made there, and young fishermen have? an opportunity 
to make amends for a poor day’s sport b}' enjoying the 
society of the fair sex in the evening; but for a worthj' 
disciple of Father Walton, who, while never insensible 
to a smih, regards a good bag as a fair equivalent, com- 
mend me to Kelly’s Island, not that the Island House 
is devoid of the softening influence of ladies’ society, 
for since it has been enlarged to more than six times its 
original size, it has become, under the management of 
its popular and affable proprietor, Mr. Jacob Kusb, a 
favorite place of resort, and bids fair to out-rival its old 
competitors at Pul-in Bay. 
The arrangements for the supply of boats and min- 
nows are good. They are under the charge of Mr. Kein- 
hammer, a thorough boatman and fisherman, whose en- 
ergy is untiring to supply the numerous demands upon 
him. There was only one day during the two weeks’ 
trip of our party that we were put on short rations of 
minnows, and even then we got fifty each. 
Fishing on Lake Erie is subject to occasional inter- 
ruptions from storms. I don’t know of any body of 
water that can get up a sea on shorter notice, or sub- 
side »s quickly. The average number of good fishing 
days in the week are about four, but those four are 
good. You will understand that only black bass are 
counted. Anyone not po ted, bringing in any other 
variety of fish — goggle-eye, sangcr, wall-eyed pike, etc., 
(the naturalists M ould have a nice time classifying them 
under these sobrirjiiein) would have to slantl an unlim- 
ited amount of “chaff.” When the wind blows from 
any point between the north-west and north-east, the 
fishing is confined to the south side, in front of the Is- 
land House, and along the li ,e of docks. Carpenter’s 
dock is a favorite point, but when it blows from S. E. 
to S. W. the North Buy furnishes the best fishing, and 
here the best fish around the island are found, rarely 
running under one and one-half pounds. The largest 
class of fish, however, in the southern waters of Lake 
Erie, are to be found around Pelee Island, about fifteen 
miles from Kelly’s. Col. H. and 3Ir. J. B., of the Cu- 
vier Club, went over there and camped out, (there are 
no accommodations there), and had iome rare sport. By 
the way, old John Brown’s son is a settler on that island. 
Enough about the fishing grounds; now a few words on 
the subject of tackle. 
The boat lod (and it is mostly boat-lish ng) ordinarily 
used, runs from 8 1-3 to 10 1-3 feet in length, generally 
made of Calcutta, or .lapanese bamboo; many how-ever 
prefer the McGinnis, or what is known as the California 
general rod; the latter are more elastic (they can also 
be used for trout fishing) and afford more sport to 
the genuine angler, in playing his fish, instead of snak- 
ing him in as some do with a stiff pole. An ordinary 
braided silk line, not too heavy, better if oiled, answers. 
There is a variety of opinions on the subject of reels. 
The Frankfort, Ky., reel, is probably the best in the 
country, as far as mechanism is concerned, but some 
have a reasonable prejudice against all multipliers. It 
is a well accepted axiom in ineL-hanics that when you 
gain velocity you lose power, and many a bass fisher 
has found to his cost that when caught over the center, 
with a heavy fish, the multiplier lacks the power to reel 
in. Taking up the sl ick quickly, when a fish is run- 
ning towards you, is when he is well-hooked, as usually 
is the case under such circumstances, a matter of sec- 
ondary importance, and can be effected (juite fast 
enough with a well made plain or check reel with plenty 
of leverage in the handle, and enough of extra line on 
it to make a large drum, something like the old country 
salmon reel, only not so large. It would be better to 
have the handle set on close to the outer edge of a re- 
volving disc, instead of having a long arm from the 
centre, which often worries the angler by getting the 
line entangled around it. “I don’t want any multiplier 
in mine, thank you,” as I heard an old hand remark at 
the Island. The hooks genetally ii.sed are, 1 think, too 
large. The Harrison spring steel hook No. 80, the 
Milward No. 30, the Kirby IJinerick. No. 4, or the 
Sproat No. 1 13, are about the right size; they are just 
as strong as the larger hooks, strike as well, and possess 
the additional advantage of not tearing the lips of the 
bait. A gut casting line, or leader, should always be 
used. It is nearly invisible in the water, and does not 
scare the fish so much as simply attaching the snooded 
hook to the line. Most fishermen bait the tail hook 
with a live minnow, and attach bright colored flies at 
intervals of a foot along the leader. In this way three 
fish are often taken at one cast, occasionally four, the 
writer had the good luck to catch four together,) and I 
have heard of one instance of five being taken. A 
single leader of thick salmon gut is quite strong enough 
for the heaviest fish, if properly handled. Of course, 
it wouldn’t pull up the bottom of lake Erie, as I heard a 
friend remark to an unlucky angler who was bewailing 
the loss of a five foot leader, and four choice flies. 
Trolling is resorted to only (by the genuine angler) 
for the purpose of finding out where the schools of fish 
are. When two or three bass are taken im rapid succes- 
sion, the anchor is dropped, and the real sport, still- 
fishing, begins. There are some men, however, who 
call themselves fishermen, who go out for a day’s troll- 
ing, and talk complacently in the evening of having 
taken fifty or sixty good fish, and feel rather astonished 
and slightly indignant when it is gently h.nted that 
“Skull-dragging” is not fishing. The Chapman Butter- 
fly Troll, No. 2, and the small Pearl Troll, are beyond 
doubt the most killing trolling baits in Lake Erie, and 
I have tried nearly all. 
These suggestions on the subject of Tackle are, of 
course, not intended for the regular “habitues” of Kel- 
ly’s Island, but it is simply astonishing how many per- 
sons go there who are fearfully and wonderfully igno- 
rant of what they should bring, and how they should 
use it when they get it. The hints may possibly be of 
some little use to them and to others who. though well 
up in the fishing of eastern waters, may never have had 
a “stiiie at the black bass” at Kelly’s Island. I will 
close by mentioning a little incident that occurred dur- 
ing our trip. I was fishing with my “pard,” Billy H., 
when he hooked a heavy fish. “Fve got a ‘thick one,’ 
this time, bv Jupiter!” said Billy, “handle the landing- 
net.” “All right, old man, take j’our time; get your 
play out of him. Bring him alongside, and I’ll see 
what I can do for you.” I would give a trifle to have 
had a photo of Billy’s expression as he got the fish to 
the surface, and, with the most intense disgust, ex- 
claimed, “A dog-fish, bj’ !” I will not repeat the 
classical expletives— but the air was blue, and an odor 
of brimstone pervaded the atmosphere around that boat 
for a few minutes. Well, we landed him, and after the 
storm subsided, Billy' remarked in a meditative tone, 
“Now, when you come to look at him. Nature in- 
tended to make a good job of that fellow, but evi- 
dently had not enough of material to work with. The 
head is pretty well shaped, even if the eyes are set too 
low down; the body is well formed, but Jerusalem! 
how poorly' he is finished off at end! I never saw such 
a winding up of a narrative!" I think that animal lay 
heavy on Billy’s mind for a week — he weighed six 
pounds. 
— — 
f.lLLIXG OF r i.WA TEl) GROISE. 
. BY FKED. 
How many sportsmen, though familiar with the 
cheery', booming call of the Pinnated Grouse, know 
from actual sight how the peculiar sound is made? We 
all listen eagerly for the first muffled notes of the male 
grouse ill early spring, and the sound is one of the most 
common of spring choruses. To those who have never 
seen the noble bird in the midst of his bass refrain, I 
would say, you have lost a most exhilarating scene, and 
one that will repay' much trouble to obtain a view of. 
AVatch some stubble field or marsh on which the proud 
T. C'ujndo delights lo sit on an early spring morning, 
and listen for the “love call” of its mate, and the notes 
of defiance to his rivals. Perchance you may see him 
on some little knoll as he prepares for a serenade; a 
queer one, you will doubtless say, but a serenade after 
the Uupido style nevertheless. Anon this is changed to 
bugle blasts of defiance to unseen grouse of masculine 
gender. That clump of hazel is an excellent cover, and 
should y'ou be fortunate enough to reach it without 
frightening Mr. Grou.se, you will appreciate the scene. 
Avoid the twigs and dry' leaves, and — there — it is done; 
the noble bird still remains unmoved. But listen! he 
is using his vocal powers now, and we must watch 
closely the procedure. 
Tr-loo-ho-oo-hoo, he is repeating in tones so solemn 
and indescribable that you are at a loss lo think com- 
posedly. Those two globular sacs on opposite sides 
of his throat are slowly collapsing and the chorister is 
silent. But only for an instant. Gug-gug-g-u-r-g-l-e- 
g-u-r-g-l-e. Do not look so astonished, my friend; I am 
not a tippler, as you doubtless supposed hearing that 
wonderfully natural sound, as of pouring water, or 
(heaven forbid) the poisonous whis’ay from a jug. No, 
look again; it is Sir Grouse filling his bagpipes for an- 
other call. The sacs are expanding, and you note with 
pleasure the deep golden color of each, as distended to 
their fullest, and the deep-hued feathers on either side 
of the neck are standing straight out from the throat. 
Now the las t suspicious “gurgle” for this time is' over, 
and a new refrain begins, as the bird with head lowered 
lets forth the opening notes: Bo-oo-boom-hoo-oo-h-m- 
m boom, and so on in situ as befoi'e. The bird lowers 
and raises his head repeatedly through the action of 
calling, and the one inflation lasts for a lengthy tune to 
be given. 
In comparing the gurgling sound of filling the sacs 
with that of drinking or pouring whisky from a jug, 
the sound is very simitar, but the action is far different, 
as between inhaling pure, unadulterated sir and imbib- 
ing a deleterious stimulant, I can fina no comparison. 
I admire the writings of “J. Cypress, Jr.,” and of the 
lamented “Frank Forester” for the glorious truths con- 
veyed, and beautiful, expressive language used, also for 
the tender humanitarian spirit shown in and through- 
out all; but I deplore the sad example of making allu- 
sion to the use of spirituous liquors on all occasions of 
sport, as tending to sully the fame of sportsmen as a 
class. Here we may take a lesson from the very game 
we seek, if we would truly enjoy the sport of shooting 
or fishing. AVe live as nature intended us to, and never 
contaminate the fair face of nature with intoxication. 
Twenty minutes passed in rapt attention to Sir Grouse, 
and it has seemed but little more than as many seconds. 
Now list for a final hearing ere we ruthlessly interrupt 
him in his covert. Once more the royal fellow charms 
us with his peculiar resounding voice, and again fills 
his organs for further effort still. Now, raise a hand 
above the brush and notice the sharp pw-wit as he 
takes to flight straight for yonder meadow across the 
brook. He flies hurriedly, wildly uttering meantime a 
grumbling tr-r-vt-tut as he sails away. Is it not worth 
your while to see your favorite game bird at his best, 
and in his proudest mood? Then take a leisure hour, 
my sportsman friend, at sunrise, and I warrant you will 
not regret the time or trouble of “stealing a march” on 
the grouse. 
llarkaway, Rollo. 
The bills are doffing their misty hoods. 
Shoulder your gun, man — seek the woods — 
And bid your pointer follow ! 
The earth is clad in her russet mail. 
The partridge is drumming, and piping the quail, 
“Harkaway, Eollol” 
WhaA If your gun be not so snre 
As woodman’s rifle, or lance of Moor. 
Or bow of great Apollo? 
Slightly damaged its ancient stock. 
And somewhat weak about the lock, 
•“Harkaway, Kollo !” 
The old dog leaps at the welcome cqjl 
As many a season. Spring and Fall, 
He has leapt at the huntsman’s halloo; 
His muzzle is gray, and his eyes are dim. 
But you cannot weaken the spirit In him— 
“Harkaway, Rollo !” 
Hie nose is a nose, (says one who knows). 
That will stand the rest of the Ayes and Noes 
Of men that Dogology follow; 
And the tail is a thorough-bred tail for game. 
With a lively wiggle when you exclaim, 
“Harkaway, Kollo !’’ 
Hither and thither he plays about 
In dashing curves, like a captive trout, 
Through brake, o'er hill and hollow ; 
But quick at your whistle, he “comes to heel.” 
And lies till you answer his mute appeal, 
“Harkaway, Rollo !” 
He has flushed a covey! a flash and a bang! 
And a flash in the pan— and a scries of slai'g 
Ejaculations follow! 
“Find Dead!” you advance — you have killed one bird— 
And wounded a second, and frightened a third— 
“Harkaway, Kollo I” 
Now home to supper— yon have enough- 
Old Rollo is tired— the ground is rough. 
So let him quietly follow; 
And give him a bed to-night in the ball. 
That he may be ready to answer your call, 
“Harkaway, Rollo I” 
.\ faithful dog is a changeless friend. 
Though skies of adversity over you bend. 
And human hearts be hollow; 
Then cherish him kindly, in sun and rain, 
’Till the Huntsman Heath shall loosen bis chain, 
And(soand in his ear the old refrain, 
“Harkaway, Rollo 1’’ K.vbl. 
A Hartford man was not satisfled with the way his pup was get- 
ting along. He was advised to try oatmeal. They were out of oat- 
meal atjthe.etorc(and he got some buckwheat, the raising sort— and 
the dog had a hearty feed of it. But it was too much for him. He 
lusted till he was as big as a flour barrel but then his skin gave out. 
