May 19, 1887.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



373 



A FISHING TRIP EXPERIENCE. 



WHILE sitting in ray office one day last summer a 

 friend bounced in with an open letter in his hand 

 and said, "Ned, let's go up to the Falls bass fishing. 

 Here's a letter from Ben and he says the fish are biting 

 like all the world." "All right, Johnny, when do you 

 want to start?" "To-morrow morning." "I'll be on 

 hand." 



We met at the depot with rods and bait buckets and 

 were soon on our way to G. , where we were to meet Ben 

 and drive up to the Falls. After a dinner, presided over 

 by Ben's very pretty and agreeable wife, we packed our 

 things into the wagon and started for a sixteen rmlo drive 

 to the Falls. Ben said he had made all arrangements for 

 us, having engaged a nice room at the hotel, plenty of 

 bait and the services of a first-class guide, who knew 

 every hole in the river. We enjoyed our drive very much, 

 and arriving at the hotel had the horses put away and 

 asked to be "shown to the room Ben had engaged for us. 

 We were ushered up-stairs and shown the door of a room 

 which we were told was ours. Being very tired and 

 dusty, we hastened toward it, but opening the door we 

 fell back aghast at the noise and sight that greeted us. 

 Great Csesar! what an air came from that room. We 

 found it occupied by eight or ten men, at two tables, 

 deeply absorbed in a game of poker. The air fairly 

 reeked with stale tobacco smoke and the fumes of the 

 whisky. The window was shut and two coal oil lamps 

 were burning and smoking on the table and adding their 

 stench to that of the stogies and whisky. We very politely 

 informed the gentlemen that we had engaged that room 

 and would be very much obliged to them if they would 

 vacate and allow us to air the room a while before retir- 

 ing. We were politely told to go to hades or some other 

 room; they would not give up the room until they had 

 finished their game and that would be by daylight. We 

 appealed to the landlord, but he told us he was powerless; 

 his house had been taken complete possession of by a 

 large crowd of fellows who had come there to fish and 

 have a spree. 



We were preparing to make the best of a bad scrape, 

 when the landlord said he thought he could accommo- 

 date us in a room over his storehouse across the canal. 

 We had a very poor supper and then all Avent to the room 

 over the storeroom. There were two frames of bedsteads 

 in the room, across which we put some boards, on top of 

 the boards the landlord put a new husk mattress, which 

 he covered with a new Marseilles quilt and gave us an- 

 other of the same material to cover us with. We turned 

 in as soon as we could, hoping to get a good night's rest. 

 But Great Caesar's ghost! what beds and what coverings. 

 Every place they touched the skin they rasped as a file, 

 and the mattresses felt as if they were stuffed with stones. 

 Besides, the smells that greeted our nostrils were some- 

 thing awful; there was a smell of tarred rope, onions, 

 codfish, coal oil, turpentine, cheese, boots and shoes, and 

 everything else that goes to make up the stock of a canal- 

 lock store. Added to all this, in the next room to us was 

 another poker party, and our room was the thoroughfare 

 through which all had to pass to get outdoors. There 

 was a constant running backward and forward by the 

 fellows in the next room. Finding sleep impossible, I got 

 up about 2 o'clock and went out in the moonlight for a 

 stroll to try and quiet my nerves a little. I walked up 

 the towpath a short distance to an overflow, where I saw 

 two men sitting on a log. I found they were watchmen 

 employed to watch the bait belonging to different parties 

 at the hotel. They had about twenty buckets hung under 

 the overflow, and one of the men had a large revolver in 

 his hand. I asked if it was necessary to watch the bait 

 so closely, and they said that if it were not watched there 

 would not be a minnow there by morning; the black and 

 white thieves wotdd steal them all. 



As soon as daylight dawned we were up and preparing 

 for our day's sport. Our guide put in an appearance and 

 we inquired for our bait. Of course it was the same old 

 story — he had had not time to get it, but a friend of his 

 had a nice lot for sale at one cent apiece. We purchased 

 200, and following the guide, made for the river. Nick, 

 the guide, told us that if w^e wanted good fishing we must 

 cross the river, and he immediately set up a series of 

 whoops and yells, which in half an hour brought a man 

 to the other side who shoved off a little boat. It looked 

 more like a coffin than anything else; and would accom- 

 modate but two at a time. After four or five journeys 

 we were all across. We heard Nick tell the man who 

 ferried us across that we would be at his house at 1 

 o'clock for dinner. Johnny and I looked at each other, 

 for a filthier specimen of humanity we had hardly ever 

 seen. His beard was very long, reaching almost down to 

 his waist, and he had a habit of gathering it up and tying 

 it in a boAv knot. By examining his beard closely you 

 could tell what he had had to eat for several days before. 

 He looked so poor and so dirty that we despaired of get- 

 ting anything fit to eat at his house; but we said nothing, 

 and put ourselves into the hands of Gus, who had made, 

 all the arrangements, and of Nick, who was a first-class 

 guide and knew every hole in the river. We then went 

 down on the rocks and prepared for fishing. Each selected 

 a bait to his fancy and cast off; we waited patiently for 

 bites, but none came. We tried all the best holes known 

 to the guide, also the riffles and eddies and pools; we 

 tried with minnows, still-fishing and casting, with arti- 

 ficial baits and flies, but to no purpose. One measly bass 

 about ilb. weight was all we had caught up to the time 

 we heard the tooting of the dinner horn. 



We adjourned to the ferryman's house hungry as 

 hawks and prepared to devour' the fat bacon and greasy 

 fried potatoes we expected to get. The house looked from 

 the outside like a ropewalk or bowling alley cut down a 

 little, being only one story high and live or six rooms in 

 extent. In one end was a rude bar, where contraband 

 whisky was dispensed at 5 cents a glass, and at the other 

 end was the dining room. This room had a dirt floor and 

 a ceiling of slabs from the sawmill. The table was three 

 boards held up by a flour barrel at one end and a trestle 

 at the other. The kitchen was detached from the house, 

 and, casting a wistful and hungry glance toward it, I saw 

 an old colored aunty moving about before the large, open 

 fireplace. This, I thought, argued well for us, for there 

 are no cooks in the world that could beat our old-time 

 colored cooks. Finally, dinner was announced, and we 

 piled in, but one and all stopped on the threshold filled 

 with amazement at the feast spread before us. At the 

 head of the table was a baked shad, and such a shad, 

 moat as thick as it was long, and must have weighed. 8 or 



lOlbs. before cooking. At the foot was an immense dish 

 of fried chicken, done to a turn. There was also delicious 

 corn pone, with elegant white bread, splendid butter, 

 plenty of milk and cream, preserves and pickles, coffee 

 fit for the gods, and a pudding for dessert that beat any- 

 thing we had ever tasted. When we asked our dirty 

 host how much we had to pay he reckoned 35 cents a piece 

 would do. The dinner was worth a. dollar of any man's 

 money. We paid him 35 cents and chipped in 25 cents 

 apiece for Aunt Rachel, who had spread herself for Mars 

 Nick, as she told us. After dinner we resumed our fish- 

 ing, but with poor success, catching only four or five 

 small bass. We returned home that night and footed up 

 our expenses, which were $9 apiece— rather steep for one 

 day's fishing; but then the surprise and elegance of that 

 dinner was Avorth a good deal. E. A. R. 



Baltimore, Md. 



A FISH PRICKER. 



MANY sea fish, especially those caught in deep Avater, 

 fill themselves with wind on being brought into the 

 air and then float belly up and die. Messrs. Rosendo Tor- 

 ras & Co., Brunswick, Ga,, had an inquiry from a friend 

 in Spain concerning an instrument which was said to be 

 used by American fishermen to correct this evil, and they 

 Avrote to Messrs. F. Coschina & Co. , Brooklyn, to know 

 where such an implement could be bought; and the latter 

 firm referred the matter to us. 



Mr. E. G. Blackford tells us that he has seen marks on 

 fish where such an instrument had been used, but has 

 never seen the tool itself. 



In 1876, when some sharks were brought into the New 

 York Aquarium, which had their stomachs full of wind, 



the fishermen tried to puncture, them and let the wind 

 out, using a penknife, Avhich slipped on the distended 

 stomach, pushed it one side, and failed to pierce it. A 

 glass tube was then inserted down the throat of the shark 

 and the wind came out readily. 



Mr. R. E. Earll, of the National Museum, to whom we 

 referred the matter, Avrites under date of May 10, as fol- 

 lows: 



"U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, Washing- 

 ton, D. C, May 10. — We have in our collections two kinds 

 of fish prickers. One form, used by the red snapper fish- 

 ermen of the Gulf of Mexico, is made of hollow brass 

 tubing, about three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, in- 

 serted in a handle in such a way that the air can escape 

 from an opening in same. The projecting end of the tube 

 is cut obliquely, so as to form a sharp point on one side. 

 The New York smack fishermen use a common awl, or 

 any other sharp instrument, for liberating oil from poke- 

 blown fish before putting them in the well. 



"Our records do not show where any fish prickers, man- 

 ufactured especially for that purpose, can be obtained; but 

 I infer from those in our collections that they are made 

 by the fishermen themselves. I inclose a drawing show- 

 ing the two forms used by the red snapper fishermen of 

 the Gulf of Mexico, which you can forward to your cor- 

 respondent. These will, I think, give him a sufficient 

 knowledge of the implement to enable him or the parties 

 interested to make it for themselves. — R. Edavard Earll. ' 



FARMER BROWN'S TROUT. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



While reading " Pine Tree's" remarks on the above 

 subject, I could not help thinking of a similar demon- 

 stration of a "Farmer Brown's" displeasure. On C 



Creek there used to be a beautiful camping place— velvet 

 turf, shady trees and an excellent landing place. One 

 day, after a space of eight months had inteiwened since 

 our last visit, we paddled into the creek, meaning to 

 camp at our old ground. But Avhat a change had come 

 over it all ! The trees were gone, the turf plowed, up, 

 and the landing spoiled. It was utterly impossible to 

 camp in such a place as it had become; but being wearied 

 from a long paddle, Ave landed to rest. 



Soon we saw the farmer coming toward us, and 

 jumped up to greet him, he being an old acquaintance. 

 He sat down, and at once began: " Well, I am sorry for 

 the sake of the likes of ye to have done it; but I couldn't 

 help it. Those campers used to come here from the city 

 just for the sake of having a big spree. They'd get howl- 

 ing around here, chasing the cattle and making it so as 

 Ave couldn't sleep up to the house. Then they'd pull my 

 fences doAvn and make great bonfires with them. So I 

 says to myself, says I, if you burn my fences, scare my 

 cattle and frighten the Avife and children Avith your 

 racket, I'll spoil your camping place. And I did." 



And so it goes ! The farmer's got the whip hand, and 

 he's sure to get ahead in the end. Why not be civil and 

 courteous to him? It's easy enough. Only one in a 

 thousand is crusty and won't make friends. The others 

 are always tickled if you ask them into the tent to sit 

 doAvn and chat for a while. 



Even if a man's land is posted, if you go up to him 

 civilly and ask leave to camp you will seldom be refused. 



Treat a farmer well and he'll seldom treat you badly. 

 That has been my experience. Dusky Duck. 



Ottawa, Canada. 



THE LARGE TARPON RECORD. 



THE well-known tarpon angler, Mr. W. II. Wood, 

 from this time forth must take a back seat, for Mr. 

 Walter Man, of Fan wood, N. J., has just come back from 

 Florida with a record of having caught nine monster tar- 

 pon, two of Avhich weighed 151 andl491bs. These are be- 

 lieved to be the largest tarpon ever caught by rod, 

 reel and line. This record is absolutely correct, and in 

 time will be sworn to by the entire population of New 

 Jersey. This capture by Mr. Man is considered the great- 

 est fishing exploit ever knoAvn on the western coast of 

 Florida. The fish were taken at Punta Rassa, and the 

 aggregate weight of the nine tarpon was l,0421bs., being 

 an average of 1161bs. for each. The summary of the 

 catch from Mr. Man's note book reads as folloAvs: 



April 11, wind puffy and strong. Three fishes; one 5ft. 

 Gin. in length, AA^eight 901bs. ; one 6ft. lin. in length, weight 

 1131bs.; one 6ft. Sin. in length, Aveigbt 1201bs. 



April 20, wind west. One fish, 5ft. 6in. in length, 

 weight 9?lbs. 



April 21, wind southwest and very light. Two fishes; 

 one 5ft. 7in. in length, Aveight lOOlbs'., and one 6ft. 4in. in 

 length, weight 151 lbs. 



April 22, Avind south, bloAving at the rate of 18 miles an 

 horn. Three fishes; one 5ft. 10m. in length, weight 1021bs. ; 

 one 6ft. 3in., weight 1201bs., and one 6ft. 5in., weight 

 1491bs. 



The first five fish were caught on a weakfish rod, 18oz. 

 in Aveight and 8ft. long, the other f our on a bass rod, 6ft. 

 Sin. in length, which Aveighed 18oz. Mr. Man used half 

 a mullet for bait, and cast after the manner of the big 

 striped bass fishermen at Pasque Island, Cutty hunk, West 

 Island and Squibnocket. While he made his casts from 

 his yacht while at anchor, he jumped into a small row 

 boat alongside before he made his strike. In every case 

 the tarpon was allowed to swallow the bait before' being 

 struck; this is done to prevent the fish from tearing out. 

 Mr. Man says that the big fish, which is 6in. taller 

 than Kelly, the baseballist, jumped out of the 

 water 3ft. and then made a home run around the boat. 

 He then turned several cart-wheels, and in all leaped six- 

 teen times. At the end of an hour and a quarter the fish 

 Avas gaffed, his throat cut, and by means of a rope passed 

 through his gills, towed back to the yacht, Avhere a sail 

 was lowered and the fish lifted on board. He had made 

 a terrible struggle, and at one time towed the boat quite 

 a distance from the yacht. The fishes are now in New 

 York city, at 16 North William street, being stuffed by J. 

 Wallace, who years ago made mermaids and gorillas to 

 order for P. T.'Barnum. Franklin Satterthwaite. 



POTOMAC BASS RESORTS. 



SHEPHERDSTOWN, W. Va., May 8.— Editor Forest 

 and Stream : Since the publication of a little sketch 

 of mine in that dear old friend of the sportsman, Forest 

 and Stream, relating to black bass fishing in the Potomac 

 River, I have received so many letters of inquiry in rela- 

 tion to the. manner of reaching this point, the accommo- 

 dations, expense, etc., that I have thought it best, there 

 being so many of your readers interested, to answer all 

 possible questions through your, paper. 



From New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia take 

 Pennsylvania Railroad to Harrisburg, Pa,, thence to 

 Hagerstown, Md., Avhere you change cars, taking train 

 on Shenandoah Valley Railroad for this point. This 

 route takes you to the famous Antietam battle field, which 

 is but three miles from Skepherdstown , and which has 

 become a ' 'Mecca" to the pilgrims of the G. A. R. posts 

 all over the North. 



Good board and lodging can be secured by Avriting to 

 Maj. Henry Hagan a few days before arrival here. His 

 charge is $1 per day. 



Maj. Hagan will also furnish men to keep fishermen in 

 live bait, and manage boats for them and act as guides, 

 at a cost of about $1.50 per day for man and boat. 



Board can be seemed with many of the farmers living 

 along the river by those anglers who prefer fly-fishing 

 and a\ ading to fishing from a boat, as very f eAv of the 

 farmers own boats. If you prefer stopping with a farmer, 

 write to me and I will attend to the matter, for gentle- 

 men — we want no fish "butchei's" Avho sell their bass. 



We have a most delightful climate; being surrounded 

 by high mountains, it is never very warm. Our river is 

 often as clear as crystal, and Avitli hundreds of ice cold 

 springs flowing into it, and with splendid cliffs equaling 

 the famed Palisades of the Hudson, in altitude and beauty 

 it offers one of the most desirable points for a summer so- 

 journ on the continent. 



A half day of fly-fishing down stream, will bring one to 

 the famous scenery of Harper's Ferry, which Thos. Jef- 

 ferson said: "It was Avorth atrip across the Atlantic to 

 see." 



For the fly-fishermen, the months of May, June, Sep- 

 tember and October are the best. Those using live bait 

 can also extend their stay through July. 



Trolling is permitted, and any of the artificial min- 

 nows and Buel's No. 5 spoon bait will prove to be killing. 



With the fly catches of from 20 to 60 fish per rod, aver- 

 aging If lbs. , are a common occurrence for a dav of sport. 



E. D. Bowxy. 



THE FLY-CASTING TOURNAMENT. 



A T the time of our going to press next week the annual 

 jTjL tournament of the National Rod and Reel Associ- 

 ation will be in progress. The contests take place on the 

 northeastern side of Harlem Mere, Central Park, at the 

 corner of 110th street and Fifth aA T enue, opposite the Polo 

 Grounds. There are two ways to reach the place : Take 

 the Third Avenue Elevated road to 106th street and walk 

 north and west, or go by Sixth or Ninth Avenue Elevated 

 road to 116th street and walk back to 110th and then over 

 to Fifth avenue. There are often hacks to be found at 

 these stations, but not always, although they can be had 

 at the Polo Grounds for return. The contests are called 

 at 10 A. M. , May 25 and 26, In our last issue we gave the 

 prize list and rules. 



The stand from which heavy bass minnow casting will 

 be practiced will be 1ft. high in front and 9in. high at the 

 rear. 



"Piscator," who suggests plan for keeping fish fresh 

 will oblige by sending his name. 



