June 33, 1887.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



476 



bleached by the winter storms and spring simshine. His 

 bead and neck were quite black and his eyes shining 

 through the long black ban, gave him a very savage 

 and fierce appearance. Knowing how wild and timid 

 he really was, we were careful not to alarm him, but 

 watched him as he fed from side to side just as domestic 

 cattle do. At last he turned toward us, giving us a fine 

 view of his size and movements. We were expecting 

 that he would wind us at any moment, as the breeze was 

 blowing directly toward him from us, but he was so busy 

 feeding with his nose close to the ground that it was some 

 time before he showed any sign of scenting us. At last 

 he raised his head and looked directly toward us for a 

 moment, and then went to feeding again. We took ad- 

 vantage of this and slipped back into the timber out of 

 sight, but so that we could watch him for a while longer. 

 Soon the bison concluded that something was wrong and 

 slowly moved off across theswainp, stopping once to feed 

 as some extra fine bunches of grass attracted his atten- 

 tion! His smooth, sharp, black horns looked like good 

 enough weapons for defense against anything but man 

 with his rifles. As we did not wish to frighten or dis- 

 turb any of the bison we returned to our horses and then 

 to the hotel, being satisfied with seeing the one animal. To 

 have looked up others we would have alarmed our first 

 one and probably have caused them to leave this section. 



A few days later we visited another part of the Geyser 

 Basin, and saw trails of bison and sign of their having 

 wintered there. One fresh trail showed where quite a 

 band bad traveled westward. A few days later I visited 

 that point again, and, carefully examining the trail, saw 

 and counted the separate tracks of five buffalo calves, 

 where, a little to one side of the main trail, they had trav- 

 eled beside their mothers. I could not make out any more 

 calf tracks with this band, which, I think, numbered at 

 least twenty, not counting calves. Calf tracks could only 

 be seen beside the trail; if any walked in it, the larger 

 animals would oblitera te any sign made by the young. 



These are the bison I wished to hunt up last winter on 

 my trip through the Park in the interest of the Forest 

 and Stream. 



While looking around for game I saw the bones of buf- 

 falo in two of the hot springs, where by some accident 

 they bad fallen in and so lost then fives. Occasionally a 

 tourist sees these bones. I have noticed where quite a 

 number of animals have fallen into the hot springs 

 throughout the Park, on the lake shore, in the Mud Gey- 

 sers, in the Norris Geysers; and this spring on the road 

 from the Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris a yearling black- 

 tail deer or young elk. I am not sure which, is in a hot 

 spring not 10ft. from the road, where any one can see it 

 while passing along. Often one sees tracks where elk and 

 deer have waded out in the hot water of the springs and 

 pools, going into very dangerous places, stepping into 

 water hot enough to scald one. 



Several bears have been seen this spring by tourists 

 and a great many elk, but no tourist has seen a buffalo. 



Song birds are nesting. One pair of robins, whose nest 

 is trader the eaves of the hotel, had hatched out their 

 • young on June 3. Ducks, geese and thousands of water- 

 fowl are busy raising young, to make sport for people 

 outside of the Park. 



In an extensively circulated advertisement by the 

 Northern Pacific Railroad Company, it is stated as a 

 noticeable fact that there are no song birds in the Park, 

 while the fact is the Park is abundantly supplied with a 

 great variety. 



The roads are now in splendid condition. The trails 

 have not been traveled up to this date, on account of 

 snow in the higher parts of the Park. This snow is fur- 

 nishing the water to feed the streams, which are unusu- 

 ally high throughout this section. The Yellowstone 

 River has reached a point higher than ever known before 

 by the wh ites, and is bringing down from the mountains 

 great quantities of logs, whole trees and masses of drift- 

 wood. All bridges over the river are in great danger 

 from the floods of water now rushing to the sea. A short 

 time ago this was snow and covered the lakes and moun- 

 tains of the Park, and filled the canons and the timber, 

 over or among which a person could glide on snowshoes 

 more easily than they can now walk on the ground. 



The travel commenced in the Park this year before the 

 hotels were opened. The weather was so delightful that 

 tourists could not wait for hotels, but put up with any 

 kind of accommodation. Some who could not procure 

 transportation on account of the snow walked through. 

 These are called Forest and Stream tom'ists. 



The Geyser Action in the Upper Basin has changed a 

 little from that of last year. The Splendid, Castle and 

 Grand give a daily display. The Giantess rests from nine 

 to sixteen days between eruptions. The Giant has been 

 seen but once in many months. The Grotto, Fan, River- 

 side, Sawmill, Turban, Lion, Lioness and Cubs, are in 

 action, showing no noticeable change from last year. Old 

 Faithful, the tourists' friend, keeps up its reputation with 

 hourly eruptions. The Bee Hive is very uncertain, going 

 off twice a day for a day or two, then remaining inactive 

 for weeks. In the Lower Basin there is but little change, 

 a fittle longer interval between the eruptions of Fountain 

 and Great Fountain. No one has seen the Surprise in 

 eruption this year, nor the Excelsior since the summer 

 of '82. The Norris Basin shows an increase in activity 

 over last year, and is becoming one of the most interesting 

 Geyser Basins in the Park, well worthy of a day's study 

 by any tourist, but is slighted by almost all, who hurry on 

 by it with but a moment's time spent in running over a 

 small portion. 



Captain Harris's scout is making it very interesting for 

 the hunters and trappers who venture into the Park. One 

 man who thought it unsafe to go in from Gardiner, tried 

 it by going around over two hundred miles, and then 

 found Wilson in camp as he drove across the line. He is 

 out of the Park now, after contributing a pack horse, 

 traps and outfit to the collection made by the superin- 

 tendents. 



If fires are kept within bounds, and as well out of the 

 Park as are hunters and trappers, it will be something for 

 every one to rejoice over. H. 



Fourteen Years op Forest and Stream. — Coralville, 

 Iowa, June 14. — I have taken the combined papers for 14 

 years, nearly; and do not think I can afford to do without 

 it. It seems to grow a little better every year. — John 

 Williams. 



Moose in Quebec cannot lawfully be killed before 

 1890. 



THE DIAMOND HITCH. 



Editor Forest and Stream ; 



I note with much interest "Yo's" opening articles on 

 the diamond hitch. I wish that the spirit had moved him 

 to write just one year ago, for then I was one of "two 

 young men quite unacquainted with Western ways, who 

 started to go through the Yellowstone Park," and who de- 

 cided that they would not "hire an experienced packer." 

 We had an aparejo, also the sawbuck saddles, and were 

 not green hands at throwing most kinds of hitches, but a 

 wall tent with its jointed iron-shod poles packed on the 

 aparejo mule we never could manage. As a last resort 

 each man shouldered a pole, for being government prop- 

 erty we could not "forget them." Let me add this piece 

 of advice to "Yo's." Economize in everything; horses, 

 grub, guide and general outfit, but not on an experienced 

 packer. If you do, then don't take an aparejo, a tent or 

 poles, as they involve spending more time in packing and 

 repacking than in traveling, more terrible swearing than 

 TJncle Toby's army in Flanders, and such general ugliness 

 of temper in the outfit that each man would be ready to 

 wipe out his companion if the fact did not stare him in 

 the face that then he would have to do all the % packing 

 himself. After we started in to carry the poles I hit 

 upon a wrinkle which I think will be new even to "Yo." 

 I*made a flat square pack of the tent, then spreading it 

 over the animal from withers to rump I lashed him up 

 just like a hammock. Naval Officer. 



Naval Academy Club, Annapolis, Md. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



A week or two since, in the first of the articles with the 

 above title I said, "So far as I can learn nothing has ever 

 been written about the method of throwing the diamond 

 hitch." Since that was written I have come across a 

 little pamphlet by Lieut. E. S. Farrow, U. S. A., entitled 

 "Pack Mules and Packing," published in 1881. This 

 brochure, while containing some useful hints, is not 

 adapted to the wants of the novice at packing, because 

 it takes too much for granted. Some of the sketches con- 

 tamed in it are, however, very excellent. — Yo. 



Rifles and Bullets.— "R. R. R." hits the bull plumb 

 center. We want and must have improved ammunition 

 for hunting rifles. The light express hollow-pointed 

 patched bullet, with a heavy charge of quick powder, 

 fills the bill — almost. We want in addition the lands of 

 the rifle reamed down at the chamber to give an exact 

 center-bearing to the bullet so there will be no jump in 

 starting; with the bullet seated in the shell just enough to 

 hold it securely, and to load without inserting bullet and 

 shell separately. I have dircarded a repeater for a single- 

 shot, and like the change, but am utterly disgusted with 

 the common ammunition for big game. — Warfield. 



Ohio. — Georgetown, June 4.— The prospect for plenty 

 of quail here the coming season is most excellent, and 

 the gunners are looking forward to great sport after Nov. 

 10. Our game laws are very well obseiwed, every one 

 being satisfied with the length of the open season. — 

 N. S. G. W. 



Gunpowder Tests.— There is an error in the article 

 mentioned, caused, I fear, by its being hastily written. 

 Probably any sportsman will see that "l^drs. powder and 

 4drs. shot" should read "4drs. powder and ltoz. shot." — 

 T. C. B. 



The Bio Bear- of Toby Guzzle.— In my article, "The 

 Big Bear of Toby Guzzle," I wrote the step was 36in. 

 The com positor has it 26in. , an error palpable to hunters, 

 but perhaps not to others.— Warfield. 



ONE SIDE OF IT. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Inclqsed find cutting which will explain the situation In Arizona 

 in regard to Indian affairs, and the cause of the postponement of 

 the "Sierra Madre Exploration." 



It was hoped by credulous people that the capture of Geronimo 

 and his hand would put an end to the Apache troubles, but as 

 long as the San Carlos Reservation is kept up by the Government 

 as a training school for those murderers and robbers there will be 

 continued outbreaks. 



I had just arranged with ''The Sonora Land Company," of this 

 city, for means to go on with the exploration when this news 

 came here and upset the enterprise. "It was ever thus since 

 childhood's hour." I wrote a "History of the Apaches" for Gen- 

 eral Miles last summer, commencing in 1542 and concluding with 

 the capture of Geronimo. In the Sepoy mutiny the British govern- 

 ment did not send the red-handed murderers to the orange groves 

 of Florida; but to happier hunting grounds. 



It seems to the frontiersmen very unjust for our government to 

 educate, feed, clothe, arm and pamper these savages to turn loose 

 on the settlers and murder, rob, ravish and plunder at their sweet 

 will and pleasure; but experience does not give hope for anything 

 hetter. It may be fun for the Indian agents, but it is death to the 

 settlers. There has heen no protection for life or property since 

 the U. S. Government acquired the country in 1853. The army 

 may give an excuse for its existence by chasing these renegades 

 into Mexico at a cost of over a thousand dollars each, and when 

 caught, if ever, I suppose they will be sent to enjoy the climate of 

 Florida; and the humanitarian will howl because they are separ- 

 ated from their dear families. The subject is too nauseous for re- 

 spectful consideration. Charles D. Poston. 



Chicago, June 14. 



NEW YORK GAME LAWS. 



THE Governor has signed the following bills : 

 Chap. 398, Senator Murphy's bill allowing certain privileges 

 of •selling in .New York city, trout and other hsh caught in other 

 States during the off seasons in this State. 



Chap. 512, benator Comstock's provision for a fish way in the 

 State dam at Troy. 



Chap. 530, Assemblyman Collin's bill for the preservation of 

 salmon. 



Chap. 562, Assemblyman Winne's bill providing an appropria- 

 tion for the development of a park in the Catskill Mountains. 



The Pitch bill, making an appropriation for the fish hatchery at 

 Cold Spring Harbor. 



Reeves bill allowing the shooting of fowl in Gardiner and 

 Peconic Bays. 



McMillan's landlocked salmon bill. 



Coggeshall's 6in. trout bill. Cornell's Kouka Lake bill. Giese's 

 bill prohibiting bass fishing in Lake Erie or Niagara River between 

 Jan. land July 1. Sweet's bill relative to fisbing with nets in 

 Cayuga Lake. Hamilton's preserves bill. 



Ambition and honest endeavor are to fie commended. Make 

 no mistake on this score, and there is a time when the rod 

 and gun must be laid aside for the stern duties of life, but 

 if our young friends will take the advice of the great and 

 generally good Telegraph they will cling to youthful sports 

 and pleasures as long as possible. You may not, in fact, 

 cannot, all be President, however hard you may try, but 

 don't forget that the President tries at times just as hard to 

 be a boy.— Macon Telegraph. 



m mid Oliver ^whing. 



Address all communications to the Forest and Stream Pub. Co. 



TROLLING FOR TROUT. 



Q1NCE reading "Piseco's" letter in your issue of June 

 kJ 9, I have thought how much my case was like his. 

 For some years I have done all my fishing on strictly 

 scientific principles, using a fly or nothing; and although 

 I have been moderately successful, still" there has been 

 times when I have been strongly tempted to become con- 

 verted from a "fly lunatic" to a "worm digger." I have, 

 however, always resisted temptation until this spring, 

 when a combination of circumstances was too much for 

 me, and I became converted, at least for the time being. 



About May 24 I arrived at Middle Dam and took room 

 at the Anglers' Retreat. I may be a little superstitious, 

 but I never fish on the day of my arrival at my proposed 

 grounds; and so I spent the afternoon in looking around 

 and listening to the reports of the day's fishing. The 

 chance for fly-fishing, I was told, was not good, and if I 

 wanted to get any fish I must troll or still-fish. This was 

 unwelcome news to me, as I knew very little of the art of 

 stfll-fishing and less of trolling, and at that time thought 

 I did not want to know. So the next day I started out 

 with the intention of catching fish with the fly or not at 

 all; and I fulfilled my intention, for I did not get a rise, 

 although I used nearly every kind of fly that could be 

 thought of and in every manner I had ever heard of. 

 It was all the more discouraging as when I came 

 through Errol, people were catching nice trout 

 with the fly, and had been quite successful at 

 Andover, but ' it was of no use, and at night I made up 

 my mind that if I wanted any fish it was troll or still-fish; 

 and as still-fishing does not possess any more attractions 

 for me than clam digging, I at once gave that up. But 

 in order to troll I should have a guide, and as that could 

 not be {>rocured I must go alone. So getting a boat of 

 Capt. Farrar I started out for tbe Narrows, the scene of 

 success and disappointment of the laet four days, with 

 the determination of giving trolling a good trial. I had 

 received instructions from one of the guides as to the 

 proper manner to put on the minnow and felt that I 

 ought to be at least moderately successful. When I got 

 out in the lake I baited up and let out about 5 Oft. of line 

 and laid the rod down at my feet within reach. I had 

 not gone far when I had a strike, which nearly took the 

 rod out of the boat. I grasped it as quickly as possible, 

 but not quick enough to save the fish; he had gone before 

 I could lay the oars down and get the rod up. I staited 

 on again and again had a strike and again lost him. And 

 so it went all day; I had strikes enough, but could not 

 get the fish. About noon some gentlemen who were 

 stopping at the Retreat invited me to take dinner with 

 them. After dinner I succeeded in getting one small 

 trout of about 1-Jlbs. and lost another when nearly in the 

 landing net, but still I continued until nearly all the boats 

 were home, and then I turned my boat toward home too, 

 and trolled across the lake, feeling that although I had 

 not been successful I had done all I could, and as John 

 Danforth says, "kept my line wet." At supper all were 

 relating the incidents of the day; some were happy over 

 a six-pounder, while others bad to be content with a 

 three-pounder, and others still, myself included, with 

 less. 



The next morning I told Captain Sam Clark, of the 

 steamboat service, to get me a guide, if he could; this he 

 promised to do, but day after day went by, and no guide 

 came to me. I was not idle all of the time, but I did not 

 fish much, as they were sluicing logs through the dam and 

 this spoiled the fishing in the river. At last, one noon 

 when the boat landed, Captain Clark said, "I have a 

 guide for you," and presented Frank Dunn, of Andover, to 

 me. I was quite pleased to have him come, as I had 

 learned he was a good guide, and he had a good boat and 

 everything complete. We fished a little up in the Nar- 

 rows that afternoon, but did not have much success, for 

 the fishing had begun to be poor by this time, there being 

 no less than eighteen boats there nearly every day. 

 When we returned that evening I made up my mind that 

 I would try some place where others did not fish. The 

 next morning I told Frank I thought we had better try 

 the South Arm. Some of my friends laughed at that; in 

 fact, they had rather laughed at me for the last few days, 

 as I had caught no fish, but was waiting for "something 

 to turn up." But Frank said my judgment was good, and 

 that there were as good fish in the South Arm as ever 

 were caught. 



We crossed the lake and trolled down Saints' Rest, and 

 just as we got by the point I had a strike and got a little 

 fellow of l^lbs. We took him in and cast out again and 

 soon had another strike, and got what proved to be an- 

 other small one, about l^lbs. This convinced us we had 

 got where the fish were, but their size was not much to 

 brag of. I said to Frank, "This is more like it: but it will 

 take a month to catch up with my friends at the dam." 

 "You hold on an hour or two," said he, "and I will show 

 you some that are worthwhile." Encouraged by Ins con- 

 fident tone, I "braced up" and waited. I had not long to 

 wait, for soon there came a strike that bent my 13-ounce 

 split bamboo so that its tip went into the water. Frank 

 noticed it and started for the middle of the lake and I 

 kept a taut line on the fish, until, when Frank thought he 

 had got out far enough, he stopped rowing and I began to 

 reel in. I soon had the fish up where we could see him, 

 and we began to bet on his weight; but there was no 

 chance to decide the bet, for just as we were going to slip 

 the net under bim he was gone. I do not know how 

 heaA r y he was, but Ave set him down as 4ilbs. Frank was 

 a little discouraged at the loss of the fish; but I told him 

 that my luck was coming and I knew it would hold out 

 until I had as many fish as I wanted, or at least as many 

 as I ought to have. We kept on trolling, intending to go 

 to the South Arm for dinner and return in the after- 

 noon. 



We were just passing a point where a large stump had 

 been lifted up on tke rocks by the ice ; and Frank said, 

 "There ought to be a big fish under that stump." He had 

 hardly got the words out of his mouth when the rod was 

 nearly pulled from my bands and tbe fine went off from 

 the reel as though it would never stop. Frank uttered a 

 remark of great force and surprise and started for the 

 middle of the lake as if his whole aim in life were to get 

 away from that stump. I had turned around so as to face 



