#6ftfiS* AND STREAM. 



453 



Game in the National Park. — Yellowstone National 

 Park, June. — A tourist who made an early trip with a 

 saddle horse and guide, saw over two hundred elk in the 

 Alum Creek Country and Hayden Valley, and one buffalo 

 bull within two and a half miles from the Upper Geyser 

 Basin, The government scout, Mr. Ed. Willson, while on 

 a trip down Nez Perce Creelc, saw a band of buffalo with 

 50 cows and 15 young calves in sight. He says thecalves 

 were so young he could have caught any of them. After 

 watching them for some time he went around, so as not 

 to disturb them. It whs no novel sight to him to see a 

 hand of 50 to 100 elk, but the buffalo are not so plenty, 

 and tbey gladden an old-timer's eye.". I saw on a trip to 

 Soda Butte several bands of elk. None of the bulls had 

 horns much over twelve inches long; this slow growth is 

 caused by the late season I think. One, two and three 

 years ago I saw several bulls with horns much longer 

 and at an earlier date. The cow elk are having their 

 calves. If the rate of increase goes on as it has the past 

 five years the Park will soon be overrun with game. 

 Several bear have been seen this spring. One old silver- 

 tip strode pat on two of the Transportation Co.'s herders 

 on Mt. Evurts recently. They were well mounted and 

 wanted to see it run so that they might give it a charge, 

 but they soon changed their mind when the chase proved 

 likely to be the other way. Antelope and blacktail deer 

 are quite numerous in the open country between Mam- 

 mol h Hot Springs and Soda Butte. From all indications 

 the Park will see more visitors this season than ever 

 before.— H. 



La wresceburg, Ky., June 6, — Anderson county is one 

 of the largest producers of ''Bourbon" whisky in Ken- 

 tucky, and it seems that the whisky interest has almost 

 absorbed all other interests, fishingand hunting included. 

 There is not a shooting club in the county, though the 

 wealth would warrant such recreations. But if a denizen 

 of the hot and dusty city desires a pleasant place to hunt 

 or fish, this town offers many inducements. The county 

 town lies about midway between Salt and Kentucky 

 rivers, each about four miles distant, and each abound- 

 ing iu fine black bass, cat, calico perch and other kinds. 

 There is still a large proportion of forest lands which 

 abound in small game. I am told the season promises 

 well for quail aud gray squirrels. There is a number of 

 smaller streams, but in almost every case the waters are 

 luined and the fish destroyed by the offal from distilleries 

 being emptied therein. Such things are indictable as 

 nuisances, but it would almost paralyze a Grand Juror to 

 mention such a thing, as being a blow at the material 

 prosperity of the county. Such is the power of money 

 and of money making. A distiller can even make 

 whisky, drive his cattle or haul corn or do any work on 

 Sunday, as being a business of necessity. — J. S. M. 



Essex County Game.— Lynn, Mass., June 24.— Judg- 

 ing from the reports of our local sportsmen the number 

 of game birds in this locality far exceeds anything which 

 has been reported in years past. This encouraging state 

 •of affairs is principally due to the mild winter weather 

 we have enjoyed of late years. A prominent member of 

 the Mass. Kennel Club, Lynn, Mass., knows about where 

 every bird is located, and to use his familiar phrase that 

 *'Ino and I know where to find the birds, at the right 

 time:" but I venture to predict disappointment for him 

 •and his faithful companion, as no doubt the butcher's 

 work will commence long before the law-abiding mem- 

 ber of the club will venture into the bush, or even before 

 he thinks of getting his trusty breechloader in condition 

 )for the fall sport. The birds in this section of the coun- 

 try are wholly unprotected, so far as the watchful eye of 

 a game warden is concerned. To be sure there is a fish 

 and game warden, but methinks he knows not what a 

 game law is, or if he does, he is entirely ignorant as to 

 the protection they require at his hand and which he is 

 supposed to give them, ''short lobsters" being his hobby. 

 — E. L. 



Of Our Western Number, June 12, a Massachusetts 

 leader writes: "This is surely a red- lino, blue-ribbon, 

 white-star (or what you will) number." 



m m\d §-ivqr fishing. 



FISHING NEAR NEW YORK. 



T^OR practical and specific directions to reach several hundred 

 fishing rrsorts within easy distance of New York city, see 

 issues of 18 c 9 as follows: April 18. April 25, May 8, May 9, May 30, 

 June 6, June 13, June 20, June 27. 



RANDOM CASTS. 



THE oil can that will not leak under some even ordi- 

 nary condition is yet to be made. A small bottle of 

 "very thick glass, say about a quarter of an inch thick, 

 made with a metal screw cap and washer, still remains 

 the only safe thing to carry oil in the pocket or valise. 

 Have a piece of metal of the thickness of a knitting 

 needle soldered to the inside of the cap, and long enough 

 to reach to the bottom of the bottle, and. in using suffici- 

 ent oil will adhere to lubricate your reel. 



Don't pass unkind remarks about the manner in which 

 the novice handle? his rod, but remember that you 

 probably cut just as poor a figure in your first attempt at 

 casting either the fly or from the reel. 



In salt-water fishing, for sport choose the striped bass ; 

 for eating, the kingfish ; for excitement, the bluefish : 

 for disappointment choose the skate. And, as they are 

 frequently found on the same grounds, " you buys your 

 bait and you takes your choice." 



For the preservation in good shape of the long tips of 

 surf rods, procure a piece of wood of about 1ft. in length 

 by 2in. in breadth and ^in. in thickness. Cut openings 

 through it, across the grain, lin. long and from |to |in. 

 wide according to the size of the tips at the top. Make 

 these openings 1-J inches apart, Now fasten the wood by 

 screws to the wall, about 6in. belowthe ceiling moulding, 

 or in a high closet, and hang your rods in the openings, 

 instead of standing them in a corner at an angle of 45'ieg. , 

 as is so often done. It will assist in straightening those 

 tips that have received a set and keep all in good oondi- 



tion and away from accidents. But don't hang them up 

 with the reel on or they will be injured by the side strain 

 caused by the Weight of the reel. Better still, take off the 

 independent butt" with reel attached, and lay it on a 

 shelf. 



| Use oil-tanned raw hide for the apron to your reel, 

 i instead of the usual hard and rough leather. It preserves 

 instead of injuring the line. Big Reel. 



THE NESSMUKS. 



WORCESTER, Mass.— For a number of years the need 

 of a sportsman's club, which would be more in 

 sympathy with the interests of active field sports, has 

 been strongly felt here, and during the fall shooting of 

 the past season a few congenial spirits who had passed 

 many a pleasant day together in the brush and on the 

 trout streams, decided to organize a club, fouuded on 

 their ideas of what a sportsman's chib should be. 



Not until the past winter did the scheme take any 

 definite shape, but before the trout season opened, things 

 were well under way, and by the time the weather was 

 warm enough to make an outing agreeable a club of six 

 was formed and an entire camp kit, including tent, 

 dishes, a refrigerator (about 18x14x20), cooking utensils, 

 and a folding canvas boat, was purchased. 



The thought that an account of one of our outings 

 might interest some of Forest and Stream's readers, 

 has prompted me to write this article. First our name. 

 It was decided, after much deliberation, that none more 

 appropriate than the nam de plume of that very fountain 

 head of all that is best in fieid sports could be chosen. 

 The man who stands preeminently at the head of 

 American woodsmen, and one whose writings will ever 

 hold him in kind remembrance. "With what a shock of 

 pain we read of his death so lately. Yet we never saw 

 him or even knew that he was born within a few miles 

 of Worcester. But we knew him well through his con- 

 tributions to this paper. 



And so we are called "The Nessmuks." Of officers we 

 have but one, the "official hustler," self appointed and 

 with authority to get up a fishing trip for any day on 

 which he can be away. We never lack for a, "hustler," 

 as some one has a scheme under way about all the 

 while. Our official machinery therefore runs remarkably 

 smoothly. 



One Friday one of our members pined for trout. The 

 telephone was brought into play and a gathering was 

 arranged for 7 P. M. Every one was on time. "Well, 

 what's up now?" "Up? Well, it's about time something 

 happened, isn't it?" "Sure!'' 



"All right; you take a can of cream in the refrigerator 

 and I'll look out for coffee and salt pork. What time 

 will we meat you for breakfast ?" 



"Oh, say 9 o'clock." 



"Nine it is. Good night," and the meeting was ad- 

 journed. 



It was arranged that we were to go in two directions: 

 two in one team with the boat and camp truck and three 

 in another with tent and refrigerator. 



You are not to meet the club members in their offices, 

 so by what names they are known on the street would 

 not interest you. As they appear for breakfast they are 

 known to the camp as "Hy Hicks," "Little Hicks," 

 "Charley Ross," "The Half-breed," and one who has not 

 earned sufficient distinction as a fisherman to entitle him 

 to more of a handle than "Blondie." 



Little Hicks and Blondie had the boat and were started 

 about 1:30 A. M, , just the time Hy and Charlie reach the 

 Bay State lunch cart to learn that the hungry Half-breed 

 "had been there" and cleaned the cart out, forcing them 

 to the "open all night" star. The three finally got to- 

 gether, loaded in their effects and got off a few minutes 

 past two. Cold ! I did not experience such a ride last 

 winter, and was obliged to wrap myself in the lap robe 

 to keep from freezing, while Charlie drew on his extra 

 pair of heavy woolen socks over his gloves to drive in. 

 Just before daylight we turned down an old wood road 

 and hitched up. 



Doing a war dance to start circulation we got into our 

 togs, thrust hands into pockets, and with rods under arms 

 started for the stream. It was almost light enough to 

 see one's line when we started in, and it was not a minute 

 later when Hy laid the first trout out on the bank with- 

 out any preliminary landing net business. 



This opened the ball; and it was not closed till the end 

 of the stream was reached about 7 A. M. The trout were 

 all in the running water, and were biting like tigers. 



The Half-breed struck a big one, and hung back trying 

 to coax him to rise again till Charlie and Hy were out of 

 sight down stream. They were "in it," surely. 



Coming to a deep pool, Hy took to the bank for a few 

 rods; and as he stepped in again, Charlie hooked one 

 within two feet of where he stood; and soon he was net- 

 ted and they proceeded down stream side by side, wading 

 the stream, and nearly every likely looking place yielding 

 one. "Careful how you approach the big pool, Hy; we'll 

 get a nice one there," said Charlie, as he sneaked along 

 under cover of the bank and cast out over the head of the 

 pool, being rewarded a moment latter by a good one, 

 which made the light rod nearly kiss the water as the 

 fish felt the hook and turned down stream. This stream 

 is a favorite of ours, and the fishing being mostly open, 

 we fish it right. That is, with light fly-rods, netting each 

 other's fish. 



The flat water below proved unfruitful: but coming to 

 where an old log lay across the brook, Charlie remarked, 

 "Now, a good fisherman would take one there," which he 

 immediately proceeded to do; and striking in a rod or so 

 below Hy, said, "That's a pretty likely looking stretch 

 just opposite me," but failed to fish it, while Hy followed 

 down and took three beauties out of it, and whipping the 

 opposite side where Charlie had just waded down and 

 hooked a half-pounder. 



In attempting to walk carefully over the shelving rocks 

 Charlie partially lost his balance and sat down just far 

 enough so that the water flowing over the terrace behind 

 him washed the skirts of his coat, but did no! quite touch 

 his trousers where they were nearest the water. Teeter- 

 ing there for about half a minute before he could regain 

 an upright position, he presented a picture which was 

 worth the trip to see. 



Something ludicrous occurred at every turn, and such 

 a trip comes to a man but seldom. At one time both rods 

 were floating down. stream, while two excited fishermen 

 were trying to basket a 12in, trout. Coming to a par- 



ticularly slippei y place one was sure to hook a trout 

 just as he began to slip, and do a song and dance 

 over the stones for a rod or so before he could bring up 

 and land his fish. 



About 7 o'clock Charlie and Hy turned back to hunt up 

 the Half breed whom tbey found squatted dowm behind 

 a bush intent on fishing a deep pool where an old tree 

 grew on the opposite bank. "Hush! I just lost an old 

 lacer in here. He bent my rod double. "Want me to 

 take him out for you?" says Hy. "Yes; he's right under 

 those old roots." Hy strung on one of his "irresistibles" 

 and hooked him the first cast. "Great Scott! he's got 

 him, and he'll weigh two pounds — head him over here 

 away from the roots. Take bim up into the swift water 

 and drown him." 



"What, a sucker?" "No, a dace." "Oh, dear! Ain't 

 that terrible." This ended it, and the baskets were 

 emptied on the grass and 31 beauties from 8 to 12in. long 

 were counted with the remarkably even respective 

 catches of 10, 10, 11. Upon reaching the team, the horse, 

 which was hitched to a sapling, made a sudden plunge 

 forward followed up with another till she lost her foot- 

 hold, when her head was down completely out of sight, 

 beneath her body, and blood was seen oozing out through 

 the blanket, which completely enveloped her. It did not 

 take long to whip out a knife, cut the halter, unhitch 

 tugs and holdbacks and throw off the blanket so we could 

 see what shape she was in, and pulling out her head she 

 regained her feet. Not one in the party but supposed her 

 neck was broken. The only damage to the harness was 

 about the bridle, and was repaired with a piece of twine. 

 A small cut was found in her side where a stub had 

 broken the skin. This was washed out, and the delay 

 was not more than twenty minutes ; but three men had 

 learned thoroughly a good lesson. Never approach a 

 horse from the rear. 



At the appointed times all met at the rendezvous, and 

 the coffeepot was soon out. Hungry ! Ye shades of Tan- 

 ner, blush for them. Breakfast over and dishes washed, 

 the Half-breed and Blondie started out to fish a brook at 

 the head of the pond, while Charlie and Little Hicks took 

 the boat out for a troll, leaving Hy to keep camp and fish 

 for perch from the shore. 



Just a word about our boat. It is such a gem I cannot 

 forbear mentioning it. It is the "Acme," advertised in 

 this paper, and seems as near perfection as a folding 

 boat can be. When folded it goes right under the seat 

 of a Concord wagon or stands up between two in a car- 

 riage. Set up, it carrips three nicely and for model no 

 folding boat 1 ever saw approaches it. 



During; the day Charlie and Hy were drifting along the 

 shore with a light wind, when suddenly, and with a roar 

 that was simply blood curdling,^, water spout, or whirl- 

 wind, struck the pond just at the shore, about 200yds. 

 away, and moved out about three rods, when it as sud- 

 denly died out. It was unlike any water spout either 

 ever saw before, inasmuch as it was of the same size 

 from top to bottom, appearing about 10ft. across and oft, 

 high. The noise it made was spiteful beyond descrip- 

 tion, and the water flew from it in all directions. After 

 it subsided the men looked at each other for a minute be- 

 fore either spoke. Charlie's eyes hung right out on his 

 cheeks, while he avers that Hy did not regain his custo- 

 mary color for half an hour. It certainly was a most 

 wonderful and fearful thing. 



At 4 P. M. we had dinner. Charlie is the cook, and 

 when he has the coffee pot boiling away and our spider 

 (one we had made to order, l4in. across the bottom) filled 

 with trout frying in salt pork and Indian meal, he is in 

 his element. And such coffee and fried trout as he can 

 produce would gladden the heart of any epicurean 

 camper. The day was beautiful, and we did not use our 

 tent, preferring the shade of the trees, in which to enjoy 

 our after dinner pipe. And we did enjoy it, too, every 

 minute of it. 



If I had time and you had patience I might describe 

 the lovely pond on which we make our camp, the pretty 

 grass-covered point, which juts out into it just enough to 

 insure a good breeze at all times and immunity from 

 flies. The pit where sand has been taken from the bank 

 years ago is now grown up to grass, level as a floor and 

 surrounded by a wall about 5ft. high. Here we leave 

 our teams. In the numerous streams near by trout are 

 to be had. There is pickerel and perch fishing, and all 

 of it within an easy drive of the city. We think we have 

 hit on about the right idea of fishing for the pleasure 

 there is in it. 



We always have a good time. Every one is a "thor- 

 oughbred" and "kicks" at nothing. If the day proves 

 pleasant our pleasure is assured. Does it rain, it's better 

 fishing, and we can cook and eat our dinner under cover. 



Of course we seldom bring in many trout, but if we 

 can secure enough to feed five or six hungry men we are 

 satisfied. So far we have got big returns on our invest- 

 ment, and some day we shall take out our wives and 

 babies and endeavor to substantiate our claim that there 

 is no better way to spend a holidav than with The Ness- 

 muks. Hal. 



WITH FLY-ROD AND CAMERA. 



TN size, interest of text, wealth of illustration, aud beauty of 

 production, the most notable work on salmon fishing issued, 

 Pee advertisement elsewhere. 



CONTENTS OF CHAPTER IV. 



A Choice of Routes to Cape Breton— Poor Mulgrave aud the Gut 

 of Canso— St. Peter's Canal— The Beautiful Bras D'Or— All 

 About Sydney and Coal— The Success of the Sydney Fish 

 Hatchery— Statistics of Cape Breton Salmon Breeding— Poor 

 Old Louisbnurg— Barsdeck— A Delightful Trip to the Ma-garee 

 —Educated Trout— Success in Usiug a "Gray Mouse"— North- 

 east Margaree— Abundance of Sea Trout— The Fishing Station 

 of Chetticamp— Work of the Fish Commissioners at Northeast 

 Margaree— Taking and Handling Salmon Eggs— Picturesque 

 Scenery on the Margaree— Lake Ainslee— A Celebrated Pool- 

 Outwitting Educated Fish— Whykokomagh— A Most Enjoy- 

 able Sail— Abundance and Variety of Bird Life on Cape Breton . 



To Salmon Anglers.— T. J. Conioy. 65 Fulton street, N. Y., 

 has a lot of fine salmon rods, assorted kinds, which he will sell at 

 asacrificeunt.il stock is reduced. Don't, miss the opportunity.— 

 Adv. 



Forest and Stream, Box 3.S32, N. Y. city, has dessriptivo illus- 

 trated circulars of W. B. L-emngwell's book, "Wild Fowl Shoot- 

 ing," which will be mailed free on request. The book is pro- 

 nouDced by "Nanlt." "G-loan," "Dick Swivels r," "Sybiilane" aud 

 other competent authorities to be the best treatjae on tUa subject 

 extant. 



