410 
FOREST AND STREAM 
[May 23, 1903. 
this dialogue between an artist and sportsman of taste, 
and a mere fisherman : 
"What a magnificent, fiery sunset in clouds !" 
"Y-a-a-s ! Looks as if the sky had been wearing a 
mustard plaster." 
It is difficult to have patience with such vulgarity 
before all that infinity of loveliness, equally infinite in all 
its parts and divisions of parts. For if you select from 
all that conflagration a single square inch of the picture, 
and study it, you find that it has the vital purity and deli- 
cacy of a leaf of the wild rose, and that it still triumphs 
over and defies you Avith its infinity quite as much in that 
subdivided, tiny spot, as in the marvelous whole — each 
point of mist and color too tender, changing, subtle .deli- 
cate and mysterious for analysis. To those of open eye 
and humble heart I say, study the stratus cloud; for 
in the above struggle for some approximate description, 
I have only made pitifully weak and imperfect mention 
of some of its numberless attractions. 
Lastly, to the rain-cloud belongs the white wreath 
that broods over or steals along the mountain sides, ap- 
pearing, vanishing, reappearing and widening to junctions 
with other mists, and often ascending and blackening 
with increased and electric life, to take possession of 
the whole sky. It then plays with thunderbolts, reigning 
perhaps in gray monotony, or forming afar off; and, 
rousing and carrying its own winds, it advances toward 
you, the white and gray couriers crowning it like a skir- 
mish line before the ominous main body. Or it may be 
seen retreating, and fringed with dreamy, down-reaching, 
wind-swerved rain-curtains far away among plains and 
hills. But it is so comparatively near that it cannot be 
studied in really titanic masses, sky-wide, like the cirrus 
and stratus. 
Its most fearful life is when it seems to fill the sky be- 
cause it is nearer, and brings its twisted, tortured 
motion across your path in the sweep and fury of the 
thunder-storm. It is always heavier than the rain it 
releases. Its edges become ragged, hurrying, fitful. And 
its gloom and indescribable electric oncoming and threat- 
ening murmur, its fiercer voices, sulphurous being, wild- 
ness, and impending swoop over you while it yet seems to 
be relentlessly shattering its own self with chaotic frenzy. 
SUNSET AFTERGLOW ON CLOUDS. 
form what is probably the most impressive scene of earth. 
Its intense gloom is yet visible through enormous space 
and height, a gloom full of wild haste and crouching fear, 
its mad swirls of hurrying drift being flung up and on- 
ward, every writhing wreath full of its own special pas- 
sion of torture, yet all overpowered and swept along by one 
omnipotence. Lurid colors, uncontrolled, posing fury, a 
sky-wide Terror being chased and fleeing before a power 
infinitely greater than itself ! 
No wonder that not ortly children, but many strong 
men, dread the advance of the maddened rain-cloud ! 
Here, again, nature uses the power of contrast. The 
rain-cloud passes ; streams of fire come from its inky 
folds, and it bellows in pain. But as it retires into the 
hollows of distance, the rear guard of its rain-drops 
pattering on wet foliage like showers of buck-shot, note 
the sweet promise and blessing which it shows not only 
in the rainbow, but in the golden-green colors dancing 
on washed and sparkling forests- and hills. White, 
dreamy, sun-flecked peace of thousands of delicate, snowy 
clouds, trooping to transform the heavens from their 
dark horror into ineflfable light; while the heated hills 
steam like overdriven horses — the inexpressible beauty 
of "sunshine after rain!" 
But why attempt the impossible? Far abler pens than 
mine have shown themselves impotent to tell of such 
scenes. He who dares attempt to describe them must be 
audacious in words ; and the chances are many to one 
that he will not only miserably fail, but feel that his 
language is pompous and ridiculous, even when he has an 
humble desire, freed from all self-consciousness, to try 
and stimulate study of clouds — the downy-winged sea- 
angels from above whose driving shadows the scrolls of 
the heavens are unfolded, and from which pour the 
showers which wake to life the grateful laughings and 
sparklings through woods and meadows, rivulets and 
brooks that join to make the volumed music of rivers 
like the Delaware. 
Before me are a dozen photographs of clouds; no' 
carnera can show their beauty, and no engraver repre- 
sent a thousandth part of their delicacy and finish of 
curvature and hue. Look at the sky-pictures themselves. 
See them, teeming with that Vital Spirit of Nature 
described by Kreeshna, the Hindoo Deity, as he ad- 
dresses Arjoon, the pupil. It is the Sanscrit key-note of 
all later writings about nature : 
"I am moisture in the water, light in the sun and moon, 
found in the firmament, human nature in mankind, sweet- 
smelling favor in the earth, glory in the source of light." 
(See Bhagvat Geeta Dialogues.) 
All this is not rhapsody, but benign fact, and as vitally 
true of the sky and its clouds as of the earth and its 
peoples, whom Jean Paul came to know so well that 
Carlyle said of him : 
"Every gentle and generous affection, every thrill of 
mercy, every glow of nobleness, awakens in his bosom 
a response; nay, strikes his spirit into harmony; a wild 
music, as of wind-harps, floating round us in fitful swells, 
but soft sometimes, and pure and soul-entrancing as the 
song; of angels. His is the spirit \yhich fives life ^nd 
beauty to \yhatever it embraces. Inanimate Nature is no 
longer an insensible assemblage of colors and perfumes, 
but a mysterious Presence with which he communes in 
unutterable sympathies. The infinite Night, with her 
solemn aspects, Day, and the sweet approach of Even 
and Morn, are full of meaning for him. He loves the 
green Earth with her streams and forests, her flowery 
leas and eternal skies ; loves her with a sort of passion 
in all her vicissitudes of light and shade ; his spirit revels 
in her grandeur and charms ; expands like the breeze 
over wood and lawn, over glade and dingle, stealing and 
giving odors." L. F. Brown. 
In Maine Waters. 
Bangor, Maine, May 16. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
The week has passed, and with it have, passed all the de- 
sirable fishing records hitherto held in the State of Maine 
— to hear the enthusiastic anglers tell it themselves. And, 
beyond question, the conditions have been such as to make 
the past" week one long to be remembered among the 
fishermen, who in 1902 had so much that was untoward 
to interfere with their perfect enjoyment of the best 
week's sport for the parallel week, ever enjoyed by visi- 
tors to the Maine trout waters. 
This has been a week of peculiar conditions for Maine, 
especially in May, when sportsmen usually begin to watch 
the skies with care, and the direction of the wind with 
real concern. The very unusual conditions of low water, 
and, following soon after the cold weather, a delightful 
spell of warm weather, have united to bring the fishing 
up to date with a rush, and those who have had sufficient 
time to go to the fishing grounds and stay right there 
for twenty-four hours, or until they had all the fish they 
wanted or could carry, have enjoyed sport such as has 
not been experienced by them in long years of annual 
visits to Maine waters. 
There has been, too, another interference with one's 
fullest enjoyment, when a half himdred of the best fish- 
ing waters have been made secondary in quality for the 
weeks of spring fishing, by holding back the water and 
raising it as high as the law would permit, to be used 
later in driving the logs. This year all is changed, and 
the high water does not come nearly as high in these 
reservoirs as has become customary since the log driving 
concerns secured control .of them, in a measure. Par- 
ticularly is this true at Moosehead Lake, which is lower 
this season than for several years, owing to the early 
freshets which rushed away the snows depended on for 
a later supply of driving water. This low water prevents 
the fish getting into the bushes and swamps along the 
shore of the lake, in search of insects, and as a conse- 
quence the fish have been very hungry and ready to at- 
tack almost anything that gave promise of having food 
qualities. 
Another important feature of the past week has been 
the forest fires, which have raged in almost every section 
of Maine where there was woods, and has undoubtedly 
caused extensive damage to the timberlands. It. has been 
so long since we had rain that in many places the ground 
and twigs were almost parched, and offered good food for 
the spark that sooner or later came that way. Several 
camps, private and public as well, have been seriously 
threatened, and, in some cases, even wiped out, and un- 
less rain comes soon and in abundance, there will be large 
extra expense to camp owners in replacing that which the 
fire destroys. 
It is probable that the past week has seen brought into 
Bangor the largest square-tail trout caught by a fisher- 
man in Moosehead for many seasons. P. H. McNamara, 
of this city, was one of a party at the lake, and he landed, 
among others, a trout that weighed 6% pounds, which 
is believed to be the record fish for those waters during 
the present season. 
Green Lake, which panned out fairly well for the first 
part of the season, hasn't reported its run of smelts up 
the brook yet, and until that event the fishing will con- 
tinue to be poor. Reports say that but one man had the 
courage to fish there during this week, and he happily 
landed a five-pound salmon. 
Perhaps no two strings shown in this city have created 
as much interest and admiration as those of the Sterns 
party from Moosehead and the Pierce party from Burnt 
Pond. The former party was composed of Ezra L. 
Sterns, Col. I. K. Stetson, Hon. Wm. Engel, Collector of 
Customs, Albert R. Day, Capt. H. C. Chapman, E. E. 
Walker, and Elgin Greenleaf, of this city. They had a 
magnificent string, led by a fish weighing s% pounds, 
taken by Mr. Greenleaf. The other string was not as 
large, even proportionately, but few handsomer trout will 
be seen in eastern Maine tliis year than the five exhibited 
by Assistant Postmaster A. H. Pierce and Postal Clerk 
H. A. Jordan, who were at Burnt Pond. Their largest 
weighed four pounds. 
Governor John F. Hill, of Augusta, Councillor Wm. 
T. Haines, of Waterville, and Dr. F. G. Kinsman, of 
Augusta, have just returned from a trip to the Passadum- 
keag Stream, where they fished with great delight and 
most desirable results, from the source to Cold Spring. 
They camped out one night and caught lots of fish, none 
weighing above a pound, but affording some of the very 
finest stream fishing ever enjoyed by any member of the 
party. On the way home Dr. Kinsman left the others 
and stopped off for a day at Cold Stream Pond, Enfield, 
and caught eight good fish to take home. 
It was at Cold Stream Pond, too, that Postmaster G. 
D. Libby, of Gardner, hooked "the grandfather of them 
all," as he puts it. Mr. Libby was at the pond all the 
week with a friend, J. F. Wight, of Boston, and both had 
been having very good luck — so good that there was an 
abundance of fish for the table and some to set aside 
against the departure for home. While trolling Friday 
afternoon, Mr. Libby had a tremendous strike and played 
his fi.sli for a long time, once getting the fish near enough 
to the boat to be seen — and it was a bouncer, the largest 
he ever hooked, he says, and those who were near at the 
time support his story. But finally the fish got the better 
of the angler, and, much to the latter's disgust, escaped. 
Wm. G. Dillingham and George A. Crafts, of the Ea.st- 
ern Manufacturing Company, accompanied by Fred 
Ayer, son of the president of that company, .all of this 
city, have returned from a great trip to Sisladobsis Lake, 
vyher? they glided forty-seven handsome sahnon. They 
brought home all the law allows, and had an abundance of 
saliTion, in all' desirable ways of cooking, while in camp. 
The sea salmon do not seem to be coming in great 
schools, and up to date only one has been taken during the 
week, a 19 pounder caught yesterday by C, P. Hodgkins, 
of this city. At Calais an occasional one is being taken, 
but the best run there is in early June, while the best run 
at the Bangor Pool is any time, and you are fortunate to 
be on hand during its continuance. 
Herbert W. Rowe. 
New England Angling. 
Boston, May 16. — Editor Forest and Stream: Some 
facts regarding the Megantic Club will be read with in- 
terest-not only by the 238 members of it but by many 
others who have partaken of its benefits. The club has 
exerted a powerful influence in the cause of protection 
in Maine, and' many of its members have been zealous 
workers in other States. This is especially true in Massa- 
chusetts, where a goodly number of them have joined the 
State Association, some of whom have been for several 
years inembers of its Board of Management. 
Previous to its formation, some fifteen years ago, 
Canadian Frenchmen were wont to come over the line 
into Maine and kill deer in winter time while in their 
yards for their hides. In fact, indiscriminate slaughter of 
all kinds of game wsis the rule with them winter and 
summer. 
Not only has this wanton destruction been stopped, 
but, under the guidance of efficient directors, a careful 
observance of the game laws has been secured on the part 
of its members and visiting sportsmen. In addition to 
this a fish hatchery has been established and placed in 
charge of a competent superintendent. Last August 
140,060 young fish were liberated in L, Big Island, Rock, 
Grant, Northwest and Arnold ponds. In the latter were 
placed 2,000 landlocked salmon obtained from the LTnilcd 
States Fish Commission last fall. 200,000 trout eggs were 
obtained by purchase, and 20,000 salmon eggs, as a gift 
from the United States'. The fishing is reported to be 
constantly improving in spite of the fact that 163 mem- 
bers and 84 guests visited the preserve last year. One 
new camp at Chain of Ponds has been recently built. 
The managing director, Mr. Stephen F. Johnson, of 
Boston, who has recently returned from a trip across the 
preserve, reports that materials and help have been pro- 
vided to put the club house and camps in thorough repair 
prior to the opening, which occurred May 15. He, how-- 
ever, advised members not to visit them earlier than the 
20th, and says fly-fishing is not likely to be good till 
June. The club house is in charge of Mr. E. MacPher- 
son; the Chain of Ponds camps are to be managed by Mr. 
C. F. Sprague. 
Mr. L. Dana Chapman has retired from the position of 
secretary and treasurer, and Mr. E. A. Phippen is assist- 
ant clerk and secretary, while Mr. P. C. Wiggin is now 
treasurer. 
A new rule has recently been adopted by which here- 
after guests will be permitted to visit the preserve only 
when accompanied by a member. 
Secretary Phippen tells me to-day that Mr. L. O. Crane, 
of the directors, has already started with a party for the 
preserve, and several other members are getting ready 
for the trip. The organization of this club is one of the 
marvels of the times, and is due to a man who has a 
genius for this sort of thing. Mr. Bernard Hyneman, 
of Hyneman Brothers, Milk street, has just returned from 
the Cupsuptic. Several of the salmon he caught weigh- 
ing from 31/2 to 4>2 pounds, together with a handsoine 
showing of trout, were on exhibition last Thursday in the 
window of the Boston and Maine Railroad office on 
Washington street. Mr. J. C. Ackerman, of Boston, who 
was one of Mr. Hyneman's party, captured a salmon 
weighing yVi pounds. Mr. Hyneman says he returned 
greatly delighted with his trip. They had pleasant 
weather and found things lively, several other sportsmen 
from New York and from cities of Maine were all getting 
good catches. Another gentleman just returned from the 
Rangeleys is Mr. James Brown, of the Railroad News 
Company. Mr. Wm. S. Hinman, of Boston, returned 
from Clear Water recently, bringing a salmon caught by 
himself which weighed 11 pounds, and was 31 inches in 
length. Mr. Hinman reports a good number of anglers 
and everybody having good luck. On Thursday, May 7, 
Dr. C. A. Moore and S. W. Bass, of Lawrence, landed 
five trout from 6 to %Y2 pounds each, a total of 36^ 
pounds. Dr. Frank Stratton, of Swampscott, got one 
weighing 9 pounds, and Dr. C. W. Hutchings, of Boston, 
one of 8 pounds. Mr. S. W. Staples, Taunton, Mass., 
after a two hours' struggle, more than half the time after 
dark, brought to gaff a salmon weighing 121/2 pounds. 
Dr. Aldrich, of Somerville, took a salmon 1254 
pounds, and Mr. W. S. Gihnan a laker 11% pounds. 
Mrs. E. G. Gay captured a lake trout weighing 11 54 
pounds. On Monday, May it, Mr. N. F. Staples, of 
Taunton, after a struggle of more than two hours, suc- 
ceeded in landing a salmon weighing 15 pounds, which 
was 33 inches long. Several others have taken trout, 
bass, salmon and lakers from 35^ to 7>4 pounds. This is 
a wonderful record for Clearwater. 
From Lake Webb, Weld, reports continue *rosy. 
Messrs. Whiting and Taft, of Whitinsville ; Dr. Waller 
Hoyt, of Waltham ; Mr. C. M. Reed, of Providence; Mr. 
Edward Stanley and family and Mr. M. W. Forester, of 
Dixficld, Me., have met with excellent success. 
Fine fishing is the report from Middle Dam, Doctors 
Twombly and Jones, with two friends from Colebrook, 
N. H., on May 5 took two 7-pound salmon, and others 
weighing 6, 4, 4^4 and 5^4 pounds each. The two days 
following they caught several trout and salmon from VA 
to sYz pounds each. 
Dr. Thayer, of Fairhaven, Mass., had good fly-fishing 
on B Pond May 10, taking ten trout from to 3'/S 
pounds each. May 9, Mr. F. Rolfe, of Rumford Falls, 
from Pond-in-River .got ten trout and salmon, the largest 
4;X pounds. Several others have had similar luck. At 
Bemis is a large number of fishermen who are having 
good sport. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Leighton and their son 
Hugh C, of Portland, have enjoyed a deli.ghtful week in 
one of the Bemis camps, Mr. Leighton having taken a 4- 
pound salmon fishing from the dock. An old-time fisher- 
nian from North Woodstock, Mr. Isaac W. Andrews, is 
