542 
FOREST AND STREAM 
December, 1921 
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ANGLING FOR UNIMPORTANT FISHES 
FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY FISHING FOR THE ART ITSELF THERE ARE 
MANY OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WAY OF HUMBLE KINDS OF FISH 
F EW anglers of the United States 
content themselves with anything 
less than a wild plunging creature 
on their rods as it goes rushing 
through mountain torrents or battles in 
salt waters where the waves give added 
resistance in favor of the hooked prize; 
looking forward always to Visits to south- 
ern waters where the lordly tarpon with 
its sheen of polished silver will be theirs 
at no very distant date. This is well 
enough and is most laudable indeed, but 
the way of disappointment is a much 
travelled path and in the desire for the 
glories of conquest of supremely game 
fish they are prone to overlook the de- 
lights to be had in hours of “catched up” 
leisure which lie all about them in the 
way of humble species which, when prop- 
erly followed, give true enjoyment on 
rod and reel. These are to be met with 
on nearly every stream, both salt and 
fresh, and would be regarded in any 
land save our own as prizes well worth 
while. 
A MONG the many fish which may be 
classed as unimportant in some 
phases are the flounders or, as they are 
sometimes termed, “mud dabs.” They 
are, however, to be 
classed rather among 
the humbler varieties 
than among the un- 
important ones, as 
they embrace a nu- 
merous family and 
are a most important 
article of food. The 
species with which the 
angler is familiar is 
the common river 
flounder, and is to be found in most of 
the tidal streams of the Atlantic coast 
from the Chesapeake Bay to as far 
north as Labrador, where they are said 
to be very abundant during the sum- 
mer months. Along the middle Atlantic 
coast, however, they are much more 
abundant from February to May than 
at any other period of the year. They 
may be successfully sought in the deeper 
channels of our bays and rivers, prefer- 
ably where the tide sweep is not great, 
and always at the bottom. They prefer 
mud deposits where they can search out 
the worms and snails upon which they 
feed. They have an extremely small 
mouth hence are in no sense carnivor- 
ous as are their near relatives the plaice. 
Coming to us as they do in the winter 
By LEONARD HO LIT 
months they are welcome to an army of 
fishermen who defy the rigors of the 
cold months and on sunny days may be 
seen plying the gentle art where the fish 
are known to resort. Favorite places to 
search out these fish are where clam 
dredgers work. They turn over the 
muddy stratas and uncover the food on 
which these fish subsist. 
As their mouths are small it is neces- 
sary to use a hook about 1-0 in size 
and all tackle should be moderately light, 
as they are not a game fish as that term 
is understood. 
When no better condition prevails of 
churning up the bottom of the water the 
following method is sometimes resorted 
to: Select a piece of gas pipe of two 
inches diameter and have it drilled with 
several holes into which drive spikes 
leaving about two inches of their length 
protruding. Then lower the pipe with 
a stout twine attached over the side of 
the boat and drag it along the bottom. 
This will soon create a roily condition of 
The spot or Lafayette 
the water, and if flounders are about 
they will soon be present and make them- 
selves known on the hook. 
A NOTHER fish which gives true de- 
light to the one who is content with 
small fish and loves the gentle art for the 
art itself is the sand porgy. This fish 
is most uncertain in its movements and 
is thought by many to be the immature 
sea porgy or scup which enters the inlets 
to secure food as well as to escape its 
enemies. This belief is strengthened by 
the fact that years may go by between 
visits of this fish to a given locality. I 
have examined them minutely and am 
inclined to the belief that the claim is 
well founded that there is no difference 
between them save in size. As found 
they will ordinarily range in weight from 
one-half to three-quarters of a pound and 
are met with well up in tidal waters, 
lurking around grassy points and inva- 
riably on sandy bottoms, hence the name. 
They are best taken from a boat and 
where one is found others may be looked 
for with confidence. They are rarely 
found where the water is very deep, al- 
ways prefering to stay where the tide- 
way is not strong. A good stout trout 
rod and fine line with a small float 
should be used, so see that the bait, either 
clam or shedder crab, is just free of the 
bottom. 
As they take the bait with a decided 
boldness there is no uncertainty about 
the nature of the strike once it comes. 
The float is set in motion at a most 
rapid pace and kept down until the bait 
is all taken or the fisherman has made 
the strike. It is a decidedly pugnacious 
fish and will resist to the last its removal 
from its native ele- 
ment. It is a most 
delicious pan fish, and 
its capture is enjoyed 
to the utmost by those 
who go forth properly 
equipped for the sport. 
'T'HE spot or La- 
fayette, another 
small fish of our coast, 
is looked upon as a 
favorite among the many who enjoy 
quiet fishing. It is hailed with joy by 
children and women who go out in boats 
from the many points all along the coast 
where waters are not dangerously deep 
and where tideways are not swift enough 
to make rowing difficult. In size it 
ranges from five to eight inches in length 
but has been taken up to ten inches, al- 
though such a specimen must be regarded 
as extremely rare. 
It bites freely at clam and shedder 
crab bait and small hooks should be 
used, as the peculiar formation of its 
mouth, somewhat like the kingfish, ad- 
mits of the use of only a small hook. 
The Chestertown is admirably adapted 
to this fish as it has a low point and is 
thus readily taken in. The claim that it 
