Mat 4, 1895.] 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
340 
Brother Ellzey does about asafcetida as a dead sure 
thing on bass, but I got over it a good many years ago. 
At the time I speak of, two or three of us who were in 
the secret made "bobs," as we called them, of two hooks 
lashed together, with the bowls standing apart and a small 
bunch of white hairs from a deer's tail wrapped on and 
projecting pastthe bowls of the hooks aboutan inch. Over 
the shanks of the hooks and well down into the bend was 
wrapped and sewed on a piece of white scarlet flannel, 
the whole finished with a brightened bullet for a "head," 
or a strip of tinsel from a sardine box was sometimes fast- 
ened on in place of the bullet. However, before wrapping 
on the flannel a piece of gum asafcetida was worked 
with the fingers into a thin strip or roll and fastened 
lengthwise the hook shanks. This was the most import- 
ant part of the "persuader." This was what knocked 'em, 
in our minds. Sometimes a bob would be made with the 
asafcetida left out, and instead a drop or two of oil of 
anise would be put on the flannel from time to time, and 
this was considered quite as effective and "killin' " as the 
villainous smelling gum. 
But other cranks using the same kind of a "buck tail" 
without asafcetida or anise, caught bass same as we did, 
yet we still held strong in the faith. But one spring day, 
fishing with one of the nondescript bugs guiltless of asa- 
fa-tida or anise to help it out, I caught more bass than 
ever before or since in the same length of time — 132 — arid 
that shattered my faith in the vile smelling drug, and I 
have never used it since that day. I have come to think 
there's "nothing in it." 
Brother Ellzey, M. IX, perhaps uses a superior article of 
the drug, but that I used was the plain asafcetida of 
commerce, stink and all. When fishing for catfish I won- 
der he did not tie a sprig of catnip on his hook. The re- 
sult might have been quite astonishing to him. 
Kingfisher. 
Cincinnati, 0. 
BOSTON FISHERMEN. 
Boston, April 27. — Weather remarkably warm for the 
season on April 24, 25 and 26, may change the time of the 
ice going out of the Maine trout lakes considerably. At 
this writing, April 26, the ice is announced to have gone 
out of Lakes Taeoma, Wilson and Cochnewagan, the 
celebrated ducking lakes in Monmouth and Winthrop in 
that State. No news has yet been received of the depart- 
ure of the ice from Lake Cobbossecontee, in the same 
section of the State, though it is reported very weak. The 
ice is also out of the Smithfield ponds. Salmon have 
again appeared in the Penobscot, after quite an absence, 
doubtless the result of the recent remarkably high water. 
Some good ones have been taken in the weirs at Bucks- 
port and have appeare.d in the Boston markets. The fish- 
ermen are again trying for them at Bangor, but without 
good results being reported up to this date. The ice is 
about ready to leave Lake Auburn, and the fishermen are 
ready. 
The landlocked salmon fishermen have had good luck 
at Sebago. The fishing seems to have been good imme- 
diately after the going out of the ice on the 16th, though 
those who have participated in the sport do not like to say 
much about it on account of the law that allows only res- 
idents of the State to fish previous to May 1. But some 
good salmon were taken by Boston fishermen, at the rate 
of three or four good ones daily. There seems to have 
been no difficulty in procuring smelts for bait, and a great 
many salmon were struck — small ones in many cases — it 
generally being the rule to save nothing under 21bs. 
Fishermen say that there are a great many small salmon 
in that lake this spring, evidently the results of the re- 
stocking efforts of the Fish Commission. It is well under- 
stood that a feeling of hostility or jealousy has existed in 
the minds of many of the residents of the vicinity of Se- 
bago waters, a feeling that the Commission has been strip- 
ping the spawn from Sebago salmon and taking it away 
for stocking other wat'erB. The unhappy people have 
failed to note the law that one-half of the spawn taken 
must be returned to the original waters when hatched and 
ready for distribution, and that really the salmon are 
rapidly increasing in Sebago. I have it from a gentleman 
who has fished those waters several years, and is also thor- 
oughlyacquainted with some of the best salmon sportsmen 
on the Sebago waters, that so many small salmon have 
never before been seen as at the present time. The gen- 
tleman also says that some of tbe jealous residents are 
beginning to be highly pleased with the fact that salmon 
are increasing there. It is now generally talked among 
Portland and Boston rod and line sportsmen that Sebago 
waters are soon to be of very great . worth as sporting 
waters. Cottages are rapidly springing up on the shores 
of the Sebago proper and the ponds above. A good many 
"red-spot" trout, as they are termed there, in distinction 
from the "black-spot" or landlocked salmon, have been 
taken this spring. It is believed by fishermen the best 
posted, that the existence of the one species of salmo 
does not in the least interfere with the other. As for 
cottages, a great many are also to be built on the shores 
of the Readfield, Winthrop and Monmouth lakes this 
season. Fishing is tbe chief attraction. 
Charlie Robinson, the South Wirdbam manufacturer 
and successful landlocked salmon angler, was in Boston 
the other day. He is more pleased than ever with 
angling in Sebago Lake. His success has been good this 
spring. Mr. John G. Wright, of Boston, was his guest 
during the early fishing. Mr. Wright saw some fine 
salmon taken. Ab he was coming away from the lake, 
early in the week, he saw a boy not over 12 or 13 years of 
age, with a big salmon hooked. The fight was a good 
one, and the fish when landed weighed lOlbs, Such is 
fishing at Sebago during the run of landlocked salmon. 
By some means or other a big salmon from Sebago got 
into Boston the other day. It may be explained that it 
was brought here by the man who caught it, and he had 
a right to bring it. It weighed 141bs., and was served up 
for dinner at one of the local clubs the day it arrived. 
Special. 
Boston, April 27.— As the season for fishing approaches 
the members of the. Megantic Club are beginning to grow 
anxious, and many inquiries have been made in regard to 
a spring trip to the preserve. To further such a project, 
Mr. L. D. Chapman, the club treasurer, has perfected plans 
for taking a party via Eustis to the camp at Chain of 
Ponds. There will be a slight extra expense over regular 
rates, as a sptcial car (not a Pullman) will be taken at Bos- 
on through to Farniington without change. For this 
additional expense, however, tbe party will have an extra 
day on the preserve. Leaving Boston at 7 P. M, on May 
29, they will reach the camps in twenty-two hours. The 
number will be limited, and notice of the intention of 
members and friends to join the party must be sent in by 
May 18, with check for $5 to cover the extra expense of 
transportation. Any balance not used will be refunded. 
Tickets will be purchased, if desired, and further informa- 
tion furnished by the treasurer at Boston. The fare from 
Boston to Eustis and return is $13, and the extra expense 
will be $5 each if but ten are in the party, and but $3.50 if 
twenty-five go. This is outside of the charge for the 
buckboard, which is $5 for each team, taking four people. 
The members will return at their own convenience, the 
paxty only going down together. Camps will be in readi- 
ness for occupancy by members by May 15. 
The warm wave which struck the Massachusetts coast 
last week brought the trout to the surface and a few 
days of fly fishing resulted therefrom. Mr. Mark Hollings- 
worth, of Boston, happening to be atNickerson Bog at the 
time, was able to take advantage of the opportunity, and 
•is reported to have had some good sport. 
That all-important topic, the ice, is still the one subject 
o* greatest interest to Boston fishermen. Advices from 
the Rangeley region state that it is fast giving way, or 
weakening. Much discussion exists as to when it will 
finally go, and many bets have been made as to the exact 
date. May 10 seems to be the special time agreed upon by 
most of the enthusiasts, and if it does not break up on or 
before that date, it will be pronounced decidedly ungrate- 
ful. I have just heard that the New Hampshire lakes, 
Ossipee, Newfound, Sunapee and Winisquam, are all open 
This report has not been verified, and I am inclined to 
doubt its correctness. If true, it seems quite probable 
that the Rangeleys will be clear at least five days earlier 
than the time set above. 
Col. Hopkins and Rev. Mr. Slack, of Brookline, Mass., 
and Paul D. Chase, of Boston, left last Friday night for 
Mtskalonskee Lake to try the salmon. 
Mr. Henry W. Clark, of Boston, is an angler whose ex- 
perience in the Rangeley region has been extended way 
beyond the average. He has been going down into that 
country each spring for twenty years, staying about six 
weeks each time. A part of that period is usually spent 
in the Dead River country at King and Bartlett or Flagstaff. 
At the last named place there is a pond in which are 
found some especially gamy pickerel, which Mr. Clark 
will try this year on his way out, Hackle. 
AMERICAN ANGLERS FOR CANADA. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
I learn from personal correspondence and through somo 
of my angling iriends that quite a number of fisheremn 
from the United States may foa expected in Canada at the 
latter end of May. Numerous inquiries h'ave been received 
both here and at Lake St. John as to the probable move- 
ment of the ice upon the lakes, and consequently as to the 
best time to arrive here. I hope next week to .be in a 
better position to give reliable information upon this 
point than at present. Members of the Tourilli and 
Triton clubs have already arranged to be upon their pre- 
serves in the early port of. June, but the third or fourth 
week of May will undoubtedly see several of those be- 
longing to the Springfield and Metabetchouan clubs at 
their comfortable club houses. Messrs. Chamberlain, 
Read and Porter, of Bridgeport, are usually amongst the 
earliest arrivals here of members of the former mentioned 
club, and Messrs. Brewer and [Coats,' of Springfield, are 
mentioned amongst those coming forthe spring fishing in 
the Metabetchouan. Messrs. Geo. E. Hart of Waterbury 
and Durand of New York will go up to Lake St. 'John in 
May, to try, as they have already successfully done in 
former years, the early spring fishing for ouananiche. 
Thence they will endeavor to make their way in canoes 
by various watercourses and portages to their own club 
waters at Nomantum, where the heaviest and gamest of 
red trout are found. The ouananiche pool in the mouth 
the Ouiatchouan River is now reserved by the owner of 
the riparian rights, Mr. Frank Rcss, of Quebec, for his own 
private fishing, but equally good sport can be had in and 
near the mouth of the Metabetchouan, especially between 
the 20th May and 5th June, and up to nearly a week before 
the opening of the season in the Grande Decharge. 
Though the snow has already all disappeared from the 
vicinity of the city, except in the case of a few sheltered 
nooks, where under the shadow of low bushes the hardy 
bloodroot {Sanguinaria canadensis) pushes its bloom 
through the soft snow that it rivals in whiteness, there is 
still a large quantity of it in the shades of our northern 
forests. Upon the time and manner of its disappearance 
depends the condition of most of our rivers in spring and 
early summer. 
During the past winter there was an almost entire ab- 
sence of rain to beat down and harden the snow in the 
woods and to make ice on the ground. Consequently the 
snow that still remains in the bush is soft and rapidly dis- 
appearing. Very high water may, therefore, be looked for 
with the disappearance of the ice, and spring floods will 
doubtless be reported from many localities. Then there 
will be wanting later the usual supply of water from grad- 
ually melting ice upon the ground in the northern woods, 
to feed the streams in late spring and early summer, and 
at that season nothing but plentiful rains can prevent un- 
usually low water in Canadian streams. Perhaps these 
hints may be of some use to anglers in assisting them to 
arrange dates for visiting Canadian waters. At all events, 
the certainty of unusually high spring water will afford 
both salmon and trout the opportunity of ascending to the 
highest pools and river reaches frequented by them, and 
unless the summer is unusually dry the prospects are that 
the Canadian angling season will prove an exceedingly 
favorable one. 
The warm weather of the last few days has had so much 
effect, that, the' breaking up of the ice looks, at present 
writing, as though it may occur earlier than was antici- 
pated a week ago. 
It may not be amiss to say to anglers who may visit 
Canada this year for the first time in the spring fishing 
season that warm clothing is needed here at the end of 
May and beginning of June, particularly when camping 
out at night, and that large-sized flies, such as are tied on 
No. 3 and No. 4 hooks, will^be found useful for both trout 
and ouananiche until the weather grows hot and the water 
low and clear. E. T. D. Chambers. 
P. S.— Since writing the above, I have direct informa- 
tion from Lake St. Joseph to the effect that the ice is be- 
coming quite rotten there, and that the lake is expected 
to be clear of it by May 1 or very soon thereafter. Spring- 
time is evidently making up now for its early backward- 
ness. 
Mr. J. W. Adams, of the American Net and Twine Com- 
pany of New York, has just completed the purchase of 
Seal Island in the St. Lawrence, 50 miles below Quebec, 
the most famous game preserve in this vicinity, which is 
noted for its geese, ducks, snipe, plover, etc. 
E. T. D. C. 
Qdebec, April 24. 
THE MONARCH OF THE POOL. 
We are awakened by the warm rising sun early in the 
morning to be reminded that spring is near at hand. 
We reverentially brush the dust off the fishing tackle, 
and get out the wax and the winding silk and get to 
work. 
What a flock of reminiscences surround these sacred 
relics of our happiest days, and crowd one after another 
upon our minds. 
Here is a tip that was broken at the beginning of the 
season on that old monster which all last season lurked in 
the shade of the big elm, opposite the mouth of old Ford's 
Brook. 
He has broken many a tip, this wary old fellow. I can 
remember as distinctly as if it were yesterday just how it 
happened, just how the weather was — mild, with a soft 
breeze rirpling the leaves for an instant, and then relaps- 
ing into dreamy, sunny quiet again. 
The sun breaking through the clouds, and then a slight 
patter of rain on the calm surface of the pool; then the sun 
breaking through again and lighting up the dainty little 
quivering drops on the leaves, i Beneath, the river glow- 
ing with all the rosy hues of the departing sun, and the 
long shadows dancing merrily upon the water, reflecting 
the little birches and alders along the bank. The resound- 
ing click, click, of the reel echoed back from the other 
side by the babbling murmur of the brook. Now the line 
is swung back and a squirming worm is taken from the 
little round ball of its companions and impaled on the 
sharp barb. It gives a long stretch from the trembling 
fingers and hangs for a moment suspended, then the cruel 
barb again runs through it, and still squirming it is 
dropped with a little plash into the shallow water next to 
the sloping shore. Suddenly there is a sharp, quick pull, 
which sends an electric thrill through the rod and sets an 
expectant heai't thumping with all its energy, and the 
eager face bends over the edge. The line straightens and 
the bending tip is brought nearly to the surface. The 
strike is made! The hook sinks deep into the tough 
mouth, and with a sudden lunge the trout endeavors to 
regain his freedom. A shimmering surface of silver 
flashes a moment from the dark depths, and the breath 
comes quick with apprehension; then comes a series of 
sharp flashes from beneath the surface, and the rod springs 
from side to side as the struggling monster vainly tries to 
escape. He is coming to the surface now, and I can more 
plainly see the gleaming sides and rosy hues as he strains 
his supple form in the agony of resistance. Now wrth a 
flip of the tail he breaks the calm surface with many 
ripples. 
He is a beauty, but there is no time to admire him. 
I hurriedly glance for a place to land him, but can see none, 
and with boyish eagerness attempt to lift him out of his 
element; flopping lie comes and snap goes my tip, but not 
minding that I reach for the line and secure it and throw 
my rod back with a spasmodic movement; it snaps again, 
but with a quick jerk I throw him upon the bank. With 
a flop he disappears in a hole in the roots, and I hear a 
faint splash. I stick my head into the hole, nothing but 
darkness and a limp line which winds about my fingers 
with an affectionate persistency; I throw it from me, fling 
myself to the ground, and^gaze absently, dazedly, on the 
foam covered waters. 
The sun lingers a moment and goes down; I try to 
whistle, but it dries in my throat. I try to sing, but no 
sound comes. I turn to the woods for comfort, nothing 
answers me but the melancholy chirrup of the little 
brown thrush and the echoing tap, tap, of the woodpecker. 
Far away in the stillness comes the chatter of the king- 
fisher and the muffled drum of the grouse. 
I slowly gather together the shattered remains of my 
pole and meditatively wander down the path toward home 
while I revolve in my mind all the incidents of the scene. 
I travel aimlessly along until the shades of darkness close 
around me, and in the dark hemlocks I pause and listen to 
the running waters as they joyfully play 'neath the dark 
shadows along the opposite shore. All is quiet and the 
love of nature reasserts itself , and whistling softly, reflect- 
ively, I go slowly down the road, resolving some day to 
return and revenge myself on "The Monarch of the Pool." 
Fred. W. Fassett. 
Wkllsvillk, N. Y. 
Killing Fish When Caught. 
Cleveland, O.— Editor Forest and Stream: There is 
no question as to the humanity of killing our fish as soon 
as caught, neither, I imagine, is there any question that a 
fish so killed has a better flavor and will keep longer than 
one that is allowed to die a lingering death in the basket. 
The method of killing by breaking the neck mentioned 
by "C. M." in last week's Forest and Stream has the ad- 
vantage of quickness and sureness, and is the method I 
am apt to use when in a great hurry. The disadvantages, 
however, and ones that I consider serious, are that the fish , 
if kept a day or two in hot weather, are very apt to spoil 
where the tissues are broken and torn at the neck, and 
also the heads are apt to come off when they are being 
cooked. 
With small trout a sharp snap with the thumb and finger 
on the end of the head will kill them instantly, or a little 
stick which may be carried stuck through the hole in the 
basket cover will do the work with very little inconveni- 
ence. By all means kill them somehow as soon as taken 
from the water. j\ M. C. 
Forest and Stream Fishing Postals. 
Livingston Manor, Sullivan County, N. Y, April 27.— 
On Thursday Custer Shuley took 16 trout, Friday 19 and 
to-day 18, running from 7 to llin. On Monday Ben 
Searles caught 58 and to-day 49, running 7 to 12in. Pros- 
pects good. The old Davis House is now the Mott Hotel. 
S. 
