Attg. 13, 1898.1 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



121 



surface, thrown out with its links twenty or thirty feet, 

 and brought in before the salmon, yet conscious of its 

 liberation, quit its head shaking. So I account for the sin- 

 gular situation of my links in the cases referred to, as re- 

 sulting from the lack of strong flesh hold in the eye, 

 although it could not retrograde, and of its being thrown 

 through with the following links during the head shak- 

 ing, and so locking together, while the hook danghngwas 

 crossed by the powerful jaws of the fish, resulting in the 

 snappmg of the hooks at the bottom of the bends. 



I have observed at times large masses of shrimps in the 

 water which are probably much more plentiful on the 

 Pacific coast than elsewhere, and I have seen the salmon 

 with 0])en mouth passing through them, and have in the 

 examination which I have made of the stomachs of the 

 fish, found them at times fidl of shrimps. I have found in 

 the stomachs a great variety of small fish, more squid than 

 anything else, next sardines and anchovies, with smelts, 

 tomcods, shad, and varieties of small rock fish, and my 

 opinion is that the salmon is an indiscriminate feeder on 

 any small fish which he can swallow without mastication. 

 That in the salt water it is a bold, fearless and active 

 feeder, full of life and affording a sport imequalled in any 

 other fish. 



New runs seem to be continually coming in, and un- 

 doubtedly a large number have started on the way to 

 Sacramento, as I have lately observed a rapid growth in 

 the roe, which a month ago was scarcely larger tha,n 

 mustard seed shot, but which now in some is as large as 

 goose shot, and even larger. From what I can learn, I 

 believe the salmon more or less wdl remain about for a 

 month or even longer. Following them wUl come the 

 bonita, the barricuta, the yellowtails, and the sea bass, 

 the latter running up to sixty pounds in weight, all after 

 the swarms of small fish which come along the coast. 



J. Pabkee Whitney. 



MoNTEBEY, Cal., July 30. 



LAKE WENTWORTH BASS. 



Manchester, N. H., July 28. — Editor Forest and 

 Stream: Before a man can enjoy an outing there are 

 three essential points to be met— expense, and when and 

 where to go. There are plenty other matters of detail to 

 arrange, but when these three are overcome all else is 

 easy, and the outing is a.ssured. Mr. Arthur P. Spiller and 

 myself met the trio of difficulties satisfactorily, and Wed- 

 nesday morning, the 19th, found us on our way to Went- 

 worth Lake for a few days' bass fishing. 



The lake is situated in the town of Wolfeborough and 

 was formerly called Smith's pond, the present name being 

 given it in honor of Gov. John Wentworth . who was ap- 

 pointed to the office by King George III. in 1766, and 

 served tUl the Revolution, when, attaching himself to 

 British intei-ests, he was obliged to leave the Province. 

 He once lived on the shores of that lake, and the location 

 of liis once magnificent house and fertile acres, and also a 

 large boulder in the water near by that is named for him 

 are pointed out to visitors as matters of interest. We 

 reached our destination by way of Weirs' Landing, across 

 Lake Winnipesaukee, a name of Indian origin given to a 

 beautiful sheet of water, and meaning "the Smile of the 

 Great Spirit." I heartily concur with what Edward 

 Everett once said of it, "My eye has yet to rest on a loveHer 

 scene than that which smiles around you as you sail from 

 Weirs' Landing," and what will apply to that particular 

 spot will also properly describe a large part of the lake. 

 The shores are not as abrupt as on some of our lakes, but 

 in the background many grand views of mountains can be 

 seen, notably those of Sandwich, Ossipee, Whiteface, 

 Chocorua, and the White Mountains. I also noticed the 

 white tents of the boys from the Rindge, Mass., Manual 

 Training School, on a very pleasant and elevated field neai- 

 the lake, and the lai-ge, elegant, castle-shaped residence of 

 Dr. Greene, of "Nervura" fame, on Long Island, where 

 he has a very large farm. 



Our 30 miles' ride on the steamer Lady of the Lake was 

 thoroughly enjoyed, heightened by the courtesies shown 

 us by her able captain, J. S. Wadleigh, and his obliging 

 clerk. Porter Hughes, who is a wide-awake, good-natm-ed 

 encyclopedia of lake lore, answering questions continu- 

 ally, silly and sensible, with the same genial smde. Ar- 

 riving at Wolfeborough Falls, one mile from the steamer 

 landing, we found quarters at the substantial and roomy 

 house of Mr. Dearborn Hersey, who has at times enter- 

 tained 85 boarders and whose wife knows how to make 

 things comfortable and home-like for strangers, as well as 

 to also serve meals that cannot be excelled. Our guide 

 had been arranged for in advance, Mr. John H. Lowd, a 

 relative of Mr. Spiller, a veteran of the war, jovial, 

 whole-souled, accommodating, and withal an excellent 

 fisherman, who knows the 20 square miles of Lake Went- 

 worth and its numberless ledges, both alaove and below 

 the surface, and its 15 small Lslands thoroughly, and also 

 owns a good, safe rowboat. 



Supper over, 6:50 o'clock that evening found us with 

 artificial bait trolling on Crooked Pond, situated near the 

 lake and connected with a small sti-eam. It was also 

 close to our boarding house. Before dark we had taken 

 7 nice bass and retired that night with visions of other 

 and larger fish we were to conquer in the lake that day. 



With our guide, lunch baskets, and a variety of bait, 

 an early hour the next morning found us on our way to 

 the lake, a first gUmpse of which was anxiously awaited. 

 The morning was a glorious one — sun shining bright, air 

 clear and pure, and a gentle ripple on the surface of the 

 water presaged a perfect day for our sport with comfort 

 and safety. We had heard of the strings of two, three, 

 four and five-pounders previously taken there, and like 

 most castles built in the air, our anticipations had bi en 

 gauged at an excessively high ijitch and were doomed to 

 disapijouitment at the start, and as it proved, revived 

 afterward. ]\Ir. Spiller caught the first bass, a small one, 

 using a helgramite for bait, and nothing further broke 

 the monotony, except our persevering guide's labors in 

 handling the anchor and oai-s as we changed from ledge 

 to ledge, till noon, when we put in to a small island aud 

 ate lunch. During the whole afternoon our work con- 

 tinued, all being resigned to the eccenti-icities of the 

 species of fish we were after, and the result was twenty- 

 one that we had kept, ranging in weight from ^Ib. to 

 li-lbs. each. 



The second day was practically a repetition of the first, 

 except that the wind was more brisk and the fish num- 

 bered twenty -three. 



Satiu-day, the day of the gale, was one to be remem- 

 bered. We had watched, the rising clouds, noted their 

 brassy and threatening appearance, and guided our ac- 



tions accordingly. A few minutes before the storm burst 

 we landed on Loon Island, about one-fourth acre in ex- 

 tent, two miles from the main land, composed of rock, 

 with sufficient soil on its top to support few pine and 

 oak trees, small but sturdy specimens, also a small house 

 occupied the lee side of the rocks, buUt there six years ago 

 by Mr. John Estes, for the use and entertainment of 

 sportsmen and boarders. A few moments after we 

 landed the storm burst with tremendous fury, sweeping 

 everything movable before it. The water from the lake 

 and rain seemed to go in sheets about ten feet high across 

 the lake at a frightful pace, and we fully expected to see 

 our place of refuge accompanying those sheets, particu- 

 larly an imfinished addition Mr. Estes is erecting. The 

 building rocked and swayed, boards, shingles, etc. , took 

 their departure, but we "held the fort," and within an 

 hour were out sailing again, soon to return a second time 

 to wait till there was less breeze and a pleasant moon to 

 light us villageward. After the cyclonic disturbance of 

 the water the current past Loon Island was very strong, 

 caused by its return to a normal state of rest. Other 

 fishermen were less fortunate than ourselves. One boat 

 with a Dover party of four men was abandoned as it 

 came on the rocks near shore. Another was overturned 

 and three men thrown into the water, afterward being 

 rescued. Many trees, some a foot in diameter, were 

 broken off or torn out by the roots, on the main land, 

 near us. Mr. Estes's place, when completed, will contain 

 oflice, kitchen, dining room and thirteen sleeping rooms, 

 besides awell-fiUed ice house, making an ideal place 

 for a party to spend a few days bass fishing, being 

 right on the grounds, hence doing away with the long 

 pulls and waste of time incident to boarding at the 

 village. 



The last day we spent at the lake did not produce any 

 tornadoes, but the wind blew nearly a gale the entire day. 

 Our guide induced his brother, Charles Lowd, to accom- 

 pany us. He is spoken of by all his many village acquaint- 

 ances whom I met as the best bass fisherman of that 

 locality. It was my good fortune to occupy a seat in the 

 boat with him: Mr. Spiller and our "old rehable" guide 

 using another boat. We worked near together during the 

 forenoon, the rivalry between the two crews being intense ; 

 but Charles and I soon took the lead of our adveraaries, 

 and at 11:30, when camped under our boat to escape a 

 ducking from a shower, we coiild show nearly two to their 

 one. After disposing of our lunch and starting for the 

 afternoon's and final effort, the wind steadily increasing 

 in force, our companions suddenly weakened and started 

 for an island to avoid it. But with the pecuhar, distinc- 

 tive quaUties of a successful fisherman, my partner de- 

 cided to take Ms chances with the elements, and I was no 

 ways averse to the decision if the chances were even for 

 landing more bass. Accordingly the boat's bow was 

 headed down the lake for a place one and one-half miles 

 away. 



By the time we reached our ledge it required extreme 

 care to prevent the water from breaking into the boat con- 

 tinually, and we shipped a large quantity directly over 

 the bow despite our efforts. ' 'If bass like rough water 

 they ought to bite now," said Charles, and I was agreed. 

 It was wild work for a land lubber like myself, but as 

 long as my partner seemed at ease, and continued to bait 

 his hook, I would not show timidity, by following his ex- 

 ample. I kept drowning the worms, which our experi- 

 ence of the week had taught us was the most killing bait, 

 and taking in each unfortunate that molested them. The 

 sun at last nearing the horizon, and the breeze dying 

 down, the anchor was put in the boat for the last time, 

 and om- boat headed for the boarding house, which we 

 reached at 9:30, cold, wet and hungry. On counting up 

 we found we had brought in forty-seven and the other 

 boat thirty-one, making the day's catch seventy-eight 

 ba&s, ranging in weight from A to l^lbs. each. 



Regretfully bidding our friends good-by, we started for 

 home much pleased with our friends throughout, and the 

 W olfeborough people in particular, Mr. SpiUer declaring 

 that he was going to bring fish enough to back up some of 

 the stories he should tell— and he did, barely. Payson. 



ANGLING NOTES. 



Black Bass and Trout in Conjunction. 



I THINK it is fair to say that it is within twenty years 

 last past that the black bass has become famous as a game 

 fish. By this I do not mean to be understood that the 

 fish was previously unknown, or that its game qualities 

 were not recognized and valued in local waters, but its 

 history had not been written and published; its fame had 

 not become national, and it had not been recognized in 

 the countries of the Old World, and the fish itself intro- 

 duced into their waters. There was good reason for this 

 in the fact that the anglmg hterature of this country, the 

 home of the black bfiss, was young and apparently not of 

 the stm-diest growth, and gave no promise of the luxuri- 

 ant fruitage of the present day. With the growth of 

 angling literature the fame of the black bass and the fish 

 itself spread from one end of the land to the other, and 

 across the sea. Forest and Stiieam; played an active part 

 in diffusing accurate knowledge concerning the fish, for 

 the first imj)ortant articles regarding species, habits, etc., 

 were printed in its columns more than seventeen years 

 ago, and gave an impetus to black bass fishing, blaok bass 

 transplanting, etc. , that has been continued to this day. 

 With all the valuable information that has been given 

 there has ci-ept into jjrint other information, misleading 

 and valueless, in consec|uenoe of which the black bass has 

 received a very bad name as a fish destructive of nearly 

 aU other species of fresh- water fishes. This comes largely, 

 I think, from planting black bass injudiciously in waters 

 tmfitted for them, and because they do destroy other fish 

 in a small, shallow pond, it is given out that they wiU de- 

 stroy other fish in a large lake or stream. This is not the 

 natural sequence, as there is ample evidence to prove. 

 Black bass have even been charged with kiUing fish, not 

 for food, but for the love of killing, but no satisfactory 

 evidence i)ointing in this direction has been produced. 

 The black bass is a fighter, an agressive fighter when its 

 stontach is to be filled, but I have often had cause to won- 

 der if, after all, the black bass is more destructive, the 

 conditions being equal, than the brook trout so long 

 idealized and glorified by tlie artist's brush, the poet's pen 

 and the angfing writer's pocket pencil. This matter was 

 brought freshly to my mind by what my friend Von W. 

 says in last issue of Forest a_nd Stream, that he is not 

 fully satisfied of the advisability of putting black bass in 



waters inhabited by trout and salmon. It certainly is not 

 advisable to put them in all waters so inhabited, but he 

 refers specially to Sunapee Lake, N. H. During several 

 visits to Sunapee Lake I have made diligent inquiry among 

 the fishermen to find if black bass were ever caught that 

 had any of the salmon family, excluding smelts, in their 

 stomachs. So far I have not found a single instance of 

 this sort; but only this summer I did find a man who in 

 the spring caught a 2+lbs. brook trout while, fishing from 

 the Newbury dock at the south end of the lake, that had 

 in its stomach seven black bass from two to three inches 

 long each. Another fisherman caught a landlocked sal- 

 mon with two small black bass in its stomach. Last yeaCr 

 when it was proposed to introduce black bass into an 

 Adu'ondack lake to destroy the pike that had found their 

 way into the water inhabited chiefly by lake trout, it came 

 out that a lake trout had been taken with a whole brood 

 of small pike that it had safely pouched. Herr Von dem 

 Borne wrote me from Germany that the young black bass 

 in one of his ponds were nearly aU destroyed by a few 

 pike of the same age that had found their way into the 

 pond, and that a German prince who »had stocked his 

 waters extensively with black bass had lost them all in the 

 maws of his pike. So there are two sides to this question, 

 and conditions that obtain in our case may fail utterly in 

 another. 



From a Veteran Salmon Angler. 



Mr. John Mowat of Campbellton, New Brunswick, who 

 for fifty-five years has been intimately associated with 

 salmon fishing in Canada, and who was selected years 

 ago by the Dominion Government to accompany H. R. H. 

 the Princess Louise as an expert angler on her salmon 

 fishing expeditions, and also to accompany the American 

 commissioners sent to settle our fishing complications 

 when the Dominion wished to entertain them with sal- 

 mon fishing, has read about fishing for salmon in the 

 Hudson with pork bait, and in a personal letter refers to 

 it, although he did not at the time understand that the 

 pork bait was simply a blind for jigging the salmon. He 

 says : ' ' Salt pork bait might be taken by a spent fish on 

 its way down to sea, but my experience is entu-ely at 

 faidt when it comes to a fresh-run salmon in this country 

 touching anything but a fiy. True, a fish may go so near 

 a spinner out of curiosity as to get caught, but never in 

 the mouth." 



Mr. Mowat gives a poor account of the salmon fishing 

 in Canada this year except in rare instances, because of 

 low water and lack of rain. This state of affairs applies 

 particularly to the early run of fish, for a later run of 

 salmon has given some good fi,shing in the upper pools of 

 some of the rivers A few days ago, I had a talk with 

 an old friend, Mr. Edson Fitch of Quebec, who leases a 

 river on the north shore, and he gave me an account of 

 the North Shore rivers similar to that related by Mr. 

 Mowat of the New Brimswick streams. Mr. Fitch told 

 me, however, that he was fortunate enough to kill thirty- 

 three bright fish in his own river. For a number of years 

 I have been trying to get specimens of trout from the 

 lower St. Lawrence, about which there seems to be a 

 mystery. Twice it seemed as though I had their fish in 

 hand, but they evaded me and I began to think there were 

 no such fish. While talking with Mr. Fitch he said: 

 "We have a fish in our river tha,t I would like you to see, 

 and I do not believe that any one knows i^ositivelj^ what 

 they are, for there are various oijinions held b}^ anglers 

 about them." Then followed the description of the 

 mysterious fish which I have heretofore chased imsuccess- 

 fiUl5% but which I now have a good i^rospect of getting 

 my hands on. Among other things that Mr. Fitch said 

 to me was that in buying some article of a fishing tackle 

 dealer in the United States, the dealer to make change 

 sent him a silver-doctor salmon fly. As he was accus- 

 tomed to use Scotch salmon flies he put the silver-doctor 

 in his fly-book, rather than on his leader, but one day he 

 was obliged to use it, and in one day he killed eleven 

 salmon on it, and the fly was then good for other flsh. 



Salmon at Thomson's Mills. 



Since the salmon in the Hudson River left the pool at 

 Mechanicville and went up through the fishway on the 

 freshet, which only lasted a few days, I have not been 

 able to hear anything about them except that they were 

 seen jumping at one or two places above the Mechanic- 

 viUe dam. Mr. F. H. Parks, vice-president and general 

 manager of the Glens Falls Paper Company, has instructed 

 the men at the Fort Edward mill to watch for the ap 

 pearance of the fish at that place, but at noon to-day 

 Aug. 5, he told me not a flsh had been seen, and that the 

 water was very low and clear, and if the flsh were thei-e 

 they wotdd make their presence known. This evening I 

 saw Mr. John A. Dix, of Thomson & Dix, who own the 

 mill at Thomson's Mills (Fort Miller), and he tells me that 

 three salmon were kiUed in the river below the mill by 

 one man yesterday, Aug. 4. Mr. Dix also informs me 

 that the fishway in his dam is repaired and in workuig 

 order, as I have surmised in Forest and Stream that it 

 would be, but that the water is so extremely low that no 

 fish can pass it. The freshet that brought the salmon 

 over the Mechanicville dam came chiefly from the Hoosick 

 River, and the Thomson Mills fishway did not get the 

 benefit of it. A. N. Cheney. 



Greenwood Lake. 



The bass fi.sliing in this lake is better this suiumer fclian 

 in any time during the last ten years. Guest:-; ;i,t thii 

 Brandon House have had good sport with Geo. W. Gar- 

 rison as guide. Monday last Mr. Oakley caught twenty- 

 four, and on Thursday thirteen, running from lib. to over 

 21bs. Still-fishing with minnow and helgramite is the 

 game just now. L. 



A Striped Bass Haul. 



A GREAT school of Striped bass made its appearance at 

 Carpenter's Point, near Havre de Grace, Md., on July 25. 

 Perry K. Barnes caught nine tons at one haul of his seine. 

 The mmiber of fish taken must have been fully 4,000. 

 What an opportunity this school would liave furnished to 

 anglers! 



The Anti'Poond Association. 



The officers of the Amatem- Anglers" A.ssociation of 

 Monmouth County, of Asbury Park, N. J., are as follows: 

 President, Mayor Frank L.' Tenbroeck; Vice-President, 

 Leonard Hidit; Treasurer, John L. Schneider; Secretary, 

 William E. Bedell. 



