438 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[JuNis 3, 190S. 
that which would necessarily be incurred in fishing on 
Canadian rivers, it seems to me that the Maine Commis- 
sioners have well earned their everlasting gratitude. 
Salmon and Landlocked Angling Compared. 
Now, it is sometimes said "landlocked fishing is all 
very well, but these fish are not like sea salmon either 
in gaminess, strength, or size." While this is, in a 
measure, true, the statement admits of qualification, for a 
good deal depends on the conditions under which the fish 
are hooked and played. A fifteen-pound landlocked, if 
hooked on the troll in deep water, does not make an 
energetic struggle, neither would a sea salmon of the 
same size hooked and played in water of equal depth. 
Both would give a determined resistance to the rod, but 
both would "sag down" as it were deep in the water 
doggedly and persistently, but they would not make fierce 
runs nor leap very often above the surface. 
But make fast to a landlocked in the pool below the 
Upper Dam and he would, in my opinion, give almost as 
much play as would a salmon in a pool of equal size on 
a Canadian stream ; not quite, of course, for the fresh- 
run fish just up from the sea possesses a vigor, a bril- 
liant energy and gaminess that is never found in a fish 
whose life is passed in fresh water. All this with heavy 
tackle, such as is ordinarily employed. 
Now, it may be said that the average weight of the 
landlocked is much below that of the sea salmon, and 
therefore cannot be expected to furnish as exciting sport. 
While it is true that the sea-going fish, as a rule, are 
heavier than the others, there are a great many land- 
locks taken nowadays which compare more than favor- 
ably with their cousins, as is shown in the May 6 issue 
of Forest and Stream, page 356. 
But the average weight of the landlocks is constantly 
increasing, while that of the sea salmon is as surely de- 
creasing, the thirty and forty-pounders which used to 
come to the gaff now being few and far between. This 
steady decrease in the size of the salmon has already 
been treated cf by me in Forest and Stream, Dec. 19, 
1903, and I will not further dwell on it here. The de- 
crease in size of the fish has been accmpanied by a de- 
crease in numbers, the annual catch falling away steadily, 
J ear by year, as is shown by the annual reports of the 
(epartment of Marine and Fisheries of Canada; that for 
1904, recently published, showing a very great falling off 
from that of previous years, the figures being for the 
Maritime Province in 1903 about 2,850,000 pounds, while 
that of 1894 amounted to 3,714.955 pounds, a shrinkage 
of nearly one million pounds in nine years. 
This steady decline of the Atlantic salmon fisheries 
points to an inevitable end unless the destruction wrought 
by the netters shall be greatly curtailed, and it may not 
be many years before the dependence of salmon anglers 
must be placed on the so-called landlocks, whose numbers 
are not decimated by nets, weirs, pounds, dynamite, etc. 
Another danger to which the Atlantic salmon is ex- 
posed is that from the poachers, whose dastardly work 
seems to be increasing. One can hardly find a Canadian 
river on the shores of which remnants of rolls of birch 
bark are not visible, those rolls having been lighted and 
used as torches to guide the netters and spearers in their 
nefarious work. 
_ One of _my correspondents, in referring to this condi- 
tion of things, says, that a distinguished gentleman late- 
ly deceased, owned, '"by riparian rights, the very best 
salmon pools on the Southwest Miramichi, at Rocky 
Point, Clearwater and Burnt Hill. These he had not 
visited for a number of years nor had anyone represent- 
ing him or his associates in the ownership. This has al- 
ways been a matter of surprise to me, for I considered 
them the best salmon pools in New Brunswick. When I 
saw his death announced I advised a friend to get them 
as a good investment if the price was not out of reason. 
His reply was as follows : 
" T do not think the investment would be a good one 
unless one had the money to guard the stream well below 
the pools you mention._ There is a great deal of netting 
at the mouth of the river and a great deal of poaching 
along the river below these pools, and unless one had 
money enough to put on plenty of guardians and influ- 
ence to stop this netting, these pools will never be again 
Worth a great deal of money.' " 
To this my friend, in commenting says : "From this 
you will see how little hope there is for any improve- 
ment in the future. It shows that nothing but the strict 
and costly guardianship of the Restigouche, Metapedia, 
Nepisiquit and Cascapedia rivers save them from the de- 
pletion that has befallen the Miramichi, where the guar- 
dianship is a mere farce. 
Salmo salar has a hard time, and the end is not 
yet. Now in angling for sea salmon the ordinary 
salmon rod and tackle are employed, no matter 
how small the average of fish in the river may be, 
some of the streams rarely containing fish which much 
overrun eight pounds in weight, but in the Maine lakes, 
notably the Rangeleys, light fly-tackle is often success- 
fully employed, and with lars^e fish at that, one gentleman 
of my acquaintance having, last year, killed a 12V10 
pound salmon on a No. 6 hook. He uses on these large 
fish quite sinall hooks and light tackle. He sent me a 
short time ago a specimen of the Tomah-Jo fly which 
had recently been tied for him, and it was really small 
for a trout fly even. Salmon anglers would arch their 
eyebrows if asked to kill a fresh run fish on so small a 
hook, but my friend will use no larger ones, and kills six 
to eight-pound fish on Nos. 12 or 10 hooks. 
Now, I consider that, bearing in mind the axiom, "The 
lighter the tackle the keener the sport," my friend's sal- 
mon fishing is far and away ahead of that which falls to 
most men. 
The Identity of the Landlocks. 
In a recent letter from an old friend is the following: 
'You are an authority on landlocked salmon fishing. I 
think the first time I met you years ago was on the 
steamer which you boarded at Eastport, returning from 
one of your fishing trips. What I want to ask is, how 
large are these fish taken in Maine? My brother, who 
fishes on the St. Croix waters, says they rarely are taken 
there over 4^ to 6 pounds. I see in Forest and 
Stream, May 6 issue, that this species has been caught 
in Sebago Lake in April, this season, weighixig as hi^ 
as nineteen pounds. Are these true landlocked salmon? 
Do you know whether as soon as the ice goes out, they 
are taken on the fly, or by trolling with spoon or bait?" 
In answering my friend's inquiries I stated that all the 
so-called landlocked salmon of Maine and elsewhere are 
of one species and that species is identical with the At- 
lantic salmon, but they vary in general appearance just 
as the sea-going salmon vary. The educated angler can 
identify a Restigouche fish at a glance, there is almost 
no chance for a mistake. 
So with the landlocks, there is something about the 
Sebago fish which establishes its identity at once; it is 
as different from the St. Croix salmon as is the Resti- 
gouche fish from the others. As to size and condition, 
these depend entirely upon the abundance of food to 
which they have access. The landlocks of the St. Croix 
system, in consequence of the comparatively meager sup- 
ply of food obtainable, rarely attain a greater weight 
than four or five pounds, and fish of that size are not 
very abundant; they are much larger than they were in 
the sixties, their average weight then being hardly two 
pounds. But plant the young of these same St. Croix 
salmon in the Rangeley Lakes, where there is an aston- 
ishing amount of food, and they will attain a Weight of 
twelve or more pounds in a very few years. 
So_ with the Sebago salmon; their supply of food is 
prodigious, and as a result fish overrunning twenty 
pounds have been taken. 
As to the manner of fishing, I think that all the sal- 
mon in the Maine lakes are taken with the troll early, or 
as soon as the ice goes out, and along through the spring, 
but in the late summer and early autumn they refuse 
the troll but come to the artificial fly. 
Lake Bait Fishing for Black Bass. 
There is no fish, considering its size, that surpasses 
the black bass for gameness. It is the very embodi- 
ment of energy and wiliness. Captious to a degree, it 
is never possible to know just what its appetite calls 
for. To-day it is frogs, to-morrow helgramites. now 
minnows, anon crickets; so as to crawfish, shrimip, 
worms and other sorts of bait. But when it bites, as a 
rule it bites viciously, and hooked, makes a fierce 
fight for freedom. Many manage to escape. All the 
skill of the most expert fisherman is required to be a 
successful black bass angler. And, further, no small 
consideration, the black bass is a most excellent table 
fish. These remarks apply equally to each variety — 
the small-mouth and the large. 
There is nothing surprising, therefore, as its habitat 
is pretty much all parts of our country, that black bass 
fishing has become common in America and is at- 
tracting a constantly increasing number of anglers, and 
that all first-class fishing tackle establishments devote 
themselves largely to providing suitable weapons that 
the fisherman may wage victorious battle with this 
doughty knight. But in spite of the abundance and ac- 
cessibility of what the black bass angler requires it is 
desirable for him to have considerable knowledge of 
his needs before he enters one of these establishments 
to procure an outfit, that he may purchase sagaciously 
and enconomically. 
This article will have in view what such a fisherman 
requires in lake bait fishing, and will give some hints 
as to the modus operandi in angling. 
First, as to the rod, or, better, rods. The Henshall 
bait rod, 8^ft. in length, weight, in split bamboo, 8oz., 
is about right for all-round rod. Henshall, and others, 
think it the ideal rod for casting; but the writer does 
not, preferring a rod about 6ft. in length, weighing in 
split bamboo about 70Z. But for still-fishing, especially 
from a boat, the Henshall rod is perfection. The split 
bamboo is the best rod made, but only when it is a 
fine one. Better by far not indulge in it unless it is of 
the best workmanship. A good lancewood is every 
way preferable to even a middling split bamboo; and a 
steel is the thing if the angler is not prepared to put 
considerable money in a wood rod. Let it not be 
forgotten that it is a fatal blunder to go a-fishing for 
black bass with a poor rod. 
For bait-casting a multiplying reel is indispensable. 
Here again the best is none too good. It should hold 
from sixty to eighty yards of line, as the sizes are 
numbered. There is no difficulty in procuring a fine 
multiplying reel to suit any angler's taste, for almost 
any large fishing tackle establishment takes pride in 
trying to surpass every other in meeting the demands 
of the most fastidious. While the multiplying reel is 
not necessary in still-fishing, it is by no means a dis- 
advantage, and is not a drawback in fly-fishing. 
The line should be of hard braided silk, size H or 
G, for casting; G or F for still-fishing and trolling. A 
waterproof line is capital for still-fishing and trolling, 
but is generally not suitable for bait-casting. Fifty 
yards on the reel is about the right length. 
As to hooks, the writer prefers Pennell Limerick, 
turn-down-eye, bronzed hooks, size i or 2. They cost 
much more than the ordinary hooks, but are well worth 
the difference. 
Floats are sometimes necessary, as when one is fish- 
ing over snags or grass. They should be rather small, 
2Hin. or 3in., and of a make that can be readily put 
on or taken off the line. 
For still-fishing the sinker should be only heavy 
enough to keep the bait down in the water. For bait- 
casting the weight of the sinker depends upon the 
weight of the bait. A minnow is often sufficiently 
heavy without any additional weight. If the swivel 
sinker is used a swivel can be dispensed with in casting; 
otherwise it is necessary. One of the smaller sizes 
should be used, and of brass, not steel. 
A landing net is required. To attempt to land black 
bass without it is folly; it would mean a broken rod 
and line and the escape of the fish in all likelihood. It 
pays to own a strong, well-made collapsible landing net, 
such as can be found at any first-class fishing tackle 
shop. 
The possession of a floating bait pail is desirable. 
An oval pail that holds about ten quarts will serve the 
purpose. The anglers should never forget how de- 
pendent his minnows are upon fresh water and keep 
the floating pail as much in the lake as possible, but 
when he must keep it out, change the water frequently. 
In trolling and. in easting the bass will often bite 
freely at a spoon bait, it will sometimes be found that 
if a piece of pork be attached to the hook of the spoon- 
lure its attractiveness will be greatly increased. The 
pork used is a small portion of rind about half an inch 
long and an eighth of an inch wide bisected almost its 
entire length, so as to make two frog-like quivering 
le!?s when drawn through the water. Several spoons in 
the kit should be a matter of course. Other artificial 
lures are as good, but none better. 
The black bass angler needs a tackle box. The best 
is made of leather, but a very serviceable one is made of 
tin. A box of ample dimensions should be had, for 
many odds and ends accumulate as the seasons conie 
and go — odds and ends the angler does not feel like 
discarding. 
A creel should be owned by every black bass fisher- 
man. While not very large, it should be ample. Its 
existence is a Sign of his being a man of hopes and 
its afflplitude of his great expectations. 
All sorts of bait boxes are easily obtainable, but the 
writer thinks the angler as a rule will act wisely in 
making his own, to be thrown away at the end of the 
season. A small tin pail with numerous holes in the 
sides and top and filled with fresh leaves is just the 
thing for helgramites. A frog box can be quickly con- 
structed out of any wooden box of suitable size, by cut- 
ting away part and tacking on wire\gauze, and arrange 
ing a trap door in the top just large enough for the 
hand to enter. For worms there can always be found 
a tin can about the house. Only a little, ingenuity is 
required to make bait receptacles with scarcely any 
monetary outlay, if any at all, and but an hour or so 
of labor. 
Fishing from a boat is the inost successful and the 
most comfortable. A broad> flat-bottomed boat is 
preferable. It should have anchors attached to both 
end.s, 
The cast is very simply rigged. A swivel sinker, if 
one is needed; otherwise only a swivel is attached to 
the end of the line; to that the snell of the hook, and 
the hook is run through the lips of a minnow or a 
frog. Where a spinner is used, it is attached in place 
of the snelled hook, a short piece of treble gut being 
used instead of the snell. Casting is difficult, though ap-" 
parently simple. The would-be caster had better see 
how an expert does it, and then go off and practice. 
After two or three days of trial he will do well enough 
to acquire proficiency by actual fishing. 
In casting with the minnow or frog, when the bass 
takes the bait it should be allov/ed to have it for a few 
seconds before being struck. Often it will seize it by 
the tail or legs, and only after Several seconds turn it 
about SO' as to take the hook in its mouth. 
Trolling is best done With artificial bait. The line is 
trailed behind the boat extending sixty or seveilty feeti 
held by the hand or, preferably, by a rod. The casting 
rod is well adapted to trolling. When other modes of 
fishing fail this often proves effective. 
Still-fishing is greatly enjoyed by many. The boat 
is anchored at both ends and the line is thrown out into 
the lake baited with frog or minnow or helgramite or 
crawfish or cricket, or some other lure of which the 
bass are fond. The frog or minnow, or whatever the 
bait, should now be alive under all circumstances. The 
minnow should be hooked just in front of the dorsal 
fin, and kept from the bottom. Though it is not to be 
forgotten that occasionally the fish will preferably eat 
from the bottom. 
When a black bass bites at such a bait as a cricket, 
it is to be struck immediately by a slight jerk, but when 
it bites at a frog or minnow or any other similar bait, 
it must be given time. Only after it has run off with it 
and pulls steadily should it be struck. 
' When hooked then comes the contest. The fish will 
plunge and leap, and, unless the angler is on his guard, 
will get away. No slack line should be allowed it, and 
it should always feel the elasticity of the rod. Gradu- 
ally it should be reeled in, and when close to the boat 
and exhausted brought over the landing net and lifted 
out of the water. A smart blow with a stick upon its 
head will kill it almost instantly and make it none the 
worse for food. Dead' it should be laid in the creel ' 
upon fresh grass and kept out of the sun. 
In every lake black bass have their favorite resorts. 
Many of these are discovered only by chance. One 
who is unfamiliar with a lake does well to learn from 
those who have fished it the likely spots. Speaking 
generally, sand bars, rocky places, and where there are 
stumps and submerged bushes are the favorable 
grounds. When there is a slight ripple is ordinarily 
the time to fish, but sometimes in a gale of wind or in 
a dead calm the biting is all that could be desired. 
There seems to be no advantage in geting out early 
in the morning. Seven or eight o'clock is as good an 
hour as four or five. Generally the fishing is better in 
the morning and the evening. But whatever the hour 
when the black bass bite there is rich sport — full com- 
pensation for all the patience and labor of the angler 
against that moment when the gamy fish leaps into 
the air and the reel sings merrily. 
Cornelius W. Morrow. 
Tennessbb. 
Tfout Fishing: in the Sapphite Cottntry of 
North Carolina. 
Lake Toxaway, N. C, May 22. — Fishing in streams 
is fine, and that in the lakes is opening up earlier this 
season. At Lake Sapphire guests have been taking the 
limit within a couple of hours. One day recently Mr. J. 
Wilbur Russell, of Philadelphia, took in Lake Toxaway 
a brook trout weighing a pound and a half. Numerous 
rainbows of this and a larger size have been taken. The 
trout season promises to be one of the most successful 
we have ever had here. 
A Boston spinster owns a dog. 
One of those nigh toned "towsers." 
That's so well bred and nice, 'tis said, 
He never pants — he ''trousers." 
I 1 ' —Philadelphia Post, 
