Feb. ai5, 1899.] 
f^ORfifet AND STREAM. 
may be useful to our Montana friend, who wishes infor- 
mation in regard to flies for Michigan and Wisconsin. 
-Mr. Fletcher writes: 
"I notice in the Forest and Stream of this week an ■ 
ihqu!l-y about tfout files. My experience, in fl.y fishing 
foi- ti-olit has been dlhiosl entifel^ Ih the State of Michi- 
gan. I have had the greatest siittess With the gpWQllng 
and sand fly. HaA^e also used with good results pro- 
fessor, brown-hackle, coachman, willow, Ronald Stone 
and black-gnat with lead colored wings. Have some 
sam.ples of the three last named, and if you care to see 
them will call and show them to you. They are old 
flies that t expect to ttSfc as sainples to .have others 
made by. I usually have to get the sand flies made to 
order, as I rarely find them on sale. Wm. Mills & Son, 
of New York, sent me some a few years ago that were 
about right. They had them in stock at that time. Have 
used many kinds of flies in Michigan, including some that 
were made in London, but the above named are about 
all I would care for. If you think the information con- 
tained in this letter is of interest to you or to your read- 
ers you are entirely at liberty to use game." 
The Japanese Fly Fisting. 
I have already heard favorable comment from many 
sources on the very interesting article given the Forest 
AND Stream by Mr. J. O. Averill this week on the Jap- 
anese method of fly fishing. I should have been de- 
lighted had I been ab!e to read this paper at the banquet 
of the Chicago Fly-Casting Club, where I made brief 
attempt at verbal description of it. To-day Mr. Peer, 
ex-president of the club, called in at my office and said: 
"I want to see that Japanese fly which Mr. Averill sent 
you. That was a mighty interesting story that he wrote." 
I showed Mr. Peet the sparse-looking, angular little 
hook, and he said: "Well, that's an odd-looking thing, 
isn*t it? Yet you see the distance frotn the barb of 
the hook to the back across the bend. That gives lots of 
holding room." I watched Mr. Peet very carefully, lest 
he should swipe my fly and go oflt at a run, but we com- ' 
promised by my promising to let him see me catch a 
tiout on that fly on the Prairie River some time next 
spring. I am sure I wish Mr. Averill might come out 
here and give some of our boys a lesson in fly easting 
after the Japanese fashion. 
E. Hough. 
1200 BoYCE BuiLDiKO, Chicago, 111. 
he Mcnnel 
Mississippi Gulf Coast Resorts. 
Ocean Springs, Miss., Feb. 13— Editor Forest and 
Stream: Referring to inquiry from Reader Baston about 
the cero or kingfish, or as they are called here on the Gulf 
Coast, jackfish or cavalla, let me say that in ten years' 
residence in the South and fishing for them all along the 
coast, 1 havq found that right out from Ocean Springs 
here is as good a place as any for them. The best season 
is during August, September, October and to about the 
middle of November. Sometimes they school as early as 
the middle of June, if the water is especially salty; but 
the best months are August and Septem.ber. They run in 
weight from, about 18 to 25lbs., but will generally aver- 
age between 20 and 22lbs. They are fighters from_ the 
word go. Another big fish we have here is the tarpon or 
silver fish, which range in weight from 50 to loolbs., and 
even m.ore, and give a m.an a good half-day's sport on the 
fight kind of tackle ; at least one feels like resting the re- 
mainder of the day after landing one. I enclose a. scale 
from the last one caught here ; it weighed gSlbs. Fishing 
of all kinds is fi.ne here nearly the year round. 
As for oysters, well, you can imagine what one can do 
to them when you can buy them averaging between 3 and 
SJ/sin. long and half as wide as one's hand at from. 25 to 
50 cents per hundred. 
Red fish, speckled (sea) trout and sheepshead are 
biting well this winter, or were until this cold snap. 
The hunting, can't be beat. The woods are full of 
partridges and deer. Turkeys and squirrels are abundant 
within fifteen miles of here. A party from Red Creek, 
twenty miles north of here, reported last week's kill of 
deer at twenty-two. As for duck, since we have posted 
our preserves (about 25,000 acres), fronting on the Gulf, 
we have good duck hunting, teal, mallards, sprigtails. and 
others, while the bay is literally covered with black ducks, 
but a man wants a Catling gun to get the black ducks, they 
are shot at so much. Snipe are very plentiful. 
One can get boats here, either sail or launch ; and take 
it all in all, 1 never found a place where one could have 
the variety of good sport there is right along the Missis- 
sippi Gulf Coast. H. F. H. 
- Mttscallonge Spearing, 
The annual mttscallonge-spearing season for 1899 
opened on Chautauqua Lake yesterday._ From the view- 
point: of the true sportsman it was a di.smal failure ; but 
from that of the man who wants to fill up on fish it was 
a complete success. The State law permits the spearing 
of these fine game fish for ten days each year— the open 
days being the Mondays and Thursdays for five weeks 
beginning the first Monday in February. By actual 
count there were 656 fish houses on the lake yesterday. 
The day was a perfect one for spearing. The ice was 
firm and the water c'.ear. As a result, there was a great 
slaughter of fish. Hundreds of them were taken, rang- 
ing from I to 4olhs, Not less than twenty-five fish were 
taken that would weigh 3olbs, or more each. A large 
percentage of the catch, however, was of" fish weighing 
from 2 to 4lbs. each. 
It is estimated, that not less than three tons of these 
fine fish were taken out of the lake during the day. "A 
fish hatchery is maintained during the early spring for 
the propagation of these fish, and just why their ruthless 
.slaughter is permitted by the State, which pays the ex- 
pense of the hatchery, can hardly be explained," re- 
marked an angler to-day. "It is permitted in no other 
waters of the State. Tim resu't cannot but be disastrous 
to the hook-and-line fishing of the summer. If the coti- 
ditions remain favorable during the coming five weeks, it 
is likely that few muscallonge will be ieft in the lake at 
the close of the spearing season." — Buffal9 Express, 
Feb. 7' ' ' 
Fixtures* 
BENCH snows. 
Feb a-2'}.— New Yotk.— Westminster Kennel Club's twenty- 
third annual show. Jas. Mdrtiiflef, Sec'y and Supt. . . , , . 
March MO.-Grand Rapids, Mich.-Btitterfly AssociaUon's bench 
■ihnw. Miss Grace H. Ori.swold, Sec'y. , . , . 
March 14-17.— St. Louis, Mo.— St. Louis Kennel Clobs show. 
March 21-2t.-Chicago.-Mascoutali Kennel Club s show. 
April 4-7.— Boston. Mass.— New England Kennel Club s beiitn 
show. James Mortimer. Manager. u o 
Nov. 22-34:— New York.— American Tel Dog Club S show. b. 
C. Hodge, SuiSt. ■ 
Yard Training a Puppy. 
There have been published quite a number of books 
of more or less merit and length on the subject of dog 
training. . ... , 
While it is not my mtention to criticise any ot the 
various methods employed by such authors, yet it is my 
desife to submit for trial a few ideas gleaned by practical 
experience ih yard training a puppy before he enters the 
field for hunting purposes. 
How many sportsmen of this country, have paid fancy 
prices for a puppy, sent it to a practical trainer (?) and 
4iad it returned at the end of the season practically of no 
u.se (outside of the bird experience given) to the owner 
except to rebreak the dog at least to conform to the own- 
er's individual ideas. Just here is the vital point at issue, 
namely, training a puppy and training a dog grown up 
are entirely diflerent to do what each individual desires as 
a hunting dog. The owner of a fine puppy thinks he can 
pay a fancy price to a trainer, and all he has to do is turn 
the dog afield and the dog does the rest; tltat he will find 
all the birds and obey the many calls, yells and beatings 
he is sure to get upon his first trial. The question might 
be appropriately asked. Who is to blame, the trainer, 
owner, or the dog? To obviate all these trials, that have 
been the experience of many sportsmen, is the intention 
of this brief communication. ,. , , , , 
We will presume one has bought from a reliable kennel 
a puppy whelped in the spring, four months old, with 
certified papers as to his breeding. We advocate the 
purchase of a finely bred puppy, because experience has 
demonstrated the fact that you are more likely to get a 
good, intelligent animal from such sources; the time of 
one or two years you are to put upon the education and 
development of the puppy will more surely bear fruit; 
and it is less, or at least no more, trouble to raise a 
supposedly good one than a doubtful bad one. _ 
The question naturally arises, Can any one train and 
develop a puppy? We believe it can be done, provided a 
little patience and perseverance are used on about these 
lines. We have received the puppy in good condition. 
Now, when shall we begin to yard break? While there 
are some difl'erences of opinion, it seems that it really de- 
pends on each individual case. One being brighter men- 
tally and of better physical development can be taught the 
rudim.ents right along until he is fully educated in dog 
lore and sense. Some puppies are like children. They 
must be handled carefully, or else you will find but little 
progress is made. Again, What system shall we employ? 
Shall we persuade the puppy by coaxing and petting him 
to come along, or shall we whip him, or shall we put a 
spike collar around his neck and by force drag him^ 
along? All these systems have their advocates. We m.ust 
not forget that we are dealing with a puppy, and not a 
fully grown dog. We believe and advocate training your 
puppy by what is known as the force system, but differ 
as to the means employed to accomplish that end. 
Study the characteristics of your puppy. First en- 
deavor to learn if he is inclined to be bold or timid m 
his nature, so that you can then determine just how far 
you can force him to your will, yet at the same tiine not 
break his spirit. 
The greatest delight of a puppy six to ten months old 
(like that of some people) is to eat. We will suppose 
you have him kenneled in a yard with wire netting about 
6ft. high in place of a fence. When feeding time ap- 
proaches blow your dog whistle, to signal him you are 
coming. He will soon be on the outlook for you. Gain 
his confidence by gentle action and feed him yourself by 
all means. 
The first lesson for him to learn is "Hold." Place part 
of his food before him and say in firm tones, "Hold!" 
and never allow him to eat until you say "Take!" If he 
is inclined to be a glutton and ru.shes to take his food 
before the command "'Take!" strike him with your hand 
a gentle blow on the end of his nose and repeat "Hold, 
sir." This may cause him to sneeze, but it will never hurt 
him, and he will soon respect your cohimand, Never al- 
low him to do anything when you command him to 
"Hold" but hold; and also the same where the order 
"Take" is given. This is a vital first principle, if you de- 
sire to get complete control of your puppy, for the future 
command "Hold." when he attempts to break shot in the 
field. Continue this treatment until it becomes natural 
for the puppy not even to attempt to eat until the com- 
mand "Take" is given. Never fail to impress upon him 
"Hold." 
Next, take him out of his kennel in the yard and allow 
nothing around to distract his attention from you. Toss 
a piece of bread or meat out about lOft. from you, at 
the same time holding- by collar the puppy, and say 
sharply "Hold." Then say "Hie on!" and when about 
2ft. from the meat command him to "Hold/' Repeat un- 
til you make him do it, which will be easily accomplished 
if he has had his first "hold and take" lesson firmly 
ground into him. 
The next lesson to teach him is to "Charge," mean- 
ing to lie down. This can be best accomplished by rais- 
ing the hand as if to strike him, at same time giving him 
a jerk with his collar down and out to throw him. When 
down make him (by placing him) lie down on his belly, 
not on his side and feet in air, puppy-like. When this 
position is assumed rise up and repeat the command, 
"Charge, sir." with threatening motion of hand. A i)up- 
py watches action of hand and voice together better thau 
one or other singly, : 
This lesson is soon acquired, and you have not up to 
this time, bear in mind, used either whip, choke-collar or 
persuasion, but simply pure will force. 
Having taught him to "charge," throw your bread otiJ. 
First command. "Charge, sir." He hes down. Tbers 
command, "Hie on." and when near the object of his de- 
sire command "Hold." and have him hold for a moment 
or more. Th£n command "Take," and while he is eating 
fondle and pet him in aoproval. The puppy likes petting 
at the right time, just as a person likes commendation 
for an accomplishment of a good action. 
Continue this training until you are satisfied you have 
the puppy under complete control. Some will say: 
"Faulty; because when you try him outside of something 
to eat be will not obey your orders." This is a fallacy, 
if you have properly obtained control of the puppy. 
Now begins the next stage of his education. Teach 
him the scent of a quail, the bird he is to hunt for you and 
his natural instincts crave. Procure a dead quail to teach 
him his lesson in retrieving, as you generally can buy 
in market such a bird. Some advocate a pad or cob 
(never a stick nor ball), both of which are useful if you 
can't get a quail; but the natural thing to do is to get 
right at what the dog naturally wants to do. For the 
fir'st lesson command the puppy to "Charge." Place hirn 
on your right side, head to front. Pass your right hand 
over his muzzle and seizie with right hand and fingers and 
thumb his upper lips and press his lips inward upon his 
sharp puppy teeth. He will open his mouth to howl. 
Then insert the quail in his mouth and hold it there 
with left hand, closing down on his muzzle, at same time 
commanding him to "Hold it. sir." Oflfer him the quail 
tu "Take it, sir." He will refuse. Punish him by pinch- 
ing his lips on his teeth, and when he opens his mouth 
insert the quail (or pad made out of canvas 2 by 4in. 
long). Continue this treatment until he is forced to 
take or hold the quail in his mouth with hands off his 
muzzle until you command him to "Drop, sir," by touch- 
ing him under lower jaw with hand to drop it in your 
hand. , .■ j t- 
The next lesson is to throw out the quail or pad. First 
command him to "Charge;" then command "Hie on; 
fetch dead," at the same time waving the hand indicating 
direction for him to go. You will soon note that his eye 
will follow vour every motion. If he refuses to go and 
fetch, pinch his mouth as indicated; at the same time 
force him along by his collar to the quail. This is severe 
punishment and the puppy soon is forced by this method 
to do your bidding. 
After you have taught him to fetch in and drop in your 
hand, teach him to hold the quail in his mouth and fol- 
low vou around the yard, carrying the quail awaiting your 
command to "Drop, sir," at the rame time extending 
your hand to receive the bird. This teaches him to re- 
trieve to you alone, and to hold until told to drop the 
bird. This will prove especially useful when shooting ir. 
briers or high weeds, as we have seen a dog start to re- 
trieve a bird, some one shcot and kill one, and the dog 
drop the dead one to go and get the newly killed one. 
Having thoroughlv ground in the dog's training to 
these simple yard-breaking rules, you can then expecii 
to have full control of your dog when you begin his 
field training, which then resolves itself into a pleasure 
to see the benefit his early teachings have developed. 
Any one who thus handles his puppy can expect to en- 
joy an outing, as the dog and owner now fully _ under- 
stand one another and depend upon each other in their 
mutual enjoyment of hunting quail. The dog will then 
look to you and obey your commands, and there will 
be no need of continual whistling and hallooing "Come 
here, sir," and thrashing him with whip or stick. This is 
a so-urce of the greatest annoyance to both hunters and 
dogs. They foon get rattled and don't know what to 
do. Your dog has been trained up by yourself and he 
will not pay any attention to any one but to your own 
express commands. 
A word as to the best food for a growing puppy. We 
advocate the purchase of a small quantity, say 5lbs-., of 
beef neck. Have it stewed until all the beef juice is ex- 
tracted in liquor in pot. Then strip bones of? the meat, 
discard the cooked bones, but let remain in stew the 
meat. Take eqttal parts of corn meal and coarse wheat 
flour; mix and stir in the soup until thick enough to 
mould out into pones. Then put these pones or cakes 
into the oven and cook them well done. This makes 
the best and strongest food you can buy, and it is cheap. 
This broken up and mixed in half a gallon of buttermilk 
twice a week will make a ptippy healthy and free of 
worms. 
When you go hunting take along a cake of this prepa- 
ration to feed your dog. Treat him kindly and feed him 
well. When you ride him home from a long day's hard 
hunt feed him plenty and house him warmly. He ks 
your companhon in tiie field, and it depends upon your 
individual training him and caring for him if you ex- 
pect to get the beft and highest results he is capable ol 
in the field. When hunting your dog, say three or four 
times a week, always feed hitti these cakes and plenty oi 
the food. His system under such strain requires heavi 
feed to restore the wasted energy. Even with the besi 
of care, thus hunted he will show thin, but if he is thii 
and hardened, having had good food and plenty, he i: 
the much better able to withstand a hunt, not of a fieh 
trial, a few minutes or even an hour, but two or threi 
days as a genuine hunting dog, that will be a plcasuri 
to follow; and you may then enjoy to the utmost thi 
great delights found afield with your own broken dog an( 
^n. . R. VanGilder, 
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