84 
Fishing Up and Down the Potomac. 
Fish Stories. 
With each day spent upon the water, some unusual 
occurrence but adds to the credulity of the angler by en- 
larging for him the bounds of possibility; the marvelous 
tale of his brother of the angle does not shock his reason 
as it does that of the general ; it only recalls some incident 
more strange within his own or his friend's experience. 
A great part of the angler's reputation for imaginary 
adventures arises not more out of the extiberance of his 
fancy than the lack of opportunities , for observation — the 
ignorance of his doubting audience who can find nothing 
within their own knowledge on which to base their faith — 
which with most people is measured hy the accustomed ; 
and with fish stories it is so often impossible to substantiate 
them by any other proof than the unsupported assertion 
of the narrator. This of necessity because the man alone 
will see and hear a million sights and sounds a mob could 
never find. 
This at least must be taken for presumptive evidence 
of the reliability of the majority of fishj'^ stories; that 
most of them which are told for fair are believed by 
anglers. If each manufactured his moving tale of flood 
and drouth he would have no respect for those of his fel- 
lows of the gentle craft, but would know they too were 
fictions. On the contrary, none so eager to hear the latest 
yarn from a fisherman or stranger and none so ready to 
believe as the honest fisherman. Too guileless himself 
to deceive, he harbors no suspicion of his neighbor, and 
is more often the victim than the inventor of dreams. The 
sample or two given are hardly wonderful enough to 
record, and are for anglers alone who will not only ac- 
cept them without question, but whose only comment will 
be, "That's nothing to what happened to me last," etc. 
Dr. Harban, one of the most expert of the Capital City's 
anglers, was casting ^ minnow in the Potomac; his trace 
was looped to the line with a thin snap-hook swivel; as 
he had taken a good bass and was reeling it home, an- 
other fish ran at the bright lacquered swivel and the 
snap, like a barbless hook, caught enough of the cartilage 
of the lip to hold him, and the Doctor, fishing with one 
hook, was astonished to land two bass at a single cast. 
Jesse Middleton, fishing at Choppewamsic, casting a 
battery of No. 4 flies, had a strike on the edge of the 
weeds' where he expected a big jackfish. Striking hard at 
the rise, for it is not easy to set the hook in the bony 
mouth of an old pickerel, the fish, which turned out to be 
a small one, was pulled half-way to the boat. 
The hook, point down, had caught in the thin cartilage 
in the floor of the mouth and made a rent nearly 2in. long 
through which the fly dropped while he was recovering 
the unexpected slack. 
A large pickerel, attracted by the disturbance, made a 
rush to rob the little fellow of his prize, took the fly, 
fastened himself, and both were safely landed on the 
same hook. 
A commotion among the lilypads attracted our attention 
to what we took to be the red dorsal fin of a lolb. carp 
disporting in the shallow waters. As the boat approached 
it m.oved away slowly, and at soft, a iNo. 14 dry fly that 
Avas being experimented with in the holes of the moss 
beds, was thrown over the fin and twitched. It caught on 
and the fish came so easily to the boat as to be a ptizzle.' 
When close up it was seen to be a catfish nearly ift. long 
with the little hook fast near its tail, but making no more 
struggle than a dead fish. As it was about to be lifted into 
the boat it was seen that a great Avater moccasin as thick 
as a wrist had the cat gripped over the middle of the 
back, its jaws dislocated fully ij/^in. to accommodate them 
to the broad back of the fish. 
What we had seen was the snake trying to swiin Tvith 
the fish out of water, as he could malce no progress broad- 
side among the lilies and the moss. Handing the rod to 
the boatman, a shell .was slipped into the little skele- 
ton Stevens, and putting the muzzle close to the snake's 
he was uncoupled. On lifting the catfish, which seemed 
to be paralyzed with fright, or exhaustion, or pressure on 
the spine, into the boat, it began to gasp as one who falls 
into the water with quite audible sighs, and quickly re- 
covered, struggling more wildly than is usual when one is 
taken from the hook. The mark of the snake's grip was 
plainly bleached, probably by the gastric juices or pres- 
siire, and there were several marks of teeth on other parts 
of the body, but it seemed practically unhurt, and on being 
restored to the water, made off with a rush that flirted 
water over us both. 
The first man to whotn the incident was related on the 
train coming home in the evening, was Andy Cullinan, 
who was not at all surprised, as he had already had a 
similar experience. He and his friend, Will Murray, were 
out one night on the Freestone Marsh after frogs. Will 
was poling the boat and Cullinan managing the jacklight 
and picking up the green croakers. He saw the white 
vest of a big fellow near the shore, and directed the skiff 
close to it. Just as he was about to -pick it, a suspicious 
wriggle invited closer inspection, and he found it was 
the white front of a catfish some loin. long, and saw the 
I'-eady eyes of a moccasin with that paralyzing grip across 
r-e back. Reaching under the seat where his gun was 
f Jded in his coat, he fired three quick shots at the 
'nake, which began to move away. Uncertain whether 
he had struck it, he belabored it with the paddle, and as 
the water was shallow, easily killed it, and the catfish 
swam awaj'. apparently uninjured. The frogs were dis- 
turbed no more that evening-. 
The catfish is apparently a regular article of diet with 
this very common— miscalled moccasin — a perfectly harm- 
less water =;nake, though having all the reoulsive charac- 
teristics of its more dangerous cousins. One would im- 
agine the three long spines of the cat would be fatal to 
the tieace of mind and health of the reptile, but his gradual 
.swallowing head first probably lays the spines flat along 
and they never get a chance to r'ise. Bass are not al- 
ways so fortunate. They are occasionally found helpless 
with a catfish fast in their throats. Their method 01 
swallowing in gulps perhaos gives the spines room to be 
erected, and then the trouble begins. 
Nearly thirty years ago a writer in the Gentleman's 
Magazine fn. s.. S, p. 15") said: "There are no doubt many 
<'t5rr0ij5 incidents which have occurred m every angler's 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
experience which he would not care to vouch for in a 
mixed company-. I remember many in my own. For in- 
stance, I was once fishing from Thames bank in a space 
between two bushes about the width of my writing table ; 
I had a book and a pipe, and was lying my length on the 
warm grass confounding my luck — unlike John Leech's 
hero — ^because I could not get a bite, when a kingfisher 
perched on the end of my rod, which was at my side, wait- 
ing for its prey, and without appearing to care the least 
for my presence, took his header, brought up his beak, 
whisked his little tail at me and flew away, as if he had 
done something very clever. Now T venttire to say that 
sixty per cent, of the readers of this magazitre are. or 
have been, more or less anglers, and that such an incident 
never happened to them." 
This was doubtless true; but J. M., fishing with a float 
at Four-Mile Run, was standing on a log that stood 
out in the water with a Henshall rod, 8j4ft., holding it in 
his hand, when a kingfisher perched upon the tip, scolding 
like mad. 
He drew the rod backward slowly and was about to 
make a grab for the bird, when it flew away, circled and 
lit again upon the rod, still chattering, as if resenting the 
familiarity or presence of the angler. 
Cooney Zella — and there is not a fisherman in Washing- 
ton would doubt one of modest Cooney's stories — was 
fishing with a companion at Little Falls for white perch 
in the early spring with small minnows. The perch 
turned shy and they finally took oft" their bobs and 
sinkers, threw the bait as far down stream as they could 
reach and skittered it back with short jerks something 
as a fly is drawn over the surface, and caught three 
herring with nearly every cast. They used up their min- 
nows, and secured near a bushel of herring in this way. 
The next day to convince a doubting Thomas of a friend, 
they took him along and repeated the strange perform- 
ance, but have never been able since to get them in this 
way. That herring should take a bait in fresh water other 
than by accident, or should show .such a fondness for min- 
nows, or should take them at the surface in that gamy 
way, are all matters of wonder. It may have been that 
they were fresh run from the sea, and had not yet lost 
their appetites, or checked at the falls in their ascent may 
have been at plaj^ durmg their rest for their final rush up 
the gorge. Whatever may be the explanation there is no 
doubt in the minds of his friends, without the corrobora- 
tive testimony of his companions, that the strange story 
is true. Henry Talbott. 
Boston Anglers. 
Boston, July i, 1899. — Fishing parties to the British 
Provinces are much in favor with sportsmen In this part 
of the country, and as certain sections in Canada and Nova 
Scotia become better known they gain in favor. Quite 
a party of Fitchburg and Boston fishermen have just re- 
turned from a most pleasing trip to Nova Scotia waters. 
The partv was compo,sed of Rev. A. J. Kempton, Dr. Rus- 
sell Bingham. Mr. A. Cutler, Mr. W. F. Joseph. Mr. Mc- 
Donald, of Fitchburg. and Mr." Albert Hollis and J. Bert 
Baxter, of Dame, Stoddard & Kendall, Boston. They left 
Boston by the Yarmouth S. S. Line, and thence to Yar- 
mouth, Nova Scotia. From that city the conveyance was 
by rail to Bridgewater ; thence by stage to Milton, on 
the Liverpool River. From Milton the fishermen went to 
Indian Gardens, a drive of twenty-four miles, where their 
tents were pitched. Here most satisfactory catches of 
trout were made, the fishermen actually getting all they 
wanted, and all taken by fly-fishing. After four days' de- 
lightful stay at the Gardens, the party came down the 
river to Kenipton Lake Brook for two days and a night. 
Fine fishing was also enjoyed at that place. 
Breaking up once more, the gentlemen started for A'lil- 
ton. Down the river at Milton the party broke up, part 
going home by the same way as coming. The remainder 
of the party having a few more days to spend in the de- 
lights of Nova Scotia angling, stopped at a hotel, kept by 
Mrs. Freeman, where it cost $1 per day for accommoda- 
tions that would make some of the Maine two-doUar-a-day 
fishing resorts green with envy. From that point the 
party took a drive of sixteen miles to Greenfield, where 
they spent the day salmon fishing. But the time was late 
in the season. Not a salmon would rise to the fly, al- 
though they were there in great numbers. They could be 
seen moving about and occasionally rising to the surface, 
but not to any sort of lure the fishermen could offer. Re- 
turning to Milton the fishermen prepared to leave for 
Boston, greatly regretting that the time had come when a 
most delightful release from business must end. The 
party made quite a long call at Shelburn, stopping at a 
hotel finely equipped for sportsmen; and well it might 
be, for it is kept by a noted trout fisherman, Mr. D. B. 
Frost. Here a number of sportsmen from the States were 
found, who gave the locality a great name for fishing, 
though the visit of the Boston party was a little late; the 
best time being from May 1 to about June 16. After five 
hours' stay in Yarmouth, the steamer Yarmouth was 
boarded for the return trip. Boston was reached about 
9:30 A. M., after a delightful night on the ocean. The 
party broke up here, pledging each other to make the 
same trip another season. The guides employed were 
Bordman Hunt, Lemuel Hunt and Thomas Hunt, of 
Greenfield, and Samuel Freeman, of Milton. "Too much 
cannot be said in praise of the capacity and faithfulness of 
these guides," say the returned fishermen, "and they 
charged us only very reasonable prices." Readers of the 
Forest and Stream desiring fuller information concern- 
ing the region visited by the above party, either for 
hunting or fishing, may address J. Bert Baxter, of Dame. 
Stoddard & Kendall, Boston, who will willingly reply, 
though in ho way interested, beyond giving brother 
sportsmen a good chance. 
Tn Passing it may he noted that Mr. L. Dana Chapman, 
secretary and treasurer of the Megantic Fish and Game 
Club, -has positive information that the Canadian Govern- 
ment has decided to open September to the hunting of 
moose, caribou, deer, partridges and other birds. This 
is doubtless done in order to offset the law passed by the 
iNfaine Legislature last winter permitting of the shooting 
of one deer in September by paying a license fee of $6 
by nOn-re$i4ietit5 and $4 hy residents of the State, 
Speoal. 
[July 8, 1899. 
Protectof Shfine/s Resignation, 
One of the chief aims of Foster M. Voorhees. since his 
election as Governor, says a Paterson, N. J., exchange, 
has been to depose Charles A. Shriner from the office of 
State Fish and Game Protector. Mr. Shriner's ability 
made no difference when the personal and political spite 
of the Governor had to be gratified. The Fish and Game 
Commission was anxious to retain the services of Mr. 
Shriner, whose special fitness for the work is known to and 
appreciated by all the leading sportsmen in this part of 
the country. Its disposition resulted in several stormy 
interviews between the Governor and the Commissioners, 
and Mr. Shriner concluded to end the friction by resign- 
ing. The Commission met at Jersey City yesterday after- 
noon, and Mr. Shriner's resignation was received and ac- 
cepted. The fish and game protector explained his rea- 
sons in the foUoAving communication: 
"I hereby tender j^ou my resignation as Fish and Game 
Protector of New Jersej^, and in doing so desire to ex- 
plain my reasons therefor. Governor Voorhees, since his 
advent into office, has persistently demanded my re- 
moval, his reasons for this demand being my opposition 
to his nomination and election last year, an opposition 
engendered wholly by his determined spirit of hostility to 
the protection of fish and game. His attitude in relation 
to my office has necessarily created a great deal of friction 
between yourselves and hitn, and it is plainly apparent 
from the power he wields and his disposition to make use 
of it that my retaining the office I hold at present will 
be injurious to the iterests of protection of fish and game. 
I feel confident that more harmonious relations between 
yoursehres and the executive will follow my resignation, 
and the result of this cannot but be of benefit to the work 
in which I have always taken a great interest. I trust I 
may be right in the conclusion I have arrived at, and I 
assure you that this step on my part will not in the least 
weaken my interest in the protection and propagation of 
our wild fauna and that whatever of knowledge and ex- 
perience I have gained in this particular field will at all 
times be cheerfully at the disposal of your honorable body 
and of my successor in office. I thank you cordially for 
your kindness and uniform courtesy to me and hope 
that the proceedings of your honorable body will again be 
as hannonious as they were previous to the election of 
the present Governor." 
Mr. Shriner's resignation will take effect when his suc- 
cessor is appointed. The news that he has made up hi.s 
mind to retire from the position will be learned with re- 
gret by all who are in a position to know the vast amount 
of good he has accomplished during the past four years 
jn the propagation of fish and game in this State. The 
laws have been rigidly enforced and beneficial legislation 
secured through his efforts. Governor Voorhees began 
his plans to depose Mr. Shriner as soon as he took pos- 
session of the Gubernatorial chair. The Commission . is 
supposed to be non-partisan. The two Republican mem- 
bers were reappointed, but two new Democratic mem- 
bers were named, and they were made aware of the Gov- 
ernor's hositility to Mr. Shriner. Although Mr. Shriner 
is a Democrat, it was the Democratic members who 
brought up the subject of Mr. Shriner's removal and sug- 
gested a Republican. The Republican members of the 
Commission objected on the ground that Mr. Shriner was 
too valuable a man to lose, and the question was thus tied 
up until Mr. Shriner opened the way for harmony. On 
account of the absence of one of the members a successor 
was not appointed yesterday, but it is understood that 
George Riley, -of Newark, will be the man, although there 
are several aspirants for the positipn. Mr. Shriner said 
to-day that Mr. Riley would make an excellent official, 
being in every way qualified for the position. 
A Word ftom Kelpie, 
AvALON, Cal., June 23. — Editor Forest and Stream: I 
do not read or write much nowadays, so that I am out 
of touch with the Forest and Stream, and I owe a lot of 
letters among the Old -Guard. I have just notified 
Hickorjr that I can't camp with the kingfishers this sum- 
mer, much as I would like to do so, as I am booked to 
remain on this island of Santa Catalina for a good while. 
Mrs. Kelpie is with me, and if any of the Forest and 
Stream family should be here this year and wish to look 
m.e up, they will find my cottage on Metropole avenue. 
I do not cruise or fish much, but do a good deal of 
mountain climbing, and find the plants, minerals and 
scenerj' very interesting. I sent you a note about the 
first tuna, but you must look to the other fellows to write 
about the fishing. It is all that has been claimed for it, but 
as I said, I don't fish this season. I will just say, however, 
that I will back any of our old kingfishers to handle a 
tuna (or tunny) with the best. A man who with a 7 or 
80Z. rod and light bass tackle can bring to gaff a 40lb. 
maskinonge need not take a back seat in these matters, 
even if he does not use a rod like a billiard cue. 
I had a very pleasant visit with our old friend. Judge 
Greene, when at Portland, and had also the pleasure of 
meeting Mr. Billy Newman and Mr. J. Roberts Meade. 
We had a discussion about the Victoria regia, a specimen 
of which is in the Golden Gate Park at San Francisco. 
Billy said it came from Australia. I said Africa. So we 
hunted the library over unsuccessfully, until we found it 
under the title "Water Lilies," and it hailed from South 
America. The judge smiled sardonically, and said that 
was just as he expected. This Avas wrong of him, and 
Billy and I were going to put him out of the room, but on 
further consideration gave it up. He was too big. 
Kelpie. 
^*The Toilsomeness of Spoft/^ 
Providence, R. I., June 25. — ^In last week's ediforial, 
"The Toilsomeness of Sport," you strike it about right 
June 23 I arose at 3 :30, pushed off the skiff, rowed up 
to Greene's Island buoy and anchored, and took one 
wcakfish of sJ^^lbs. (with rod and ree]).» Then I rowed 
home against wind and tide, had breakfast and took- tht: 
7:09 train and was at work ac 8 o'clock. We ahvays for- 
get the blistered hand and aching back, but remember the 
savage rushes of our fish, way down below us somewhere, 
not knowing what moment the hook will tear out, till 
finally we reel up the captive, the net is passed under him 
and a beautiful creatlire lies in the bottom of the boat. 
