402 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[May 11, 1898. 



THE GREEN BAY MONSTER. 



"B. Lake !" called the conductor from one end of the 

 car. 



"B. Lake !" echoed from the brakeman at the other 

 end. 



It was the evening of Sept. 1. It was the first day of 

 my vacation; and never schoolboy enjoyed the begin- 

 ning of a long lioliday more than did I this beginning of 

 mine. 



I had traveled all day, and now as the sun was sinking 

 behind the hills, I reached my destination, B. Lake. 

 Gathering up my traps I appeared on the platform of the 

 car as the train stopped at the little station, and almost 

 the first object that met my sight was the sunburnt face 

 of honest John Blake, my old boatman, and as I consid- 

 ered, the best fisherman on B. Lake. 



After shaking hands with John and directing where 

 my traps should be sent, I started with him to walk to 

 my hotel. 



"John," I said, "how is the fishing in B. Lake this 

 year ^" 



, ^ ^ , a I've caught about 



my share." 



"Any large ones?" 



"No, I can't say as I have. None so very big, but some 

 jiurty fair ones." 



"How much did your largest weigh?" 



"Well, now along to'rd the last of August I caught one 

 near the old icehouse that weighed nigh on to thirty 

 pounds. That's the biggest I've caught, but I've seen a 

 big one: I tell you there's an old whopper stays up in 

 ■ Green Bay. Why, Mr. Sherman, he's the biggest fish I 

 ever saw in this lake. I do believe he'll weigh a hundred 

 pounds. I've seen him jump out twice now, and he looks 

 as though he's ten feet long!" 



"Nonsense, John; that's a fish story." 



"I tell you it's a fact, Mr. Sherman; you never saw such 

 a fish." 



' 'Well, why don't you catch him ?" 



"That's the trouble; he Avon't bite. I've tried him time 

 and again, and lots others have tried him, but nobody 

 can get him to bite. Oh! he's a cunning old fellow, I tell 

 you. He's up to all the dodges." 



After supper I strolled out on the porch in front of the 

 hotel to feast my eyes with a sight of the lake and breathe 

 the pm-e atr coming over its waters. The proprietor of 

 the hotel soon joined me. 



"I suppose you ai-e going to try the fishing again, Mr, 

 Sherman?" he said. 



"Yes, that is what I am here for." 



"Well, you are likely to have jjlenty of sport, for the 

 fishing is good this year." 



' 'Have many been caught?" 



"Yes, a good many, but there's one that hasn't been 

 caught and he's the biggest fish in the lake. Why, I tell 

 you Mr. Sherman he's a monster, a perfect whale of a 

 muskallonge." 



"You have seen him then?" 



"Oh, yes," he answered, "and that only last week. A 

 party of us were rowing across Green Bay one evenino- 

 and when we got about the middle of it we heard a splash 

 that sounded as if a Newfoundland dog had fallen in the 

 water. We looked around and there he was about a 

 hundred feet from the boat, splashing on top of the water 

 and while we looked his big tail raised into the air and 

 he disappeared. I never saw such a fish in this lake. I 

 do believe, without exaggeration, he would weigh over a 

 hundred pounds." 



"And they can't catch him?" 



"No, he's a sly old chap. They've all been trying him 

 but he won't bite. I tell you it. would be a feather in 

 your cap if you'd catch him." 



And I determined that catch him I would if patience 

 and perseverance could accomplish it. 



An hour later I walked up to one of the viUao-e stores 

 to make a few purchases. The iisual crowd of men were 

 gathered there and the usual cloud of tobacco smoke filled 

 the store. As I entered one of the men said: 



"I'll bet you he'U weigh over a hundred pounds. Why 

 only last Wednesday night he jumped out within fifty 

 feet of my boat and I saw him plain. He's a regular old 

 whale," 



"Why don't you try to catch him, Seth?" asked one of 

 the bystanders. "You can catch him if any man can " 



"Haint I tried it? Haint I fished there three weeks 

 steady f er him? Haint I rowed around Green Bay mor'n 

 a hundred times, and still I can't get him tobite"^ But I'll 

 have him yet if I have to fish all fall for him " 



"Not if I can help it, Mr. Seth," I thought, "I'll take a 

 hand m that contest myselt, and we will see who comes 

 out ahead." 



The sun was just coming over the hills next mornina: as 

 om- boat glided out on the lake, and, as if by instinct 

 headed for Green Bay. Five minutes' row brought us to 

 this now famous part of the lake. Green Bay is a part of 

 B. Lake.almost surrounded by land. The part thus inclosed 

 IS possibly a mile long by half a mile wide. The shores 

 around It are covered with a dense growth of low sreen 

 bushes, which gives to the place the name of Green Bav 

 As we passed through the narrow opening from B Lake 

 into the bay an unusual sight presented itself— more than 

 twenty boats were stationed here and there over the bav 

 Often as I had^ been on the bay I had never seen mwe 



{^'?lS'o? boItl'°'*'' "^"^ ""^^^^^^ ^^^Sn- 



"All after the big fish," remarked John. 



'-How do they know he is here, John? Hemiffhtbe 

 five mdes away." "iigxiL ue 



"No," answered John, "muskallonge don't do that 

 They generally stay near one place a long time. They to 

 away sometimes to find food, but always come back » 



hor two hours or more we fished, mOTing- slowlv around 

 the bay vi^thout a sign of the fish. ' Wethenleft f^ Sr 

 parts of the lake but returned again in the evening S 

 give the bay another two hours' trial. If possible thei-fi 

 were more boats there in the evening than in the morn- 

 ing, and we all fished until dark without a sign of b?- 

 fish. So tlu-ee days Avent by, three days duriSg wMch we 

 spent a couple of hours each mormng and eveSin-fehiSJ 



in Green Bslj, but though we gave this place the best 

 hours of morning and evening, we not only never got him 

 to bite, but never even got a sight of him. 



I confess my patience was becoming exhausted, and I 

 thought of giving up Green Bay entirely and spending all 

 our time at other places, where there were more muskal- 

 longe if not so large. 



The mornuig of the fourth day we puUed over again 

 into Green Bay. We had gone possibly half its length, 

 when suddenly there was a tremendous splash in front of 

 the boat. I turned quickly and was just in time to see the 

 tail of the fish disappear. Ye Gods! If the fish was in 

 proportion to that tail he must be a fresh-water monster. 

 "Pull -John," I shouted, "Pull nearer." The boats from 

 all parts of the lake were coming toward us. The news 

 seemed to spread like wild-fire. Soon we formed a regular 

 circle of boats around where he had disappeared. It was 

 impossible for him to swim in any direction without see- 

 ing some of our minnows, but if he saw them he passed 

 them all, for though we fished patiently all morning, we 

 saw not another sign of him. But that one sight of his 

 huge tail revived all my energies. I determined to have 

 that fish if possible. All the fish in the lake sank into 

 insignificance compared with him. It was the big fish or 

 nothing. Instead of spending less time on Green Bay, 

 we spent all our time there. We kept boys out exploring 

 the county around for choice minnows, thinking to tempt 

 him; but all in vain. Day after day went by without a 

 sign of the fish. How many mornings we started out 

 filled with hope, only to return at nightfall disappointed, 

 discouraged. At last I suggested to John that we try live 

 frogs, possibly they might tempt him. That niglit we 

 started out torch-hunting for frogs, and soon succeeded 

 in catching half-a-dozen very large ones. Again hope 

 revived. The next morning we tried them, patiently, per- 

 severingly, but with no better success. If he ever saw 

 them he passed without touching them. 



The afternoon of that day I shall always remember. It 

 was intensely hot, so we did not start out until 4 o'clock. 

 Just as we reached Green Bay a little breeze sprang up, 

 which made it delightful after the heat of the first part 

 of the afternoon. For some reason there was an unusual 

 crowd of fishermen that afternoon. The little bay was 

 dotted all over with boats. Several sail boats were out, 

 and one steam "tug" with a party of ladies and gentlemen 

 aboard. 



I had but one frog left, and it my largest, I had saved 

 this one until the last, and now carefully put it on the 

 hook. 



"John," I said, as I slipped the frog into the water, 

 "that should tempt our big fish if anything will." 



"Yes," answered John, "if anything avUL" 



"Well, he must eat, John, and if we can only find what 

 he lives on we may get him to bite," 



"That's true, Mr. Sherman, but it's my opinion he feeds 

 at night, and you'll never get him to bite in day-time." 

 ( ^I placed my rod in a position so the line would run 

 clear. I fixed myself in a comfortable reclining position 

 in the boat, lit a cigar and began thoroughly to enjoy the 

 evening. Beyond raising the line occasionally to give the 

 frog air I had nothing to do. 



John by a dip of the oars now and then kept the boat 

 nearly over the bar which ran through the center of the 

 bay. 



We had been in this position possibly half an hour. 



My cigar was finished and I Avas beginning to feel drowsy. 



"John," I said, "I believe I could go to sleep if " 



Splash — splash — a streak of silver darted into the air not 



50ft. from our boat. Such a fish I never saw leap out of 



fresh water. Such a tail I never saw disappear in fresh 



Avater. 



"Look out! Look out, Mr. Sherman," whispered John, 



"he's coming this way." 



Scarce were the words out of his mouth when my line 

 began to move and the reel to spin. 



"Hurry, John, hurry," I called. "He's got my bait. 

 Quick, follow him." 



I was on my feet in an instant. John was rowing Avith 

 all his might. Still the fish was gaining, and I had to 

 give him line. Fifty, seventy-five, a hundred feet he ran 

 like a race horse. Then he stopped. There was a moment 

 of rest, a breathing spell. I glanced around. On every 

 side the boats were coming toward us. The word was 

 out and every one was coming to witness the struggle. 

 Even the steam tug was turning in our direction. 



All this I took in in an instant. I had scarcely more 

 than that time, for away started the fish, and such a race 

 as that I never saAv a fish make. All the weight I could 

 put on the line had no ellect on him. 



On and on he went, John rowing after him Avith all liis 

 might. I think Ave covered 500yds. before he stopped 

 again. When he did stop it was a' relief. It was a com- 

 fort to have him rest. Five, ten minutes he remained 

 motionless, and I confess I was afraid to rouse him. 



In the meantime all the boats had ajjproached as near 

 as they could without being in the way. The steam tug 

 lay otf to one side, all the lady passengers eager spectators 

 of the fight, 



I confess I felt the importance of my position. It was 

 something novel in my exj^erience to play a fish of this 

 size, Avith an audience of half a hundred. I knew all eyes 

 were fixed upon me, and I knew, too, that I was excited, 

 my hand was trembling more than I cared to admit, but 

 yet I thought I should appear cool to the crowd of specta- 

 tors, I remember reaching in my pocket, taking out a 

 cigar and coolly (apparently) sti-iking a match and light- 

 ing it. 



Suddenly the fish started off of his own accord. 



"After him quick, John," I called. 



After him we went quick as John could send the boat, 

 but in spite of John's best eft'orts I had to give him line. 

 A hundred feet, two himdred feet, two hundred and fifty 

 feet were out, I had only fifty left, I began to get 

 alarmed. 



"Faster, John; faster," I called. 



Suddenly the fish shot off like a streak of lightning. 

 The remaining line was out in an instant; the rod bent 

 double; the line stretched and stretched and — snap! 



Line and fish were both gone together. A subdued ah! 

 went up from the croAvd. Words can not describe 

 the disappointment I felt. Only those who have felt 

 a line part and a large fish escape can understand how I 

 felt before such an audience at the loss of such a fish. 

 Nevertheless it was an honor to even have hooked the big 

 fish, and I felt it the more on my return to the hotel to 

 find that the neAvs had preceded me. That evening I had 

 quite a number of callers who wanted t<:) hear from my 



OAvn lips an account of my afternoon's experience. The 

 next day the village ncAvspaper came out. Its first column 

 had the following heading: 



"Mr. Sherman the luckj'' man. The big miiskallonge 

 bites for him, and after dragging the boat over half a 

 mile, breaks the line and escapes. The scene as described 

 by an eye witness." 



Then followed a glowing and, I must admit, a some- 

 what exaggerated account of the afternoon's exploit. 



I began to feel quite the hero of the hour. I sent copies 

 of the paper home to my friends, at the same time in- 

 forming them that I was going to get back the line I had 

 lost— and I did. 



It came about in this Avay: About a week later I re- 

 ceived an invitation from the Jolly Fishing Club to 

 spend that eA-ening with them, their last in camp, as they 

 were going home the following day. 



It was a jolly party that evening around the great camp- 

 fire, and the story telling lasted away into the small hours. 



As I was thinking of leaA-ing, the Captain of the club 

 called me to one side and handed me a small package, re- 

 marking that he believed it was my property, I opened it. 

 What — could it be — Avas it possible that this was the 

 silk line 1 had lost on the big fish? 



"Has the fish been caught?" I asked. 



"He has," answered the Captain. 



"And Avho was the lucky man?" 



■ "Your humble servant, Mr. Sherman, had the pleasure 

 of bringing him into camp last niglit." 



"But why didn't you tell us about it this evening?" 



"Oh, you know Mr. Sherman, I am very modest, and I 

 did not Avant it to get into the papers." 



"So you caught him at night?" 



"Yes," answered the Captain, "it was^ after dark last 

 night." 



"Just as John said," I replied, "John always claimed 

 the scamp fed after night. Well, you have got ahead of 

 me. Captain, but hoAv much did he Aveigh?" 



"I'll let you see him," answered the Captain, "and you 

 can judge for yourself. Come this way." 



He led the way to his tent, in the center of which a 

 torch Avas burning, and under it on the ground lay the 

 largest muskallonge I ever saAv, I looked at him in 

 silence several moments, 



"Well," I said, "I congratulate you, Captain. Isn't he 

 a monster? Why, he will weigh over a hundred pounds." 



"Yes, he's quite a fish," answered the Captain, "but I 

 don't think he will weigh so much as a hundred pounds." 



"Isn't it remarkable that his eye remains bright so 

 long?" I asked. 



"Oh, no," answered the Captain, "that is the peculiarity 

 of that kind of fish. He's not the ordinary kind of 

 muskallonge, Mr. Sherman, examine him closely." 



I stooped doAvn to look at him. 



"By the gods," 1 said, "his eyes are glass, and his body 

 — why his body is gum. What's the meaning of tliis, 

 Captain?" 



Tlie Captain was shaking all over Avith laughter, 



"Is this the big fish we have all been fishing for?" 



"I am afraid it is," ansAA^ered the Captain. 



"And you fellows have been fooling us all these weeks? 

 A pretty storm you'll have about your heads when this 

 comes out." 



"But," said the Captain, "I want you to promise me 

 you Avill not tell it until we get away. Honor among 

 fishermen, you know, and we are tdl fishermen together. 

 By the way, Avhat rare sport we had that afternoon be- 

 hind the bushes Avhen the fish accidentally caught on 

 your hook, and as we pulled him in, you and .John came 

 following after. We were all sony when you got so near 

 shore that, to avoid discoA^'ery, we had to give him a run 

 and bring aAvay your Une," 



"But how did you manage it aU, Captain? I don't quite 

 understand. How did you cause him to jump out?" 



'•Well, you see," answered the Captain, "the fish is 

 weighted just sufficient to keep him on the bottom. You 

 see there ' are two rings, one in the head and the other 

 further back and under the fish. In each ring we fast- 

 ened a fine Avire, then at night Ave would drop the fish 

 into some part of the bay, bring the lines to shore at a 

 point Avliere we could deep concealed behind the bushes. 

 By pulling the line fastened to the head the fish followed 

 the bottom; by puUing the other quickly, the mouth being 

 opened, it shot upward, even out of the water. You see 

 how simple it Avas?" 



"Yes," I answered, "and I see how simple we all were 

 to be taken in by it." 



"But you'll promise me not to say any thing about it 

 until we get away, Mr. Sherman." 



"Oh, you need not fear," I answered, "I'll say nothing 

 about it." 



And I didn't tell it, even after they had gone. And to 

 this day at B. Lake they talk of the big fish I hooked that 

 September afternoon. And the universal opinion is that 

 my hook caused his death, and satisfactorily accounts for 

 his never liaving been seen since that afternoon. 



I accepted that belief, and from that time fished in 

 other parts of the lake, but when the "big fish" is talked 

 about I have very httle to say. F. I. Sherman. 



A Michigan Verdict. 



Central Lake, Antrim County, Mich., April 29.— 

 Editor Forest and Stream: The State game and fish 

 warden, Hon. C. S, Hampton, this day secured the con- 

 viction of Wm. Tylor, Phihp Tylor and Wm. Clark for 

 having on ]March 25 last, pursued, taken and carried away 

 a deer, contrary to the statute. The penalty imposed by 

 Justice Green of this village, before whom the case was 

 brought, was $50 each or 30 days in jail. 



The parties are all residents of this toAvnship, are not 

 known to himters, and much sympathy Avas felt for some 

 of them at least. The jury would have been glad to 

 acquit, but they were good men, and could not do it. 



Mr. Hampton has made two visits to this place in work- 

 ing up this case, and its result Avill no doubt be far-reach- 

 ing in its effect upon the minds of many who have been 

 accustomed to regard the game and fishery laws as prac- 

 tically a dead letter in this region. 



Now, we want to see the fishways at Bellatre and Elk 

 Eapids repaired and kept effective, and to have the slayers 

 of fijigerling trout punished to the full extent of the law. 

 The spearsmen are shaking in their boots, and well they 

 may, for the hands of the warden or his deputies are 

 lial)le to be heavy upon their shoulders. Some of them 

 Avill "catch it" yet. Kelpie. 



