98 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
Ice-Fishermen Adrift. — A largo field of ice on Saginaw 
Bay, near Bay City, Wis., broke loose one day last week, 
carrying with it out into the lake fifteen of the fishermen, who 
had remained in their shanties. They were rescued after a 
day’sjadventure and peril. 
Something New fob Anglers. — Mr. S. F. Fisher, a jew- 
eler, of Columbia, Tennessee, has just obtained a patent on a 
reel that has many points of merit. It multiplies four and 
one-fifth times; has an alarm and rubber that are thrown in 
and out of gear by milled knobs. The spool runs on tempered 
steel points, is accurately balanced, and fits the cap so closely 
that it is impossible for dust to get in. It lias compensating 
screws at ends of spool, and can be oiled without taking off 
cap. They are so accurate and finely finished that one will 
last a lifetime with proper care. Mr. Fisher is makiug 
arrangements to manufacture them in quantities, aDd as soon 
as be gets his orders filled, will put them on sale in all the 
principal cities where, we are confident, they will meet with 
rapid sales. 
Maokebel and Soup as Food ,for Cod. — Early this week 
Captain Masher, of the schooner Mary and Carrie, while fish- 
ing some six miles south of Sandy Hook, when catching cod, 
on opening them, found in some of the larger fish scup, or 
porgie, and mackerel, the latter weighing about a pound. 
These fish had furnished food for the cod quite recently. 
Now this, if proved to be true, may point to some very im- 
portant facts. The question arises, “Do the mackerel or 
scup winter near our shores ?” Mackerel are caught off our 
immediate shores in the later part of April, and porgie or 
scup toward the close of this month (March). This finding, 
then, of these particular fish in the cod should be more 
thoroughly understood. Professor Spencer F. Baird, of the 
Smithsonian, is very desirous of having these facts verified. 
Will the fishermen who are after cod in the vicinity, should 
they find any mackerel or scup in the cod, be good enough to 
preserve the mackerel or scup, and forward them at once to 
E. G. Blackford, of Fulton Market, New York, so that the 
fish may be sent to Washington for verification. The mi- 
gratory fish, it seems, will be narrowed down after a while, 
but it is only by means of constant observation that positive 
facts can be determined. 
Pasqoe Island— Mr. Editor : Pasque Island is situated 
about twelve miles south of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 
lying between that city and the Island of Martha’s Vineyard, 
and being one of the group of tlje Elizabeth Islands. It is 
about one-and-a-balf miles long, by one-half to three-quarters 
of a mile wide in its widest part, and containing over oue 
thousand acres. Its surface is undulating, with abrupt and 
rocky shores, with here and there a sandy beach, which affords 
fine bathing. The island is covered with grass, which affords 
fine pasturage. Many years ago it was heavily wooded, but 
to-day there are only two or three stunted cedars, with the 
exception of the young shade trees that have been planted 
around the house by the club. It is asserted that the timbers 
in the old farm house, the only dwelling on the island except 
the club house, were hewn from Dative trees. 
This island was purchased in 1867 by a Dumber of gentlemen, 
and a club formed, incorporated under the laws of Massachu- 
setts, by the name of “ Pasque Island Corporation,” which 
to-day has about forty-five members. They have built a pretty 
and substantial two-and-one-half story club-house, stable, ice- 
house and other outbuildings for the comfort and accommoda- 
tion of themselves and guests during the fishing season, which 
commences about June 20 and ends about October 15. A few 
years since, on account of the increasing membership, some 
ten members clubbed together and built and furnished at their 
own expense a wing of two and-one-half stones to the main 
buildiDg, divided into rooms, which are their private property, 
and only occupied by them, except by their permission. The 
club-house and wing has a wide covered piazza running around 
it on three sides, so that upon the hottest day, which is rarely 
eighty degrees in the shade, you can always find a cool and 
shady place with a good breeze. One of its luxuries is the 
cool nigbt6, as it is seldom but that you need a blanket over 
you, and there is no annoyance from mousquitoes. Pasque 
Island is the healthiest and pleasantest place I know of to 
spend a few weeks vacation with one’s family. 
Stands are erected at all the best fishing points around the 
island, to which are fastened chairs for the comfort of the 
aDgler. There is a record kept of the striped bass taken each 
day, by whom, weight, etc., no account being taken of any 
other fish. Those who do not wish to try the bass can take a 
boat and anchor almost anywhere off shore and take all varie- 
ties of bottom fish found upon the New England coast. Blue- 
fish and weakfish afford fine eport, and are very abundant. 
Often the bluefish run as large as twelve pounds, and are so 
plenty a9 to give one all the sport he wants with rod and reel, 
and which affords more sport than any other way of taking 
them. 
The club owns three mules and wagons, which convey the 
anglers to and from their fishing stands and bring home the 
day’s catch. 
It is not unusual or rare to take bass as large as forty or 
fifty pounds. Aug. 16, 1873, the writer killed one of fifty 
pounds after a fight of half an hour, which tested his tackle 
and skill. The 6port it afforded him will never be forgotten. 
Section 2 in the certificate of incorporation prohibits sein- 
ing or takmg fish within forty rods of the shore in any other 
■mode than by hook and line, under a penalty of a fine for each 
offence. 
We have a fine garden, with a professional gardener, which 
supplies all varieties of fresh vegetables to the table. We 
have our own cows, raise our own chickens and eggs, and 
only rely upon the main land for our meats, which are sent 
us twice a week from New Bedford by a propeller chartered 
by the club to convey passengers and freight to and from the 
island. 
You see our table is supplied with everything necessary for 
the comfort of the inner man, unequalled by the best hotels 
of the most fashionable Bummer resorts. Your readers may 
tbiDk I am an enthusiast, and so I am when Pasque Island is 
the subject. I would not sell my share of membership for 
$5 000 could I not procure another. 
As the summer approaches my impatience is great to once 
more migrate to my beloved Pasque Island. 
Labbax Lineatos. 
New York, Feb. 25, 1878. 
WHERE SOME GOOD TROUT FISHING 
CAN BE HAD. 
Mr. Editor: Fifteen years ago I mvic my first visit to the far-famed 
trout steams of Malue. Every year slnco then (but one) those grand 
old mountains and beautiful streams have welcomed me to their wild 
wood home. Ten years have passed since I hilled my “ large fish." I 
bad been a faithful follower ol Sir Isaac for live years, and flattered 
myftlf that I knew where the big ones lay, and that I knew how to 
take them. Many a hard fight have I had wlih large fish since that 
time, but never with so largo a fish, and under such disadvantages. 
It was the last day hut oue of September, ISOS, that I stood ou “ Jig 
Rock ” In the sun, between Trout Cave and the Rips, above .the Upper 
Dam damp. I could see heavy fish rising occasionally Just below, 
slowly but surely making their way up towards mo. At last a monster 
fish broke water about fifty feet below mo- 
With a half turn of the wrist, and a gentle movement of the arm, the 
“ Jay bird " pitched upward and outward, and lande ' as gently as a 
snowflake some forty feet away. A gleam of golden light shot up- 
ward, the water parted, and, good heavens 1 what a mouth closed over 
the fly. and sank from Sight. To say I struck blin hard would be 
stating it lightly, for the leader “twanged ” like a cross-bow With 
a mighty rash he found his way up stream past me, and as I had a fair 
view of his great length and size, I fairly •* shook in my boots." Up 
stream for a hundred feet, and as I put the pressure on, aided by the 
swift current, he lurned down stream. Down past me he rushes with 
a velocity that makes the water hiss as the line outs through It. As ho 
nears the Rlps-tho pressure Is brought to bear ou his mouth, for he 
must be stopped now, or good-by to treat, leader and all. 
Sec ! the noble old green-heart Toil bends to the half circle. Never 
had Its faithfulness been pat to sacli a test ; but It came off conqueror 
at last. As the tront headed up stream once more, he came within ten 
feet of me, and ‘‘sulked ” at this tutu of affilrs, while I called loudly 
for a boat to take me off the rock. Just at this time his troutshlp 
turned a double somersault, and went tearing around like a race-horse. 
The rock I stool upon was cone shaped, and slippery at that, and had 
you seen me “waltztag around ” and “ catting up ” generally, you 
would have said it was rightly named “ Jig Rock.” 
At la^t I got into the boai, and continued the fight until he rolled up 
his golden sides near the surface, when the landing-net was passed 
under him, and he lay In the bottom of the boat. He measured twenty- 
seven and one-half inches In length, girted eighteen Inches around the 
body, and eight and one-halflnches aoross the tail when It was spread; 
his weight was lbs. He was measured and weighed In the pres- 
ence of twenty gentlemen, and all, without exception, said It was the 
'• boss tront,” and 1 thought so myself. 
I have had the pleasure of fishing In all the favorite places on the 
whole range of Richardson lakes and streams, and I prefer the upper 
dam fishing to any other, unless the fishermen are so thick that It Is 
Impossible to cast yonr fly within rifle shot of the dam without doing 
so over somebody’s head, which Is generally the case In the fall of 
the year. 
If a sportsman cares for comfort and good fishing also, I would ad- 
vise him to stop at the middle dam, for the cook— Mr. Frost— caunot he 
beaten by any man or woman In the Maine woods, and theaccommo- 
da'iona will be excellent, as Brooks, the proprietor. Is building a good 
hotel, 76x45 feet, two stories high, with eighteen good sleeping-rooms. 
The building will be completed by the time the lakes are open. The 
price of board will be reasonable, and no one will go away from the 
house dissatisfied. There Is to be a large Ice house connected with the 
establishment— a great Item In packing fish to tafce out to the woods. 
I understand the carriage to Umbagog Lake Is to be put in good condi- 
tion for buck board conveyance the coralDg season, making the place 
very easy of access, either by the way of Upton, wh - re Mr. 0. E. Reyer- 
son, the proprietor of Lake Hon?e, will see his guests well cared for, 
or by the way of Andover, where Mr. Thomas will welcome sports- 
men to as hospitable a house as there Is In Maine, while his good lady 
will see to It that you have plenty to eat, and excellently well prepared 
at that. 
I have had the pleasure of tracking over all the different routes to 
reach this lamous fishing ground. It one cares to go quickly, com- 
fortably and cheaply, take the Worcester and Nashua, Portland and 
Rochester route from Worcester, Mass., to Portland, Me., then the 
Grand Trunk RR. to Bryant Pond or Bethel, where stages will be In 
readiness for passengers. 
I shall hardly care to say that the conductors on this route are 
‘•angels In disguise," bnt It 1 b safe 10 i-ay they are gentlemen in every 
sense of the word, and passengers are made as comfortable as they 
would be at home ; aDd if yon 6hould chance to ask a question of the 
conductor, you need not reach for your shooting Iron, for the answer 
will be pleasant. The best thing about going this route is, you save 
hotel fare, also hack hire across the city of Boston both ways, audit 
saves one day's time from the lake to New York city or any part of 
Connecticut, which la a great Item when one has a nice lot of tront he 
wishes to keep, and is anxious to meet bis family— if be Is lncky enough 
to have one. 
In conclusion, let me say, If any one hae doubts about good fishing 
grounds at or near the Middle Dam Camp, I would whisper In the 
reader’s car that our parry of four gentlemen, in 1870, took 300 lbs. of 
trout, twelve of the largest welghmg 43 lbs., and all were hooked In the 
mouth at that. If fishermen cannot be satisfied with such sport as 
that, aud the facilities I have named for getting to the grounds, they 
ought never to have the privilege of “ netting a line” as loDg as their 
miserable lives are spared. e. T. W. 
KENTUCKY WATERS. 
Editob Forest and Stbbam : 
The first colnmn that we Kentuckians read In your good paper Is 
the fishing column. We shoot but little comparatively In this region, 
for the reason that game Is very scarce. A few birds each season are 
bagged by some enthusiastic gunners, who do not mind a day’s tramp, 
or of several days, for that matter, v, hlch will result In bringing to 
bag a half dozen partridges per diem. But when It comes to the 
“gentle art” of angling, the devotees at the shrine of good old Izoak 
are quite numerous and Indefatigable. In the days long agone, Ken- 
tuckians enjoyed a world-wide reputation as marksmen, and their 
feats with the rlflo have formed the attractive feature of many a story 
of actual history or wild romance That day has about passed. The 
deadly accuracy of their long rifles, or some other cause, has almost 
eradicated thefcame of our good Slate, and those who seek recreation 
afield In these degenerate times are forced to be content with wbat 
amusement they may pluck from flitting time” by the more quiet 
banks of some tortuous stream, where black bass can be “ lnred to 
their undoing. " 
We have nuny streams In onr Stale tnat afford splendid sport to the 
angler. Onr larger streams, os the Keutucky end Licking Illvcr*, for 
some unknown reasoD, afford but meagre sport; hut Green and 8&lt 
Rivers, In the Southwestern part, and Rock Castle and the forks of the 
Cumberland, in the Southeast, together with Dlx River and Elk Horn 
Creek, In the central portions of the State, all afford One sport In bass 
and newllte (cropple) fishing. 
This brings me to remember the very Interesting note of “ Kentucki- 
an” In your Issue of 28th nit. from. 8tamford, and the comparative 
merits of the ordinary reels of the East and that made by Mr. Milam at 
Frankfort, known as the '• Meek's reel." Now, onr manner ami method 
of fishing hero may be peculiar and different from that which prevails 
at olher places, as wo use live bait and know but little of ny liaiiing i u 
fact, though I have Ashed for many years, and with a great mauy 0 f 
our most successful fishermen, I have never seen a fish taken with tho 
tiy, or even seen a regular fly-custlng lino, though the delicate, wispy 
fiy rods have now and theu been exhibited as curiosities. i u 011r ge " 
tlon we use a stiff bamboo or West India cane, 8>4 or 0 feet iong i rigg^ 
with wire loop at each alternate Joint, aud a Meek's reel, armed with a 
huudred yards of the finest gross or silk line. With such tackle and 
three buckshot as sinkers, any expert angler Is enabled to drop his 
minnow eighty or one hundred feet from him In any part of the streum 
I 10 may choose ; and for bottom fishing with a live minnow, no other 
taokle compares to It. Indeed, no one who aspires to be an angler ever 
tn inks of contenting himself with the best click or balance handle reel, 
although costing less than one-third the price of the Meek. They tofit 
not work; they faff to deliver the line rapidly enough to land your bait 
unharmed to iho distance It is necessary often to put it to inre the wary 
bass. An adept nover tangles his line. It Is only the result of awk- 
ward handling, aud never occurs when a fisherman U handling his own 
tackle. If the bobbin is very full, and the “ alarm " bears but lightly, 
It will run so fast as to tangle the line by over-running ; but the oxpert 
appreciates that, and with the tip of his thumb barely touching his bob- 
bin, regulates to a nicety its delivery, and his bait Is luudcd exactly 
where be elects, without the violent Jerking that oftpn deprives the 
poor minnow of Its life and Its usefulness when a reel is used with 
slower and harder delivery. Only very impecunious fishermen will b 
content to forego a Meek. It Is the dream of his life to be able to Invese 
*1S or $20 In a No. 2 or No. 3, and then his dream of life Is beatifically 
fulfilled. Our bass fishing in Elkhorn has Just opened. One gentlet 
man a few days since-March l -made a string of seven fine fellows- 
tlio largest weighing three pounds and the smallest one pound. Like 
your correspondent from Stamford, I have no oarthly Interest In the 
sale of these reels, but, being an enthusiastic angler, would llko to see 
my brethren of the craft armed with the best implements to be had. A 
little practice and some patience until the art la obtained, and the love- 
ly excellence of the Meek will endear It to every lover of perfect tackle 
Try again, brother anglers ; you will not regret It. Elkhorn. 
Midway, Ky., March 6. 
THE MEEK REEL AGAIN— A MEEK RE- 
PLY TO A MEEK MAN. 
Mb. Editor: I expected somebody. would “pick me up” for Inti- 
mating that the Meek reel was not all perfection In all kinds of fishing, 
and now I suppose that I have my hands full In answering my brother 
of Stamford, Kentucky, it Is not to oe wondered at tnat “ Kentuckian” 
should defend the merits and reputation of the Kentucky reel. I am 
glad, however, that he presents the case In such kindly language and 
friendly spirit It may be safely wagered that ho is a gentleman as well 
as a sportsman. 
Having persistently fished with this reel for fifteen years, in all sorts 
of weather and water. I ought to know something about It. Of course, 
one man may perform better than another (there is a knack about these 
things), and my assertion simply meant that I myself conld do better 
casting and more satisfactory work with a good balance reel than I 
could with a Meek, and I stick to It. Until within the two last years, 
I used nothing but the Kentucky reel, and even now always have one 
on hand when “oat fishing,” but prefer the other. I think that the 
Meek reel might be altered In some particulars so as to Improve Its 
qualities for casting. For Instance, It Is too wide for fifty yards of the 
fine linen or silk lines in use In bass flshlDg. Unless the line Is care- 
fully and evenly wound when reeling in, it has a tendency to bunch In 
the centre or on one aide ; then, woe betide yon on the next cast. [For 
Hallock on reels, see “Gazetteer," page 676.) No man ever did or 
could pay much attention to the manner his line went on the reel when 
taklDg In a four or live pound bas3. Whatever his intentions might be 
the fish would not permit It. Then, too, tho weight aud fight of the flsh 
packs the line tightly on the reel. The least impediment of this kind 
sends the reel whirling the other way and you have a tangled line 
—not that packing does not happen with other reels, but the effect Is 
not so disastrous 
A few days ago a pickerel was caught In Fowler Lake, Oconomowoc. 
weighing twenty-one pounds, and a day or two later a similar fish was 
taken from Silver Lake, two miles from the village— weight, twenty- 
three and a half pounds ; length, three feet six Inches. Come up, 
Kentucky I Geo. A. Shufbldt. 
Chicago, March 6, 1878. 
[The chief trouble with the Meek reel, in our opinion, is 
that it is too wide. With the shape of the Orvis reel, which 
is high and very narrow, the Meek reel would be vastly im- 
proved. It would take up line rapidly and more evenly, 
while the line would be less likely to foul on the parts project- 
ing on cither side of the rod. To obviate the latter difficulty 
entirely, adjust the reel plate so that it will screw into the ex- 
treme butt end of the rod. There is a gentleman, a jeweler, in 
Grand Rapids, Michigan, who affixes his reel in this manner, 
but his name has gone from us at present. — E d.] 
. — •- — 
A REEL WITH A HISTORY. 
Editor Fobest and Stream and Rod and Gun: 
I was much Interested in the article “ A Gun ’Sfith a History " in your 
issue of Feb. 14 . I have seen a salmon roel, which has, 1 1 hlok, a more 
Interesting history. It belonged to Dr. Livingston, and wbb used by him 
during one of his Journeys into Central Africa. It Is a large bronze reel, 
some four and a half Inches in diameter, aud one and three-fonrths In 
breadth, capable of holding three hundred yards of line. It Is now in 
the possession of Mr John P. Loeser, of Denver, Colorado, and was 
presented to him by the Rev. Horace Waller, vicar of Lsytonstone, 
England, who accompanied Dr. Livingston upon one of hie exploring 
trips In Africa. To Dr. L. there attaohes an interest, greater, perhaps, 
than to any traveler of modern times, and whatever belonged to him, 
or was used by him, must, In some dtgree, share that interest. As I 
looked at the reel there came Into my mind a vivid picture of the trials, 
privations, hardships, exposures, fatigues and dangers so bravely and 
oncomplalntogly borne by the courageous and true man, now, alasl de- 
parted, who once used It. ’ 0 . B. 
The Boston Shooting Shit.— Messrs. G. W. Simmons & 
Son, the Boston manufacturers of the well-known Shooting 
Suits, have found it necessary to appoint nn ugent in New 
York for the sale of their goods. Messrs. Fowler & Fulton, 
of 300 Broadway, New York, will be constantly supplied from 
Boston with a full slock of the shooting suits. If meu in the 
field only could appreciate what a comfort it is to have dry 
clothes oa, and how health is increased thereby, all sportsmen 
would buy the Boston shooting suits. Four kinds of suits are 
made, from $10 to $60. It is a perfect outfit, including a cap. 
In the $60 suit leggins are included. Messrs. Simmons & Son, 
of Oak Hall, Boston, supply hunters’ tents and patent decoys. 
