430 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



LMay 12, 1892. 



reeled in. My, how he did object. After a royal struggle 

 I drowned him in the swift current, then laying my rod 

 down hauled him up hand over hand. He would have 

 weighed a good pound. I baited again and threw directly 

 over the ledge. This time it sunk many feet, Tug! I 

 had another and he proved larger than the first, and 

 would weigh lilbs. easily; a beauty. 



Well, I went on until 5 o'clock, and then I had a nice 

 string of a dozen fine trout any one of which would tip 

 a pound. Can you imagine how lightly I stepped; how 

 short the distance to the house; how the good old miller 

 stared at my string; and what E. said when he saw my 

 beauties lying on a large dish in the kitchen ? 



That night as we lay together in bed he said to me, 

 "My boy, you shall go fishing with me to-morrow." 



Nkw York. Sedge. 



THE PHANTOM FISH. 



THIS fish— which to the ''home-keeping hearts" is al- 

 most as mystical as the sea serpent — has been seen 

 if not actually booked by every angler who ever casta 

 fly, but as far as I can learn "by tale or history," it has 

 never yet been landed. Proteus-like, it has the power of 

 changing its form. Sometimes it appears in the likeness 

 of a salmon, sometimes of a trout, again in the similitude 

 of a pike, and (when the anglers are of tender years) it 

 even condescends to transform itself into a perch or 

 bream. But in one general particular it never differs, 

 whatever its speceies — it is always of gigantic proportions, 

 the finest and best- conditioned fish of its kind. How lov- 

 ingly the angler dwells upon its exquisite form and its 

 shining silvery scales! How his eyes sparkle as with ex- 

 tended arms he measures its— roughly estimated— length. 

 No matter how tired, and wet, and heaviiy laden (?) he 

 may return, he is always enthusiastic on the subject of 

 "that fish," "that big beauty," "that monster" (meant in 

 a complimentary sense) or occasionally "that confounded 

 fish." Over and over again have we to listen to the 

 account of the struggle; we hold our breath till it is a lmost 

 in the basket, when lo! it is gone, vanished as if it had 

 never been there (but, of course, it had), and the frying- 

 pan is deprived of the honor of holding the most magnifi- 

 cent fish that ever the thought of housewife conceived, 

 In imagination it has been served up with every imagin- 

 able sauce in or out of the cookery book, and many a 

 time and oft it has served to flavor an otherwise Ashless 

 meal. Indeed, the flights of fancy with regard to its 

 delicious flavor remind one of the story of the man who 

 being gifted with a lively imagination and a frugal mind, 

 placed a piece of cheese 'in a glass bottle and set it in the 

 center of the table, then called upon his children — who 

 happily inherited his imaginative powers — to rub their 

 slices of bread against the bottle, by which device they 

 enjoyed a perfectly satisfactory supper of bread and 

 cheese. But the story does not end here. One night the 

 father returned home late, and as the bottle containing 

 the cheese was locked up, he condoled with his children 

 on having only dry bread for supper. 



"But we had cheese for supper, father," replied the 

 children. 



"How so, my dears?" inquired the father. "Did you 

 unlock the cupboard?" 



"Oh, no," they responded in chorus, "we rubbed our 

 bread against the door. " 



So many an angler rubs his bread against his fishing 

 rod, and imagines that not only has he landed his fish, 

 but has cooked and eaten it. So much for imagination ! 



But to return to the phantom fish, can nothing be 

 learned of its history ? Is there no legend handed down 

 from the days of Izaak "Walton to throw light on the 

 subject? Is its strange appearance and disappearance to 

 remain forever shrouded in mystery? Is there no bait 

 tempting enough to hire it from its lurking place, or no 

 hook strong enough to hold it? 



Surely here is an opening for an enterprising fishing 

 tackle maker. What scope for a telling advertisement: 

 "Notice to anglers, The new fly specially invented to 

 catch the 'phantom fish. ' N. B. — Order early and be the 

 first to secure the prize." 



The first to secure the prize! Think of that, ye pisca- 

 tors! Think of the immortal glory ! Think of the price 

 that would be offered by Barnum's successor for such a 

 treasure! 



But why raise false hopes? or rather, why deprive the 

 angler of the motif which lends such powerful aid in the 

 elaboration of those gems of imagination and narration, 

 by which he one day hopes to win th*> "Copper Kettle?" 

 — An Angler's Sister, in Fishing Gazette. 



VERMONT TROUT. 



CENTRAL VERMONT. May 9, 1892.— Editor Forest 

 and Stream: The Vermont trout season opened 

 May 1, but the conditions in this section have been un- 

 favorable for the usual amount of fishing to date. There 

 is still some snow on the higher hills and the water in the 

 larger mountain streams remains high and the water 

 roily. The weather has also been cold for the season and 

 this, with snow water running in the streams, has made 

 it a late season, though we had unusually warm weather 

 in April, and our anglers looked for early fishing in con- 

 sequence. Many of our mountain streams are very "late" 

 ones, and not much, if any, fishing can be done in them 

 before May 30, and this season will probably be no 

 exception, 



The weather on opening day was uot all that could be 

 desired; a heavy overcoat was a necessity, while a strong 

 wind helped to make it unpleasant. A few anglers re- 

 port having been out and in one or two favored localities 

 Borne fairly good catches rewarded them — generally 

 where the fishing was done in ponds or inland streams. 



Our party took about forty good trout, and say they 

 were nearly frozen in getting them. The water was very 

 cold and the trout sluggish, being taken usually in the 

 deeper places and not biting well. Since opening day the 

 weather has been such that little fishing has been done, 

 and it is yet too early to make any predictions regarding 

 the trout fishing for the present season, though our ang- 

 lers can scar cely hope for any improvement over pre- 

 vious years for obvious reasons. Good fishing may yet 

 be found in some parts of Vermont, but it is a thing of 

 the past on many of our best streams, and bids fair to re- 

 main BO. 



Our present law regarding fish and game, covers the 

 ground very well, and the six -inch law might possibly 

 do great good if it wad observed, but it is uofc,*aucl in] 



many places little, if any, attention is paid to it. The 

 writer recalls a short trip through the western part of the 

 State last season, when he enjoyed a half-day's fishing on 

 a fine stream. While there he seemed to be regarded as 

 a curiosity because he returned Bmall trout to the stream 

 — his host informing him it was the general custom there 

 to keep all trout caught down to four inches in length. 

 This was in a place where many of the streams were 

 posted, so the natives could hardly plead ignorance of the 

 law. 



This state of things is not confined to one locality, but 

 is more general than is known (or admitted) by those 

 who are working for "reform" and who seem to think 

 the one thing necessary is to make a law, proclaim it, 

 and then tinker it over every two years. Meanwhile 

 those who are anxious to see something done must saw 

 wood and say nothing, as if they venture a remark they 

 are promptly jumped on. 



It seems to be impossible to enforee the six-inch law, 

 but the ma jority cannot understand what is to be gained 

 by claiming it is enforced, when the contrarv is known. 



Central Vermont. 



POTOMAC NOTES. 



WASHINGTON, May 9.— Everybody is going fishing. 

 A great many white perch have been caught. 

 The run of these fish has been larger than for years. At 

 Sheperdstown and Dam No. 6 some very fine catches of 

 black bass have already been made. The water is get- 

 ting into good condition and one of the most successful 

 seasons for years is predicted, The bass have had a 

 long rest; ever since the flood of 1889 the water has been 

 muddy the greater part of each summer, so that com- 

 paratively few fish were caught. 



I met Mr. Thos. J. Murrey the other day in market. 

 Some of his famous dishes are still fresh in the minds 

 of members of the Ichthyophagus Club. In the House 

 restaurant Mr. M. has won new laurels with his disH of 

 fresh-smoked Potomac herrings. He says the New 

 Yorker does not know of the gastronomic qualities of 

 the river herring as they are fresh smoked here. "It is 

 the sweetest morsel that I have ever tasted in the shape 

 of fish and I would recommend it highly to the gourmet 

 of New York." Mr. Murrey has the fish cooked in 

 the following manner: "Wrap in common brown 

 paper, place in an oven twelve minutes, remove from 

 oven, take the outer skin off and backbone out, cover 

 with sweet butter and serve hot. Members of both 

 branches of Congress are said to be very enthusiastic 

 over this dish. 



A very pleasant occurrence took place in Mr. Murdock's 

 office at the Smithsonian on April 30, when he was pre- 

 sented with a split-bamboo rod and bass reel by his 

 assistants in the library. Mr. M. left here for his future 

 home in Middleboro, Mass., on the 15 bh. 



SPODG1NG AND SPODGERS. 



VARIOUS indeed are the devices and means employed 

 by man to capture the denizens of the streams! The 

 Kentuckians have a method of taking the big catfish found 

 in their rivers which they call "spodging." The habits of 

 the fish, which are somewhat peculiar to itself, lead to its 

 capture. It makes a passage from its hiding place under 

 a ledge of rock along the mud at the bottom of the stream, 

 which an expert "spodger" can readily detect with his 

 bare feet, He operates in daylight, as at that time the 

 fish is likely to occupy his den, whither he is traced by 

 the slippery pathway he has formed. The instrument 

 used is called a "spodge hook"— say a broom handle to 

 which a big hook is fastened, no line being used. When 

 the "spodger" has tracked the fish to his den he probes 

 carefully with the butt end of his rod. If he feels the 

 fish he thrusts the hooked end under it and with a vigor- 

 ous "yank" hauls the fellow out. Sometimes a 40 pounder 

 or larger is taken. On Dick's River, Kentucky, there was 

 a noted "spodger" named Will Arnold, noted'not only as 

 a cunning fisherman of his class, but for his ability to re- 

 main a long time under water, and especially for his 

 horrible emaciation, which, perhaps, was not less con- 

 spicuous than that of Calvin Edson himself. When the 

 water was so deep as to necessitate immersion, this 

 living skeleton would have one or more men to hold 

 him under the water until he could secure his game, and 

 he has even exhibited resentment when his assistants, 

 through fear of drowning him, have "let up" too soon or 

 before he could hook the mammoth bullhead. N. D. E. 

 West Virginia. 



Kentucky.— Taylorsville, Kv.,May 5.— This is the time 

 for fishing in Salt River and Brashears' Creek for chan- 

 nel cats, black bass, suckers and crappie, not to mention 

 log perch . etc. Local anglers report fair success. Ang- 

 ling should be good here throughout the season, but it 

 does not give the sport it should. Some think because of 

 the clearing of the hill lands and consequent washing of 

 mud into the streams. But when it is considered that 

 there are kept in this vicinity many seines and nets, and 

 that fish traps are maintained in the river, and especially 

 that there are persons mean enough to use dynamite, the 

 cause of poor fishing is not difficult to And. Our sports- 

 men are discouraged also by the action of the Legislature 

 yesterday in defeating the fish and game bill. It begins 

 to be apparent that no other method is feasible in this 

 State in order to secure a fair amount of sport as to fish 

 and game, than the formation of private preserves, and 

 no country offers better advantages of this kind than the 

 vicinity of Salt River.— J. S. Hubris. 



Why a Boiled Lobster is Red.— In all crustaceans, 

 as, indeed, in almost everything in nature, there is a 

 certain per cent, of iron. Upon boiling, the lobster is 

 oxidized: the effect is largely due also to the percentage 

 of muriatic acid which exists naturally in the shell. The 

 chemical change which takes place here is almost similar 

 to that which occurs in the burning of a brick. In boil- 

 ing a lobster its coat ceases to be a living substance, and 

 to a certain extent it takes a new character. It is as a 

 brick would be after burning. ThiB effect can also be 

 produced by the sun, but necessarily not so rapidly, as the 

 heat of that luminary, although more intense, is not con- 

 centrated sufficiently to produce the resultl The sun also 

 exercises a bleaching influence, which consumes the 

 oxide almost as fast as it is formed, leaving the shell 

 white, or nearly pure lime,— Gloucester Times, May S. , 



Little Ones For Count.— The editor of the Progress 

 has treated in his paper, and at some length, of the bear- 

 ing of existing statutes upon the question whether 

 speckled trout may more properly be taken upon the first 

 or upon the second day of May. Leaving out the Sunday 

 question, it looks like a sort of hair-splitting which con- 

 cerns only a limited number of people. To me it seems a 

 matter of real importance to the trout, and therefore to 

 every honest angler, that whenever these fishes are taken, 

 the six inch law shall be observed. There are plenty of 

 men who wouldn't fish Sundays, or steal the value of a 

 nickel, but who will on Monday next catch and carry 

 home three, four or five inch trout, well knowing that 

 they are thus deliberately breaking the law. This is the 

 real reason why our trout are growing scarcer and 

 smaller. All sorts of reasons are given by these law- 

 breakers for this constant defiance of the statute; "the 

 trout won't live after they have been hooked," and all 

 that sort of stuff, but the fact is that the man can not 

 bear to return these fingerlings to the water, but fishes 

 for count. If the hand is wetted, and the hook carefully 

 removed, these trout will live, in a majority of cases; 

 and if more attention is not paid to these matters, the 

 trout supply will continue to decrease. Editors should 

 discourage the publication of great catches of fish, unless 

 the size of the smallest is given. I am in hopes that 

 Warden Hampton will overhaul some of these men whose 

 catches of trout so often appear in the papers. Wouldn't 

 it look funny to see a man brought before Justice Kibby, 

 because he had in his possession 250 trout, the aggregate 

 length of which was little more than as many inches. — 

 F. H. Thurston, in Bell-aire, {Mich.) Breeze. 



Connecticut Lakes.— Pittsburg, N. H., May 2.— This 

 vicinity, for fishing, cannot be surpassed and perhaps not 

 equalled in all New England. The lakes and their tribu- 

 taries abound with lake and brook trout, landlocked 

 salmon and many other kinds of fish. There was in the 

 winter, to my certain knowledge, one lake trout or 'lunge 

 caught which weighed 2 Libs., also many others weighing 

 from 6 to lOlbs. each. Only a short time ago one weigh- 

 ing 81 bs. was caught by a lady. No logging has been 

 done around the lakes for two- winters past, which is 

 favorable for fishing. The gates to First Like will soon 

 bs hoisted and will not be shut during the summer, 

 which is another advantage. Diamond Stream is also 

 noted for good fishing, and Little Hell Gate on that 

 stream can be reached from First Lake, which is the 

 shortest route there, in a walk of four hours. It is also 

 the nearest way to Deer Lick Camp, which was formerly 

 called Hell Gate Camp, and is also a great place for trout 

 fishing. First-class guides have been engaged, one of 

 whom will guide ladies if desired. In 1891 an appropri- 

 ation was made by the State for the protection of game, 

 consequently the deer have greatly increased in number 

 since that time. Partridges are plenty, and when the 

 open season for game arrives there can be no better place 

 for sportsmen thau here. Any information desired in 

 regard to this locality will be granted by addressing W, 

 A. Abbott. 



Pike Coumty Trout.— The season for trout fishing in 

 the famous trout streams of Pike countv opened May 1, 

 This time is fixed by special legislation. Dingman's Ferry 

 is known far and wide as having the best trout streams 

 in northern Pennsylvania. Men of prominence in every 

 walk of life annually cast their lines in them. The win- 

 ter has been specially favorable and splendid sport is 

 anticipated. The High Falls Hotel is in the immediate 

 vicinity of several of the best trouf streams, one, in fact, 

 within ten minutes walk, and Dr. Fulmer, the proprietor, 

 is splendidly po«ted in fishing matters and can always 

 give "points." Dingman Creek, Adams Brook, Trout 

 River, Indian Ladder Creek are all near. This morning 

 three gentlemen left the Doctor's hotel at 7 o'clock and 

 returned in a few hours w^ith their creels well filled with 

 handsome trout. Report stream in splendid condition. 

 Going out again to-morrow morning. — F, 



Lo.no Island Trout.— New York, May 9. — I have 

 heard much of late that trout fishing on Lang Island is 

 one of the things of the past, except on club property. I 

 spent yesterday with some friends at Babylon, going 

 down Saturday. Soon after my arrival the original of 

 the inclosed outline was shown to me. It was a beauty, 

 an out and out brook trout, and was caught by Sandy 

 Blake, a young boy ten or twelve years old. The stream 

 is known as True's Brook and the fish was caught below 

 and within stone's throw of the shore road between 

 Babylon and Bay Shore.— W. B. I. 



Lake Ronkonkoma, on Long Island, has been open to 

 the public for bass fishing, but now Mr. E. M. Townsend 

 comes to the front with a claim to its possession and 

 issues a notice: "On and after May 30, 1892, persons 

 trespassing on said property will be prosecuted as the 

 law provides. Any one desiring to hire fishing or boat- 

 ing privileges on the property are respectfully requested 

 to communicate in person or by letter wPh me." It is 

 said that members of the Brooklyn Gun Club propose to 

 make a test case for determining whether Mr. Townsend 

 can enforce his prohibition. 



A Connecticut Piver Salmon weighing 19;tlbs. was 

 caught near Saybrook on April 26. The. fish, which was 

 a very handsome one, was exhibited in front of the store 

 of Newton & Butler, of Asylum street, Hartford, and 

 attracted marked attention. Salmon appear in the Con- 

 necticut only occasionally — about one example a year, 

 and in Hartford a salmon from this river is not found 

 sometimes for a period of four or five years. Salmon and 

 modern improvements do not seem to get along well 

 together. 



After Two Years.— The Fort Myers, Fla., Press re- 

 cords that Mr. B .B. McGregor caught a jew-fish weighing 

 loOlbs., that had a pair of grains sticking in his hesd. 

 Mr. Santa Vevis recognized the grains as his, that he 

 stuck in the fish two years ago this summer, out in the 

 river near where the schooner Quick was anchored. The 

 fish ran under the schooner and thus Santa lost him. 

 After two years, the fish is again taken and the grains re- 

 covered, though they were rusty and covered with bar- 

 nacles. 



