a mist is hanging oyer Swan Lake, 
the stars can just be seen in the gray sky. After a sniff of 
the morning air ] awake ‘‘Kewa,” who is sweetly snoring. I 
tell him it is time to get up, and that it will be daylight by 
the time we are dressed and have taken our ‘‘coid bite,” 
which has been left on the table for us over night. In half 
an hour we are at the lake, the airis slightly chilly, the mist 
is scudding across the lake as if retreating at our approach. 
We dip our feet daintily into the water to see if it is cold. It 
is cold, of course, as it always is early in the morning. We 
wade in, however, each taking a direction where he thinks 
his efforts will do the most good. I work my way tu a spot 
where an old boat has been sunk. I had marked the place 
by a tall elm on the shore. About forty yards from the 
shore I can see the little waves breaking over some dark 
object, and I know it is the bow post of the boat. The water 
has fallen since my last trip, as nothing could be seen of the 
boat above water at that time. 
Tam aware that an ancient and crafty bass is keeping 
house in this old ruin. Three several times has he been 
hooked and each time has he outwitted his enemies by rush- 
ing under the boat and fouling the line, orcutting the leader. 
As I wade carefully to within casting distance, I feel as 
if | was taking a mean advimtage of an enemy. I can sce 
into his camp and have control of its approaches. I haye 
information from spies of the strong and weak points in his 
defense. While thus thinking I have selected a favorite fly 
and looped it on my leader, which has been dragging behind 
mein the water. The fly has green wings (mallard) and 
hackle, and a yellow body. I get the wind from the most 
favorable quarter for my cast, There is a slight curl on the 
water. I make one or two casts to the right of the boat to 
get my hand in and to judge of the distance, J then drop 
my fly over the boat, my heart stops beating for a moment 
as ] watch the fly, the cast is a neat one, the fiy hovers in 
the air and then drops lazily on the water. There is no re- 
sponse from his bassship as I draw the lure across his house- 
top. 
I make another cast, a longer one, the result is a failure, 
At the third cast the leader drops over the bow post, which 
is an inch or so out of water, I draw the line away as 
quickly as if falls, and thus prevent the fly from catching. 
As the line comes home Tl feel a sharp tug, and just as I 
begin to think I have a rise, I recognize the familiar tug of 
the sunfish. I draw my fly away from him; and conclude 
that the bassis ouf on a spree or has been canght. I cast 
again with little hope. Almost before the fly touches the 
water it is seized with a firm grip; Ican see the fish’s side as 
he takes it. Although not expecting the rise, | instinctively 
carry out my preconcentrated plan of action. 
I give the rod and line all the strain I think they will 
stand and ‘‘advance backward” as rapidly as possible. Just 
as | think something is about to break, I find the fish is 
moving my way. I keep him moving, knowing that if he 
once gets his head turned in the direction of the boat I can- 
not stop him. Tsoon have him ata safe distance and take 
matters quietly. He makes one determined effort to regain 
his stronghold, but cannot stand the clinging strain of the 
rod for so longa run, When almost at the goal he hesitates, 
and is lost. 
Some men on the shore call to me and ask me if I have 
caught ‘‘the big bass.” lam aware, by this time, that the 
hero of so many fish stories is not nearly as large as he has 
been painted. His struggles are now becoming very weak, 
and he is virtually wearied out, I lead him to the sandy 
beach, and putting my Hngers in his gills, hold him up in 
the sunlight, J see that his weight is about four pounds. 
He was not as large as I expected him to be, but I was 
well pleased with the sport which he had afforded me. Had 
I not been armed with the knowledge of his peculiar style 
of warfare, J, too, would have iallen an easy victim to his 
cunning. i. F, 
CHICAGO, Nov, 22. 
THE ATTACK AT DAWN. 
SusqUEHANNA Bass.—Sunbury, Pa.—Fishing in the Sus- 
quehanna at this point, altboygh it began late for black bass, 
was remarkably satisfactory in size aud quality of fish, if 
uot up to previous seasonsin quantity, Especially was it a 
satisfactory one to the fly-fisherman during the month of 
October, and this year has developed a larger number of 
successful and enthusiastic disciples to that fascinating and 
refined mode of capture. I think there is also growing im the 
public mind a sense of the propriety of observing the pro- 
tective laws. Our coming Legislature will be asked to make 
some much needed changes and additions,—A, F. Cuarr. 
Susqupenanna Er~ Werrs,—t think the reason “‘Ness- 
muk” wants alight canoe is, that it is easier to carry over 
eel weirs. A person would need alight canoe now to go 
down the Susquehanna River, as there is a weir at nearly 
every riffle. A large one at the junction of the Chemung 
and Susquehanna rivers has a cabin built on it, while on 
the Chemung there are three within a half mile of each 
other, and two of them are not twenty rods apart.—PARK. 
Earuy SHap.—The first shad of the season arrived at Mr. 
Blackford’s in Fulion Market, New York, on the 8th of this 
month. There were sixteen in all, and fifteen of them came 
from the Savannah River, while the odd one came from 
North Carolina. 
