

FOREST AND STREAM. 
203 


Sea and River Fishing. 
FISH IN SEASON IN NOVEMBER. 
Coast Fisn. LAaKts. 
Bluefish, Skipjack. Horse Mackerel, Black Bass, (Mic opterus nig 
(Temnodon saltator.) and arshigan.) (two species. 
eae’ Squetaug (Trout) Ofoli- Pickerel, (Zsow reticulatus.) 
us. 


: Bays AND EsTuARIEs. 
§ triped Bass, Rockfish. (Ladrax leneatus.) 
SOUTHERN WATERS. 
Pompano. Trout, (Black Bass.) Sheepshead. 
Snapper. Dram, rn Eg aaa ) Tailorfish . 
Grouper. Kingfish Sea Bass. 
Rockfish. 
——_¢———- 
—The sea bass with which many anglers are now amus- 
ing themselves in lieu of something better, is a large- 
mouthed fish, with ample fins and tail, and having no 
teeth, the fisherman extracts the hook by inserting a finger 
in the mouth, clasping it by the under jaw. The sexes are 
readily distinguished, the female being of a dingy brown, 
while the male is of a beautiful bright blue-black. They ' 
are found inshore on reefs and mussel-beds, and are usual- 
ly caught in company with the blackfish, though at certain 
seasons they are quite abundant on shoals and banks along 
our northern and eastern coasts. They vary in size from 
three-fourths of a pound to twelve, and are considered fine 
for boiling and for chowders. 
Although the sea bass is a bottom fish, yet once on an 
outward-bound voyage to the southward of the Gulf Stream, 
we made fast toa ship’s lower mast found adrift on the sur- 
tace, which was covered with clam barnacles and surround- 
ed with sea bass. We caught all that we wanted, and cut 
loose. They weighed from five to twelve pounds each, and 
were all male fish. The mouth of the sea bass is so large 
that in hauling them in from a depth of several fathoms 
the “sport” is reduced to a minimum by tie time they 
reach the surface, the process almost drowning them. They 
are caught as far south as Florida, where two species are 
found. 
—On Sunday, November 2, two striped bass were caught 
with hook and line, still fishing, by Messrs. W. H. and E. 
T. Walker, of 47 East Twelfth street, N. Y., on the Staten 
Island shore, near New Brighton, one of which weighed 
8 pounds, and the other 11% pounds. As _ these are 
the largest bass taken at New Brighton in several years, 
they made quite a sensation among the experts who 
thronged to see them. The fishing ought to be good from 
now until ice comes. 
New York, November 3d. 1873. 
Eprror Forersr aNp STREAM:—_ 
Tam glad to see that Mr. Mather has taken an interest in 
the matter of stocking the Hudson, and hope that his com- 
munication in your paper 50th, ult. will draw attention of 
others to the importance of the subject. 
And now is the time to try the experiment. ‘The an- 
nouncement is made in your paper and othor journals that 
Livingston Stone is about to bring, or has already com- 
menced to bring, eastward some two million of salmon ova, 
which he has been gathering from salmon from the Sacra- 
mento river. His operations have been conducted under 
directions of Mr. Baird, the Fishery Commissioner of the 
United States, and at the expense of the whole country. 
Whatever may be the doubts as to the salmon which are 
raised from eggs gathered in more northern latitudes seek- 
ing, or flourishing in rivers whose moutis are so far south 
as the Hudson and Delaware, there should be no question 
in regard to success with California salmon ova. The tem- 
perature of the Sacramento and its branches is much higher 
than that of the Hudson, as all know. <A proper represen- 
tation of the claims of the Hudson to a portion of these eggs 
by influential papers, and by our Fishery Commissioners— 
if they can be urged into showing some life—must result 
in Mr. Baird giving ourriver a trial. The cost is too great 
to be met by private purses; and Mr. Baird will be only too 
glad to have the opportunity of proving the usefulness of 
his work. The eggs could be hatched at the State hatching 
works, and the upper waters of the Hudson can now soon 
be reached by the Adirondack Railroad, to North Creek, 
and thence by stage. At Newcombe near the old Adiron- 
dack Iron Works, on the road to Long Lake, and there- 
abouts, there are many small and pure streams suitable for 
fry, and from thence down to Glenn’s Falls there are long 
stretches of the river itself entirely free from tan-bark, 
saw-dust, or other deleterious matter. A little inquiry at 
Glenn’s Falls would doubtless find many people acquainted 
with every mile of the Hudson and its tributaries above 
that place. I have seen many a river in Canada apparently 
less adapted to salmon, and where protection gives the 
seineries large hauls of that fish in the tide waters thereof, 
and good rod fishing above the flow of salt water. 
There is no reason why, in a few years, with proper ef- 
forts now the new fisheries in New York Bay and the tidal 
waters of the Hudson, should not get their salmon as well 
as they now get shad. And it is just here that the import- 
ance of the subject appears; for as the value of the shad 
fisheries is great, so can our salmon seineries become valu- 
able. It is as a question of commerce and food that I urge 
action. Rod fishing will necessarily follow, and when 
done in season cannot harm. In fact, as you know, rod 
fishing in Canada is the very preservation and safety of the 
supply of salmon for the purpose of commerce. 
In regard to the saw-dust, Ido not think that any great 
impediment, although doubtless injurious. Salmon can 
easily find spawning places above Albany and Troy, and 
the presence of a few dyes or other foulness in as large 
waters as the Hudson, at these and places below, will not 
prevent their going through and up until they do reach 
pure water. In Scotland and the North of England the 
mouths and lower waters of their salmon rivers are often 
foul with every refuse which accompanies manufacturing, 
commerce, and civilization, and yet the fish know by in- 
stinct and memory that pure waters are above; and they go 
through thicker messes of scum in small rivers, than any 
refuse you can find diluted in the broad and deep waters of 
our river. They do not seem to mind the steamboats there, 
although the tugs fairly make the mud boil in the narrow 
channels of the small Scoteh and English rivers. 
Now, Mr. Editor, it will take four or five years to find 
out whether this salmon experiment will succeed (I heartily 
believe it will; wde Mr. Wilmot’s success in Canada in the 
streams running into Lake Ontario, where salmon are now 
quite plenty, but whence they were driven years ago.) 
Will not our Commissioners apply to Mr. Baird for a fair 
proportion of these two million of California eggs, hatch 
them, and place them in the upper waters of the Hudson? 
Mr. Slack, of the New Jersey Commission, has done some- 
thing; need our Commissioners do less? Salmon fry should 
be deposited next spring, and additions made for five years 
to come. Then will the expense of our State Commission 
have been indeed money well laid out. But now is the time 
to commence, ata small outlay. Apply for the salmon 
eggs now. PISCATOR. 
New York, October 2, 1873. 
Eprvror or Fores’ anB STREAM :— 
I cut the enclosed paragraph from a copy of the Sua: 
‘A salmon weighing some seven pounds was taken near 
Governor's Island on Friday last. It is supposed to have 
belonged to the myriad of young ones let loose in the upper 
waters of the Hudson river two or three years ago. 
Can you inform your many readers when and where the 
myriads of young salmon referred to in the above slip cut 
from the Sun of to-day’s issue, were put into the Hudson? 
I hope the facts are so; if not, then why not endeavor to 
put into the Hudson some of the two millions of California 
salmon eggs which Livingston Stone is announced to bring 
on from the Sacramento River? Surely, the Hudson is as 
important a stream to stock as the Susquehanna, Schuylkill, 
or Delaware, and as well adapted for salmon. As these 
two million eggs are paid for by the United States Com- 
mission, we have a right to demand that some of them be 
placed in the Hudson. Will you urge this matter upon 
Mr. Baird? Yours, SALMO SALAR. 

[Wedo not know of any ‘‘ myriads” of young salmon 
put into the Hudson, nor of even one fish. Some private 
parties are hatching salmon in a tributary, and are succeed- 
ing well, we believe. See No. 11 of this paper, page 168.— 









Ep. | 
Pachting and Boating. 
HIGH WATER. FOR THE WEEK. 
DATE. BOSTON. 42 HARE STN 
mre hs) ms ae eee h. m. 
ey. 36 3 "3 | 8 36 
ab Oy iG a | 9 27 
2 18 | 11 00 10 18 
3 09 11 54 | he is) 
4 O1 | ev. 48 ev. 1 
4 56 | das 0 56 
5 49 2 35 { 1 49 


—Yachting and boating being virtually closed for the 
season, and in order that our subscribers should not lose 
the interest that they have manifestly taken in these manly 
pastimes, we shall give from week to week during the fall 
and winter months a short review of all recognized Yacht 
and Boat Clubs, throughout the United States and Domin- 
ion of Canada. If secretaries of clubs and friends cf yacht- 
ing and boating will kindly ‘‘Iend us a hand,” and send us 
items of service to those who take an especial interest in 
aquatic sports, they would be furnishing information 
which will be read with profit and pleasure. As the New 
York Yacht Clnb is the oldest organization of the kind, and 
an acknowledged authority on all matters pertinent to its 
name, we give it the first place and will start with their 
August cruise. The season has been one of varied success, 
both as regards weather and the comparatively small list of 
entries to contend for the large number of cups, prizes and 
purses, which have been presented by several officers of the 
club. The August cruise was sadly interfered with, as 
Long Island Sound has scarcely ever witnessed such a suc- 
cession ot bad weather during the first four days. The 
vessels of the fleet rendezvoused at Glen Cove on the 11th 
of August, Rear Commedore Kingsland taking command 
of the fleet in consequence of the absence of the Commo- 
dore and the Yacht of the Vice Commodore. The Squad- 
ron started for Newport under very adverse weather, which 
compelled several of the yachts to make harbors for shelter 
where they remained for two days weather bound, and 
after a series of delays finally arrived at Newport. The fleet 
started from Newport on the 18th on a cruise to Martha’s 
Vineyard, but the weather was again very dirty. After 
cruising and tacking for sometime, several of the yachts 
becoming disabled, the Commodore signalled the order to 
return to Newport. The Bennett Cups were sailed for 
August 21st. Schooners Alarm, Eva, Foam, Idler, Joseph- 
ine, Madeleine, Madgie, and Tidal Wave; Sloops Ariadne, 
Qui Vive, Vision and Vixen, were the starters. The 
Madeliene won the cup, and in a run of forty miles made 
the fastest time on record—sh. 22m. 23sec. On August 
23d the Douglass Cups were sailed for; the Madeleine again 
winning the Cup for Schooners. The Vision won the Cup 
for Sloops. James Gordon Bennett, Esq., the Commodore 
of the Club, presented a series of cups, prizes and purses, 
which were sailed for in October last. 
The race for the Schooner and Sloop Cups each of the 
value of $500, was sailed on October 2d. The wind was 
very light and the weather just the opposite to that of 
August. At the south-west spit the wind freshened alittle, 
barely suflicient to fill the sails of the smaller craft, the 
larger boats having no chance at all in the race. As the 
race by the rules had to be sailed within eight hours, the 
Eva won the Cup for Schooners, and the Vision the one for 
Sloops, with bat a few minutes to spare. The ocean races 
were sailed one week later on October 9th. These races 
are so tresh in the minds of our readers that we will only 
give the winners of the different prizes. The Enchantress 
won the $1,000 Cup for Schooners. The Thomas 8. Negus 
won the $1,000 Purse for Pilot Boats. The W. H. Van 
Name the $2350 Purse for Working Schooners, and the 
Wallace Blackford the $250 Purse for Smacks. 
As we finish this short resumé of the New York Yacht 
Club, it suggests itself that if the club in question would 
build their yachts stauncher, make the spars a little shorter 
and stouter, they would better withstand the wear and 
tear of the season. The fact cannot be concealed that 
the expenses of keeping up such yachting establishments 
must be excessive, aud thus debar many gentlemen from 
entering into this most exhilerating sport, owing to the ex- 
ample shown them of building pretty, light, racing craft 
which must be constantly requiring repairs and large out- 
lays of money. 
—The American Schooner Faustine, E. Y. 0., Mr. Pea- 
body Russell, is now hauled up on Hansen’s slip at Cowes, 
England, having a false keel put on, which will enabie her 
to go to wind better than she at present does. 
—Mr. Loubat’s Yacht Enchantress, is undergoing a 
thorough refitting, and will have a new set of sails prepar- 
atory to making her European voyage. She will most 
likely start on or about the 12th instant. 
HARVARD CoLLGE, November 1, 1873. 
EDITOR FoRE T AND STREAM :— 
Notwithstanding Harvard’s defeat at the Springfield re- 
gatta, which, by the way, she has the grace to acknowledge 
with all candor, the interest in beating continues unabated. 
The Scratch races held on October 4th, were more than 
usually successful. In the single scull race Stone, of ’74, 
came in ahead, and showed some excellent rowing. In the 
race for double sculls, Appleton and Wetmore were vic- 
torious over their opponents of ’76. The race for six oars 
was contested by two crews miscellaneously made up.’ The 
fall regatta took place on the 25th of October on the Charles. 
Owing to rough water only the last race on the programme 
was rowed, that between the class crews. The Senior, So- 
phomore and Freshman classes were represented. These 
crews pulled respectively 37, 38, and 39 strokes per minute 
at the start, and held to that rate until the end of the race. - 
The Seniors came in ahead, closely followed by the Sopho- 
mores, The Freshmen did well for the short time they 
have practiced together, and raise some hopes that Har- 
vard’s defeat in the Freshman race at Spring‘ield will be 
atoned for next season. The following is the time: 
SOMO CLOW tin cree oh cata am tee ety See eugene 15 min. 7 sec. 
JUIDLOR COW, vrei: sees sie erie oth eer TON) Loa secs 
(BREST TN RNa Py WA acs casket ieee Shh es or tens 15 min. 35° sec. 
An important meeting of the University Boat Club was 
held Octobor 2ist. The treasurcr’s report showed the club 
to be in an excellent financial condition. The debt on the 
boat-house, which at the beginning of the year amounted 
to $3,000 has been reduced to six hundred. An amend- 
ment was made to the constitution to the effect that the 
treasurer shall be a graduate of the University, who, it is 
supposed, would keep the accounts more systematically 
than an average undergraduate. HOLDEN. 


—Tne SPANISH Saitor’s Parrot.—Mr. Bret Harte, in a 
charming letter to the 7rébune, tells of meeting an old lady 
of past a hundred, who had seen Washington. From the old 
dame he gathers the story of a sailor and a parrot, which 
Mr. Harte tells in his inimitable way :— 
“It was a terrible night, that winter’s night when she 
and the century were young together. The sun was lost at 
three o’clock; the snowy nig ht came down like a vhite 
sheet that flapped around the house, beat at the windows 
with its edges, and at last wrapped it in a close embrace. 
In the midide of the night they thought they heard above 
the wind a voice crying “Christus! Christus!” in a foreign 
tongue. They opened the «door—no easy task in the north 
wind that pressed its strong shoulders against it—but noth- 
ing was to be seen but the drifting snow. The next morn- 
ing dawned on the fences hidden, : and a landscape changed 
and obliterated with drift. During the day they again 
heard the cry of ‘‘Christus!” this time faint and hidden like 
a child’s voice. They searched in vain, the drifted snow 
hid its secret. On the third day they broke a path to the 
fence, and then they heard the cry distinctly. Digging 
down they found the body of aman—a Spanish saflor, 
dark and bearded, with ear-rings in his ears. As they 
stood gazing down at his cold and pulseless figure, the cry 
of “Christus” again rose upon the wintry air, and they 
turned and fled in superstitious terror,to the house. And 
then one of the children, bolder than the rest, knelt down 
and opened the dead man’s rough pea-jacket and found— 
what think you?—a little blue “and green parrot nestling 
against his breast! It was the bird that had echoed mechan- 
ically the last despairing cry of the life that was given to 
save it. It was the bird that ever after, amid outlandish 
oaths and wilder sailor songs that I fear often shocked the 
pure ears of its gentle mistress and brought scandal into 
the Jerseys, st ill retained that one weird and mournful 
crys 
—Why is moose calling allowable in hot weather? 
cause it is a low device; (load of ice). 
— et 
—Desdemona’s destiny—amour; (a moor). 
Be- 
