324 
FOREST AND STREAM 
main, we can proudly challenge a comparison with any 
country of equal extent in the South, and predict for its 
future a degree of wealth, solid comfort, and progress un- 
surpassed in the history of any other country. Goyon. 
Corinth, Him., June, 1875. 
GOSSIP OF SUMMER TRAVEL AND SAL- 
MON FISHING. 
WHY EVERY ONE SHOULD ANGLE — HOW I BECOME A SALMON 
ANGLER. 
J UST ns the “old, old story" of love, however .simply it 
be told, charms every one, save perchance, one who 
n as never been fortunate enough to fall in love, so the 
tyro with his first salmon never fails to interest the true 
angler, who with him fights his battles o’er again, and in 
memory goes back to the happy hour when he for the first 
time found his dreams more than realized, and himself 
fighting hand to hand with the gamiest fish that swims. 
Just here some practical, solemn visaged business or 
professional man breaks in with "bosh! what a lot of non- 
sense we’ll get now, and all about catching a fish." Well, 
he shall at least hear nothiug about "dies” falling like snow 
flakes, or the reel discoursing sweet music. If I can, how- 
ever, present salmon fishing in such an attractive light as 
to make an enthusiastic angler out of one careworn practi- 
cal toiler after gold or fame, then I shall write to some 
purpose, and he will be a happier and healthier man. 
Medical men have told us over and over again, how bene- 
ficial it is for every brain-worker to have a hobby, which, 
while it brings into healthful activity certain faculties of 
the mind, gives others needed rest. Our doctors are capi- 
tal on theories, but no one of them has even presented this 
idea iu so attractive and convincing a form as has Mr. 
Dawson, the editor of Albany Evening Journal, in a series 
of letters giving his own experience at the age of seventy 
with his first salmon. These letters cut from the Journal 
have been passed around among my friends until nearly 
worn out. Mr. Dawson's chapter ou “Hobbies,” if atten- 
tively read and profited by, would he worth more to a 
hurried and over-worked man, than a library of works on 
liygieDe-.i and he would do a great favor to anglers, and to 
those who ought to be anglers, but are not, if he would 
publish his letters in pamphlet form. With this, “Hal- 
lock's Fishing Tourist,” and “Norris’ American Angler,” 
all thoughtfully read, if a man does’nt become an angler, 
it must be because he is lacking in some one of the good 
qualities always found in the true angler. For my own 
part I can never be sufficiently thankful to a good friend 
of mine of the Oquossoc Club, for having made me a sul- 
mon angler. Spending a few days under his hospitable 
roof with mv family after our return from a few weeks a- 
rnoug the “Thousand I slands," I was giving to him my 
experience in trolling, and taking pickerel of ten and 
twelve pounds, which I fancied was a pretty good thing. 
Wailing for something handsome in the way of compli- 
ment or congratulation, I was somewhat startled by my 
friend quietly saying, “Why that wasn’t angling!" I then 
and there determined that my friend who was a noted 
trouter, and always placed me in his dining room tace to 
face with the framed outlines of an eight pound trout, 
which he took at RaDgely, should no longer laud it over 
me. He had caught trout! I would kill salmon. 
(Joing to work at once upon this idea I learned every- 
thing about salmon fishing, streams, rods, lines, flies, &c., 
that was possible. If some novice asks how, where and 
when, and at what price he can secure salmon fishing, he 
may learn from an amusing direction once given a traveler 
in Cairo. It was like this: “Go up half a mile, and then 
turn to the right, and go a quarter of a mile, then turn left 
again at a large tree, go a mile until you come to a large 
donkey stand, then proceed to the river, and follow its 
hank south for some distance, until you come to a bridge, 
which you cross and then follow down the other bank uu- 
til you come to a ford, when you recross the river and lake 
the first right hand road; now the first person you meet, 
get him to go and take you to the place you seek, as you 
will never find it yourself.” So, desiring salmon fishing, 
you may write to the Department of the Marine, and get 
a list of salmon rivers to he let, with the upset prices, that 
is to say, the largest sum at which a river may be leased. 
The person offering the largest advance upon ibis gets the 
river. Next get a good map of the salmon streams of 
Canada, if you can, and assertain which rivers are easily 
reached; then whether they have been so protected thut sal- 
mon are readily taken. You will find probably, that all 
easily reached rivers likely to afford fair sport, are leased 
at high prices to Canadians, and that “States men," as we of 
the United States are called, are not permitted lo lease a 
stream. You must then give up salmon fishing unless you 
have some good Canada friend to hold a river iu his own 
name for you, or you must depend upon a sub-Jease of 
the river, for parts of the season, or upon a rod permit 
only. Tents must be purchased or hired; guides must be 
engaged, as well as canoes. The last is a most difficult 
thing to do. as the Indians, provoked at the recent protec- 
tion afforded to salmon streams, naturally do not feel very 
enthusiastic about buildiog canoes for the whites, who 
have, as they feel, stolen away their chances of procurin'' 
food for Winter. Fiually, unless the stream be one of the 
few that d£bouche near some of the lauding places of the 
two or three lines of steamers, goiDg out from (Quebec; the 
salmon fisher must arrange iu udvuuce for a small sloop 
or schooner, to take him and his traps to his river. 
Al l these various matters will take the best part of the 
Winter, uDd will afford a pleasing respite from business or 
professional cares. After following up ibis business faith- 
fully, you will, perhaps, as I did, have forty or fifty letters 
upon the subject in band, and some valuable and interest- 
ing information. You will agree with me that a more 
kind and courteous class of men than sulmon anglers does 
not exist. And now after all this, if you can learn of a 
friend, who either lias a stream himself or has intimate 
friends who have, then you by sharing the expenses of the 
leases may be allowed to join a party, and have good fish- 
ing in a stream well stocked and accessible. 
I was fortunate enough to number umong my friends, 
Fred. Curtis, of Boston, well known to our brother’s of the 
rod, and through his courtesy, and the great kindness of 
one of nature’s noblemen, Mr. Reynolds, of Ottawa, I was 
accorded permission to fish for one week the York River 
at Gaspe Basin, Lower Canada. Mr. Curtis also gave me 
the use of Dartmouth after July 8th. Already, I think I 
must liaye been filled with the kiodly and amiable spirit 
of the true angler, for I at onco made arrangements for 
my Oquassoc friend lo accompany me, although he had so 
ridiculed ray setting in an arm chair, in a lap-streak boat 
and pulling in logy pickerel with a spoon and bed cord at 
the Thousand Islands. 
The York is one of the most picturesque of the Canadian 
rivers — well stocked with salmon, of large size— easy of 
access by Gulf Rost Steamer from Quebec which leaves 
you directly at its mouth, well provided with most com- 
fortable canoes, stoves, cooking utensils and conveniences 
of every sort, all of which, Mr. Reynolds with his charac- 
teristic liberality insisted upon my using as if they were 
my own. The salmon of the York are of more graceful 
outline than those of most other rivers. To this beautiful 
stream I would like to take the reader, and have him enjoy 
with me the pleasures and perplexities of taking salmon. 1 
go by the steamer “Secret" from Quebec the 22d of June, 
and the reader shall follow about August 1st, in the 
Forest and Stream. A. G. Wilkinson. 
U. S. Patent Ojjicc, June 15, 1875. 
For Forest and Stream. 
SPORT IN TEXAS— MY FIRST BUFFALO 
HUNT. 
T HINKING you might like an occasional note from 
this part of our great State, I have concluded to re- 
count my experience in buffalo him ring, more particularly 
because it occurred iu ihe locality that Colonel McCarty 
and bis party are now (perhaps) operating in. I refer to 
the headwaters of the Brazos and Wig Wueliita rivers. 
Iu April, 1874, in company with some friends, I visited 
this section for the purpose of examining some lands, pros- 
pecting for minerals, encountering the American bison, etc. 
Afler ten days’ travel westward from this place, from our 
camp in the morning we could see that a stream of con- 
siderable size flowed into the Brazos from the south side, 
and wishing to identify the junction of the Double Moun 
tain Fork with the Brazos 1 concluded to make a closer 
examination, in order that no doubt might remain on my 
mind in regard to having passed the junction. Selecting 
six men, well mounted, I instructed the train to travel 
slowly up the“divide,” and we would intercept them at a 
given point on the divide. Not wishing to encumber my 
nag with any unnecessary weight, and not knowing but 
what we might have to give leg bail to the Comanches dur- 
ing the day, I swapped my Spencer carbine for one of 
Sharp’s army size, central fire carbines. I also had more 
confidence in the Sharps, as I had used one some time pre- 
viously with great success. 
Starting out in a southwesterly direction, we soon came 
to the Brazos, with its brackish, bitter water, wide sandy 
bed, and shallow channel, flowing through the level plain 
with scarcely a tree or shrub to mark its course. Selecting 
a place where some buffalo had crossed, we ventured onr- 
selves on the treacherous quicksand anil passed over with- 
out “bogging." We now soou discovered that it was a 
large creek flowing into the Brazos, and not the junction 
of the two rivers. We also discovered that this creek was 
marked on the maps as the north fork of Miller’s Creek, 
when really it was no tributary of that creek. 
After traveling up it some two miles, we turned our course 
westward, intending lo recross the river and intercept the 
train. When we came near the river we discovered in 
some hills or bluffs beyond, where il made a sudden 
bend, that which wits either a tent, a covered wagon, or a 
solitary white rock in the hillside, but which we could not 
tell. After some consultation we concluded to inspect il 
closer, although it lay some three or four miles out of our 
way. 
After traveling towards it for a mile we could see that it 
was a tent, und when a little closer could see horses feed- 
ing iu the valley. After awhile we saw a man come down 
from the tent to the horses. All was now lost lo sight for 
some distance, owing to the intervening hills. When we 
rose the hill we came almost directly over two men lying 
down near the horses. When they heard our horses’ feet 
they sprang to their Sharps rifles, and wheeling towards us 
they were surprised to meet the pale-face iustead of the red 
man. Afler a few woids they invited us up to the tent, 
where we met Captain Terry, of Fort Worth, who informed 
us that himself und nineolbers had been there two months, 
and we were the first white men they had seen. They were 
locating laud certificates for the Texas Pacific Railroad 
Company. This was the 9th day of April, and the day 
before some of his party came near beiug lost in a driving 
snow storm. The Captain kindly showed us his maps, and 
informed us that we were some distance below the junction 
of the two streams. Afler a pleasant slay of an hour we 
bade them adieu, feeling quite elated at finding pale-faces 
so near us. 
As we rose the bluff wo entered a village of prairie dogs 
that must have embraced thousands of acres. The little 
fellows chattered on all sidcs’of us till Lieutenant Savage 
concluded he would kill one and stop some of it. Dis- 
mounting, he fired his Henry rifle at one, and the little fel- 
low dropped into the moulli of his hole, stuck his eyns 
over on one side and his tail over the other, and kept on 
barking. The Lieutenant mistaking the twitching of his 
tail for death struggles, exclaimed “I’ve got him, I’ve got 
him," and rushed frantically on to the little fellow, but 
was surprised lo see him vauisli into the hole as he came 
close to him. The joke was too good, and the Lieutenant 
joiued in the hearty laugh which ensued. As we crossed 
the valley Lieutenant S. and I made some long shots at 
buffalo, but without effect. During the past Winter some 
trappers had been trapping for wolves (the large, whitish- 
colored wolves, called loafers), and they must have been 
very successful, as we bad hardly teen a live wolf, while 
the plains were strewn with carcasses. 
As we rose the ciest of a hill, afler crossing the river 
we came in full view of three antelope feeding. Every 
man dismounted and tried to fire first. Covering the shoul- 
der of one, 1 hastily let fiy at about 150 paces distant, and 
was mollified to see the dust rise just above the animal’s 
shoulder and far beyond. Eueh man now declared that if 
I had just held one second longer be would have killed 
oue. I just replied that they were all privileged to shoot 
before 1 did, if they could. \Ve soou rose on to the divide 
and saw the train near by. I tethered my horse and laid 
down on my blanket, while the remainder straggled off 
after the antelope that were gaziug at us in mule astonish- 
rneut. I was almost asleep when I heard firing uud shout- 
ing. Jumping up I saw them ruuuiug down a ridge that 
passed close to me. Mounting my horse I rode hastily to 
the crest of the hill and saw a herd of buffulocs ruuuiug 
down the hill, the nearest being about 200 paces aud run 
ning directly from me. Dismounting, I fired at him, ami 
at the crack of the gun I saw him. pitch forward ou bis 
knees and then heard the ball strike. In an instant lie was 
on his feet, ami went lumbering off on three legs, t 
.soon came up with him again. This time I dismounted 
and rested my gun by the side of a mosquite and fired into 
bis rear. This shot checked him considerably, and I soon 
overtook him and repeated the operation; this third shot 
brought him to a stand for fight. I now approached to 
within about eighty yards of him, and gave him a broad- 
side behind the lore shoulder which brought him down. 
I rode up near him, and lie struggled very hard to get up, 
his eyes turning green. I think I never saw anything mole 
frightful. I now began to look around, and found that 1 
had got out of sight of every thing und every body, and I 
hardly knew which way to start. I thought to myself, 
well, if the Indians were to get after me now I’d have to 
fight it out on this line. I rode to some high ground and 
discovered the wagons near by. I reported to them my 
success, and that il was a four-year-old, not very fat. Our 
guide thought best not to bother with such meat, and we 
marched on, trying to get some water for our stock before 
night. One young mau that had caught a young wolf ran 
down and got some of the flesh to feed his wolf upon. I 
was almost sorry after Iliad killed the poor brine, that 
struggled so manfully for its life, just to saliule uiy thirst 
for blood. But it was my first one. The first shot had 
passed through the thigh, rungiug downward, and broken 
the foreleg near the knee. Had the ball not struck a bone 
I would never have known that it touched him. On this 
expedition I frequently saw them shot with the Ilenrv and 
Winchester rifles (calibre 44), but they were seldom killed 
outright, and frequently escaped entirely. We could have 
caught plenty of calves, but could not furnish them milk 
to drink. On one occasion a young calf followed one of 
the men (on horseback) into caiup and stayed there until 
night, when some of the horses became frightened at it, 
and one of the men shot it lest it should create a stampede 
during the night. 
The wilds of this country afford quite a field for scien- 
tific investigation, and its game quite a field for recreation. 
[ would like lo depict its beautiful valleys uud plains of 
rich chocolate land, mesquile grass, horned frogs, and “heel 
Hies," but this 'pistil has become already too lengthy. I 
am aware that this information will he stale to you, as you 
have crossed the Slaked Plain and seen for yourself the 
weird fancies and “mirage" of this strange counlry, but 
lo some of your less favored sportsmen, who read Forest 
and Stream, il may not prove uninteresting. 
I will state, in conclusion, that I believe none of them 
would regret a visit to this region, even at considerable ex- 
pense. 1 would be glad to correspond with any parties 
contemplating sucli a visit. Texas. 
(JuincKoitie, Cooke county, Texas, June 18th, 1875. 
For ForeM and Stream. 
NEWFOUNDLAND NOTES. 
H AVING well cleared the Harbor Rock and the Bran. 
derbe-s Rocks, which lie off Catalina, bet ween Green 
Island and the North Head, the Summer sun of an early 
September evening lias with crimsou and goldcn-hucd glory 
set iu the westward. Pretty Green Island, with its little 
meadows, bears on its brow a lighthouse, the cheerful ray 
from the lamps of which illuminate our way and instruct 
our hearings and departure, which it is always well to have 
in case of fog coming on. A sail of a few hours, or less 
than that in one of your yachts, will bring us into the Gull 
Island Tickle. 1 may remark that in this country we call 
a comparatively narrow passage between the main land 
and an island a tickle, anil, indeed, such a place is at times 
very ticklesomc, with adverse winds, or hurtling breezes, cr 
hidden rocks. How like the seas of life here below. Keep 
the isluud inboard and we may run against a hidden rock, 
and keep the Cape of Bonavista too much outboard and we 
may run on another rock, so the only safe rule is to borrow 
on the cape moderately. The Spider's Rocks lay not far 
hence; they look like so many teeth of some huge protean 
animal. I suppose they derive their name from some good 
old fisherman of the name of Spider. Alii what would 
Newfoundland be without her hardy fishermen? Still we 
must promote agriculture, and the wisest thing our plant- 
ers can do is to sellle down in the various line bays of our 
land, cultivate the soil, and pursue the fishery iu small 
cruft. As for the senl fishery, that is engrossed by steam- 
ers. I am a strong advocate for the middle mau, while I 
respect all classes. Cape Bonavista, indeed the land along 
to Bonavista, is composed of dark clay slute, with scat- 
tered veins of quartz. We know that there is a geological 
rule, or rather let me say mineral rule, that veins of quurtz- 
cutting slate may lead to precious metal. Plumbago is re- 
ported on this coast. The angry sea which sounds here 
in a storm “like mighty doors slamming on their hinges” 
lias torn and gnarled this coast into miniature caves, and 
on the coast toward Bonavista there is the Dungeon— a 
huge scoop of nature one hundred feet deep— ul ils level a 
pebbly beach, und to Us front the sea wall perforated by 
two natural arches, through which the great sea billows 
surge with mighty uoise. A few spokes of the wheel oflon 
saves a ship and all hands. We were once ueur running 
on this rock we speak of near the island, within a few 
inches, when the faithful man at the wheel said “he 
knowed dere was a rook derc," and shifted his wheel ami 
suved the vessel. Let us always be kind to the man at the 
wheel. What a useful class of men sailors arc! Yet I 
have seen a brig go through this tickle with all her canvas 
drawing when a fore-and-aft schooner could not . I think 
we build our boats too short and junky. However, we no- 
tice great improvements or late years, and the Newfound- 
land fisherman builds his own boat und sails her; yea, and 
she makes excellent weather! 
Cape Bonavista (Buenu Vista, good sight,) is a hold, bluff 
cape, justtlie contrary of Cape Freels, which is long and 
low. Crilieul sailing commences from Cape Boiiuvistu 
northward. Vernacularly this is called Bonavist Cape. 
There is u fine lighthouse here; the lantern sluuds at an 
elevation ot 150 leet, and the light is u revolving red and 
white. Il is a most useful light, and can be seen a long 
distance. My pen would utterly fail iu describing to the 
vast number of renders of your highly esteemed and use- 
ful paper lire grandeur of our stellar (stella, a star,) heavens 
in September, and wlmt a thrill seizes the scientific mind 
when .such a fine comet us Douali's unfolds ils presence 
near the Great Bear. When Aclurus shines in all her splen- 
dor, uud when all the slurs of “perpetual apparition" circle 
