468 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[June 13, 1903. 
and following my directions he poled his boat — ^they do 
iTiore poling than rowing in this section — some ten or 
fifteen yards from the bank so that I could cast my min- 
now close into the bank, and it was not long before 
I had a strike. Suffice it to say, I wound up the day with 
a good size string, none large, but all of good size, well 
content with my trip, myself and the world generally. 
Content with myself, did I say? Let's see. I had begun 
to think that I was a pretty good fisherman — some have 
been known to stretch the facts by saying I was an ex- 
pert—but I missed more strikes on that day than I ever 
did before^ on any half dozen trips. Why, I cannot say. 
Whether it was because I began on Friday, or that I 
caught thirteen fish on that day, or the combination of 
both, or, and possibly the true solution, that the fish were 
spawning and only killing minnows and not taking them 
as at other times, I do not know. I was shown one 
spawn bed on the South Branch, but lately hatched, by 
Wilkins, and was told that he had seen the pair from the 
bridge when they had first made their appearance, and 
had been watching them daily, till now the male having 
left, the female was keeping watch over the small black 
objects which were destined later on, should they escape 
the many enemies lying in wait, to grow to goodly size, 
perhaps, and delight some eager angler. I was told that 
I could catch the mother if I would cast my minnow in 
a certain spot, and when I demurred, the reply was that 
it would not be long before someone would, and there- 
fore I might as well. But to this I stated I did not pro- 
pose, knowingly, to be that one. I heard next morning 
that someone had caught that fish — more the pity ! 
But with it all, how often my eyes cease roaming from 
the beautiful scenery and my thoughts turned from the 
fish that I was expecting to catch to some of my former 
fishing companions. 
Poor Markham Payne — as good a fellow as ever lived — 
passed beyond. How often have we not fished that stream 
together? I think it was next to the last time we were 
there, when we were coming down the stream from the 
"Irish Hole," tired, luck poor and about ready to cuss and 
quit Passing a log in the water, near the bank, we 
both must have concluded that it was a likely place for a 
bass, for at the same moment we cast our "toms" near 
that log and not more than six inches apart, when, with 
a rush that was almost startling, a bass that proved to be 
nearly a four-pounder, made a break for the minnow, 
and for a moment or two the question was which of our 
minnows he had chosen. We were not long in doubt, 
however, and Markham had him good and fast. The 
water was swift, and seeing the size of the fish, I was 
afraid he was trying to land him too quickly. He after- 
ward often teased me, saying that during the day when 
he was catching small ones and asked of me some direc- 
tions, I would say, "I never tell a fisherman how to fish," 
but just then I had forgotten how tired I was, and the 
directions that I was so willing then to volunteer would 
have been sufficient for the whole day, if not the whole 
trip. And wasn't he proud of him ! And well he might 
have been ; it was worth a trip to see that rush, that 
fight for liberty, and that beautiful fish. Poor old Mark! 
Many a happy day have we spent together. 
And there is W. H. Haynes, of Baltimore, one of the 
family of Forest and Stream, a more congenial com- 
panion one could not find; ill, too ill to fish. I hope it 
may not be for long. He spent many weeks at Riverton 
last summer with his wife, trying to get back health, but 
failed. I saw him there for the last time soon after his 
arrival. Many a fine bass have we taken from those 
waters in days gone by; and how^ pleasant it is to recall 
those trips. On one of them, some years ago, there were 
three of us. In two and one half days we got seventy-six 
of the finest bass that I have ever seen caught. The third 
man was a "grayheaded old sinner," as he would often 
call himself, so I am taking no liberties in so designating 
him, nor will I call his name. He was very fond of 
fishing, but was very sure to fall far behind in the num- 
ber caught. How often, especially when the boat was 
moving, have I heard him exclaim, "Hold on, I've got a 
bite." When, if the water was swift, the anchor would 
be put out, or if not too swift, the boat would be held 
until he ascertained, as he invariably did, that his "bite" 
was the bottom. I might write pages about what Haynes 
did and didn't do for me on some of these trips, but I 
have already made this far too long. Old man, whether 
you are with me or not, you are not forgotten. 
C. M. White. 
Warrenton, Va. 
Dynamtting Lake Hopatcong Bass. 
New York, June 8. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
Charles W. Levering (only son of the Doctor we have so 
often mentioned in your paper as a hunting and fishing 
friend for more than thirty years) is a chip off the old 
block, and inherits the enthusiasm in field sports from his 
father. He has just returned with his charming wife 
(who, by the way, outclasses her husband in luck with 
the big fish) from a ten days' vacation at Lake Hopat- 
cong. Mr. Levering is just boiling over with righteous 
indignation, and his language is vehement. He reports 
an outrageous state of affairs at that magnificent watering 
place. The dynamite fiend is largely in evidence. The 
open season for bass will not be on until the 15th inst, 
Mr. Levering reports, and will make affidavit to it, vouched 
for by many other reputable citizens, that one day last 
week along the shore between John Ingram's Coxe and 
Sharps Rock, something hke three-fourths of a mile, he 
counted 102 dead pickerel and bass. Opposite the resi- 
dence of Prof. Alexander Lambert, he discovered 
eighteen large fish of four or five pounds weight that 
must have been dynamited during the night, as several 
of the fish were still breathing, though their air bladders 
were burst. It is w-ell known that rnany fish when their 
bladders are broken by the concussion sink to the bot- 
tom, while others rise to the surface, and more than half 
are never gathered by the scoundrels. 
Cannot something be done to stop this infamous busi- 
ness? The penalty on dynamiting should be severe and 
imposed at once. It is earnestly hoped that the fish war- 
den stationed at the lake will leave no stone unturned to 
bring these miscreants to justice. 
Mr. L. says he caii get all the data needed in regard 
to these facts. jAooesxAFF. 
Massachusetts Fishermen. 
Boston, June 6. — Editor Forest and Stream: The secre- 
tary of the Old Colony Club, Mr. Charles H. Taylor, Sr., 
announces that the annual dinner will take place at some 
point on the shores of Buzzard's Bay in August. This is 
one of the numerous clubs that have been identified with 
the work of the Massachusetts Central Committee for 
Protection of Fish and Game since its formation three 
years ago. The club had as its representative on the 
executive committee at that time Mr. John S. Bleakie, of 
Boston and Falmouth. In the guarding of the interests 
of hook-and-line fishermen and in efforts to preserve for- 
est trees the club appeals to sportsmen, and the names of 
many of its iiiembers are enrolled upon the list of the 
State Association. Its president is Joseph Jefferson ; vice- 
presidents. Hon. C. S. Hamlin, Henry R. Reed and 
Gerard C. Yobey; and on its executive committee are 
the names of some of the leading citizens of Boston, as 
well as of the Cape towns. In the very stubborn fight 
made last year by the American Fisheries Company to 
regain the right of seining in the Bay, this club had the 
laboring oar, although aided materially by the Southeast- 
ern Massachusetts League of New Bedford, the State 
Association, and sportsmen generally throughout the 
Commonwealth. The club has an interesting history, and 
now that it is likely to have a respite, for a time, from 
its struggle against seiners would it not find work for the 
immediate future of equal importance in saving some of 
the beautiful forests of the Cape from the woodman's 
ax and from the devouring flames? We have no hesita- 
tion in suggesting this for their consideration, but unless 
abundant rain shall come soon it may be too late. The 
fate of the Chatham woods is already sealed. 
Deputy Thomas Stackhouse, of Marshfield Hills, re- 
ports that a fawn came upon his premises very near his 
house a few days since. A deer was seen on the Carlisle 
road about a mile from Bedford by Mr. Wm. Parker 
Jones and wife. He reports that it did not seem much 
frightened, and trotted off quite leisurely toward the 
Concord River near by. Within a year several deer have 
been seen about Bedford, and it is thought there are a 
good many of them living in the thick woods along the 
river and to the east of the village. There is evidence 
that there are now more or less of these animals in every 
county of the State. The close time of five years more 
should enable thefn to become quite numerous if they 
are able to find "sufficient food. 
Capt. Hahn,^''of the United States Fish Commission 
schooner Grarnpus, recently shipped from Portland 300 
seed lobsters to the Gloucester Hatchery, and he reports 
the season has been excellent for gathering and that each 
lobster averages a yield of 20,000 eggs, which is much 
above the' usual number. 
Chairman Collins informs me that he has given instruc- 
tions to the deputies to make an example of all culprits 
who fail to observe the new law against the use of ex- 
plosives in fishing waters, and he would not be surprised 
any day at having a case in court. 
Only a few of the Massachushetts anglers who went to 
Maine for the early fishing have returned yet, for al- 
though there have been fires to interfere with fishing in 
some places, they have not interrupted those on the large 
lakes, and those who went for the trolling are many of 
them getting sport with the i\y, or will very soon. 
A recent issue of the Portland Advertiser contains an 
interesting account of a trip to Moosehead from Mr. 
Frank L. Shaw, president of Shaw's Business College, 
Portland, who is one of the best known of Maine's fisher- 
men and hunters. His trip occupied ten days, and his 
time was spent chiefly at Northeast Carry. On the after- 
noon of his arrival in two hours he took 7 square-tail 
trout averaging nearly 2 pounds; others took larger ones 
and the fish are running larger than ever before — more 
fish over two pounds are caught than of those less than 
a pound. He has a camp sixteen miles from the Carry, 
and here one morning, he tells us, "looking out of the 
window I saw thirty-three deer feeding in the fields not 
200 yards away. I counted them several times, and am 
sure of the number." 
Secretary Phippen, of the Megantic Club, left Boston 
to-day Avith several friends for the preserve. "Stephie" 
Johnson showed me a letter from Mr. G. M. Kirkner, of 
New York, written at the club house telling of fires not 
far from the club limits. Mr. Kirkner is accompanied 
by several friends and will go to his camp on Arnold 
Pond. Mr. Johnson is going with his family on Tuesday 
for a long stay on the preserve. 
The first fish of the season caught at Upper Dam was 
taken by a well-known Boston angler, a regular visitor 
to the Rangeleys for many years, Mr. Eugene Lynch, 
weight 9 pounds. Good catches continue to be made at 
Clearwater, and a 4-pound salmon has been taken from 
Tuft's Pond, Kingfield ; and it is reported that 780 trout 
were taken from Carrabassett River last week. 'No doubt 
the condition of the water, owing to the drought, is con- 
ducive to good fishing there. 
The reports which have appeared in Boston daily 
papers several times of late that Barker's camps at Bemis 
were in danger from the fires that have been raging in 
the vicinity are contradicted by later news, and fishermen 
on the lakes are keeping right on with the sport and with 
good results. Venders of large angle worms are making 
it easy for bait-fishermen to follow ex- President Cleve- 
land's advice to use good bait. The experienced angler 
is never stingy with his bait, knowing well that a good 
big mouthful is what tempts the big fish. Mr. A. A. Sar- 
gent, of Haverhill, is at Rangeley Lake, this being his 
forty-fifth season at the lakes. One of the most en- 
thusiastic fisliermen here is Dr. F. W. Palfrey, of Boston, 
this being his first visit. Mr. S. W. Foye, of Worcester, 
is happy over his capture of an 8-pound salmon. Mr. 
Fletcher Pope, manager of the Phillips & Rangeley Rail- 
road, has several guests at his cottage at Gull Pond. 
The first to win success in fly-casting at Bemis is an 
old-timer, Mr. E. F. Coburn, of Lawrence. 
At Pond-in-River an 8^-pound salmon was taken by 
an expert lady angler, Mrs. Harry Dutton, of Boston. 
Hon. F. W. Rollins, ex-Governor of New Hampshire, 
and his companion, a Boston angler, have taken several 
good fish, making the Birches his headquarters. Col. R. 
A. Tuttle, of Boston, Col. C. F. Hutchins and others, of 
New York, are located in their cottage at Lake Point. 
Hon. George E. Smith, ex-president of the Massa- 
chusetts Senate, with two well-known members of the 
Megantic Club, is at Haines Landing. 
A Record Salmon, 
To a Bostonian, who is a Pullman conductor, belongs 
the honor of taking a salmon larger than any ever be- 
fore taken in the Rangeleys. His name is George T. 
McNeil, and the fish caught last Tuesday weighed 16^2 
pounds. The fight lasted a good hour. 
The largest trout of the season, weighing 7^4 pounds, 
was taken by the wife of Hon. Seth L. Carrabee, of Port- 
land. Central. 
Maine Fishing Waters. 
Bangor, Me., June 6. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
With the passing of the cold spring days and the ap- 
proach of the hot weather, the fish in Maine waters 
are beginning to lose somewhat their appetite for the 
live bait and the worm, and execept in those varieties 
which never raise to the artificial lure, to come up 
with a rush when the proper fly is presented to them. 
Still, in some of the colder waters, which rarely get 
warm because of very high altitude and correspondingly 
low temperature, the fish will take bait,' particularly the 
earth worms, throughout the season. 
Although there have not been quite as many fisher- 
men at Moosehead the past week as during the pre- 
ceding weeks, still there have been enough to make it 
very interesting for the fish, and there has been some 
splendid sport, the square-tails predominating at some 
localities in the big lake, while in others the results 
were confined almost exclusively to the less aristo- 
cratic togue or, as the residents say, laker. And a 
good many of these have furnished nearly as good 
sport as their red-spotted cousins, since they grow 
to immense size, and, caught in very deep water, al- 
ways come to the hook with a strong determination 
to take everything in sight and get away with it. 
Probably no one party has had greater success than 
the Camp Comfort Club, which occupies the delight- 
fully located club camp on the west shore, near Sand 
Bar, where some of the great records of Moosehead 
have been made in past years by the members, who are 
largely Rhode Islanders. In the party this year were 
Commodore D. L. Fales, C. Fred Crawford, J. W. 
Freeman, A. G. Hazard, John Booth, Dr. Charles F. 
Sweet, George Sweet, Charles S. Foster, of Central 
Falls; C. E. Harrison, J. Milton Payne, Charles Payne, 
of Pawtucket; Hon. Fred Parker, of Providence, and 
AVm. P. McKinney, of Boston. 
The best fishing they enjoyed in any one day was 
when they safely landed a total of 156 fish, which in- 
cluded 148 square tails, 7 togue and a landlocked sal- 
mon. But that was not the only day for records, as 
on some others, when they did not take nearly as 
many fish, they took some record breakers for size. 
Charles Payne led the party on salmon, his big one 
weighing plump 6>4 pounds, while the largest trout, a 
5!^-pounder, rose to the occasion when Mr. Parker 
came along, and Mr. Hazard had no other record left 
to him but the togue, which he made in fine style, land- 
ing a 15-pound fish after a hard struggle — on the fish's 
part. Such big fish are an old story to Mr. Hazard, 
who has been coming to Moosehead for so many years 
that the big ones naturally go his way to see if he can 
fish as well as ever. Other fish worthy of mention 
were: Mr. Parker, 4, 4^-pound trout and 6^-pound 
salmon; Mr. Booth, 3, 3, 3%, 4^-pound trout, and sVz- 
pound salmon; Mr. Crawford, 4, 4^2 and 4-}4-pound 
trout. 
Another club, which had a most delightful outing, is 
the Mohawk Club, of Haverhill and. Boston, a list of 
which was given in last week's letter. Seen on their 
way home by your correspondent, they went into ecsta- 
cies over Maine's great inland sea, and said that, al- 
though they had fished Maine waters every year for 
twelve or fourteen years and tried many reputed to be 
the best, they invariably returned to old Moosehead as 
the best of them all. They, too, had all the fish the 
law would allow them to carry home, and delightful 
memories of those eaten in camp, fresh from the water 
and cooked as only a Maine guide, in the Maine woods 
and aided by the fresh, appetite-giving air of Maine, 
can cook them for hungry men. Mr. Traiser had the 
sport of his life one da}', when he landed 14 trout on 
a fly in just three-quarters of an hour, while Mr. lleintz 
added to Boston's reputation by taking into camp 2 
togue that weighed gYz and 7}^ pounds, and a S^- 
pound trout. Mr. Davis caught a lo^-pound togue, 
and President Arnold was obliged to content himself 
with a 3>^-pound trout. 
W. W. Doane, of Brewer, and N. E. Bragg, of Ban- 
gor, have returned from two weeks at Deer Island, 
where they had some great sport, catching some very 
large square tails and some extra good togue. 
Henrjf E. Capen, of Augusta, whose boyhood was 
spent on Deer Island, has to catch fish there every 
Spring or part of his life's gone. This year he was 
there as usual, occupying his camp on the point, and 
took all the fish he wanted to catch, carrying home his 
full limit, all trout and weighing up to 3}A pounds. 
Messrs. Archer, Evans and Smith, of Salem, Mass., 
who have been staying at the Crow's Nest, Sandy Bay, 
had some magnificent sport there among the big fish, 
catching square tails up to 4^/2 pounds, and some large 
togue. A. B. Seelye, of Boston, went to the same 
place for a week's stay, but had such good luck that he 
decided to go home, and left in three daj'S with his 
limit, with a large proportion of square tails. 
Dr. W. James Starbuck and wife, of Boston, have re- 
turned home from their private camp on Lake Onawa, 
with 41 pounds of salmon and trout. During their stay 
they entertained Hon. J. Frank Lawrence, of Chicago, 
who took on the troll 10 salmon. 
Dr. Frederick Freeman, Dr. George H. Earle, Dr. 
J. J. Loizeaux and Frank D. Wilde, of Boston, have 
gone home after a delightful trip through the Fish 
River system of lakes, starting at Portage. They were 
in ten days and enjoyed some great fishing. 
The Richards party, just out from a stay at the 
Richards camp on Foster Knowlton Pond, reports a 
spler^d.id time and. the trQut fishing they could stand, 
