Sept. 21, 1901.] 
FOREST AND STREAM 
229 
occurs as far north as Newfoimdland. In the Pacific it is 
found off the coasts of Japan on the one side, and off that 
of California on the other. It is the Scomber thynnus of 
Linnaeus, the Thnnmis thynnus of Jordan and Evermann, 
and the Orcynus thynnus of Dr. G. Brown Goode. The 
tuna is almost identical with the tunny of the Mediter- 
ranean and of the ancients, though upon the Atlantic 
coast of North America it often attains a weight of 1,500 
pounds. In the Mediterranean and off the west coasts of 
Europe its maximmn size is given as i.ooo pounds. Jor- 
dan and Evermann's new catalogue of North American 
fishes leaves no doubt whatever as to the complete identity 
of the Pacific fish with that found in North Atlantic 
waters, and they report having examined a specimen from 
Monterey 8 feet long. The roaming habits of tliese fish 
had been observed as early as the Christian era, and 
Oppian says of them: 
"To foreign seas the wanton younglings roam 
And travel, infants, from their native home." 
Hence, the wide distribution of the species. Ransacker 
suggests that the ulua of the Hawaiian islands, as claimed 
by a Honolulu paper, is identical with the tuna, and as 
they are known to frequent the coasts of both Japan and 
California, it is quite probable that this supposition will 
be found to be correct by the scientific expedition about 
to investigate and report upon the fishes of Hawaiian 
waters for the United States Government. "No fish more 
dreads the cold," says Oppian, and it is only in summer 
that it is found in northern waters. 
Fishing for tuna with hook and line in Canadian waters 
has been practiced for a very long time, so long, indeed, 
that the sport was described by Dr. Fortin nearly forty 
years ago, though the fact seems to have escaped general 
notice. It is also speared and harpooned, both in the Gulf 
of' St. Lawrence and in the Baic des Chaleurs. As long 
ago as 1878 Captain Henry Webb, of Milk Island, near 
Gloucester, harpooned and killed thirty of these monsters, 
weighing in the aggregate at least 30,000 pounds. 
E. T. D, Chambers. 
On Michigan Trout Streams. 
Traverse City, Mich., Sept. 4. — Editor Forest and 
Stream: I had the pleasure of entertaining Mr. S. Cook, 
of Hartford, this State, for a week, beginning Aug. .19, 
which time was devoted entirely to trout fishing. I had 
read several of Mr. _Cook's articles, published in Forest 
AND Stream, w.'th interest and pleasure, especially the 
one showing that it is "not all of hunting to hunt." 
This city is located in the heart of a trout country, hav- 
ing easy access to fine well-stocked streams, in any direc- 
tion one may wi-h to go. and for convenience, one could 
not ask for anything better. We can take an early morn- 
ing train out north, south or west, and after a good day's 
, sport return by rail in the cven'ng, as the train will stop 
most any place along the line and pick up fishermen. We 
started at 6:25 I he first morning for Mayfield, a small 
station ten miles up the Boardman River, on the G. R. & 
I. Ry. Fished a small creek for a mile down to the 
river, which we followed down to a flag station, about 
four miles, giving us a good day's sport, arriving in time 
for the 6:40 train for home. Mr. C. was somewhat dis- 
appointed in the catch that day. as from reports concern- 
ing the majestic Boardman. he started in with anticipa- 
tions of an overflowing creel, consist'ng of from i to 4 
pounders. We presumed that the big fellows were off 
foraging that day for better grub than we had to offer. 
We met seven other fishermen at the station, all reporting 
small catches of small fish. But the day before two fel- 
lows fished the same ground, returning with full creels 
and bulging coat pockets, some being of extra size. We 
got nineteen, running from 6 to 12 inches in length, most 
all of which were rainbows. That being Mr. Cook's first 
f'xperience in trout fishing, excepting in a very small 
brook, where a short line and worms or cut bait were 
used, he took considerable interest in my fly-casting oper- 
ations, and his comments were most ridiculous. In re- 
lating the experiences of the day and referring to fly-fish- 
ing, he said that he had watched m.y continued manipula- 
I tion with a 100 feet of line until I got a strike, then reeled 
in until he was dizzy listening to the continued click of the 
reel, but when I landed the fish, I had a poor, little 
f, fingerling, with the skin all rubbed off both sides of it 
from being hauled so far over stones and logs, and he 
couldn't make, out whether it was a chub or a smoked 
herring. 
The net day we took the early train for Solon, ten miles 
down the M, & N. E. R. R. to Cedar Hiver, a swift, well- 
stocked stream, but very brushy. One would imagine 
that the settlers in clearing their farms adjacent, had taken 
the pains to haul all the brush and tree tops and dumped 
them in the stream, but it has proven a veritable refuge 
for the trout, for very few fishermen have the courage to 
penetrate the jungle in quest of them. We stuck to it, 
however, he with a pluck that would be a credit to a man 
of one-quarter his years, and were rewarded with twenty- 
one very nice trout, which were more highly colored than 
nny I have ever taken, their bellies and up the sides being 
:) fiery red. We arrived home at 7:35, and planned for 
the morrow. 
Deciding on Uba Creek, we took the i :25 P. M, train 
on the P. Marquette for Bates, ten miles east, where 
we were entertained for the night by a verj' religious old 
farmer, and spent the rest of the afternoon in locating the 
stream, which runs one-half mile from his farm. We 
returned for supper, which was served about 8 o'clock, 
and retired soon after, that we might get an early start on 
the creek, supposing that farmers were always up with the 
sun. But not this farmer. Rising at S, we waited im- 
patiently until 7, and when called in for breakfast found 
the family assembled for morning prayers, which, with 
the reading of a few chapters in a droning voice by one 
of the daughters, took up about an hour of our valuable 
time, and by the time breakfast was consumed we were 
three hours behind our calculations. We might have en- 
joyed the programme under most any other circumstances, 
but when trout lie waiting to be caught, time is most 
precious. We started at last for the stream in a drizzling 
rain, considering that in spite of the old man's supplica- 
tions, everything was against us : but nothing daunted, we 
continued through weeds up to our waists and dripping 
}vith moisture, Our depressed and dampened spirits were 
revived, however, by landing a few trout on the start. 
The weather soon cleared up, and it developed into an 
ideal trout day. We soon began to assure ourselves that 
each cast in a likely place would bring forth a beauty, and 
were not much disappointed. Our catch for that day num- 
bered forty. Our train was due at 6:15. and at 4:30 we 
found ourselves about five miles from the station, By 
continued swift strides, we arrived at the farmhouse at 
5 :5o, which is about three-quarters of a mile from the 
depot, and as we left the gate we heard what we sup- 
posed to be our train, whistling down the line. If you 
ever saw two rubber-booted, bundle-burdened fishermen 
make lively tracks for three-quarters of a mile, we were 
the two. I took the lead, Cook following on a hen canter, 
and for a man of his age — sixty-seven years — he made 
most remarkable time. The whistle, however, belonged 
to_ a train on the E. R. division, and we had twenty-five 
minutes to regain our breath before embarking, as the 
train was late. 
I was^ bushed and ready to take a rest for . the next eight 
motiths, but the old sport began to plan for the next day's 
fishing, as soon as comfortably seated in the coach, and 
by the time we arrived home we had arranged to take the 
6:25 A, M. train on the G. R. & I. for Keystone for an- 
other day's sport on the Boardman. But we changed our 
minds in the morning, when we saw the hind coach disap- 
pearing behind the freight house when we were within 
20 yards of the depot. The train on the P. Marquette 
having gone at 6 o'clock, we had no option but another 
day on Cedar River, where we arrived at 9:55, putting in 
a most enjoyable day, with thirty-six trout to our credit, 
saying nothing of the big ones that got off our hooks. 
Mr. C. acknowledged a most enjoyable week, and I do 
not question his sincerity. 
The outlook for game in this locality is Very promising. 
We saw partridge, woodcock and quail in considerable 
numbers while following the wooded streams, and the 
reports from other localities adjacent fill us with hope for 
the near future. S. I. Perkins. 
The Tuna's Leap. 
Pasadenai, Cal.. Sept. 7. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
One of your correspondents, Mr. J. Greville Wilmot, de- 
sires to know the height of the leap of the tuna, I gave 
the fish its name "leaping tuna" to distinguish it from 
the ones of the tribe which do not make spectacular leaps, 
and should be able to answer Mr. Wilmot's question, as I 
have seen some remarkable leaps, and have seen twenty 
in the air at the same time, but I doubt if any one can give 
an accurate estimate. I believe I have more than once 
seen the tail of a tuna I5 feet from the water, but I would 
immediately follow this by the statement that I would not 
swear to it. 
The average leap carries the fish 4 or J feet into the 
air. and on supreme occasions the fish undoubtedly makes 
extraordinary leaps from 12 to 15 feet. Such a leap is 
made under the following circimistances : The tuna is 
.^vvimming 15 feet or so beneath the surface, sees a flying- 
fish on the surface and dashes at it directly upward. Some- 
times he catches it. I have seen them miss it, and send 
the flyingfi.sh whirling into the air. In any case, the tuna 
rises vertically upward, poises for a second and plunges 
down head first in a most graceful dive. When observing 
the highest jumps I was in a very light boat a mile out at 
sea ; the tunas were in the air all around me, and I ex- 
pected every moment to see one land in the skiff, hence 
my judgment was not as calm and judicial as it might 
have been, but as I stood up, I firmly believe I saw a tuna 
turn in the air so that its entire body for a fraction of a 
second was 9 feet above the level of my head ; but if Mr. 
Wilmot requires the figures for any serious purpose, I 
would not give this as a contribution to the scientific phase 
of the question, as I was unquestionably excited, and I 
may have seen things that did not exist, though I can 
hardly believe that I "saw double." 
Regarding the leaping of the tuna, it should be remeni- 
•bered that the fish does not as a rule leap at the strike 
or, after being hooked, though I have seen one such leap, 
and know of another, but the leaping is all in pursuit of 
its prey, the large California flyingfish. I have seen the 
strong west wind strike a school as they rose off the south 
end of Santa Catalina Island and lift them 20 or 30 feet 
into the air like a flock of birds high out of reach of the 
insatiate tuna, whose keen eyes would follow them and 
rush upon them as they finally struck the water, 400 or 500 
yards away. 
I have made many attempts to photograph the tuna in 
the air. but the only successful pictures were made by 
Harry Elmes, an Avalon boatman. This picture I pub- 
lished in an article on the tuna in McClure's Magazine. I 
think, of February last. This shows the average low leap 
of the fish and "the foam from the "surging" of many 
others. C. F. Holder. 
Daniel Webster's Fishing Trip. 
Among a number of original manuscripts of Daniel 
Webster, in possession of F. N. Barrett, editor of the 
American Grocer, is one describing a fishing excursion 
in 1849, in Edgartown Harbor, Nantucket Sound, or along 
the eastern shore of Martha's Vineyard, which is in- 
teresting for other reasons than those associated with its 
distinguished author: 
Ibid, Wednesday Morning, Aug. 8th. 
My dear sir : 
Yesterday morning, I went forth for bluefish. The boat 
was steered direct for the sound, five miles north, then 
doubled the eastern chop of the harbor. Cape Poge (called 
Pouge) where the light is run along close to the shore on 
the eastern side of the island. The wind was unsteady 
and baffling and much thwarted and perplexed the boat- 
men, who intended to make a great day of it. At Yz past 
9 o'clock, we found fish and pursued our vocation at 
intervals, as the breeze would allow till J/^ past one. We 
took 43 fish. I think my takings were 25 : the boatmen 
took few. and the gentlemen with us the rest. 
Now, to compare this with Duxhury Bay. The fish art- 
more plenty, the range of going for them larger and they 
are sure of being found every day somewhere. On the 
other hand the best fishing is not so much protected by 
land, as the fishing in Danbury. It is outside as our fish- 
ing at home would be. if we fished from the mouth of 
Green Harbor River along the shore to Gurnet. This is 
all very well, where the wind is off the shore ; but when it 
blows on shore the sea of course would be rough. 
In point of size the fish are not much different from 
those we found in Duxbury Bay; perhaps a little larger, 
but this may be owing to the advance of the season. I 
thought them remarkably fat, and plump and they pulled 
like horses. Once or twice we saw schools -of them above 
the water leaping and frolicking. I thought as good fish- 
ing as any we had, was, when we lay at anchor, and 
threw the hook, at the end of a long line, into the foaming 
and roaring reef. 
One thing was new to me. You have seen on the 
surface of the sea those smooth places which fishermen 
and sailors call slicks. We met with them yesterday and 
our boatmen made for them whenever discovered. He 
said they were caused by the bluefish chopping up their 
prey. That is to say, these voracious fellows get into 
a school of menhaden, which are too large to swallow 
whole and they bite them into pieces, to suit their tastes. 
.A.nd the oil, from this butchery rises to the surface, makes 
the slick ! Whatever the cause may be, we invariably 
found fish plenty, whenever we came to a slick. 
Passing to the southward, we came into the harbor 
through an opening at the south end, three miles from the 
town. In reality, this opening is the best fishing ground, 
and we should have done better to have proceeded to it, 
directly in the morning. But our captain was ambitious 
and hoped. I believe, to find greater fish outside. The 
Island of Chappaquiddick lies opposite the town, here, and 
very near it, and is generally said to be an island in Edgar- 
town harbor. This is not exactly so. You cannot navi- 
gate round the island, keeping within the harbor and not 
going to sea. In strictness it is not an island, but a 
peninsula, connected with the main land, on the seashore, 
at its S. E. corner, by an isthmus. See the map. So much 
for bluefish catching at Edgartown, Aug. 7th, 1849. To- 
day we have a bright inorning after a rather cold night. 
I am to try my hand at plover shooting at 7 o'clock. 
Yours truly, whether fishing or shooting. 
D. Webster. 
Mr. Blatchford. 
Late Maine Fishing. 
Boston, Sept. 16.— Vermont waters seem to be noted 
for the size of the pickerel they afford. F. D. Cloyes, of 
Boston, reports a couple of big ones, taken last week by 
his father. John F. Cloyes. and his brother, Dennis P. 
They trolled for the fish in Otter Creek River. F. D. 
Cloyes says that one Aveighed over 6 pounds, when all 
dressed for the table. He remarks that there are many 
large pickerel in that river, which is one of the principal 
rivers of Vermont. A few weeks ago he and his brother, 
Dennis P., fished a trout stream in Ripton, in that State, 
with the result of a beautiful string of 161. He says that 
they struck the stream just right, nobody having fished it 
much before them this season. 
Late Rangeley reports say that the fall fly-fishing is 
good. At Haines' Landing some good trout and salmon 
have been taken. Thiirsday of last week R. W. Johnson 
and his brother, P. W. Johnson, both landed a salmon of 
5 pounds weight. The following day P. W. Johnson 
caught a 3-pound trout. Saturday, Sept. 7, W. A. Crane, 
of New York, got a salmon of 4% and one of 2% pounds. 
O. W. Dean, of Washington, D. C, has also made some 
good catches lately, including a salmon of 5 pounds 
weight. At Rangeley, Mr. Dor sett, of Brooklyn, N. Y., 
performed the feat last week of landing a big trout on 
the fly with a very light rod. Kineo, Moosehead, reports 
.^ay that the fly-fishing has never been better. A. S. 
Jerome, of Hartford, Conn., is high line, with a beautiful 
string, taken off the pier at North Bay, Wednesday morn- 
ing. The ponds north of Moosehead Lake are still produc- 
ing some very fine strings of trout. Prominent among 
these ponds are Spencer and Brassua. 
The Commissioners of Fisheries and Game of Maine 
have decided upon Squaw Brook as the location for the 
hatchery provided for by the last Legislature. Work has 
already been begun on the buildings, and the estabhsh- 
ment is to be ready for the egg takes this fall. A resident 
superintendent will be appointed, and it is said that Game 
Warden C. C. Nichols, of Foxcroft, is likely to get the 
position. From this hatchery much is expected in the 
way of keeping up the trout and salmon supply at Moose- 
head. 
As showing how careless people are concerning that 
which they should be informed about, it is mentioned that 
Comrnissioner Carleton, of Maine, has had a number of 
appplications for licenses to shoot deer in September. 
The persons who applied would have known that the Sep- 
tember license law Avas repealed last winter had they read 
the Forest and Stream and other publication? as 'they 
should have read them. Even in Maine, and at Auburn 
and Lewiston, there has been some discussion as to 
whether the open season on partridges begins on Sept, 
I or 15. No changes were made in the partridge open 
season last winter, and the old law provided that it should 
open on Sept. 15. A hard struggle was made by those 
in favor of preserving the grouse to put the open season 
off to Oct. I, but they did not succeed. Special. 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST. 
Few Fishermen, 
Chicago, III., Sept. 14.— The fishing season has reached 
a stage of comparatively slack interest, although angling 
for the next thirty days will be better than it has been any 
time for the last two months. The muscallunge season 
especially may be expected to prove better this fall 'than it 
has been during the past weeks of the heated term. A 
handsome muscallunge weighing 35 pounds came down 
from Mr. Bryan, at Minocqua, Wis., to Mayor Harri- 
son this week, and it was served at the regular week-day 
collation of the Wishininne Club. One has rarely seen a 
more beautiful and symmetrical fish than this big mus- 
callunge. 
Mr. W. P. Mussey inquires for good bass fishing close 
to Chicago, and I have suggested that he try tke St. Joe 
River, going in at Buchanan, Mich., and running the 
river by boat to Berrien Springs. There ought to be 
