Aug. 12, tStjg.J 
AngUng Chat« 
CirARLESTOVvN, N. H., Aug. 4.— Editor Forest ami 
Stream: The letter _ of your correspondent Special a 
week since agrees with mine in saying that taking 700 
trout in any one day of ordinary length must have been 
very tiresome work; but it also calls my attention to a 
point in Mr. Seymour's letter which I had not noticed, 
and that is that these trout were taken in the meadows 
adjoining the ponds. If such is the case, he must have 
got into the ■"nursery," or breeding brooks, and the 
enormous catch have been simply of fingerlings, which were 
just "snaked out" and tossed to the guide to unhook, 
while a fresli cast was made on the return of tlie rod. 
In no other way that I can imagine could such a feat 
have been performed on time. 
Now, 1 have no especial desife to "jump on" Mr. Sey- 
mour, who may be a distant relative of mine, for one of 
my great grandmothers bore that name before her mar- 
riage, in the "good old colony days." and was of the 
same lamih'- which produced Governors lor both Con- 
necticut and New York, the latter of whom would cer- 
tainly not have approved of such a raid upon "the inno- 
cents"' as has not been 'equaled since the days of the 
late lamented King Herod of immortal memory. 
Allowing these to have been all "babies," the second 
day's record is not much better- — that, is, 650 trout weigh- 
ing from jilh. to ijilbs. to two rods in six hours, or 325 
trout to a rod in 360 miiiutes, averaging lib. each by the 
published record. It is a simple impossibility, and I 
think we should read ounces instead of pounds. With no 
ill feeling toward Mr. Seymour, I simply wish to pillory 
this style of fishing reports, made to advertise certain 
camps, ponds and guides. Shoshone, in his last delight- 
ful letter, this week, expresses the true angler's feeling 
on this subject, and that letter also suggests a botanical 
question I want to ask Shoshone. He speaks of the 
"blue columbine." Is it any relation to our Eastern col- 
umbine, with its scarlet nectaries and their yellow lining, 
or is it of the harebell family? I believe Shoshone is of 
New England birth and will know the common scarlet 
columbine of our rocky hills. 
For the first time for many years I have not caught a 
trout this season. My first trial, April 30, was too early^ 
and before I could go again the hot weather had shrunk 
the brooks, and the "count fishers" had stripped them, and 
I can no longer take the tramps "over hill and dale" 
which I used to to get to some favorite stream. I hope 
Mr. Talbott has taken my advice and read Mrs. Gordon's 
memoirs of her father, Christopher North, who was 
wont to take longer tramps than I ever attempted; but 
then, the Scotch climate was in his favor. 
Von W. 
Despoiling BefksKife Trout Waters. 
The Springfield Republican reports that the trout 
streams in western Massachusetts are threatened with 
ruin. It says; The efiforts made by certain Pittsfield 
men to stock the streams of Berkshire countj^ with trout 
fry seem to be rather discouraging. These men have 
taken pains and gone to considerable expense to stock 
the streams, to the end that in time there would be good 
fishing. These Pittsfield brooks have been stocked: 
Sackett, Brattle's, Roaring, Cameron, Smith, Lillie, 
Daniels, Schoolhouse and Parker; also Shaker Brook 
and streams in Dalton, Lenox, Lanesboro, Windsor, 
Wa,shington, Richmond and West Stockbridge. From 
the depredations on the brooks it seems as though in a 
short time all this efifort is likely to go for naught, simply 
because the law is not enforced or stringent measures 
taken to stop the illegal work. 
Some data have been made up showing this destruc- 
tion of trout. On May 11 parties were seen snaring trout 
on Sackett Brook, and a little later the same brook was 
blown up at certain points with dynamite. May 30 two 
boys saw some Frenchmen snaring trout in the Sackett 
Brook, and the same week it was reported to the officers 
that Kitchen Brook at Cheshire had been limed. The first 
week in June reports were received that parties camping 
near the Stockbridge Brook had used set lines, and other 
parties had blown up the south end of the lake. The 
second week in June it was reported that the Shaker 
Brook had been blown up; this is one of the best trout 
brooks in the section, if preserved. The third week in 
June the Allen Brook was blown up, and the last week in 
June the Barton Brook in Dalton was limed. The fourth 
week in June the Sackett Brook was blown up, and it is 
reported that as a result all the small trout have been 
killed. Roaring Brook has been robbed of trout, with nets 
m_ainly. The ofiicers hear that the Williamstown Brook 
has been bagged so much that it is practically devoid of 
trout fry or larger fish. Complaint was lodged a few 
days ago with Officer Smith that Pittsfield parties blew up 
the Cone Brook in Richmond and West Stockbridge. Mr. 
Smith says that if things continue as they are going, the 
Berkshire streams will soon be utterly ruined so far as 
trout fishing goes. Complaint also comes of the shooting 
of robins by boys, mainly on Sundays, and the destruction 
of other song birds. 
The Nipigfon License. 
By a recent order in council it is provided, with respect 
to angling in Lake Nipigon and the Nipigon River: 
1. That no person shall fish by angling in the said 
waters without first having obtained an angling license or 
permit from the Commissioner of Fisheries through the 
local overseer at Nipigon. 
2. That one angler's license or permit only may be 
issued to each applicant, and shall not be for a longer 
period than two weeks from the date of issue. 
3. That the fee for such license or permit shall be $10 
where the applicant is not a permanent resident of 
Canada ; $2 where he is a permanent resident of the Al- 
goma. Rainy River or Thunder Bay districts, and $5 to all 
other residents of Canada. 
4. That the holder of such license or permit shall not 
catch or kill m one day, or carry away, a greater number 
of speckled or brook trout than in the aggregate shall 
weigh more than islbs., or a greater number than ten 
gpeckled or brook trout in any one day though said num- 
ber weighs less than islbs. 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
New Jersey Coast Fishing-. 
AsBURY Park, N. J., Aug. 4.— Surf fishing has been 
of a most uncertain quantity thus far thi^ season. While 
a few weakfish and kingfish are being taken, the catches 
arc far below the average. The continuous cold current 
has undoubtedly had much to do with the matter, and 
has driven the fish into the rivers and bays in countless 
nniltitudes. I have never known fishing better in Barne- 
gat, nor have I ever seen better conditioned fish. In 
three hours' fishing recently Judge Wm. B. Guild and 
myself took to6 fine tide runners, and in the face of a 
perfect hurricane at that. Striped bass fishing also is of 
the first order in those waters. In the thoroughfares 
around Warner's Island they are particularly abundant. 
Trolling with spinner and blood worm one party took 
forty weighing from 3lbs. to 7lbs. during one afternoon. 
This should be sufficient to satisfy the most enthusiastic. 
Complaints are coming in of net fishing near the rail- 
road bridge which crosses the bay at Seaside Park. I 
have had notice of the same mailed to our Commissioners 
and trust they will take speedy action. The retirement of 
Protector Shriner is a source of great regret in these 
parts, as he was a terror to the evil-doers of those waters 
and will be hard to replace, as his work was always hon- 
estlv and conscientiously done. Is this the faithful ser- 
vant's reward? Leonard Hulit. 
Black Bass Records. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
I can personally verify the statem'ent of Mr. Cheiiey in 
last issue of Fore.st and Stream in reference to weight 
of the black bass (small-mouth) that was exhibited at 
Blackford's in Fulton Market, in 1884, having been pres- 
ent when it was lifted in a net from the tank and weighed. 
My impression though is that the weight was 814 instead 
of S^lbs. — a fine specimen surely — yet compared with a 
4-pounder he did look to he twice as heavy. At the 
time I was showing to Mr. Blackford a pearl the size of a 
buck shot that I had found inside the muscle of a blue 
crab's claw — spoiled by boiling, of course, yet a veritable 
pearl. Mr. B., I think, sent it to Dr. Bean. 
E. J. Westfall. 
Port Arthur Fishingf. 
Port Arthur, Ont., Aug, 2. — Editor Forest and 
Stream: Anyone looking for cool weather, good fishing 
and cheap living should try this place in summer. Trout 
fishing ends Sept. 15. There are three good streams 
within six miles. I caught tw^o dozen this afternoon in 
four hours. Law allows fifty per rod a day. Rates at a 
very comfonable boarding house, good enough for any- 
one, are $1 a day. Port Arthur can be reached from 
New York via Toronto and lake route, several steamer 
lines running, or by C. P, R. direct. The temperature 
very rarely goes above 75 degrees in shade, and a quilt is 
a comfort at night. What more can a fisherman ask? 
St. Croix. 
Long Island Fishing. 
QuEicNSWATER. L. I.. Aug. J. — Fishiiig has been good. 
The catches have been confined mostly to porgies and sea 
bass. The big bluefish are expected every day, and fisher- 
men are waiting anxiously for them. When they come 
they will no doubt come in a bunch, as fishermen say, and 
there will be lively work for a time. Several large shark 
have Ijeen caught off the beach toward the fishing banks. 
Quahaug. 
Bass at Riverhead. 
Mu. J. M. Burgess, of Riverhead, Long Island, sends us 
a photograph of a handsome string of black bass taken 
by Mr. A. W. Smith, of this cit3^ The bass fishing at 
Riverhead is said to be excellent now. 
Fixtures. 
BENCH SHOWS. 
Aug. 5.— Providence, R. I. — Rhode Island Kennel Club's one- 
day show, Crescent Park. George S. Miller, Sec'y- 
Sept. 4-7. — Toronto, Can. — Toronto Industrial Exhibition Asso- 
ciation's eleventh annual show. 
Sept. 12-15. — Milwaukee, Wis. — Milwaukee Kennel Club's fifth 
annual bench show. Edward Meisenheimer, Sec'y. 
Oct. 2-6. — Dallas, Tex. — Texas Kennel Club's second annual 
bench show. Sydney Smith, Sec'y. 
Oct. 3-6.— DanlDury, Conn. — Danbury Agricultural Society's eight- 
eenth annual show. G. M. Rundle, Sec'y. 
Oct. 10-13.— Providence, R. I.— Rhode Island State Fair Asso- 
elation. E. M. Oldham, Supt. 
Nov. 15-18.— Philadelphia, Pa.— The Philadelphia Dog Show As- 
sociation's first annual bench show. Marcel A. Viti, Sec'y. 
Nov. 29-Dec. 1. — New York. — American Pet Dog Club's show. 
S. C. Hodge, Supt. 
FIELD TRIALS. 
Aug. 31. — Emmettsburg, la.— The Iowa Field Trial Assoeiation's 
second annual field trials. M. Bruce, Sec'y. 
Sept. 4. — La Salle, Man. — Western Canada Kennel Club's annual 
amateur field trials. A Code, Sec'y. 
Sept. 6.— Morris, Man.— Manitoba Field Trial Club's thirteenth 
annual trials. William C. Lee, Sec'y. 
Oct. 31. — Greene Co., Pa. — The Monongahela Valley Game and 
Fish Protective Association's fifth annual field trial. A. C. Peter- 
son Sec'y. 
Nov. 7.— Washington C. H., O.— Ohio Field Trial Club's trials. 
C. E. Baughn, Sec'y. 
Nov. 8-9.— Lakeview, Mich.— Michigan Field Trials Association's 
second annual trials. E. Rice, Sec'y. 
Nov. 12.— Bicknell Ind.- Independent Field Trial Club's first 
annual trials. George D. Maxfield, Sec'y. 
Nov. 14.— Chatham, Ont.— International Field Trial Club's tenth 
annual trials. W. B. Wells, Hon. Sec'y. 
Nov. 17.— Newton, N. C— Eastern Field Trial Club's twenty- 
first annual trials. Simon C. Bradley, Sec'y. 
Nov. 21.— Lawrenceville, 111. — Illinois Field Trial Association's 
inaugural trials. O. W. Ferguson, Sec'y. 
Nov. 28.— , Mo.— Missouri Field Trial Association's third 
annual trials. L. S. Eddins, Sec'y. 
Dec. 8.— Newton, N. C— Continental Field Trial Club's trials. 
Tlios. Sturges, Sec'y. 
1900. 
Tan. 22.— West Point, Miss.— United States Fieia Trial Club's 
annual trials. W. B. Stafford, Sec'y. 
Feb, 5.— Greenville, Ala.— Alabama Field Trial Club's fourth an- 
nual trials, T. H. Spencer, See'y, 
ISl 
"The Faithful American Dog.'* 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
Supposing it might interest the readers of Forest and 
Stream, I send you an account of the dog's sagacity and 
attachment to his master, as related in an old but excel- 
lent school book entitled "The American Preceptor," 
bearing date 1820. I give the account verbaturn: 
"An officer in the late American army, on his .station 
at the westward, went out in the morning with his dog 
and gim in quest of game. Venturing too far from the 
garrison, he was fired upon by an Indian who was lurking 
in the bushes, and instantly fell to the ground. The In- 
dian, running to him, struck him on the head with his 
tomahawk, in order to dispatch him; but the button on 
his hat fortunately warded off the blow. With savage 
brutality he applied the scalping knife and hastened away 
with this trophy of his horrid cruelty, leaving the officer 
for dead, and none to relieve or console him but his 
faithful dog. The afflicted creature gave every ex- 
pression of his attachment, fidelity and affection. He 
licked the wounds with inexpressable tenderness, and 
mourned the fate of his beloved master. Having per- 
formed every office which sympathy dictated or sagacity 
could invent, without being able to remove his master 
from the fatal spot or procure from him any signs of 
life or his wonted expression of affection to him, he ran 
off in quest of help. 
"Bending his course toward the river where two men 
were fishing, he urged them with all the powers of native 
rhetoric to accompany him to the woods. The men were 
suspicious of a decoy to an ambush, and dared not ven- 
ture to follow the dog, who, finding all his caresses 
failed, returned to the care of his master; and licking his 
wounds a second time, renewed all his tenderness, but 
with no better success than before. Again he returned tc 
the men, once more to try his skill in alluring them to 
his assistance. In this attempt he was more successful 
than in the other. The men seeing his solicitude, began 
to think the dog might have discovered some valuable 
game, and determined to hazard the consequences of 
following him. 
"Transported with his success, the affectionate creature 
hurried them along by every expression of ardor. Pres- 
ently they arrived at the spot where, behold ! an officer lies 
wounded, scalped, weltering in his own gore, and faint 
with loss of blood. 
"Suffice it to say, he was yet alive. They carried him 
to the fort, where the first dressings were performed. A 
suppuration immediately took place and he was soon con- 
veyed to the hospital at Albany, where in a few weeks he 
entirely recovered and was able to return to his duty. 
"This worthy officer owed his life, probably, to the 
fidelity of this sagacious dog. His tongue, which the 
gentleman afterward declared gave him the most ex- 
quisite pleasure, clarified the wound in the most effectual 
manner, and his perseverence brought that assistance, 
without which he must soon have perished." 
N. D. ELTtNG. 
Tom. 
'■Tom is dead," Ben responded to ont of my first in- 
qinnes when I landed at Auburndale, Fla., recently after 
a prolonged absence. "Morgan and I were getting out 
rails, and when Morgan was about to drop a big pine I 
held the dogs oft' to one side: then as it came down I let 
them go; but as the tree fell it broke off a dead Hmb near 
and fired it into the middle of Tom's back. Neither 
Morgan nor I would put the dog out of his misery, but 
when we came back there in an hour he had left Florida." 
"The old dog was a good one, Benny." 
"You bet; never bothered a thing in camp in his life 
and knew how to bring the deer out just where we could 
get them. Remember how he brought your first buck 
out to you when he thought it was about time for you to 
shoot something?" 
"And the hunt he sent the doe out to you, and after- 
ward the big one?" 
"Let me see. Wasn't that the time that you and Mor- 
gan tried to catch a big buck with your hands and Tom 
helped you?" 
"Yes; the Colonel's back-and-tan was umpire." 
The boys waste breath when they try to persuade me 
that their new hound is better for deer hunting than the 
old dog was, for Tom's work can never be equaled, it 
was so exact and metliodical, with no prancing, but just 
a steady forging ahead that meant businesss, his deep 
tones ringing out like those of some eminent jurists when 
they deliver an opinion that is an opinion, and if he un- 
dertook to decipher a cold trail even that deer might as 
well have saved itself the agony of a short wait by flag- 
ging its whereabouts at once. The notes uttered by our 
foxhound while running were only the vocal expression 
of his thoughts: 
"Ahum-m ! oho-0-0 ! Big 'un, big 'un ! N-n-now ! 
x\hum, ahum! Would you! Who-0-0! Ahum, ahum!" 
The surrounding country during a chase belonged to 
our dog. The breeze, proud of its message, carried his 
notes far beyond wide lakes. The grizzled wilderness 
dallied with his tones as if they had been delicious mor- 
sels, to be masticated slowly. All nature, indeed, evi- 
dently rejoiced with us in the superb music of our dog. 
And now he is dead. An able logician has passed from 
among us. A melodious voice has expired. Let sobbing 
lakes proclaim their grief; let the trees of the forest lull 
for him their saddest requiem. 
H. R. Steiger. 
Fixtores. 
AUGUST. 
9-10-11. Corinthian, Marblehead, midsummer series, Marblehead, 
Massachusetts Bay. 
12. Corinthian, Marblehead,, open, Marblehead, Massachusptts Bay, 
12. Horseshoe Harbor, annual, open, Larchmont, L. I. Sound. 
12. American, cruise to Squam, Newburyport. 
12. Quincy, club, Quincy, Boston Harbor. 
12. "Taunton, club, "Taunton, Mass. 
12. Wood's Holl, open. Wood's Holl, Quissett, 
12. Wollaston, open, Wollaston, Mass. 
12. Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Long Island Sound. 
