FOREST AND STREAM 
110 
M e:t ancl & iver S sl,i, t3- 
FISH IN SEASON IN APRIL. 
Brook Trout. 
SOUTH It HR VUTKM. 
Snapper. Trout (black ba«»). Sboepalioad. 
Grouper. Drum (two spuclca). Tnllorflah. 
RockUsU. Klugllsh. Sea liMJ. 
Fisn ix Market.— The pleasant Spring weather of the 
past few days has been the means of producing a decided 
improvement in the fish market, resulting iu largely in- 
creased supply and corresponding falling off in priqes. 
Especially is this the case with cod and haddock, large 
quantities now being caught along the Rhode Island, Long 
Wand and New Jersey coasts, and soiling this week for 
7 cents per pound. Halibut is worth 10 cents; striped bass 
from Potomac River, 20 cents. A few Delaware shad ar- 
rived on Tuesday morning and were sold at 75 cents each; 
Chesapeake shad are selling at 00 cents, while very fine 
large Norfolk fish can be had for 50 cents. Shrimps are 
worth 50 cents per quart; prawns same price. Smelts ta- 
pering off in supply, bring 20 cents per pound. Large 
quantities of Canada brook trout are selling for 30 cents 
per pound, while the cultivated trout sell for 75 cents to 
$1 25 per pound, according to*the locality from which they 
jome; live trout $1 50 per pound, in limited demand. A 
few green turtle are in market and sell for 20 cents per 
pound. California salmon arrive twice a week und sell at 
40 cents per pound for the whole fish, while choice cuts 
bring 50 cents. 
— The shad fishermen planted their first poles on Tuesday 
morniug just above Robin's Reef Lighthouse. 
— Sportsmen visiting Nova Scotia this season will find 
excellent tackle in Halifax, at the reputable houses of J. S. 
Egan, 22 Upper Water street and John II. Symonds, Gran- 
ville street. Flies adapted to the waters of the Iowa Pro- 
vinces can be best selected there. 
New' York — Adirondack *, March 25 th. — Adirondack 
weather unfavorable yet, snow in the woods three leet 
deep; ice in the lakes very thick. The probabilities are 
that the Spring fishing will be late, unless we have a de- 
cided thaw — a continued one — which owing to the fickle- 
ness of the weather in this latitude is very uncertain. 
— Mr. P. H. M. Van Yyck, of New Hamburg, writes 
March 21st: — 
"I think that my frind Peter Levy and myself arc the 
first parties that ever took shad with a fly in the Hudson. 
Yesterday a fisherman in hoisting a pike net caught a 
couple of smelt, a thing never heard of at this point before. 
A great many striped bass weighing from eight to twenty- 
four pounds have also been caught through the ice during 
the Winter, (with ice nets). This I think is caused by the 
water becoming so extremely salt by the protracted drouth 
the past Winter that the salt water fish run up further 
than usual.” 
— Wc have heard much of the charms of sporting iu 
Texas, and have no doubt that they are enjoyable to u de- 
gree, There is a certain spice of variety in the experience 
that gives a zest quite unknown to many who live else- 
where. For example, our frequent correspondent who 
writes from Gainesville, a gentleman wholly reliable in his 
statements, recounts the following incident which will 
verify the “charms" aforesaid. He says:— 
“I will relate what happened to a citizen of this county 
some years ago while fishing in eastern Texas. He was 
accompanied by another gentleman, but they had separated 
and were fishing out of sight of each other. He had his 
rifle with him, and as the sun had got on him and the mos- 
quitoes had became troublesome, lie concluded to move, 
aud in doing so came across the track of a panther that had 
just crossed this creek. Dropping his rod and bringing his 
guu to a poise, he follow* d the track down (lie creek 
toward his friend, who was sitting out over the creek on a 
log. Imagine his feelings when lie came near enough to 
see the man quietly fishing and the panther standing on a 
leaning tree directly over his head, with his eyes fixed upon 
his victim and his tail twisting. Mr. Editor, would you 
not have taken the Imck fever? I think I would. But not 
so with our hero. Almost instantly the rifle covered the 
panther’s heart, and he dropped iu the creek almost on the 
fisherman’s head, and frightened him so badly that he fell 
off the log into the creek. ‘What a fall was there my 
brethering !’ " 
Startling as this incident is, we can almost match it by an 
adventure of our own on the Ilaquette River, Adirondacks, 
in the Summer of 1872, we think. We were en routs to 
Long Lake, and bad just passed the Cold River, where the 
huge willosvs stretch out ovor the water, Uncle Steve 
Turner at the oars, and we iu the stern sheets, facing up 
stream. Scauning the vista ahead, as is natural, we saw 
what seemed to be an immense outgrowth or protuberunce 
upon one of the projecting limbs that stretched out over 
the river some eight feet above the surface, and about two 
rods in advance of us. When Uncle Sieve’s attention was 
called to it, he had no sooner turned, than a huge panther 
gathered itself up, and wheeling about, jumped full fifteen 
feet over the alders that fringed the bank aud vanished 
into the woods. Had the creature not been opportunely 
discovered, ho would have dropped iuto the boat. 
— The value of the Canadian fisheries for 1874 is set 
down at $20,000,000. This is exclusive of the seal hunt or 
whale fisheries. It is also exclusive of the United Slates 
and French catch. It simoly represents (he value of 
the fish caught in Canadian waters by Cunadiun 
fishermen, and embraces returns from Nova Scotia, New 
Brunswick, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, 
and the Magdalen Islands. The French catch "it the 
shores of Newfoundland is supposed to average $1,000,- 
000 per annum. The United States catch in Cunudia’n 
waters is estimated at $10,000,000 per annum. The num- 
ber of persons engaged in ilie Cauudian fisheries it set down 
at 250,000. 
BASS FISHING IN FLORIDA. 
Editor Fonssr axd Streak:— 
I know you strive to render yoor paper both Instructive anil Interesting 
to your many reader*. 1 know al»o ttiat nothing U mote interesting to 
sportsmen than to learn where good sport may bv had. Ilenco I cheer- 
fully contribute at this opportune »ea%on the following data, showing 
first. where big bass hare hoeu caught by mo, and secondly. why, I am 
euro they can be caught again . 
First — Every atcamboat captain who goo* up tins St.John’* River, 
Fla., will be nbln to point out where old Fort Butler was sIMalsd, some 
fifteen mile* nbovo I.ske George, and on the south side of tho river. 
About five mile* above this spot, and on the aontli side of the rlvor, an- 
other email river will be found emptying Into It, between marked em- 
bankment*, having n wild orange grove on the one side and on the other 
emnll tree* and bushes. This river was called the Little We :ktwa when 
I fished In It: Ita month Is quite open and prominent, and I think about 
eight rods across; Us water* are clear aud coo , and pas* out Into the St. 
John * over a smooth and shelly bottom. Its depth Is some ten feet or 
more, end Its western bank good for camping and landing heavy tlali 
with pole mid line. Fish directly across Us mouth, and If yon lilt the 
proper time, 1 will warrant you fish that will make your arms ache to 
handle . 
Second— Why I am sure they can he caught now: Tho reador will at 
once see from my description of place that here at the mouth of thla 
fine river, must bo a magnificent place for the big bass of the great St. 
John's, some four hundred miles In length. In pluc--t mile* broad, deep, 
abounding 111 small fish, lily pad", &c... to congregate annually fur spawn 
Ingnnd other purposes. But the proof of good fishing Dos not to ap- 
pearances always, for theee are often very deceptive, a* the fisherman 
well know*. No— belter proof lies In the actual trials made here by my- 
self and one other— Private Doughtcry. of K Company, Second 17. H. 
Dragoon*. lie wne the “Peter" of his company, and fished for over sixty 
men; and when I think of these times mid recall tho facta, It at moat 
makes my now old gray hair* stand on end. This maybe a weakness, 
'Us true, but ynt the ta'e* lose none of their Interest with mo. I trust 
younger sportsmen will at least admire my veneration. If not, I am but 
the mirror of their fate, and true to llfo. 
And now to my story, which U short, sweet, true, and very conclusive. 
I know yon love this, dear Forest anb Stream. Well, with a slight 
preface, so as to reveal the «cene behind the curtain*. I will say, Hint In 
18JS, during tho Florida War, I doffed tho over memorable “gray and 
bullet buttoned coat,” for ttic more envied long tailed blue. I was at 
once ushered into service by being stationed that Full, Winter and Spring 
at the above named post; then two days' time from any other civilised 
place, steamboat limo at Hint, and as for "common time " In which I had 
been drilled, why. we find no lo/nrlthmb' tables thoro to calculate It Suf 
flee it. we were seventy strong rig it in the heart of Florida, and about 
ten (lays’ travel from all sign* of civilisation. I tainted hero by "walking 
the plank" from a small steamboat, thence Into the pine barren. Gin 
rtous, indeed! Story I yonr story, noon I 
Well, one morning I went to Inspect tho company’* mc«s and rations, 
when to my astonishment I foond the sulo* of the mess room all covered 
over with bass spit, down on tho back, and a* largo as codfish, besides 
the mess tables for sixty mon were smoking with hot ll*h. What! 
thought I, am I on the coast of Newfoundland, among the cod fisheries 
of New England, (rami In Florida? I will luqulro, perhaps I ain In a 
dream. "Sergeant," said I, "you seem to have plenty of fish here; 
where did you get them?" He replied: "Dougherty la a fisherman, and 
he goes up tho rlvor every few daya and catches what 0*li the inon can 
eat." “Tell him I wish to see him." "Yes, Lieutenant," replied the 
sergeant, touching his cap. (Enter Doughtcry ) "Doughtcrty, where 
do you caich all those fish, and how do you do it?" "I catch them," 
said he, "up the river, w ith a line and hook; I troll for them I first use 
a piece of white fat pork rind, cut thin, for a bait, mid after till* I u*o a 
white atrip cut out of tho belly of the U*li. und about three tnebe* lot, g: 
these last longer and save the pork, and are Just a* good. If not better, I 
think." This was good nows, ns well as economy In perk rind. I deci- 
ded to try them. The next day Dooghoi ty and myself, untied with hook 
and line only sixty feet long, and a piece of pork rind sliced from the 
pork barrel, started off for the fishing grounds. Moon ufter pu**lng n 
long line of lily pads on the right, we came to tho mouth of (ho rlvor 
above described, and look up n place in the centre of It. "Now, hold on," 
said I, “whilst I cut off n piece of this rind and bait my hook " Till* 
done, by hooking It at one end. so It would play in the water; "Now," 
said I, "you row across," nnd away went my lino by a cast at the smile 
lime, no sooner strlklDg the water than— splash 1 up you gol about (wo 
feet into the air, white belly, tall, fins, and all a flying- down you come, 
shaking nnd dangling with a twitch "Pull him In," said Private 
Dougherty, for I was a novice now, and had novor caught a (l*h before 
by trolling. I obeyed his orders and soon hud a big bass In tho boat 
The bait yet good, away I cast It uguln. No sooner done Ihnn -up she 
goes again 1 aod Into the bout I haul him— a monster bass, the boat meet- 
ing him full half way, nnd soon over It goes again, and In come* another, 
and stilt over again, nnd still In auotbor, and so on und so forth to the 
end of the chapter, with no change. except :o use the niece of belly for 
bait when my other was all gone. This sport continued for 1cm thnn two 
hours, when finding my boat nearly loaded down, and uiy little fingers 
well cut nnd sore by hauling them In, 1 concluded to stop at (ho round 
number of fifty, und returned to the post. When I weighed my fish, or 
ut least one of the smallest and largest, tho smallest weighed four nnd 
one half pounds and thu Inrgeel fourteen and one half pound*, giving u 
fair average of ton pounds, or five hundred pounds iu all. This looks 
like largo bass in the St. John’s River. 
I was not then particularly fond of fishing, and never went to the 
place again, but Doughtcry told me that he continued to caich them In 
this way for some time afterwards, and until the weather got wanner, 
when they ceased biting there and went out Into the inalu river, where 
he caught them, though much less abundantly. 
J visited the place. I think, about the 10th of March, when Iho orange* 
were yellow nnd ripe and lying the ground. Here, In iny opinion. Is 
tho spot for Florida sport»meu. I think the bus* spawn here uununlly, 
and the few that may be caught will make no difference. I do not learn 
that any settlors live near ihi* spot. Land from tho steamer, pitch you r 
tent, and throw the fly or pull tho trigger at yon option. I am sure you 
will have rare sport, and to yoor full sailsfactlon. I hope you will report 
through Fuitttsr and Stream of yoar success. TUI theu adieu 
Old Mcout. 
Fishing Matteiis.— Tlie number of fishing arrivals for 
the week ending March 25th, was fourteen, seven from 
Georges, three from the Grand Banks and four from New 
Brunswick. The Georgesmen are bringing in lighter fare* 
on second trips, averaging about 35,000, an aggregate of 
250,000 for the week. Halibut have also arrived less 
freely, the receipls amounting to 200,000. The New 
Brunswick vessels have conte home this week without 
fares, no herring having been taken there the past month. 
The scarcity at this time will make it bad for the Western 
Bank Heel now fining away on their salt trips, who were 
depending on these arrivals for a supply of bail. 
The fishing season Ini9 opened quite disastrously, sixty- 
five lives aod six vessels having been lost in its prosecution 
up to this time— quite an increase over the losses of last 
vear for tiie same period, when there were eighteen lives 
and four vessel* lost, two in the Newfoundland and two in 
the Grand Bunk fishery, the crews of three of the ve-«el» 
being saved Increase of loss of life, up io this tune, forty- 
seven. Ol the vessels lost this season three were employed 
in the Grand hank und three in the Georges fishery.— Cape 
Ann Adurliur, March, fflth. 
^nstvrrs go gorresyoiidenti. 
Anonymoo* Communications not Noticed. 
J. H. 1?., Oitdnuburc. N Y —Where can I get a good don bl« gno, 
^*1S*J*i combined?) An*, on* for *alo at Hit* office; price $W 
I . h It -11a* tho Ice left the Great South Hay, anil U the duck (hoot- 
ing good enough at Oyster Uay to nuke It worth my while to go dow n 
there to *pcud two or three day*? How I* Amltyvillo for duck*? An*. 
Onr report* of Uio la*t tno week* Indicate good •booUng. See Gun 
column. 
Homo, Philadelphia.— Where can I procure a pair of shots-for wading 
when trout dialog* l hear i he re t* a party in New York who make* a 
•hoe with hole* and hob nail* Iu the sole*, i-peelally for that purpose? 
An*. Meun. Ferguson A Sloven*, No. si Na*»au •treet, will make tho 
boot yon want 
O, K. F.. WelUvIlle, N Y — What la tho price of fi.hlng Mocking*. 
al*o thu price of tho Ucg«ninn folding bout An*. Conroy, Bluett A 
Mali (•'■on. No. «S Fulton »ire*t, have tho new English fishing •locking, 
the beet made, at $s per p»lt liegeman'* boat* no can tupply at $70 to 
$117. Have *en* price ll*t by mall. 
T K (’, New York,— Will you kindly Inform mo howto u*o a re- 
triever. whether they are good for field •hooting, a* well a* duck. I lmvo 
two beautiful, large. Irish retriever*, about three month* Iu till* country 
etc well broken, and are flue dog*. An*. Wo have novor known rottluv. 
er* to be u»vd for any purpose except that of retrieving duck* and other 
game. 
J. A II., Pittsburgh.— Onr *porl*mrn*’ dub have brouoht eult against 
•cvornl gome deal. r* for having brook trout In their possession during 
(lie clO*o • 0 ( 1 * 01 ). They c alm the trout were caught In Canada. Can 
yon send it* Immediately the recent decision of tho court, relatlngio 
cn«e* of tine uature? An*. The Information you desire ha. neon tout 
t>y mall. 
R V. Jnmuvlllc, Wl*.— Can yon obtain a Raymond Lnvornek bitch pup 
of the litter mentioned In Fonttsr and Stiiea* of March IKh, and for 
tvhat price? Wo want eotue "blue blood" out here and mu»t huvo It 
An*. Of tho Iuto litter of pup* from Mr. Raymond'* Laverack hitch 
Fairy, ihore woto *ix dog* aud ono blioh. The latter will be kept for 
•lock ptirpoao*. 
R S, It., Philadelphia. - Ple**<< Inform mo where I ran find good trout 
fl«hlng within three or four boil re' reach of Philadelphia, »ny for short 
trip* of a couple of day*? Will tho Now Jereey game law* Interfere with 
my lUIilng In that Stato? An* I In tho vicinity of tho Delaware 
Water Gap you will find good hotel* and trout fi.hlng. X. Not at the 
projiur reason of tho year. 
J. C. T , llaxlcmn, Pn.— Plea»o Inform mo whether I con pitrehnsqn 
pair of porpol-o leather (hooting bout*, or Cording'* ankle ■hooting lire- 
gan* In Now York? Ana. Cording'* boot* are not void In till* city, nor 
can porpol.o leather boot* tie had on thl* *ldo tho Atlantic. In fact Hi|* 
material 1* treed mostly for lacing*. Why uot try alligator akin? Sou 
other uncover* In litis column. 
P. , rinltlmore —Having for .onto month* had my hound* and water 
dog* much troubled with red mange, I should ho glint to Imve »omu *a(o 
and effectual remedy for It? An*. Take Iodide of mercury I drachm, 1 
or., lard: mix nud rub vury little Into the root* of (ho li.lr every day. In 
case thl* remedy *honld fall, gteo your dog* leu drop* of Fowlor'* «olu- 
tlon of erectile In their food night and morning, 
W. C. S., Now York.— !. Can you Inform mo of tho beat manner, to 
clean bras* ahull*, and don't you think that If they were nickel plated 
they would keep clean longer uud he le** liable to corrodof What do 
you consider the best powder for *hoollng In thu Maynard rule, gij inch 
barrel, 4 calibre. 41 grain* powder? An*. Hcu ln»t la.uo Forest and 
Stream, March Will, page 107. 3. Uaxnni's No, 4. 
C. A. R., Boston — What different kind* of (booting U found at Monso- 
head Luke during July, August und Soptomliorf Can you toll mo any 
better place near that region? An*. No shooting, except, parhnp., an 
occasional woodcock, before Sept, lit; thou ruffoa There I* no 
better place In that vicinity. Where I* the bust beach (booting within 
thirty mile* of Boston? An* Try Cohusott, Noponselt, Acushust, or 
Marebpoe, and the vicinity of Cape Ann. 
DuoKBR, Baltimore —Would not tho preparation recommended to 
"Logoo, Baltimore," fn yonr Issue of tho Uth Inst., to render a tont 
waterproof answer tbo name purpose fora (booting suit, otilior of cor- 
duroy or of woolen good*; or I* there anything preferable? In ireine tho 
preparation referred to, how long I* tho cloth to remain In tho solution f 
An*. It would; but tho Parchment Cloth nnd Paper Company Imve an 
Invention which Is preferable. Addrus* thorn at No. Hi Doj (treet, thl* 
city. 
F. D., New York, -If I buy u mtixclo loading gun does the dealer tell 
me the proper ebargo for It; If not, how am I lo know? Wn* not last 
season generally a bad season for game* Which I* the In *1, a single 
barrel breechloader, oradoublo barrel innxzlo louder? An*, Any dealer 
or skillful sportsman can give you dlr.ctlon* how lo load a guu. From 
Information wo uro receiving from different sections of thu country no 
are led to believe (bat the game ha* not bucu much Injured by tho pn*t 
Winter. A single barrel breech loader. 
Fort Hoott, Kansas.- Wbut I* the slr.o of the dog Prldo of tho Bor- 
der. large, imdlu in, or iinall, vtolrlu, Ac.? What I* tho distance from 
point of no*o to raised place or button on head? Was not the tall and 
feather combed out oxpressly for lit* picture’ An*. Fifty .eight pounds - 
height, 2 ' * Inabns; around cheat, 37 Indie*; length, no»e to point of 
*ku!l, Ut Inches; neck, H Inches; shoulder to tall, g| Inches; tail to end 
of bone, 1.1 Incite*; over all, M Incite*. Probably, tbo dog Is regularly 
washed und combed, weather permitting, 
W B. It. Indianapolis, Bid - I have a fetualo Scotch sailor with a 
split now I think she I* pure blood. Mho Is blolcbed black and white 
I* qulto young, nnd ha* naver been trained. Do not know anything 
about her pedigree. I would like to know If H>r»e dog* arc good for 
anything, and how much slit) would be worth, aud bow much pup* would 
lie worth sired from tho sumo kind of dog. I would like to »oll her? 
An*. Wc have great doubt* about your bitch being a Scotch »ott«r, and 
think neither thu bitch, or pup* from her, would tic saleable 
Dxacmi.rt, si. Loots, Mo.-Ploasc giro best method of reducing charvo 
-both powder and ball -for 41 cal., 77 grain* powder, Remington ride 
and two smaller weights of each, one to be round ball, and on. midway 
between Hint and the Uw grain ball? An* It will ho necessary to lime 
a mould made for tho purpo-o. In order to produce lighter bullet with 
same diameter. U*o metallic cn*o with wad*, as suggested in your letter 
Are alligator sklu boots waterproof, and If so, where can the mutenal bo 
got? Ans. Address II. & A. Muhnnbolz, No. Sod Broadway, N y 
for tanned alligator skins. Yua will find the leather waterproof. 
11 It. O., Grcon«burg, I'a.-I’leaso givo mu some Information In regard 
to "Audubon's Ornithology," co»t arid merit, and If you know of unv 
work that surpaou* It in merit, and what thu cost? An*. "Noitb 
American llud*," by Baird, Brewer X Hidgwoy. price $30. Audubon's 
splendid work* hove been *upcr*«led. and such u the gain In tho art of 
embellltlnng, os well as In the science ..f ornithology, that tbo original 
pistes, which cu»t *omethlng like $3)0 (ft), con Id *,„ri,-ly bo sold now 
lor old copper. They are in the poreoMiun of Phelps, Dodge & Co. wo 
bsllevo. 
J T S„ Baltimore.— Would yon kindly Inform an old reader what Isa 
good target fora No. 8 brcocti loading gun at forty yarn. u *l ug So g 
•hot— My Loro, ? I presn uo the targets to be thirty Inches square 
Would* urgst twelve ll.Chr. square ho largo enoogh to for ,, score. a 
opinion opou trie snooting qualities of a gun? An*. Cannot u-JJ without 
knowing if your gun I* •logia or d«u do Darrel, about Uw weight snu th* 
quuoilly of Allot you shoot. To 'e.t the shOollug of a guu it i. decided * 
best to tiAte a target thirty Inches in diameter. 
