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diff --git a/40018-8.txt b/40018-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 73b9420..0000000 --- a/40018-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10990 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bass, Pike, Perch, and Others, by -James Alexander Henshall - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Bass, Pike, Perch, and Others - -Author: James Alexander Henshall - -Release Date: June 17, 2012 [EBook #40018] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BASS, PIKE, PERCH, AND OTHERS *** - - - - -Produced by Mark Young, Greg Bergquist and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by Biodiversity Heritage Library.) - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration front cover] - - - - - _THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN'S LIBRARY_ - - _EDITED BY - CASPAR WHITNEY_ - - BASS, PIKE, PERCH - AND OTHERS - -[Illustration illo 003] - -[Illustration illo 005] - - BASS, PIKE, PERCH - AND OTHERS - - BY - - JAMES A. HENSHALL, M.D. - - AUTHOR OF "BOOK OF THE BLACK-BASS," "MORE ABOUT THE BLACK-BASS." - "CAMPING AND CRUISING IN FLORIDA," "YE GODS - AND LITTLE FISHES," ETC. - -[Illustration illo 006] - - New York - THE MACMILLAN COMPANY - LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LTD. - 1903 - - _All rights reserved_ - - COPYRIGHT, 1903. - BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. - - Set up and electrotyped April, 1903. - - Norwood Press - J.S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. - Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. - - - - -INTRODUCTION - -In this volume are included all of the game-fishes of the United States -east of the Rocky Mountains, except the salmons and trouts, and the -tarpon, jewfish, and other fishes of large size, which are described in -other volumes of this series. As a matter of convenience I have grouped -the fishes in families, whenever possible, but in their sequence I have -been guided chiefly by their importance as game-fishes, and not in -accordance with their natural order. The latter feature, however, has -been provided for in a systematic list on a subsequent page. - -In order not to burden the text with matter that might not be of general -interest, the technical descriptions of the fishes of each group are -given in small type at the head of each chapter; and that they may be -readily understood by the lay reader the following explanations seem -necessary. - -The length of the head is from the point of the snout to the hindmost -point or margin of the gill-cover. The length of the body is from the -point of the snout to the base of the caudal fin, the fin itself not -being included. The depth of the body is from the highest point of the -dorsal line to the lowest point of the ventral line, usually from the -base of the first dorsal fin to the base of the ventral fin. The -expression "head 5" means that the length of the head is contained five -times in the length of the body; the expression "depth 5" means that the -depth of the body is contained five times in its length; "eye 5" means -that the diameter of the eye is contained five times in the length of -the head. In describing the fins the spiny rays are denoted by Roman -numerals, and the soft rays by Arabic numerals, and the fins themselves -by initials; thus "D. 9" means that the dorsal fin is single and -composed of nine soft rays; "D. IX, 10" means that the single dorsal fin -has nine spiny rays and ten soft rays; when separated by a hyphen, as -"D. X-12," it means that there are two dorsal fins, the first composed -of ten spiny rays and the second of twelve soft ones; "A. III, 11" means -that the anal fin has three spines and eleven soft rays. The expression -"scales 7-65-18" indicates that there are seven rows of scales between -the dorsal fin and the lateral line, sixty-five scales along the -lateral line, and eighteen oblique or horizontal rows between the -lateral line and the ventral line. The number of rays in the fins and -the number of scales along the lateral line, as given, represent the -average number, and are subject to slight variation; thus in some -localities the number of rays in a fin may be found to vary one or two, -and the number of scales along the lateral line may vary from one to -five, more or less, from the number given in the descriptions. - -I have adhered strictly to the nomenclature of the "Fishes of Middle and -North America" (Bulletin, U.S. National Museum, No. 47), by Jordan and -Evermann, and in the main I have followed the descriptions as recorded -in that admirable work; but in many instances I have depended on my own -notes. - -The suggestions as to angling and the tools and tackle recommended may -be confidently relied on, as they are in conformity with my own practice -and are based on my personal experience, covering a period of forty -years, on many waters, from Canada to the West Indies, and from the -Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains. - - JAMES A. HENSHALL. - - BOZEMAN, MONTANA. - February 1, 1903. - - - - -SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF THE FISHES DESCRIBED IN THIS VOLUME - - FAMILY =SILURIDÆ= - - =Ictalurus punctatus= (Rafinesque). =The Channel Catfish=. - - FAMILY =CYPRINIDÆ= - - =Cyprinus carpio=, Linnæus. =The German Carp=. - - FAMILY =ELOPIDÆ= - - =Elops saurus=, Linnæus. =The Ten-pounder=. - - FAMILY =ALBULIDÆ= - - =Albula vulpes= (Linnæus). =The Lady-Fish=. - - FAMILY =SALMONIDÆ= - - =Coregonus williamsoni=, Girard. =The Rocky Mountain Whitefish=. - =Argyrosomus artedi sisco=, Jordan. =The Cisco=. - - FAMILY =THYMALLIDÆ= - - =Thymallus signifer= (Richardson). =The Arctic Grayling=. - =Thymallus tricolor=, Cope. =The Michigan Grayling=. - =Thymallus montanus=, Milner. =The Montana Grayling=. - - FAMILY =ARGENTINIDÆ= - - =Osmerus mordax= (Mitchill). =The Smelt=. - - FAMILY =ESOCIDÆ= - - =Esox americanus=, Gmelin. =The Banded Pickerel=. - =Esox vermiculatus=, Le Sueur. =The Western Pickerel=. - - =Esox reticulatus=, Le Sueur. =The Eastern Pickerel=. - =Esox lucius=, Linnæus. =The Pike=. - =Esox nobilior=, Thompson. =The Mascalonge=. - - FAMILY =HOLOCENTRIDÆ= - - =Holocentrus ascensionis= (Osbeck). =The Squirrel Fish=. - - FAMILY =SCOMBRIDÆ= - - =Sarda sarda= (Bloch). =The Bonito=. - =Scomberomorus maculatus= (Mitchill). =The Spanish Mackerel=. - =Scomberomorus regalis= (Bloch). =The Cero=. - - FAMILY =CARANGIDÆ= - - =Carangus crysos= (Mitchill). =The Runner=. - =Carangus latus= (Agassiz). =The Horse-eye Jack=. - =Trachinotus glaucus= (Bloch). =The Gaff Top-sail Pompano=. - =Trachinotus goodei=, Jordan & Evermann. =The Permit=. - =Trachinotus carolinus= (Linnæus). =The Pompano=. - - FAMILY =RACHYCENTRIDÆ= - - =Rachycentron canadus= (Linnæus). =The Cobia=. - - FAMILY =CENTRARCHIDÆ= - - =Pomoxis annularis=, Rafinesque. =The Crappie=. - =Pomoxis sparoides= (Lacépéde). =The Calico-bass=. - =Ambloplites rupestris= (Rafinesque). =The Rock-bass=. - =Archoplites interruptus= (Girard). =The Sacramento Perch=. - =Chænobryttus gulosus= (Cuvier & Valenciennes). =The Warmouth Perch=. - =Lepomis auritus= (Linnæus). =The Red-breast Sunfish=. - =Lepomis megalotis= (Rafinesque). =The Long-eared Sunfish=. - =Lepomis pallidus= (Mitchill). =The Blue Sunfish=. - =Eupomotis gibbosus= (Linnæus). =The Common Sunfish=. - =Micropterus dolomieu=, Lacépéde. =The Small-mouth Black-bass=. - =Micropterus salmoides= (Lacépéde). =The Large-mouth Black-bass=. - - FAMILY =PERCIDÆ= - - =Stizostedion vitreum= (Mitchill). =The Pike-perch=. - =Stizostedion canadense= (Smith). =The Sauger=. - =Perca flavescens= (Mitchill). =The Yellow Perch=. - - FAMILY =CENTROPOMIDÆ= - - =Centropomus undecimalis= (Bloch). =The Snook, or Rovallia=. - - FAMILY =SERRANIDÆ= - - =Roccus chrysops= (Rafinesque). =The White-bass=. - =Roccus lineatus= (Bloch). =The Striped-bass=. - =Morone interrupta=, Gill. =The Yellow-bass=. - =Morone americana= (Gmelin). =The White Perch=. - =Petrometopon cruentatus= (Lacépéde). =The Coney=. - =Bodianus fulvus= (Linnæus). =The Nigger Fish=. - =Epinephelus adscensionis= (Osbeck). =The Rock Hind=. - =Epinephelus guttatus= (Linnæus). =The Red Hind=. - =Mycteroperca venenosa= (Linnæus). =The Yellow Fin Grouper=. - =Mycteroperca microlepis= (Goode & Bean). =The Gag=. - =Mycteroperca falcata phenax=, Jordan & Swain. =The Scamp=. - =Centropristes striatas= (Linnæus). =The Sea-bass=. - =Centropristes ocyurus= (Jordan & Evermann). =The Gulf Sea-bass=. - =Centropristes philadelphicus= (Linnæus). =The Southern Sea-bass=. - =Diplectrum formosum= (Linnæus). =The Sand-fish=. - - FAMILY =LOBOTIDÆ= - - =Lobotes surinamensis= (Bloch). =The Triple Tail=. - - FAMILY =LUTIANIDÆ= - - =Lutianus jocu= (Bloch & Schneider). =The Dog Snapper=. - =Lutianus apodus= (Walbaum). =The Schoolmaster=. - =Lutianus aya= (Bloch). =The Red Snapper=. - =Lutianus synagri=s (Linnæus). =The Lane Snapper=. - =Ocyurus chrysurus= (Bloch). =The Yellow-tail=. - - FAMILY =HÆMULIDÆ= - - =Hæmulon album=, Curvier & Valenciennes. =The Margate-fish=. - =Hæmulon macrostomum=, Gunther. =The Gray Grunt=. - =Hæmulon parra= (Desmarest). =The Sailor's Choice=. - =Hæmulon sciurus= (Shaw). =The Yellow Grunt=. - =Hæmulon plumieri= (Lacépéde). =The Black Grunt=. - =Hæmulon flavolineatum= (Desmarest). =The French Grunt=. - =Anisotremus virginicus= (Linnæus). =The Pork-fish=. - =Orthopristis chrysopterus= (Linnæus). =The Pig-fish=. - - FAMILY =SPARIDÆ= - - =Stenotomus chrysops= (Linnæus). =The Scup=. - =Stenotomus aculeatus= (Cuvier & Valenciennes). =The Southern Porgy=. - =Calamus calamus= (Cuvier & Valenciennes). =The Saucer-eye Porgy=. - =Calamus proridens=, Jordan & Gilbert. =The Little Head Porgy=. - =Calamus bajonado= (Bloch & Schneider). =The Jolt Head Porgy=. - =Calamus arctifrons=, Goode & Bean. =The Grass Porgy=. - =Lagodon rhomboides= (Linnæus). =The Pin-fish=. - =Archosargus probatocephalus= (Walbaum). =The Sheepshead=. - - FAMILY =KYPHOSIDÆ= - - =Kyphosus sectatrix= (Linnæus). =The Bermuda Chub=. - - FAMILY =SCIÆNIDÆ= - - =Cynoscion nothus= (Holbrook). =The Bastard Weakfish=. - =Cynoscion regalis= (Bloch & Schneider). =The Weakfish=. - =Cynoscion thalassinus= (Holbrook). =The Deep-water Weakfish=. - =Cynoscion nebulosus= (Cuvier & Valenciennes). =The Spotted Weakfish=. - =Leiostomus xanthurus=, Lacépéde. =The Lafayette, or Spot=. - =Micropogon undulatus= (Linnæus). =The Croaker=. - =Menticirrhus saxatilis= (Bloch & Schneider). =The Kingfish=. - =Aplodinotus grunniens=, Rafinesque. =The Fresh-water Drumfish=. - - FAMILY =LABRIDÆ= - - =Tautogolabrus adspersus= (Walbaum). =The Cunner=. - - FAMILY =EPHIPPIDÆ= - - =Chætodipterus faber= (Broussonet). =The Angel-fish=. - - FAMILY =BALISTIDÆ= - - =Balistes carolinensis=, Gmelin. =The Turbot=. - - FAMILY =PLEURONECTIDÆ= - - =Pseudopleuronectes americanus= (Walbaum). =The Flounder=. - - - - - CONTENTS - - CHAPTER I PAGE - - THE SUNFISH FAMILY, _Centrarchidæ_ 1 - - The Small-mouth Black-bass, _Micropterus dolomieu_ 3 - - The Large-mouth Black-bass, _Micropterus salmoides_ 30 - - The Rock-bass, _Ambloplites rupestris_ 52 - - The Sacramento Perch, _Archoplites interruptus_ 57 - - The Warmouth Perch, _Chænobryttus gulosus_ 58 - - The Blue Sunfish, _Lepomis pallidus_ 62 - - The Long-eared Sunfish, _Lepomis megalotis_ 65 - - The Red-breast Sunfish, _Lepomis auritus_ 67 - - The Common Sunfish, _Eupomotis gibbosus_ 69 - - The Calico-bass, _Pomoxis sparoide_ 73 - - The Crappie, _Pomoxis annularis_ 79 - - - CHAPTER II - - THE BASS FAMILY, _Serranidæ_ 85 - - The White-bass, _Roccus chrysops_ 86 - - The Yellow-bass, _Morone interrupta_ 90 - - - CHAPTER III - - THE SEA-BASS FAMILY, _Serranidæ_ (continued) 95 - - The Striped-bass, _Roccus lineatus_ 96 - - The White-perch, _Morone americana_ 110 - - The Sea-bass, _Centropristes striatus_ 115 - - The Southern Sea-bass, _Centropristes philadelphicus_ 118 - - The Gulf Sea-bass, _Centropristes ocyuru_ 119 - - - CHAPTER IV - - THE PIKE FAMILY, _Esocidæ_ 120 - - The Mascalonge, _Esox nobilior_ 122 - - The Pike, _Esox lucius_ 137 - - The Eastern Pickerel, _Esox reticulatus_ 149 - - The Western Pickerel, _Esox vermiculatus_ 153 - - The Banded Pickerel, _Esox americanus_ 154 - - - CHAPTER V - - THE PERCH FAMILY, _Percidæ_ 156 - - The Pike-perch, _Stizostedion vitreum_ 157 - - The Sauger, _Stizostedion canadense_ 164 - - The Yellow-perch, _Perca flavescens_ 165 - - - CHAPTER VI - - THE GRAYLING FAMILY, _Thymallidæ_ 173 - - The Arctic Grayling, _Thymallus signifer_ 176 - - The Michigan Grayling, _Thymallus tricolor_ 178 - - The Montana Grayling, _Thymallus montanus_ 181 - - - CHAPTER VII - - THE SALMON FAMILY, _Salmonidæ_ 203 - - The Rocky Mountain Whitefish, _Coregonus williamsoni_ 204 - - The Cisco, _Argyrosomus artedi sisco_ 207 - - - CHAPTER VIII - - THE DRUM FAMILY, _Sciænidæ_ 213 - - The Weakfish, _Cynoscion regalis_ 215 - - The Bastard Weakfish, _Cynoscion nothus_ 221 - - The Kingfish, _Menticirrhus saxatilis_ 221 - - The Croaker, _Micropogon undulatus_ 226 - - The Lafayette, _Leiostomus xanthurus_ 228 - - - CHAPTER IX - - THE DRUM FAMILY, _Sciænidæ_ (continued) 232 - - The Fresh-water Drumfish, _Aplodinotus grunniens_ 232 - - - CHAPTER X - - THE MINNOW FAMILY, _Cyprinidæ_ 236 - - The German Carp, _Cyprinus carpio_ 236 - - - CHAPTER XI - - THE CATFISH FAMILY, _Siluridæ_ 244 - - The Channel-catfish, _Ictalurus punctatus_ 244 - - - CHAPTER XII - - THE SHEEPSHEAD FAMILY, _Sparidæ_ 251 - - The Sheepshead, _Archosargus probatocephalus_ 252 - - The Scup, _Stenotomus chrysops_ 259 - - - CHAPTER XIII - - MISCELLANEOUS FISHES - - The Cunner, _Tautogolabrus adspersus_ 264 - - The Flounder, _Pseudopleuronectes americanus_ 266 - - The Smelt, _Osmerus mordax_ 269 - - - CHAPTER XIV - - THE MACKEREL FAMILY, _Scombridæ_ 272 - - The Spanish Mackerel, _Scomberomorus maculatus_ 273 - - The Cero, _Scomberomorus regalis_ 278 - - The Bonito, _Sarda sarda_ 282 - - - CHAPTER XV - - THE GROUPER FAMILY, _Serranidæ_ 285 - - The Gag, _Mycteroperca microlepis_ 287 - - The Scamp, _Mycteroperca falcata phenax_ 291 - - The Yellow-finned Grouper, _Mycteroperca venenosa_ 294 - - The Rock Hind, _Epinephelus adscensionis_ 295 - - The Red Hind, _Epinephelus guttatus_ 297 - - The Coney, _Petrometopon cruentatus_ 299 - - The Nigger-fish, _Bodianus fulvus_ 300 - - The Sand-fish, _Diplectrum formosum_ 303 - - - CHAPTER XVI - - THE CAVALLI FAMILY, _Carangidæ_ 306 - - The Runner, _Carangus chrysos_ 307 - - The Horse-eye Jack, _Carangus latus_ 310 - - The Pompano, _Trachinotus carolinus_ 311 - - - CHAPTER XVII - - THE CHANNEL FISHES - - THE GRUNT FAMILY, _Hæmulidæ_ 321 - - The Black Grunt, _Hæmulon plumieri_ 323 - - The Yellow Grunt, _Hæmulon sciurus_ 326 - - The Margate-fish, _Hæmulon album_ 328 - - The Sailor's Choice, _Hæmulon parra_ 330 - - The Pig-fish, _Orthopristis chrysopterus_ 331 - - The Pork-fish, _Anisotremus virginicus_ 334 - - THE SNAPPER FAMILY, _Lutianidæ_ 336 - - The Yellow-tail, _Ocyurus chrysurus_ 338 - - The Lane Snapper, _Lutianus synagris_ 339 - - The Red Snapper, _Lutianus aya_ 342 - - The Dog Snapper, _Lutianus jocu_ 344 - - The Schoolmaster, _Lutianus apodus_ 345 - - THE PORGY FAMILY, _Sparidæ_ 347 - - The Jolt-head Porgy, _Calamus bajonado_ 348 - - The Saucer-eye Porgy, _Calamus calamus_ 350 - - The Little-head Porgy, _Calamus proridens_ 352 - - The Grass Porgy, _Calamus arctifrons_ 353 - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - MISCELLANEOUS FISHES - - The Lady-fish, _Albula vulpes_ 355 - - The Ten-pounder, _Elops saurus_ 361 - - The Snook, _Centropomus undecimalis_ 366 - - The Triple-tail, _Lobotes surinamensis_ 370 - - The Cobia, _Rachycentron canadus_ 373 - - The Spotted Weakfish, _Cynoscion nebulosus_ 376 - - The Deep-sea Weakfish, _Cynoscion thalassinus_ 381 - - The Bermuda Chub, _Kyphosus sectatrix_ 382 - - The Angel-fish, _Chætodipterus faber_ 384 - - The Pinfish, _Lagodon rhomboides_ 386 - - The Squirrel-fish, _Holocentrus ascensionis_ 388 - - The Turbot, _Balistes carolinensis_ 390 - - INDEX 401 - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - PAGE - -OSWEGO (LARGE-MOUTH) BASS 36 - -THE SMALL-MOUTH BLACK-BASS. THE LARGE-MOUTH BLACK-BASS. -THE ROCK-BASS 62 - -SURF-FISHING FOR BASS 96 - -CATCHING SEA-BASS OFF NEWPORT 100 - -THE SEA-BASS. THE MASCALONGE. THE PIKE 114 - -THE MASCALONGE OF THE WEEDS. TROLLING WITH HANDLINE 120 - -THE EASTERN PICKEREL. THE WESTERN PICKEREL. THE PIKE-PERCH. THE -YELLOW-PERCH 140 - -THE ARCTIC GRAYLING. THE MICHIGAN GRAYLING. THE MONTANA GRAYLING 174 - -THE MORE SPORTSMANLY WAY OF CATCHING MASCALONGE 200 - -THE WEAKFISH. THE KINGFISH. THE GERMAN CARP 226 - -THE CHANNEL-CATFISH. THE SHEEPSHEAD. THE CUNNER 244 - -FISHING FOR CUNNERS 250 - -THE FLOUNDER. THE SMELT. THE SPANISH MACKEREL 264 - -THE BONITO. THE NIGGER-FISH. THE POMPANO 280 - -CATCHING SPANISH MACKEREL ON THE EDGE OF THE GULF STREAM 300 - -THE BLACK GRUNT. THE RED SNAPPER 322 - -THE JOLT-HEAD PORGY. THE LADY-FISH. THE COBIA 348 - -TAKING BONITO BY TROLLING OFF BLOCK ISLAND 350 - -THE ANGEL-FISH. THE TURBOT 384 - - - - -BASS, PIKE, AND PERCH - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE SUNFISH FAMILY (_Centrarchidæ_) - -The sunfish family is composed entirely of fresh-water fishes. They are -characterized by a symmetrically-shaped body, rather short and -compressed; mouth terminal; teeth small, without canines; scales rather -large; cheeks and gill-covers scaly; scales mostly smooth; border of -preopercle smooth, or but slightly serrated; opercle ending in two flat -points, or in a black flap; a single dorsal fin, composed of both spiny -and soft rays; anal fin also having both spines and soft rays; the -dorsal spines varying from 6 to 13 in the different species, with from 3 -to 9 in the anal fin; sexes similar; coloration mostly greenish. - - GENUS MICROPTERUS - - _Micropterus dolomieu._ Small-mouth Black-bass. Body - ovate-oblong; head 3; depth 3; eye 6; D. X, 13; A. III, 10; - scales 11-73-17; mouth large, the maxillary reaching front of - eye; scales on cheek minute, in 17 rows; teeth villiform. - - _Micropterus salmoides._ Large-mouth Black-bass. Body - ovate-oblong; head 3; depth 3; eye 5; D. X, 13; A. III, 11; - scales 8-68-16; scales on cheek large, in 10 rows; mouth very - large, maxillary extending beyond the eye; teeth villiform. - - GENUS AMBLOPLITES - - _Ambloplites rupestris._ Rock-bass. Body oblong, moderately - compressed; head 2-3/4; depth 2-1/2; eye 4; D. XI, 10; A. VI, - 10; scales 5-40-12, with 6 to 8 rows on cheeks; mouth large, - maxillary extending to posterior part of pupil; teeth small, - single patch on tongue; gill-rakers 7 to 10, on lower part of - arch; preopercle serrate near its angle; opercle ends in 2 flat - points. - - GENUS ARCHOPLITES - - _Archoplites interruptus._ Sacramento Perch. Body oblong-ovate, - compressed; head 2-2/3; depth 2-1/2; eye 4; D. XII, 10; A. VI, - 10; scales 7-45-14; 8 rows on cheeks; mouth very large, - maxillary extending beyond pupil; teeth numerous and small, - with 2 patches on tongue; gill-rakers 20; opercle emarginate; - most of the membrane bones of head serrate. - - GENUS CHÆNOBRYTTUS - - _Chænobryttus gulosus._ Warmouth Perch. Body heavy and deep; - head 2-1/2; depth 2-1/4; eye 4; D. X, 9; A. III, 8; scales - 6-42-11; 6 to 8 rows on cheeks; teeth small and numerous; - gill-rakers 9; preopercle entire; mouth very large; opercle - ends in a black convex flap. - - GENUS LEPOMIS - - _Lepomis pallidus._ Blue Sunfish. Body short and deep, - compressed; head 3; depth 2; eye 3-1/2; D. X, 12; A. III, 12; - scales 7-46-16; 5 rows on cheeks; mouth small, maxillary barely - reaching eye; teeth small and sharp; opercular flap without - pale edge; gill-rakers x + 11 to 13. - - _Lepomis megalotis._ Long-eared Sunfish. Body short and deep, - the back arched; head 3; depth 2; eye 4; D. X, 11; A. III, 9; - scales 5-40-14; 5 rows on cheeks; mouth small and oblique; - opercular flap long and broad, with red or blue margin; - gill-rakers x + 8 or 9. - - _Lepomis auritus._ Red-breast Sunfish. Body elongate; head 3; - depth 3; eye 4; D. X, 11; A. III, 9; scales 6-45-15; mouth - large, oblique; palatine teeth present; gill-rakers _x_ + 8 or - 9, quite short; opercular flap very long and narrow; scales on - breast very small; 7 rows scales on cheeks. - - GENUS EUPOMOTIS - - _Eupomotis gibbosus._ Common Sunfish. Body short and deep, - compressed; head 3; depth 2; eye 4; D. X, 11; A. III, 10; - scales 6-45-13; 4 rows on cheeks; mouth small, oblique, - maxillary scarcely reaching front of eye; pharyngeal teeth - paved and rounded; gill-rakers soft and small, _x_ + 10; - opercular flap rather small, the lower part bright scarlet. - - GENUS POMOXIS - - _Pomoxis sparoides._ Calico-bass. Body oblong, elevated, much - compressed; head 3; depth 2; D. VII, 15; A. VI, 17; scales 40 - to 45; 6 rows on cheeks; mouth large, maxillary reaching to - posterior edge of pupil; snout projecting; fins very high, anal - higher than dorsal. - - _Pomoxis annularis._ Crappie. Body rather elongate; head 3; - depth 2-1/3; D. VI, 15; A. VI, 18; scales 36 to 48; 4 or 5 rows - on cheek; mouth very wide; fins very high, but lower than - _sparoides_. - - -THE SMALL-MOUTH BLACK-BASS - -(_Micropterus dolomieu_) - -The generic name _Micropterus_ was given to the small-mouth black-bass -by the French ichthyologist Lacépéde, in 1802, who was the first to -describe it. The name _Micropterus_, which means "small fin," was -bestowed on account of the mutilated condition of the dorsal fin of the -specimen, a few of the posterior rays of the fin being detached and -broken off, giving the appearance of a short and separate fin. The -specimen was sent to Paris from an unknown locality in America, and is -still preserved in the Museum of Natural History at Paris, where I -personally examined it. It is a fine example, about a foot in length, -and is remarkably well preserved. As there was no known genus to which -the specimen with the curious dorsal fin could be referred, Lacépéde -created the new genus _Micropterus_. He gave it the specific name -_dolomieu_ as a compliment to his friend M. Dolomieu, a French -mineralogist, for whom the mineral dolomite was also named. - -Originally, the small-mouth black-bass was restricted to the Great Lake -region, parts of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, and along the upper -reaches of streams flowing from the Alleghany Mountains in the Southern -states. It has, however, been introduced into all of the New England and -Middle states, and into many Western states. It has a compressed, rather -elliptical body, the dorsal and ventral outlines being nearly equal; it -becomes deeper with age. - -As its range, or distribution, is so great and extensive, and the waters -it inhabits are so different in hue and character, the coloration of the -small-mouth bass varies from almost black to the faintest tinge of -green, in different sections of the country. The coloration is so -variable that it differs even in fish in the same waters. It is -influenced mostly by the hue of the water, character of the bottom, the -presence or absence of weeds about the haunts of the bass, and, -moreover, the changes in color may occur in a very short time when -subject to these various conditions. The general color, however, is -greenish of various shades, always darker on the back, and paling to -white or whitish on the belly. When markings are present, they form -vertical patches or bars, never horizontal. Three bronze streaks extend -from the eye across the cheeks. All markings, however, may become -obsolete with age. - -The natural food of both species is crawfish, which might be inferred -from the character of their teeth and wide-opening mouth. There is a -popular belief that they are essentially and habitually piscivorous; but -this is an error; they are not so black as they are painted. They feed -on minute crustaceans and larval forms of insects when young, and -afterward on crawfish, minnows, frogs, insects, etc., as do most fishes -that have teeth in the jaws. But the teeth of the black-bass are -villiform and closely packed, presenting an even surface as uniform as -the surface of a tooth-brush. Such teeth are incapable of wounding, and -merely form a rough surface for holding their prey securely. All truly -piscivorous fishes have fewer, but sharp, conical teeth, of unequal -length, like the yellow-perch, pike-perch, mascalonge, and trout, or -lancet-shaped teeth like the bluefish. - -The black-bass is far less destructive to fish life than any of the -fishes mentioned; on the contrary, it suffers the most in a mixed -community of fishes, and is the first to disappear. There are small -lakes in Canada and Michigan where the brook-trout and black-bass have -coexisted from time immemorial without jeopardy to the trout. There are -small lakes in Wisconsin where black-bass and cisco, with other species, -have coexisted for all time; and while the cisco is as numerous as ever, -the black-bass has almost disappeared. It does not follow, however, that -black-bass should be introduced in trout waters; far from it. -Brook-trout are being exterminated fast enough, owing to the changed -natural conditions of the streams and their surroundings, without adding -another contestant for the limited supply of food in such waters. - -Both species of black-bass have been introduced into Germany, France, -Russia, and the Netherlands. In Germany, especially, they have found a -permanent home. It was my privilege materially to assist Herr Max von -dem Borne, of Berneuchen, with such advice as enabled him to start on a -sure footing in his enterprise, and with such subsequent success in its -establishment that he published several brochures on the black-bass to -meet the demand for information as to its habits and merits as a game -and food-fish. An effort was made some years ago to introduce the -black-bass into English waters, but without success, owing to a want of -knowledge as to the proper species to experiment with. The small-mouth -bass was placed in weedy ponds or small lakes in which only the -large-mouth bass would live. - -The small-mouth bass thrives only in comparatively clear, cool, and -rocky or gravelly streams, and in lakes and ponds supplied by such -streams or having cold bottom springs. In lakes of the latter -character, in northern sections, it coexists with large-mouth bass in -many instances. In such cases, however, the small-mouth will be found -usually at the inlet, or about the springs, and the large-mouth at the -outlet or in sheltered, grassy situations. In winter it undergoes a -state of partial or complete torpidity. In ponds that have been drained -in the winter season it has been found snugly ensconced in the crevices -of rocks, beneath shelving banks, logs, roots, or among masses of -vegetation, undergoing its winter sleep. In the spring, when the -temperature of the water rises above fifty degrees, the small-mouth bass -emerges from its winter quarters, about which it lingers until the water -becomes still warmer, when it departs in search of suitable locations -for spawning. At this time, owing to a semi-migratory instinct, it -ascends streams, and roams about in lakes or ponds, often ascending -inlet streams, or in some instances descending outlet streams. - -When favorable situations are found, the male and female pair off and -proceed to fulfil the reproductive instinct. The spawning period extends -from May to July, according to the section of the country it inhabits, -and when the temperature of the water is suitable. The nests are formed -on a bottom of gravel or coarse sand, or on a flat rock in very rocky -streams. The male fish does the work of preparation by scouring with -fins and tail a space about twice his length in diameter, forming a -shallow, saucer-shaped depression, in which the female deposits her -eggs, which are fertilized by the male, who hovers near by. The eggs are -heavy and adhesive, being invested with a glutinous matter that enables -them to adhere to the pebbles on the bottom. The number of eggs varies -from two thousand to twenty-five thousand, according to the size and -weight of the female. The nest is carefully guarded by the parents until -the eggs hatch, the period of incubation being from one to two weeks, -according to the temperature of the water. The resultant fry are then -watched and brooded by the male fish for several days or a week, when -they seek the shelter of weeds and grasses in shallow water. - -The young fry feed on minute crustaceans and the larval forms of -insects. When a month old they are about an inch long, and continue to -grow, if food is plentiful, so that they reach a length of from three -to six inches in the fall. Thereafter they increase a pound a year under -the most favorable conditions, until the maximum weight is attained, -which is about five pounds. In some instances, however, they have -reached a weight of seven or even ten pounds, where the environment has -been unusually favorable; notably in Glen Lake, near Glens Falls, New -York, where a half-dozen or more have been taken weighing from eight to -ten pounds. One of ten pounds was twenty-five and one-half inches long -and nineteen inches in girth. - -As a game-fish the black-bass has come into his inheritance. As the -French say, he has arrived. With the special tools and tackle now -furnished for his capture, he has proved my aphorism. "Inch for inch, -and pound for pound, he is the gamest fish that swims." When I ventured -this opinion twenty-five years ago, there were no special articles made -for his capture except the Kentucky reel and the McGinnis rod, twelve -feet long and fifteen ounces in weight. In awarding the palm as a -game-fish to the black-bass, I do so advisedly, in the light of ample -experience with all other game-fishes, and without prejudice, for I have -an innate love and admiration for all, from the lovely trout of the -mountain brook to the giant tarpon of the sea. - -In the application of so broad and sweeping an assertion each and every -attribute of a game-fish must be well considered: his habitat; his -aptitude to rise to the fly; his struggle for freedom; his manner of -resistance; his weight as compared with other game-fishes; and his -excellence as a food-fish, must be separately and collectively -considered and duly and impartially weighed. His haunts are amid most -charming and varied scenes. Not in the silent and solemn solitudes of -the primeval forests, where animated Nature is evidenced mainly in -swarms of gnats, black-flies, and mosquitoes; nor under the shadows of -grand and lofty mountains, guarded by serried ranks of pines and firs, -but whose sombre depths are void of feathered songsters. However grand, -sublime, and impressive such scenes truly are, they do not appeal -profoundly to the angler. He must have life, motion, sound. He courts -Nature in her more communicative moods, and in the haunts of the -black-bass his desires are realized. Wading down the rippling stream, -casting his flies hither and yon, alert for the responsive tug, the -sunlight is filtered through overhanging trees, while the thrush, -blackbird, and cardinal render the air vocal with sweet sounds, and his -rival, the kingfisher, greets him with vibrant voice. The summer breeze, -laden with the scent of woodland blossoms, whispers among the leaves, -the wild bee flits by on droning wing, the squirrel barks defiantly, and -the tinkle of the cow-bell is mellowed in the distance. I know of such -streams in the mountain valleys of West Virginia, amid the green rolling -hills of Kentucky and Tennessee, and in the hill country where Missouri -and Arkansas meet. - -The aptitude of the black-bass to rise to the artificial fly is not -questioned by the twentieth-century angler, though it was considered a -matter of doubt by many anglers during the last quarter of the -nineteenth. The doubt was mainly owing to a lack of experience, for -fly-fishing for black-bass was successfully practised in Kentucky as -early, certainly, as 1845. I have before me a click reel made in 1848 by -the late Mr. J.L. Sage, of Lexington, Kentucky, especially for -fly-fishing. I have also seen his fly-rod made by him about the same -time, and used by him for many years on the famous bass streams of that -state. And I might say, in passing, that blackbass bait-fishing, as an -art, originated in Kentucky a century ago. George Snyder, of Paris, -Kentucky, when president of the Bourbon County Angling Club, made the -first multiplying reel for casting the minnow, in 1810, and as early as -1830 many such reels were used in that state. The rods employed by those -pioneers of black-bass fishing were about ten feet long, weighing but -several ounces, cut from the small end of a Mississippi cane, with the -reel lashed to the butt. They used the smallest Chinese "sea-grass" -lines, or home-made lines of three strands of black sewing-silk twisted -together. Those old disciples of Walton would have been shocked, could -they have seen the heavy rods and coarse lines that are still used in -some sections, for their own tackle was as light, if not so elegant, as -any made at the present day. - -Another quality in a game-fish is measured by his resistance when hooked -and by his efforts to escape. I think no fish of equal weight exhibits -so much finesse and stubborn resistance, under such conditions, as the -black-bass. Most fishes when hooked attempt to escape by tugging and -pulling in one direction, or by boring toward the bottom, and if not -successful in breaking away soon give up the unequal contest. But the -black-bass exhibits, if not intelligence, something akin to it, in his -strategical manoeuvres. Sometimes his first effort is to bound into the -air at once and attempt to shake out the hook, as if he knew his -misfortune came from above. At other times he dashes furiously, first in -one direction, then in another, pulling strongly meanwhile, then leaps -into the air several times in quick succession, madly shaking himself -with open jaws. I have seen him fall on a slack line, and again by using -his tail as a lever and the water as a fulcrum, throw himself over a -taut line, evidently with the intent to break it or tear out the hook. -Another clever ruse is to wind the line around a root or rock, and still -another is to embed himself in a clump of water-weeds if permitted to do -so. Or, finding it useless to pull straight away, he reverses his -tactics and swims rapidly toward the angler, shaking himself and working -his jaws, meanwhile, as if he knew that with a slack line he would be -more apt to disengage the hook. - -I have never known a black-bass to sulk like the salmon by lying -motionless on the bottom. He is never still unless he succeeds in -reaching a bed of weeds. He is wily and adroit, but at the same time he -is brave and valiant. He seems to employ all the known tactics of other -fishes, and to add a few of his own in his gallant fight for freedom. - -As a food-fish there is, in my estimation, but one fresh-water fish that -is better, the whitefish of the Great Lakes. Its flesh is white, firm, -and flaky, with a fine savor, and a juicy, succulent quality that is -lacking with most other fresh-water fishes. About the spawning period, -especially in fish from weedy ponds, it is somewhat musky or muddy in -flavor, like other fishes in similar situations; but by skinning the -fish instead of scaling it much of that unpleasant feature is removed. - - -BLACK-BASS TACKLE - -The first consideration for the fly-fisher is suitable tools and tackle, -and the most important article of his outfit is the fly-rod. -Fortunately, at the present day, manufacturers turn out such good work -that one does not have to seek far to obtain the best. And the best is -one made of split bamboo by a first-class maker. Such a rod necessarily -commands a good price, but it is the cheapest in the end, for with -proper care it will last a lifetime. I have rods of this character that -I have used for thirty years that are still as good as new. But the -angler should eschew the shoddy split-bamboo rods that are sold in the -department stores for a dollar. A wooden rod at a moderate price is far -better than a split-bamboo rod at double its cost. Rods are now made -much better, of better material, and considerably shorter and lighter -than formerly, and withal they are much better in balance and action. - -If any evidence were needed to prove and establish the superiority of -the modern single-handed fly-rod over the old-style rod, it is only -necessary to refer to the following facts: At the tournament of the New -York State Sportsman's Association, in 1880, a cast of seventy feet won -the first prize for distance; and at that time the longest on record was -Seth Green's cast of eighty-six feet. At a contest of the San Francisco -Fly-casting Club held on October 11, 1902, at Stow Lake, Golden Gate -Park, Mr. H.C. Golcher made the remarkable and wonderful cast of one -hundred and forty feet, beating the previous record cast of one hundred -and thirty-four feet, held jointly by Mr. Golcher and Mr. W.D. -Mansfield of the same club. - -A suitable fly-rod for black-bass fishing may be from nine to ten and -one-half feet in length, and weigh from six and one-half to eight -ounces, according to the preferences of the angler and the waters to be -fished. - -For an all-round rod for all-round work my ideal is ten and a quarter -feet long and weighing seven ounces in split bamboo and eight ounces in -ash and lancewood, or ash and bethabara. It should be made in three -pieces, with a stiffish backbone, constituting the lower third of its -length, and with most of the bend in the upper two-thirds. A rod -constructed on this principle will afford just the requisite amount of -resiliency for casting, with sufficient pliancy and elasticity for -playing a fish, and embody all the power and strength needed. The -reel-seat should be simply a shallow groove in the hand-piece, with -reel-bands, instead of the solid metal reel-seat, which subserves no -good purpose and is only added weight; moreover, it is now put on the -cheapest rods as a trap to catch the unwary. All metal mountings should -be German silver or brass. Nickel-plated mountings are cheap and nasty. - -A light, single-action click reel of German silver or aluminum of fifty -or sixty yards' capacity is the best. A plain crank handle is to be -preferred to a balance handle, but in either case there should be a -projecting rim or safety band, within which the handle revolves, in -order to prevent fouling of the line. My own preference is for the -English pattern, with a knobbed handle affixed to the edge of a -revolving disk on the face of the reel. A multiplying reel with an -adjustable click may be utilized instead of a click reel for -fly-fishing. - -The enamelled, braided silk line is the only one suitable for casting -the fly, and there is no better. A level line will answer, but a tapered -one is better adapted for long casts. It may taper toward one end or -both ways from the centre, the latter being preferable. From twenty-five -to thirty yards is sufficient for all emergencies. It should be -thoroughly dried every day it is used. A convenient way is to wind it -around the back of a chair. - -Leaders may be from three to six feet long, accordingly as one or two -flies are used in the cast. It should be composed of single, clear, -round silkworm-gut fibre, tapering from the reel line to the distal end. -It should not be tested to a greater weight than two pounds, as testing -silkworm-gut weakens it very materially. It may be stained or not, -though there is no advantage in coloring it; I prefer the natural hue. -There should be a loop at the small end, and one three feet above it, -for attaching the snells of flies. Before using it, it must be soaked in -water until soft and pliable. Extra leaders may be carried in a box -between layers of damp felt, so as to be ready for emergencies. The best -and smallest and most secure knot for tying the lengths of gut together -in making the leader is a simple half-hitch, like tying a single knot in -a piece of string. When thoroughly soaked, the two ends to be tied are -lapped a couple of inches, and a single knot, or half-hitch made in -them, pulling the knot tight, and cutting off the loose ends closely. - -Snells should be three or four inches long, of good single gut, the -shorter length for end fly. If the flies are made with a loop at the -head, the snells for same should have a loop at each end for attaching -to both fly and leader. If flies are made on eyed hooks, the snell -should have but one loop for the leader, and a free end for tying to the -eye of hook. The best knot for the purpose is made by passing the end of -snell through the eye of hook, then around the shank just below the -eye, and then between the shank and snell and draw tight, forming a jam -knot. Where the snell is tied to the fly, it should likewise have a loop -for attaching to the leader. It should also be reinforced by a piece of -gut an inch long at the head of the fly to strengthen it and prevent -chafing. Snells, whether separate or tied to flies, should be carried -like leaders between layers of damp felt. - -Most flies made for black-bass fishing are too large. The largest trout -flies tied on hooks Nos. 4 to 6 are big enough. As just mentioned, they -are tied directly to the snell on tapered hooks, or made with a small -gut loop at the head of the fly, which is much the best way. Since the -introduction of the eyed hook, or rather a revival of it, for trout -flies, they are now utilized for bass flies also. As between the Pennell -hook with turned-down eye and the Hall hook with turned-up eye, there is -not much choice. Both patterns are based on the old Limerick hook. I -prefer the Sproat or O'Shaughnessy to either, with gut loop at the head -of the fly. - -If the black-bass is not color-blind, he seems to have a penchant for -brown, gray, black, and yellow, as flies embodying these colors seem to -be more attractive to him than others. One can judge in this matter, -however, only from experience. And even then the deduction of one angler -is often at variance with the inference of another. - -The most successful bass flies, like salmon flies, are not made in -imitation of natural insects. This is true also of some of the "general" -trout flies that have proved particularly pleasing to the black-bass, as -the professor, grizzly king, king of the waters, Montreal, coachman, -etc. True, the black, gray, red, and yellow hackles, which are supposed -to be imitations of caterpillars, are very useful on nearly all waters; -but their resemblance to any known larval forms is very slight. - -There is a well-known rule in regard to the size and color of flies to -be used at particular states and stages of the water, and in accordance -with the time and character of the day. It is to use small and dark -flies on bright days, with low and clear water; and larger and brighter -flies on dark days with high or turbid water, and at dusk. This rule is -hoary with age. It has come down to us through past centuries with the -indorsement of thousands of intelligent and observant anglers, and -should be respected accordingly. It is in the main reliable and -trustworthy. Of course there will occur exceptions to prove the rule. -And some iconoclastic anglers at this late day, in view of the -exceptions, declare that it is entirely valueless as a guide; but they -offer nothing better. It is true, nevertheless, and a safe rule to -follow. - - -FLY-FISHING - -To be a successful fly-fisher for black-bass the angler must know -something of the habits of his quarry, or at least of its haunts and -favorite places of resort. On streams these places are in the eddies of -rocks or large boulders, in the deeper water above and below riffles, -under shelving banks and rocks, among the submerged roots of trees on -the bank, near weed patches, driftwood, and logs, and in the vicinity of -gravelly bars and shoals. Except in cloudy weather the angler may rest -during the noon hours, as the most favorable time is in the morning and -late afternoon until dusk. If wading, the angler should fish -down-stream, and when the shadows are long, should endeavor to keep the -sun in front. He should move slowly and cautiously, making as little -noise as possible, casting to the sides and in front over every likely -spot. Casts of thirty or forty feet are usually sufficient. The flies -should be allowed to float down-stream, with tremulous motions, -sidewise, to imitate the struggles of a drowning insect, and then -permitted to sink several inches or a foot at each cast. - -Whipping the stream is sometimes quite successful where the bass does -not respond to ordinary casting. This is done by casting in quick -succession and repeatedly over one spot, allowing the flies merely to -touch the water, until several such casts are made, when they should be -permitted to sink, for a few seconds, as before. In making up the cast, -two flies should be selected of different combinations of colors, as -polka and professor. If necessary, changes should be made until two are -selected that seem to meet the fastidious fancy of the fish. - -If a taut line is maintained, the bass usually hooks himself, but the -angler should strike quickly upon feeling the slightest tug, or when -seeing the swirl of the fish. One cannot strike too quickly. By striking -is meant a simple turning of the hand sidewise, with a perfectly tight -line; this is amply sufficient to set the hook. Should the line be slack -and lifeless at the moment, a more vigorous movement is required, but -even then it is usually too late. When a bass is hooked, the contest -should be between rod and fish, rather than between the reel and fish. -It is the spring of the rod that conquers him, not the giving and taking -of line. If the rod is held firmly, at an angle of forty-five degrees, -with the thumb on the spool of the reel, there is no likelihood of a -good rod breaking. Line should be given grudgingly, and the fish kept on -the surface as much as possible. When exhausted he should be drawn over -the landing-net and lifted out quickly, at the same time releasing the -thumb from the reel to relieve the strain on the rod. - -In fishing from the bank in deeper streams, or from a boat on small -lakes, whereby the fish is better enabled to see the angler, longer -casts are necessary, or the angler must screen himself from observation -by trees or bushes on the bank. The boat should be kept in the deeper -water and the casts made toward the shallows of bars, shoals, and weed -patches. The best time for boat fishing on lakes or ponds is from near -sundown until dark. - - -CASTING THE MINNOW - -The live minnow, shiner preferred, is by far the best bait for the -black-bass, as it is more easily seen, and the best way of presenting it -is by casting from the reel. For this purpose a rod eight or nine feet -long is much better than a shorter or longer one. After a long series of -experiments with rods from six to twelve feet, I arrived at the -conclusion that the one now known as the Henshall rod, eight and -one-fourth feet long and from seven to eight ounces in weight, fulfils -all the requirements of casting, hooking, and playing a black-bass. It -is light, strong, and of beautiful proportions. In first-class split -bamboo it may be as light as six and one-half ounces, but should not -exceed seven and one-half ounces. In ash and lancewood, or bethabara, -from seven to eight ounces is the correct weight. - -A multiplying reel is indispensable. It may be two, three, or -four-ply, but the best work and the most effective casting can only be -done with the most perfect reel. It should be as light as possible, in a -fifty or sixty-yard reel. German silver is the best material, though -brass is fully as serviceable, and costs less. Some very good reels are -made of hard rubber and metal. - -Only braided lines should be used, as twisted ones kink too much in -casting. Undressed silk, of the smallest caliber, size H, is best. -Braided linen is stronger, but of larger caliber, and not so suitable -for good casting. Neither can effective casting be done with oil-dressed -or enamelled lines. - -Snelled hooks on single-gut snells, size No. 1 or No. 2, Sproat -preferred and O'Shaughnessy next, are the best in any method of -bait-fishing for black-bass. There are several other styles of hooks -used, but, everything considered, those named are the most faultless, -and for shape, strength, and general excellence cannot be excelled. - -No leader is used, as the minnow must be reeled up to within a foot or -two of the tip of the rod in casting. The snell of the hook is attached -to the reel-line by the smallest brass box-swivel, or it may be tied -directly to the line. The casts are made from right or left and -underhand, not overhead as in casting the fly. Casts of 160 feet have -been made in this way. The chief factor in this style of casting is the -proper control of the reel by the thumb--by a gentle but constant and -uniform pressure on the revolving spool, to prevent overrunning of the -line during the cast, and a stronger pressure to stop the reel at the -end of the cast. The thumb must be thoroughly educated to this work, -and, once acquired, the rest is easy, as but little muscular effort is -required. The novice must begin with short casts and increase their -length as he becomes more proficient in the management of the reel. -Perfect casting from the reel is more difficult than casting the fly, -and more artistic. - -In wading a stream the casts are directed to the same likely places -mentioned under the head of fly-fishing. The minnow is allowed to sink -to half the depth of the water and reeled in slowly, which gives a -lifelike motion to the bait when hooked through the lips. If there is no -response, the next cast should be made to another spot, as a bass, if -inclined to take the lure at all, will usually do so upon its first -presentation. - -In fly-fishing it is imperative to strike as soon as the bass seizes the -fly, otherwise he ejects it at once, if not hooked by a taut line, for -he is conscious of the deception as soon as the fly is taken into his -mouth. With natural bait it is different. The bass first seizes the -minnow crosswise or tail first, turns it in his mouth, and swallows it -head first. This takes a little time. Usually he holds it in his mouth -and bolts away from other fish, or rushes toward a secure -hiding-place--hence the vigorous initial dash and taking of line. If -stopped before being hooked, he gives several tugs in quick succession, -when he should be given line slowly. The angler, with thumb on the spool -of the reel, can feel every motion of the fish. When he pulls steadily -and strongly and increases his speed, the hook should be driven in by -striking in the opposite direction to his course, or upward. A vigorous -"yank" is not needed. With the strained line a movement of the tip of -the rod a foot or two is sufficient with a sharp hook. - -If fishing from a boat, where the angler is more apt to be seen, it -should be kept in deep water and the casts made toward the haunts of the -bass in shallow water. Should the hooked bass break water on a long -line, the slight straightening of the bent rod that ensues will tend to -keep it taut, and there is nothing more to do. On a short line, however -(the bend of the rod being maintained), he should be followed back to -the water by a slight lowering of the tip, but it should again be raised -as soon as he touches the water. The critical moment is when he is -apparently standing on his tail, shaking himself, with wide-opened jaws. -If he is given any slack line at this time, the hook is likely to be -thrown out. - -Lowering the tip to a leaping fish is a good old rule when done -understandingly. It has been ridiculed by some anglers who do not seem -to have a clear conception of it. They claim that by lowering the tip it -gives sufficient slack line to enable the fish to free himself. But if -the rod is bent, as it should be, the simple lowering of the tip with a -short line merely relieves it somewhat from the weight of the fish; -there is no slack line, nor could there be unless the rod is lowered -until it is perfectly straight, which no wide-awake angler would permit. -As the fish is in the air but a second or two, the careless angler -simply does nothing, which is, perhaps, the best thing that could happen -for him. - -Trolling is practised from a moving boat along the edges of weeds or -rushes, or in the neighborhood of gravelly shoals and bars or rocky -ledges. The bait may be a minnow or a very small trolling-spoon; if the -latter, it should have but a single hook. The revolving spoon is itself -the lure, and any addition of a bunch of feathers, a minnow, or a strip -of pork-rind does not add to its efficiency in the least, and moreover -savors of pot-fishing. A rod and reel should always be used, as trolling -with a hand-line is very unsportsmanlike. - -Still-fishing is practised from the bank or from an anchored boat. If -the bait is live minnows, no float is necessary; but if crawfish, -helgramites, cut-bait, or worms are employed, a very small float is -useful to keep the bait off the bottom. The boat should be anchored in -close proximity to the feeding-grounds of the bass, and the angler -should keep as still as possible. Contrary to the popular opinion, fish -hear sounds, not only those made in the water, but those in the air as -well, otherwise they would not be provided with so delicate an auditory -apparatus; because they do not always notice sounds made in the air is -no proof that they do not hear them. The suggestions already made as to -the hooking and playing and landing the bass apply to still-fishing as -well. The minnow is best hooked through both lips, but if they are very -small, they may be hooked just under the dorsal fin. - - -THE LARGE-MOUTH BLACK-BASS - -(_Micropterus salmoides_) - -The large-mouth black-bass was also first described by the French -ichthyologist Lacépéde, in 1802, from a drawing and description sent to -him from South Carolina by M. Bosc, under the local name of -"trout-perch." Owing to the vernacular name, he gave it the specific -name of _salmoides_, "salmon-like" or "trout-like." Thirty years before, -pressed skins of the large-mouth bass had been sent to Linnæus by Dr. -Garden from Charleston. South Carolina, under the name of "freshwater -trout," but Linnæus failed to describe or name it. The black-bass is -called "trout" to this day in the Southern states. - -The large-mouth black-bass is very similar in appearance to the -small-mouth bass. It is not quite so trimly built, being somewhat more -"stocky" and robust. Its mouth is larger, the angle reaching behind the -eye. It has larger scales, and those on the cheeks are not much smaller -than those on the body, while in the small-mouth bass the cheek scales -are very small compared with its body scales. The large-mouth is more -muscular, and has a broader and more powerful tail. - -Its distribution is perhaps wider than that of any other game-fish, its -range extending from Canada to Florida and Mexico, and, through -transplantation, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It has also been -introduced into Germany. France, Russia, and the Netherlands, where it -is greatly esteemed both as a game-fish and food-fish. - -The coloration of the large-mouth bass is often of the same hue as the -small-mouth bass, though usually it is not so dark, being mostly -bronze-green, fading to white on the belly. When markings are present, -they tend to form longitudinal streaks of aggregated spots, and not -vertical ones, as in the small-mouth. - -Its habits of feeding, spawning, etc., are very similar to those of the -small-mouth. It prefers stiller water, and is more at home in weedy -situations, and will thrive in quiet, mossy ponds with muddy bottom -where the small-mouth would eventually become extinct; on the other -hand, the large-mouth can exist wherever it is possible for the -small-mouth to do so. It is better able to withstand the vicissitudes of -climate and temperature, and has a wonderful adaptability that enables -it to become reconciled to its environment. The feeding habits of the -two black-basses are much the same, though they differ as to their -haunts. The large-mouth favors weedy rather than rocky places, and -though its food is also much the same, the large-mouth is perhaps more -partial to frogs and minnows, in the absence of crawfish, which, like -the other species, it prefers. - -In the Northern states it hibernates, and reaches a maximum weight of -six or eight pounds, while in the Gulf states, where it is active the -year round, it is taken weighing twenty pounds or more. In Florida I -have taken it on the fly up to fourteen pounds, and up to twenty pounds -with natural bait. In waters where it coexists with the small-mouth bass -there is no difference in their excellence as food-fish. I have often -eaten the large-mouth bass from the clear-water lakes of Utah and -Washington, that, with the single exception of the whitefish of Lake -Superior, were the best of all fresh-water fishes. And I can truly say -the same of those from some of the large rivers of Florida, notably the -St. Lucie, St. Sebastian, and New rivers. - -It prefers to spawn on gravel or sand, but if such situations are -lacking, it makes its nest on a clay or mud bottom, or on the roots of -water-plants; or in ponds of very deep water without shallow shores, it -will spawn on the top of masses of weeds, in order to get near enough to -sunlight. In other respects its breeding habits are similar to its -cousin the small-mouth, the time of incubation and the guarding of the -eggs and young being about the same. - -As to the much-mooted subject of the gameness of the large-mouth bass I -have no hesitation in saying, from an experience of nearly forty years, -covering all sections of the country, that where the two species coexist -there is no difference in their game qualities. The large-mouth is fully -the equal of the small-mouth where they are exposed to the same -conditions. Many anglers profess to think otherwise, but their -deductions are drawn from a comparison of the two species when subject -to totally different environment; for it is altogether a matter of -environment and not of physical structure or idiosyncrasy that -influences their game qualities. A small-mouth bass in a clear, rocky -stream, highly aerated as it must be, is, as a matter of course, more -active than a large-mouth bass in a quiet, weedy pond. - -With others the opinion is merely a matter of prejudice or hearsay, a -prejudice that is, indeed, difficult to account for. It does not make -the small-mouth bass a gamer fish by disparaging the large-mouth. As I -have said elsewhere, if the large-mouth bass is just as game as the -small-mouth, the angler is just that much better off. As prejudice and -ignorance go hand in hand, we are not surprised when we hear persons--I -do not style them anglers--call the small-mouth the "true" black-bass, -implying that the large-mouth is not a black-bass, but is, as they often -say, the Oswego bass, which is, of course, absurd. I am glad to add, -however, that the prejudice against the large-mouth bass is dying out -among observant anglers, who know that a trout in a clear stream is more -vigorous than one in a weedy, mucky pond. - -From my own experience I am prepared to say that the large-mouth bass is -more to be relied on in rising to the fly than the small-mouth, which -fact should be taken into consideration when the gameness of the two -species is compared. The remarks concerning fly-fishing for the -small-mouth bass are also applicable to the large-mouth, as both are -fished for in the same way, and with the same tackle, except that the -rod may be a little heavier. For the large bass of the Gulf states the -rod should be fully eight ounces in weight, and the flies a trifle -larger, on hooks Nos. 2 to 6; otherwise the tackle should be the same. - -Minnow-casting for the large-mouth need not differ from that described -for the small-mouth bass. The tackle likewise may be the same, though -for the heavy bass of Florida the rod may be eight, or even nine ounces, -if preferred. Hooks may also be employed of a larger size, say Nos. 1 to -1-0, or even 2-0, as larger minnows are used for bait. - -Some anglers of the Middle West have adopted a very short rod of six -feet or less for casting the live frog or pork-rind overhead, in the -same way as casting a fly. This is a very primitive style of -bait-casting, being the same as practised by bucolic boys and Southern -negroes using a sapling pole without a reel. The frog is reeled up to -within a few inches of the tip and propelled like a wad of clay from a -slender stick as we were wont to do as boys. The frog is projected with -great accuracy, but not without a smack and splash on the water. With -such a rod most of the pleasure of playing a bass to a finish is lost. -Presumably the end justifies the means, but this method does not appeal -to the artistic angler. If bait must be used, a small minnow, lightly -cast from a suitable rod, is more in accordance with the eternal fitness -of things and the practice and traditions of the gentle art. In very -weedy ponds and lakes, however, where there is not open water enough -to play a bass, and where it must be landed as soon as possible, this -rod and style of casting answer a good purpose. - -[Illustration OSWEGO (LARGE-MOUTH) BASS] - -Still-fishing is the same for either species of black-bass, but as it is -usually done from an anchored boat on Northern lakes, where the -large-mouth bass is of greater size and weight than the small-mouth -bass, somewhat heavier tackle may be used than recommended for the -small-mouth. - -Trolling with the live or dead minnow, or a small spoon with a single -hook, is a very successful method on lakes, ponds, and broad, still -rivers. A greater length of line can be utilized in trolling, whereby -the fish is not so apt to see the angler. More ground can also be -covered than in any other style of fishing. The boat should be propelled -slowly along the borders of rushes and weed patches, over shoals and -gravelly banks, and near projecting points of the shore. Considerable -care should be exercised to move as noiselessly as possible, avoiding -splashing with the oars or paddle, or making any undue noise with the -feet or otherwise in the boat, as such sounds are conveyed a long -distance in so dense a medium as water. In trolling, the line may be -lengthened to fifty yards, if necessary, though from twenty to thirty -yards will usually be sufficient, especially when a good breeze is -blowing. - -Bobbing for the large-mouth bass is much in vogue in the Gulf states, -but is more often practised in Florida. The conventional "bob" is formed -by tying a strip of deer's tail, with or without a piece of red flannel, -around a triangle of hooks, the hairs completely investing the hooks. A -single hook, however, answers fully as well or better. The hook is of -large size, Nos. 3-0 to 5-0. The method of procedure is as follows: The -boat is propelled by a single-bladed paddle, the paddler being seated in -the stern. The boat is moved silently and cautiously, skirting the edges -of water-lilies and bonnets, which grow thickly along the margin of the -channels. The angler is seated in the bow with a very long cane rod, to -which is affixed a short line of a few feet, not to exceed six. As the -boat advances, the angler dances the bob as far ahead as possible. It is -held a few inches or a foot above the water, into which it is "bobbed" -at short intervals. Sometimes the bass leaps from the water to seize it. -When hooked, the fish islanded without any ceremony and as soon as -possible, keeping it meanwhile on the surface, to prevent its taking to -the weeds. Bartram described bobbing as practised in Florida, for -black-bass, nearly a century and a half ago. - -Although bass fishing dates back to the middle of the eighteenth -century, when bobbing, skittering, and still-fishing were common methods -in the extreme Southern states for the large-mouth bass, and though the -dawn of the nineteenth century saw bait-fishing and fly-fishing for the -small-mouth bass in Kentucky, it is surprising how little was known in -the Northern and Eastern states about the black-bass and bass fishing a -century after Bartram described bobbing for that game-fish in the -narrative of his travels. Even so late as 1871, when the _Forest and -Stream_ was established, very little appeared in its pages anent bass -fishing. Indeed, a few years later, a discussion lasting a year or more -appeared in its columns from week to week, as to whether the black-bass -would rise to the fly. Previous to the publication of the writer's "Book -of the Black-bass" in 1881, no work on angling gave any but the most -meagre account of black-bass or bass fishing. The "American Angler's -Guide," published in 1849 by John J. Brown, states that the black-bass -has rows of small teeth, two dorsal fins, and a swallowtail. In the -same work the large-mouth bass of the Southern states is classified -under the head of "brook trout," the author being misled apparently by -its Southern name of "trout," and goes on to say that they "grow much -larger than Northern trout," and that they "are fished for with the same -arrangement of tackle as the striped bass or salmon." A contributor to -the work, however, from Buffalo, New York, treats briefly and vaguely of -still-fishing with minnows and crawfish. Brief notes also from Southern -and Western anglers give fair descriptions of the appearance and habits -of both species of black-bass. Frank Forester (Henry W. Herbert) knew no -more of the black-bass than Mr. Brown, and acknowledges that he never -caught one. That old Nestor of angling, Uncle Thad Norris, in his -"American Angler's Book," 1864, gives the descriptions of Louis Agassiz -and Dr. Holbrook for the black-bass, and then relates his only -experience as follows, "I have taken this bass in the vicinity of St. -Louis, on a moonshiny night, by skittering a light spoon over the -surface of the water, while standing on the shore." Genio C. Scott in -his "Fishing in American Waters," 1869, has less to say, and evidently -knew less of the black-bass than any of the earlier writers. He gives -just three lines concerning black-bass fishing, saying, "This fish is -taken by casting the artificial fly, or by trolling with the feathered -spoon, with a minnow impaled on a gang of hooks, and forming spinning -tackle." Of all the angling authors prior to 1870, Robert B. Roosevelt -is the only one who knew anything about black-bass or black-bass -fishing, having fished for it in the St. Lawrence basin. He says, "They -will take minnows, shiners, grasshoppers, frogs, worms, or almost -anything else that can be called a bait." Also, "They may be captured by -casting the fly as for salmon or trout, and this is by far the most -sportsmanlike way, but the most destructive and usually resorted to is -trolling." The only personal experience he gives of black-bass fishing, -unfortunately, is by trolling with large flies. In his "Game Fish of the -North," 1862, he devotes five pages to the black-bass, but apparently -does not discriminate between the two species. In "Superior Fishing," -1865, he devotes two pages to the black-bass of Canada and the Great -Lakes, in a general way, but gives two instances of fishing as follows, -"Pedro soon hooked a splendid black-bass, and landed him after a -vigorous struggle of half an hour; he weighed three pounds and -three-quarters, and was thoroughly game." And again, "That evening was -again devoted to the black-bass, which took both the fly and spoon -greedily." - -During the period covered by the authors named, from 1849 to 1869, the -anglers of the South and Middle West were using light cane rods, -Kentucky reels, and the smallest sea-grass lines for bait-fishing, and -trout fly-rods and trout-tackle for fly-fishing, rods and tackle as -light, to say the least, as those in use to-day. - -In 1866 I removed to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where there were thirty -lakes within ten miles abounding in black-bass of both species, with -pike, rock-bass, crappies, perch, etc. On my home grounds was a large -shallow pond fed from Fowler Lake. Becoming much interested in the -black-bass, and finding but little information available in the books of -that day concerning their habits, I determined to give some study to the -subject. Accordingly I cut a ditch from the pond to the lake, with -suitable screens, and stocked it with black-bass of both species. During -their spawning period in the summer I watched them faithfully and -constantly from a blind of bushes on the bank. This I did for several -years, turning the adult bass into the lake when the fry were large -enough to look out for themselves, and turning the fry out also in the -fall. - -I extended my observations of the bass during their breeding season to -the many lakes near by. I found a difference of several weeks in the -time of their spawning in these lakes, owing to the difference in -temperature, caused by their varying depth. The appearance of the bass -also differed slightly in the various lakes, so that it was possible, -from a close study of their variations in color, size, and contour, to -determine in what particular lake any string of bass was taken. - -About the same time, from 1868 to 1870, Mr. Cyrus Mann and Mr. H.D. -Dousman established their trout hatchery and ponds not far from -Oconomowoc, and Colonel George Shears, of Beaver Lake, a few miles away, -also began hatching trout on a smaller scale. These establishments -presented an opportunity to study the artificial propagation of -brook-trout, and I soon became familiar with the _modus operandi_. This -was before the institution of the United States Fish Commission, though -the state of Wisconsin already had an able and efficient Fish -Commission, Mr. H.D. Dousman being one of the commissioners. Colonel -Shears also experimented with black-bass culture, and between us we -reared many thousands to the age of three months, before turning them -out. Near my pond was a shallow, marshy cove to which the pike resorted -in early spring to spawn, giving me an opportunity to study their -breeding habits, also. There being so many lakes and ponds in the -vicinity, and their being so well supplied with fishes of various kinds, -my opportunities for the observation of fish life were as great as -fortunate. - -The differences of opinion among anglers, of all men, pertaining to the -practice of their art, has become axiomatic. Some will differ even to -the estimation of a hair in the legs of an artificial fly, while it is -averred others will go so far as to "divide a hair 'twixt south and -south-west side," as Butler has it. But, seriously, there are several -moot points which I have endeavored to discuss in the following -piscatorial polemic. - -Two friends went fishing. Both were famous black-bass anglers, with the -enthusiasm born of a genuine love and an inherent appreciation of the -gentle art so common among Kentucky gentlemen. One was a fly-fisher, -the other a bait-fisher. Each was a devotee to his especial mode of -angling, though generously tolerant of the other's method. They had -fished together for years when the dogwood and redbud blossomed in the -spring, and when the autumnal tints clothed the hillsides with scarlet -and gold. - -They differed in their methods of fishing from choice, or from some -peculiar, personal idiosyncrasy, for each was an adept with both bait -and fly. But this difference in their piscatorial practices, like the -diversity of nature, produced perfect harmony instead of discord. Each -extolled the advantages and sportsmanship of his own method, but always -in a brotherly and kindly manner; never dictatorial or opinionated in -argument, or vainglorious and boastful as to his skill, for both were -possessed of the generous impulses of gentlemen and the kindly -influences of the gentle art. Moreover, they were innately conscious of -a common aim, and differed only as to the ways and means of best -attaining that end, which, while dissimilar, were not inharmonious. - -And so the Silver Doctor and the Golden Shiner, as they dubbed each -other, went trudging along the bank of the merry stream together. The -Doctor, lightly equipped with only rod, fly-book, and creel, sometimes -relieved the Shiner by toting his minnow bucket or minnow net. They were -fishing a rocky, gently flowing river, characteristic of the Blue Grass -section. - -They stopped at a broad, lakelike expansion of the stream, caused by a -mill-dam, and, in a quiet cove at the entrance of a clear brook. Golden -Shiner proceeded to fill his minnow bucket with lively minnows, using -for the purpose an umbrella-like folding net. This he attached to a -long, stout pole, and, after baiting it with crushed biscuit, lowered it -into the water. In a short time he had all the bait necessary--chubs, -shiners, and steelbacks. - -"The golden shiner is the best of all," said he, "especially for roily -or milky water; but the chub and steelback are stronger and livelier on -the hook, and for very clear water are good enough." - -They then proceeded below the mill-dam, where there was a strong riffle, -with likely-looking pools and eddies. - -"The proper way to hook a minnow is through the lips," continued Golden -Shiner, "especially for casting. One can give a more natural motion to -the minnow on drawing it through the water. For still-fishing, hooking -through the tail or under the back fin will answer; but even then I -prefer my method, unless the minnow is less than two inches in length." -And he made a long cast toward the eddy of a large boulder. - -"For the same reason," acquiesced Silver Doctor, "artificial flies are -tied with the head next the snell,"--industriously casting to right and -left over the riffle. - -"But some flies are tied with the tail next to the snell," ventured -Shiner. - -"That is true, but it is unnatural. I never saw an insect swim tail -first up-stream. Nature is the best teacher, and one should endeavor to -follow her lead." Just then the Doctor snapped off his point fly. Upon -examination he found that the snell was dry and brittle next to the head -of the fly, though he had previously soaked it well in a glass of water. -He discovered that a drop of shellac varnish had encroached beyond the -head of the fly for perhaps the sixteenth of an inch on the snell. This -portion, being waterproof, remained dry and brittle--a very common fault -with cheap flies. - -"This fly," said the Doctor, "was given to me for trial by Judge Hackle. -He tied it himself. The broken end of the snell still shows a portion -of shellac coating." - -"I never thought of that before," remarked Shiner. "No doubt many flies -are cracked off from the same cause." - -"Without a doubt, as you say. I know a lady," continued the Doctor, -"who, as Walton says, 'has a fine hand,' and who superintends an -extensive artificial fly establishment--and who has written the best -book ever published on the subject of artificial flies--who personally -inspects every fly turned out by her tyers. And, moreover, she varnishes -the head of every fly herself, in order that not the least particle of -shellac may touch the snell. Such careful supervision and honest work, -to quote Walton again, 'like virtue, bring their own reward,'" and the -Doctor resumed his casting with another fly. - -"Well, Doctor, I sympathize with you; but my snells are clear-quill and -no varnish. I may throw off a minnow once in a while by a very long -cast, but it is soon replaced, and costs nothing. And, speaking of -casting, I observed that you made half a dozen casts to reach yonder -rock but sixty feet away, while I placed my minnow, by a single cast, a -hundred feet in the other direction. Moreover, I reel my line toward me -through undisturbed water, while you whipped the entire distance by -several preliminary casts." - -"That is necessarily true," answered the Doctor; "but while you must -recover all of your line for a new cast, I can cast repeatedly with the -extreme length of my line in any direction; so I think honors are easy -on the question of casting." - -"But," persisted Shiner, "with my quadruple multiplying reel, it is only -a matter of a few seconds to prepare for a new cast. Then again. I have -better control of a hooked fish, and can give and take line much faster -than you with your single-action click reel." - -"While I grant your reel has a great advantage in speed, I hold that a -single-action click reel is all-sufficient to play and land a hooked -fish. Your reel is intended particularly to make long initial casts, and -it is admirably adapted for that especial purpose; but in playing a bass -it has no advantage over a click reel; in fact, I prefer the latter for -that purpose. Really, the engine of destruction to the hooked fish is -the rod. Its constant strain and yielding resistance, even without a -reel of any kind, will soon place him _hors de combat_." - -Golden Shiner was not slow to perceive the force of the Doctor's -arguments and held his peace. In the meantime both anglers had succeeded -in killing some half-dozen bass, the largest ones falling to the rod of -the bait fisher, as is usually the case. The sun was now climbing toward -the zenith, and the Doctor's flies seemed to have lost their -attractiveness for the wary bass, while the Shiner, seeking deeper -water, was still successful in his efforts. The day, however, was -becoming uncomfortably warm. - -"You will admit, Doctor, that you must cast your flies early in the day -or late in the afternoon to insure much success, while I can fish during -the middle of the day in deeper water and still have a measure of -reward, which I consider quite an advantage of bait over fly." - -"Granted. Fish rise to the fly only in comparatively shallow water, and -are found in such situations in bright weather only early and late in -the day. But I prefer to fish at just those times. I do not care to fish -during the middle portion of the day in summer." And the Doctor -proceeded to reel in his final cast. - -Just then his friend hooked the largest fish of the morning's outing. It -was an unusually gamy bass, and leaped several times in rapid -succession from the water, shaking itself violently each time. But the -Shiner was equal to "his tricks and his manners," and soon had him in -the landing-net. - -"Doctor, why does a hooked bass break water and shake his head? Is it -through fear or rage?" - -"It is to rid his jaws of the hook. He can neither pick his teeth with a -fin, nor remove a foreign substance from his mouth with his tail. His -mouth is his prehensile organ. A horse, cow, dog, or fowl will shake the -head violently to rid its mouth of an offending object. But a fish, -having no neck to speak of, can only shake his head by shaking his body, -and that only in a lateral direction. As a bass cannot shake himself -energetically enough beneath the water to dislodge the hook, owing to -the resistance of the denser medium, he naturally leaps into the air for -that purpose; and he always does so with widely extended jaws, as you -have seen time and again this morning. He probably also fortifies -himself at the same time by taking in oxygen from the air. He does so, -at all events, willy-nilly." - -"How high can a black-bass leap from the water, do you think?" - -"A foot or two at most, as you well know," replied the Doctor. "In -rocky streams like this, one has a good gauge for measuring the leap. I -never saw a bass leap as high as yonder boulder, which is about three -feet above the water; and as you have taken several fish in its eddy, -you might have proved it by your own observation, as I did myself." - -"I distinctly remember, now," affirmed Shiner, "that my last catch--the -big fellow--leaped several times very near that same rock, and he did -not go half as high." - -The two friends then repaired to a cool spring beneath a spreading -beech, to enjoy a luncheon and a quiet pipe,--well satisfied with their -morning's sport,--and to continue the _argumentum ad hominem_ anent fly -and bait, with the usual result that; - - "A man convinced against his will. - Is of the same opinion still." - - -THE ROCK-BASS - -(_Ambloplites rupestris_) - -In the same family with the black-bass are a number of other sunfishes -that will next be considered, merely as a matter of sequence, and not on -account of their importance as game-fishes. - -The rock-bass was first described by the French naturalist, Rafinesque, -in 1817, while travelling in America. His specimens were from New York -and Vermont, which he named _rupestris_, "living among rocks." In the -Northern states it is generally known as the rock-bass, but in Kentucky -and other states of the Middle West it is called red-eye, goggle-eye, -etc. - -Its original habitat was from Canada and Lake Champlain southward along -the Mississippi Valley to Louisiana and Texas, but its range has been -extended to many other states east and west by transplantation. - -In its general appearance it resembles somewhat the black-bass, but it -is a deeper fish and is more compressed. Its dorsal and anal fins are -comparatively larger and stronger. It has a large eye and a capacious -mouth well filled with small teeth, some on the roof of the mouth being -rather sharp. - -The color is of various shades of olive-green, with brassy or coppery -reflection, more or less mottled with black, forming broken and -indistinct lines along the sides. The iris of the eye is scarlet, hence -"red-eye"; there is a black spot on the angle of the gill-cover and dark -mottlings on the soft dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. It prefers clear -streams and lakes, and congregates in small schools about rocky -situations, gravelly bars, about mill-dams, and in the vicinity of weed -patches in ponds. It spawns in the spring and early summer, making and -guarding its nest like the black-bass, and feeds on crawfish, small -minnows, and insect larvæ. In size it usually runs from a half-pound to -a pound in streams, though reaching two pounds or more in lakes. It is a -good pan-fish for the table, and is well thought of in the Mississippi -Valley, though held in lighter esteem in the St. Lawrence basin, where -it coexists with larger and better fishes. - -The rock-bass is an attractive-looking fish, and for its size is very -pugnacious. It will take the artificial fly, or natural or artificial -bait. It bites freely at small minnows, grubs, grasshoppers, cut-bait, -or angle-worms. It is capable of affording considerable sport with light -tackle, owing to its large and strong fins, and its habit of curling its -sides in opposition to the strain of the rod. - -With a light fly-rod of four or five ounces, and corresponding tackle, -and trout flies on hooks Nos. 5 to 7, the rock-bass is not a mean -adversary. It rises to the various hackles, and to such flies as -coachman, brown drake, gray drake, and stone fly, especially toward -evening. The flies must be allowed to sink with every cast after -fluttering them awhile on the surface. For bait-fishing a trout bait-rod -of the weight just mentioned, with a reel of small caliber and the -smallest braided silk line, will be about right. Sproat hooks Nos. 3 to -4 on light gut snells tied with red silk are the best. Live minnows -about two inches long, carefully hooked through the lips, are to be -lightly cast and allowed to sink nearly to the bottom and slowly reeled -in again. Or if a float is used, the minnow may be hooked just under the -dorsal fin. A small float is necessary when white grubs, crawfish, -cut-bait, or worms are used as bait. On lakes it is readily taken by -trolling with a very small spoon, about the size of a nickel, with a -single Sproat or O'Shaughnessy hook No. 1 attached. - -A rod nine or ten feet long cut from the small end of a native cane -pole, weighing but a few ounces, with a line of sea-grass or raw silk -about the length of the rod, will answer very well for bait-fishing. -This is the tackle mostly used by boys in the Middle West, and it might -be profitably employed by boys of larger growth. - -A dozen "red-eyes," gleaming with green and gold, on the string of the -boy angler, is something to be proud of. He gazes with fond admiration -on the wide-open crimson eyes, which to him seem more precious than -rubies. He admires the bristling fins, the gracefully sloping sides, the -gaping mouth and forked tail, with boyish enthusiasm and appreciation. -Although hot and tired, and with many a scratch and bruise on hands and -feet, such trifles are lighter than air, and do not admit of a moment's -consideration. Seated on a rock at the margin of the stream, with the -string of fish in the water, he feasts his eyes on the finny beauties -with the conscious pride of well-earned success and the happy -culmination of his outing. In imagination the battles are all fought -over and over again. He knows just where and under what condition and -circumstance each fish was caught, as, with bare toes, he separates and -indicates the individual on the string. That largest one was hooked -under the dam beside the big rock. The next in size was taken among the -roots of the old sycamore at the bend of the creek. Another and still -another from the deep hole under the rocky cliff. Oh, the joyous days of -youth and going a-fishing in the glad springtime of life! And then, -having laved his swollen feet in the cooling stream, he washes the blood -and scales from his hands, scrapes the mud and slime from his well-worn -clothes, shoulders his lance of elm, and starts for home, bearing his -trophies with as proud a mien as a warrior of old returning with the -spoils of war. - - -THE SACRAMENTO PERCH - -(_Archoplites interruptus_) - -The Sacramento perch is closely allied in structure to the rock-bass, -and is the only perchlike fish in fresh water west of the Rocky -Mountains. It was collected by the Pacific Railroad Survey and described -and named _interruptus_ by Girard, in 1854, owing to the interrupted -character of the vertical markings. It inhabits the Sacramento and -Joaquin rivers in California, and is much esteemed as a food-fish, but -unfortunately it is being rapidly exterminated by the carp and catfish -that are said to infest its spawning grounds. In its conformation it is -almost identical with the rock-bass, but differs in having more teeth on -the tongue and more gill-rakers. In coloration, however, it differs very -much, being sometimes uniformly blackish or brassy, but usually the -black coloration is disposed in several vertical bars or markings of an -irregular shape. It has a black spot on the angle of the gill-cover. - -I have had no experience in angling for the Sacramento perch, which is -said to be taken with the hook in large quantities for the market. I -have no doubt but the tackle recommended for the rock-bass would be just -as effective for this fish, with similar baits. - - -THE WARMOUTH PERCH - -(_Chænobryttus gulosus_) - -The warmouth perch, also known as the black sunfish in the North, was -first described by the French naturalists, Cuvier and Valenciennes, in -1829, from specimens from Lake Pontchartrain. Louisiana. They named it -_gulosus_, "large-mouthed," owing to its big mouth. There is a slight -variation between the Northern and Southern forms. It abounds in all -coastwise streams from North Carolina to Florida and Texas, and -sparingly in Lake Michigan and the upper Mississippi Valley. In its -general shape and appearance it is not unlike the rock-bass, though in -the radial formula of its fins and in its large mouth it approaches -nearer the black-bass than any other species of the family. It has a -large head and deep body, almost as deep as long, and is nearly -symmetrical in outline. Its teeth are in brushlike bands on the jaws, -with patches on the tongue. The Southern form has one or two less soft -rays in the dorsal and anal fins. - -It is dark olive on the back, lighter on the sides, with blotches of -blue and coppery red, and the belly brassy or yellowish. Iris red, -ear-flap black, bordered with pale red, with three dusky red bars -radiating from the eye across the cheeks. Fins mottled with a darker -color, and a black blotch on the last rays of the soft portion of the -dorsal fin. - -It is not so gregarious as the rock-bass, but otherwise is similar in -its habits, though not so partial to rocky situations, rather loving -deep pools and quiet water. It feeds on minnows, tadpoles, frogs, -insects, and their larvæ. It spawns in the spring. It is a good -pan-fish, and grows to eight or ten inches in length and a weight of -nearly a pound. For its size, it is the gamest member of the family -except the black-bass, and is more like that fish than the others. It is -a favorite game-fish in the South, rising well to the fly, and is a free -biter at natural bait. - -In angling for the warmouth, the same rods and tackle mentioned under -the head of rock-bass are well suited. In the Southern states a light -native cane rod, ten or twelve feet long, and a line of the smallest -caliber, sea-grass or twisted silk, is the favorite style of tackle, -with hooks Nos. 2 to 3 tied on light gut, and a quill float and -split-shot sinker. The usual bait is the black cricket, or the catalpa -worm or caterpillar. The white grub found in decayed stumps, and other -larvæ, crawfish and small minnows, are all useful. Of these the minnow -is the best. On streams a small float is necessary to keep the bait from -the roots of overhanging trees. In the stillness of Southern streams, -under the moss-draped trees, I have idled away many a dreamy hour in the -pleasure of fishing for the warmouth, but at the same time fully alive -to the weird surroundings. Occasionally the splashing of a hooked fish -on the surface entices an alligator from his lair in expectation of a -fishy morsel. The echoes are awakened time and again by the pumping of -the bittern, the hoarse cry of the crane, or the hooting of an owl in -the dark recesses of the cypress swamp. The solitudes of those waters -are very fascinating to the lone fisher. The novelty of the situation -appeals very strongly to the angler-naturalist whose experiences have -been on the clear, sparkling, tumbling streams of the North. There -Nature is ever bright and joyous; here she is quiet and sombre and -subdued. But the fishes know no north or south or east or west,--always -the same creatures of interest and beauty, and ever responding to the -wiles of the angler. - -I was once fishing on St. Francis River, in Arkansas, where the -warmouths were both large and gamy. One day I went through the woods and -cane-brakes to the banks of Mud Lake, situated in the midst of a cypress -swamp. The lake was much smaller than it had been formerly, as was -apparent from the wide margins of the shores, which were of considerable -extent between the timber and the water. On this margin was a group of -four cypress trees that in size exceeded any that I had ever seen, and I -think worthy of mention. They were from twenty to twenty-five feet in -diameter, or sixty to sixty-five feet in circumference, three feet above -the ground. They were buttressed like the wall of a mediæval stronghold. -In comparing notes with many naturalists and travellers, they have -declared the size of those cypress trees to be both unique and -wonderful. - - -THE BLUE SUNFISH - -(_Lepomis pallidus_) - -The blue sunfish was first described by Dr. Mitchill from the waters of -New York in 1815. He named it _pallidus_, meaning "pale," as it was more -sober in hue than the other brilliantly colored sunfishes. It is the -largest of the sunfishes, so-called, as the black-bass, warmouth, and -crappies are not popularly regarded as "sunfishes." - -The blue sunfish has a wider distribution than any other member of its -family except the black-bass. Its range extends from the Great Lakes -through the Mississippi Valley to Texas, and along the South Atlantic -states to Florida. In the Middle West it is known as blue gill and in -the South as blue bream and copper-nosed bream. It has a medium-sized -head and very deep body, its depth varying from one-half its length to -almost as deep as long, in which case, barring head and tail, it is -almost round in outline. It is much compressed. The ear-flap is quite -black, without the pale or red border usual in the other sunfishes. - -[Illustration THE SMALL-MOUTH BLACK-BASS _Micropterus dolomieu_] - -[Illustration THE LARGE-MOUTH BLACK-BASS _Micropterus salmoides_] - -[Illustration THE ROCK-BASS _Ambloplites rupestris_] - -As might be inferred from its extensive range, its coloration varies -greatly. In large and old examples it is sometimes of a uniform slaty -hue with purplish reflections. In others it is olive-green or bluish -green, darker above, with the breast and belly coppery red. Young -specimens are more brilliantly colored, with silvery reflections and -various chainlike markings. It thrives alike in stream, pond, or lake, -adapting itself to almost any environment. It feeds on insects and their -larvæ, very small minnows, and other small aquatic organisms. It spawns -in the spring and early summer, and its manner of nesting and guarding -its young is similar to that of the other members of the family. It -grows to six or eight inches in length usually, but often to a foot, -especially in large waters. It is quite a favorite game-fish in most -localities, and with such tackle as recommended for the rock-bass it -gives considerable sport, especially in localities that are lacking in -larger and better game-fishes. It rises well to the fly, and will take -any of the baits recommended for the other sunfishes. - -In those states of the Middle West, where the brook-trout does not -exist, the "blue gill" is greatly esteemed and much sought after, as it -furnishes the opportunity to employ light trout tackle in its capture, -and with such gear it affords fine sport. I have taken the blue sunfish -in all waters from Wisconsin to Florida. In the latter state many years -ago I fished a fresh-water lake on Point Pinellas, near St. Petersburg, -Florida, though there were but two houses there at that time. I was -using a very light rod, and the fish were as large and round as a -breakfast plate, and moreover the gamest and most beautiful in -coloration of any blue gill I had ever met. The characteristic blue was -replaced by a deep, intense, and brilliant purple, shot with silvery and -golden reflections. While playing one on the surface, an osprey sat on a -dead pine watching with apparent concern and eagerness. The fish made a -stubborn resistance, with much splashing. Then a strange thing happened. -The fish-hawk swooped down and seized the fish and attempted to fly away -with it. Perhaps the hook became fast to his claw, but at any rate he -circled around and around the pond, tethered to my line. It was the -first, last, and only time that I did the aerial act of playing a bird -on the wing. After a few seconds of this exciting and novel sport the -osprey broke away, carrying both fish and hook. - - -THE LONG-EARED SUNFISH - -(_Lepomis megalotis_) - -This species was first described by Rafinesque in 1820 from streams in -Kentucky. He named it _megalotis_, meaning "large ear," owing to its -large and conspicuous ear-flap. It is one of the handsomest sunfishes in -its brilliant coloration, and a great favorite with the youthful -Waltonians of the Mississippi Valley. It inhabits small streams in -Michigan and the Mississippi Valley, and the Atlantic slope from South -Carolina to Florida and Mexico, and is very abundant in Kentucky, where -it is sometimes called "tobacco-box," owing to its "lid-like" opercle. - -Its body is short and deep, with quite a hump or arch anteriorly, making -the profile of the face quite steep in old specimens. The ear-flap is -very long and wide, blackish in color, with a border usually of pale -bluish or a reddish hue; its back is blue, with chestnut or orange -belly; sides with red spots and bluish lines; iris of eye red; lips -blue. The soft rays of the dorsal fin are blue, with orange between. -Ventral and anal fins are dusky blue. The top of the head and nape is -dark. The coloration is very brilliant and varies in different -localities. Its habits of feeding and spawning are similar to those of -the blue sunfish, though it usually inhabits smaller streams; it grows -to a length of from six to eight inches, and is regarded as a good -pan-fish by many. - -It is an eager biter at angle-worms, which is the bait _par excellence_ -of juvenile anglers, who greatly enjoy fishing for "sunnies." The only -tackle needed is a light cane rod, very fine line, and small hooks, Nos. -6 or 8, split-shot sinker, and, of course, a float, for no boy would -care to fish without a "bob" or "cork." Half of the pleasure of the -young angler is in watching the float. - -But the fly-fisher may also obtain sport to his liking with a rod of a -few ounces' weight and midge flies on No. 10 hooks, for at the close of -the day the long-eared sunfish rises well. In the absence of better -fishing this is not to be despised. - -I once saw a boy fishing for "tobacco-boxes" from a rock beneath a -mill-dam on a Kentucky stream. He hooked one of good size, and in his -eagerness to secure it tumbled into the pool, which was quite deep, much -over his head. After some little delay we got him out, almost drowned, -and in a very limp and exhausted condition. When finally he was restored -and capable of speech he exclaimed, "I saved my tobacco-box, anyhow!" -During all the struggle he held on to his rod, and still clutched it -when "landed." Whether he did so from the desperation with which -drowning men are said to cling to straws, or from an inherent sporting -instinct, deponent sayeth not. A clergyman, who knew nothing of fish, -but who was attracted to the scene, said to the dripping boy, "My lad, -let this be a solemn warning to you: throw away the tobacco-box you have -saved and give up chewing; it may drown you yet." - - -THE RED-BREAST SUNFISH - -(_Lepomis auritus_) - -This handsome sunfish was the first of its family to receive the -recognition of a naturalist, being described by Linnæus in 1758. He -named it _auritus_, or "eared," from its conspicuous ear-flap. His -specimen was credited to Philadelphia, and was, presumably, from some -neighboring water. It is a fish of the Atlantic slope, with a range -extending from Maine to Florida, and is also found in Louisiana. It is -very abundant in the South Atlantic states. - -Its form is similar to the long-eared sunfish, but with a more prominent -snout and a depression in front of the eye. Its ear-flap is as long but -not so broad; its color olive or bluish above; sides bluish with reddish -spots; breast and belly orange or red; blue stripes on the front of the -head. The southern form has a dusky blotch on the last rays of the -dorsal fin, which is lacking in those of northern waters. - -Its habits are similar to those of the other sunfishes proper, as to -food, spawning, etc. It grows to a length of from eight to ten inches. -It is a favorite food and game-fish in the South, where it is known as -red-breast bream and red-bellied perch. The same remarks as to angling -mentioned under the head of warmouth perch will apply to this fish as -well. - -My angling career really began with the capture of "silversides" with a -paste of bread crumbs, but was inaugurated with taking this "sunny" and -the "punkin-seed" on the artificial fly. An old English gamekeeper, in -the employ of our family as gardener and hostler, taught me to tie a -fly and cast it with a willow wand when but five years of age. At the -feet of that Gamaliel in corduroy I imbibed a love of angling that has -constantly grown with the lapse of years. But increased knowledge of -fishes and a wider experience in angling have not lessened my affection -for my first love--the "sunny." This acknowledgment is due one of the -humblest and least important, but also one of the prettiest species of -the finny tribe. - - -THE COMMON SUNFISH - -(_Eupomotis gibbosus_) - -This is the pumpkin-seed or "sunny" of fragrant memory. It is enshrined -in the heart of many an American angler as his first love, when with pin -hook, thread line, and willow wand he essayed its capture in the nearest -brook or mill-pond. - -Looking backward over an angling career of half a century, the gamesome -"sunny" with its coat of many colors shines out as a bright particular -star among those of greater magnitude. It is here set down, then, mainly -as a matter of sentiment and to keep its memory green. - -The little "sunny" was christened by the greatest naturalist that ever -lived, Linnæus, who in 1758 named it "_gibbosus_" owing to the gibbous -outline of its little body. His specimens were from South Carolina. - -It inhabits the Great Lake region, and the Atlantic seaboard from Maine -to Florida, and the northern portion of the Mississippi Valley. In -outline it is not unlike a pumpkin-seed, hence one of its popular names. -This is well expressed in its specific name _gibbosus_. It has quite a -small mouth, but large eye. In coloration it rivals the gayly-tinted -fishes of the coral reefs in tropical seas. The predominating colors are -yellow and blue, being bluish on the back, paling on the sides to a -lighter shade, with yellow blotches and coppery reflections, and belly -bright orange-yellow; the cheeks are yellow with blue streaks; rays of -dorsal fin blue, the connecting membrane yellow; ear-flap black, ending -in a scarlet border; lips blue; iris of eye scarlet. - -Its habits of spawning, nest-making, and care of eggs and fry are -similar to those of the other sunfishes mentioned. It is partial to -clear water, with sandy or gravelly bottom, in the vicinity of weed -patches. It feeds on insects and their larvæ and minute crustaceans, -and is especially fond of the eggs and fry of other species. It grows to -a size of eight inches, though usually from three to six inches. - -Like all the sunfishes, it is an eager biter, and with very light tackle -much real pleasure can be enjoyed by the angler who is not too -particular as to his preferences. It rises readily to small dark flies, -as the several hackles, black gnat, etc., on hooks Nos. 10 to 12. For -bait-fishing nothing is quite so good as earthworms on hooks Nos. 8 to -10. - -There are quite a number of other sunfishes belonging to this family, -but those named are the most important. In the Southern states, where -the sunfishes are known generically as "bream" or "brim" and "perch," -they are more appreciated than in the Northern states, where the -brook-trout is the favorite among the smaller species. If fished for -with very light and suitable tackle, there is a great measure of -enjoyment to be derived from bream-fishing, north or south. Certainly -for beauty of coloration they are not excelled, and as pan-fish they are -preferred by many to the dainty brook-trout. - -There is a certain fascination in fishing with a float, or "cork," or -"bob," as the boys have it. And among us "old boys" there is a certain -undefined feeling, it may be a reminiscent affection, connected with the -float, much the same as that with which we regard the powder-flask and -shot-pouch of the days of yore. And I am not sure but that the old -things and old ways were best, or at least more enjoyable. One can -heartily agree with Alonzo of Aragon in his preferences for old wood to -burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. - -What old angler does not remember the eagerness and expectancy with -which he watched the "cork" in days gone by? How well he knew and -understood every motion of it, responsive to the nibbling "sunny": first -a gentle spinning, then a preliminary bobble, then a premonitory start -away an inch or two, and then--O joy!--its swift and sudden -disappearance beneath the surface. The lapse of time cannot wither nor -modern custom stale the pleasures of youthful fishing. To be sure, it -was not all piscatorial cakes and ale; there were a few thorns with the -roses; there were the bruised fingers and toes, the wet and torn -clothes, and the impending and dreaded "dressing down" when home was -reached; but these disagreeable concomitants were soon forgotten, and -are now scarcely remembered, while the pleasures are laid up in the -lavender of sweet recollection. - -The old-time zest of fishing with a float can still be gratified; we can -renew our youth by fishing for "sunnies" in the old-fashioned way. In -the wooded streams of the Southern states the float is a _sine qua non_ -for bream-fishing, owing to the many tangled roots of trees on the -banks, and the mosses, grasses, and other aquatic plants that grow so -luxuriantly in the sluggish waters. Then here's to the float and the -sunny and the bream! - - -THE CALICO-BASS - -(_Pomoxis sparoides_) - -The calico-bass was first described by Lacépéde from specimens sent to -France from South Carolina. He named it _sparoides_ from a fancied -resemblance, either in its scales or compressed body, to those features -in fishes belonging to the family _Sparidæ_. - -Owing to its wide distribution it has received many names, more or less -descriptive. In the Northern states it is variously called crappie, -croppie, strawberry-bass, grass-bass, bank lick bass, silver-bass, -big-fin bass, Lake Erie bass, razor back, bitter-head, lamplighter, -etc., while in the Southern states it is known as speckled perch, -goggle-eyed perch, chincapin perch, bridge perch, etc. - -As the calico-bass and the next fish to be described, the crappie, -belong to the same genus of the sunfish family, and resemble each other -very much, the vernacular nomenclature is much confused, and in some -instances is interchangeable. Some years ago I proposed to call them -northern and southern crappie; but as the name calico-bass has obtained -considerable currency, it is best to adopt that name for the northern -species, leaving the name crappie for the southern form. - -The calico-bass is found in the Great Lake region and the upper -Mississippi Valley, and along the Atlantic slope from New Jersey to -Florida and Texas. Its range has been considerably extended by -transplantation, even to France, where it thrives well as a pond fish. -It is a handsome fish, resembling in its general features and shape the -sunfishes, but with a thinner body and larger fins. It has a long head -and a large mouth, with thin lips and projecting lower jaw. The eye is -large with a dark, bluish iris. Its fins are large and strong. It grows -usually to eight or ten inches in length, weighing from half a pound to -a pound, but occasionally reaches a foot in length and two or three -pounds in weight. Its color is bright olive-green, with silvery -reflections, darker on the back, and paling to the belly. In some -localities it is of a much darker and purplish hue with brassy lustre. -It is profusely covered with dark spots or blotches, as large as the -finger-tips or "chincapins." The fins are mottled with pale spots on a -darker or olive ground. It is gregarious, being usually found in -schools, and prefers clear water. It is especially adapted to pond -culture, and spawns in spring or early summer, according to locality; it -prepares its nest in sand, gravel, or on a flat rock in the same way as -the sunfishes. Its food is the same, also, though it is more partial to -young fish. It is an excellent pan-fish but does not excel as a -game-fish, for though a very free biter, it does not offer much -resistance when hooked. However, with very light tackle it affords -considerable sport, as it does not cease biting, usually, until most of -the school are taken. - -The usual method of angling for this fish is from an anchored boat on -ponds or small lakes, or from the bank. At times it rises pretty well to -the fly, and trolling with a very small spoon is also successful on -lakes. The lightest rods and tackle should be employed, with hooks Nos. -3 to 5 on gut snells. A small quill float is useful in very weedy ponds -with mossy bottom. The best bait is a small minnow, though grasshoppers, -crickets, crawfish, cut-bait, or worms are all greedily taken. -Fly-fishing is more successful during the late afternoon hours until -dusk. The flies should be trout patterns of coachman, gray drake, black -gnat, Henshall, or any of the hackles on hooks Nos. 4 to 5. - -I first became acquainted with the calico-bass during my residence in -Wisconsin, many years ago. In the vicinity of Oconomowoc it was known as -the silver-bass, though summer visitors from St. Louis, confusing it -with the kindred species, the crappie, called it "croppie," as the real -crappie is known at Murdoch Lake near that city. Owing to its greedy, -free-biting habits it was a prime favorite with youthful anglers and the -fair sex; for once a school was located, the contest was free, fast, and -furious until, perhaps, the entire school was captured. It was -frequently taken by black-bass fishers when casting the minnow or -trolling, much to their disgust. Of course it is always the unexpected -that happens, in fishing as in other affairs of life, and the angler who -was casting a fine minnow for a black-bass, viewed with disdain if not -anger the unlucky "pickerel," rock-bass, perch, or calico bass that -appropriated--or, as the English angler has it, "hypothecated"--the said -choice shiner. - -I was once fishing with General Phil Sheridan and General Anson Stager -for black-bass on a lake near Oconomowoc. When the great telegrapher, -after a beautiful cast near a bed of rushes, hooked a calico-bass, and -was anathematizing the "measly silver-bass" with all the dots and dashes -of the Morse alphabet, Sheridan quietly remarked, "Oh, let up, Stager, -it is one of the fortunes of war; better luck next time!" Stager smiled, -gently unhooked the offending fish, and returned it to the water, -saying, "Good-by, croppie, my regards to the rest of the family; but -don't monkey with my minnow again." - -When cruising on the St. Johns, or camping on some of the fresh-water -lakes of Florida, I have greatly enjoyed both the fishing with light -tackle and the eating of this fine pan-fish. It is there known as the -perch, silver perch, or speckled perch. It may not be out of place to -say that the generic term "bass" is connected only with salt-water -fishes in the Southern states. Fishes that are known in the Northern -states as bass of some kind become, generically, "perch" in the South; -and the black-bass becomes a "trout" or jumping-perch. If bait-fishing, -one is never at a loss for bait on the lakes of Florida. The black-bass -and calico-bass lie in open water, adjacent to the patches of lily-pads -or bonnets. Among the latter frequent the minnows and small fry. To -catch your minnow the bait is also handy. In the stems of the lilies and -bonnets there lies concealed a small worm, which is readily seen by -splitting the stems. With the worm first catch your minnow, which is -transferred to your bass hook, which is next cast into clear, deeper -water, to be taken by a black-bass or "speckled perch." What a simple -and admirable arrangement for the lazy fisherman! - -My old friend, Dr. Theodatus Garlick, who with Dr. H.A. Ackley were the -fathers of fish-culture in America, having succeeded in hatching -brook-trout as early as 1853, relates the following instance of the -remarkable tenacity of life in the calico-bass: "A specimen from which -a drawing was made, was wrapped in a piece of paper when taken from the -water, and carried in my coat pocket for over four hours, and when -placed in a bucket of water soon revived, and seems at the present time -to enjoy excellent health. In warm weather, however, it would not, in -all probability, survive so severe a test of its vital powers." I -imagine that this circumstance happened in winter, and that the fish -became frozen before or after being placed in his pocket; otherwise I -doubt if the fish could have survived so long, unless the piece of paper -was very large and very wet. I know of many instances occurring with -myself and others where freshly caught fish have been revived after -being frozen for several hours. - - -THE CRAPPIE - -(_Pomoxis annularis_) - -The crappie was first described by Rafinesque in 1818 from specimens -collected at the Falls of the Ohio, near Louisville, Kentucky. He named -it _annularis_, "having rings," as it was said to have "a golden ring at -the base of the tail," but I have never seen it; it does have a gold -ring, however, around the iris of the eye, and this was probably the -occasion of the name. - -Like the calico-bass, the crappie has received a great many local names. -In the northern region of its range it is variously known as white -croppie, crappie, barfish, bachelor, etc., and in Kentucky as newlight, -Campbellite, and tin-mouth, while farther south it is called silver -perch, speckled perch, goggle-eye, sac-à-lait, shad, etc. It inhabits -the Ohio and Mississippi river basins from Kansas to Louisiana and -Texas, and is more abundant in Kentucky and other Southern states than -farther north. Its range, however, has been extended by transplantation -to many states. In general features it resembles the calico-bass very -much, though to the trained eye the differences are very apparent. It is -not quite so deep nor so robust as the calico-bass. The mouth is -somewhat larger, and the snout more prominent or projecting on account -of a depression or indentation in front of the eye. The eye is a little -larger, and the membrane of the jaws is quite thin and transparent, -hence one of its names,--"tin-mouth." The crappie has but six spines in -the dorsal fin, whereas the calico-bass has seven, whereby they may be -readily distinguished. - -It grows to about the same size and weight as the calico-bass, ten or -twelve inches, though under favorable conditions it grows larger, -reaching a weight of three pounds. I have frequently taken it as heavy, -or a little heavier, in Kentucky, where many ponds and streams seem -peculiarly fitted for it. In coloration it is much paler than the -calico-bass, and the markings are not so dark or in such large spots or -blotches. It is silvery olive-green, much mottled with a darker shade of -same color, especially on the back, the lower sides and belly being more -silvery and seemingly translucent. The dorsal and caudal fins are much -mottled with shades of green, though the anal fin is almost plain. The -iris of the eye is dark, with a silvery or golden border. - -It is found in clear streams and likewise in still, weedy ponds and -bayous, or in all situations adapted to the large-mouth black-bass, with -which fish it is nearly always associated. It is admirably suited for -pond culture. It is quite gregarious and loves to congregate about the -submerged top of a fallen tree or sunken brush, and about mill-dams. It -feeds on all small aquatic organisms and insects and their larvæ, and -the fry of other fishes, tadpoles, etc. - -While a very free-biting fish, its game qualities, when hooked, are not -remarkable. It is pulled out with scarcely a struggle. It is rather a -shy fish, withal, and must be fished for cautiously, and with little -noise or confusion. When these precautions are observed, and with very -small minnows for bait, nearly the entire school can be captured in a -short time. It is an excellent pan-fish, and on this account is a prime -favorite. - -For still-fishing, a light rod of a few ounces in weight, and a line of -the smallest caliber, size H, should be used. Hooks for bait-fishing -should be about No. 3, as the crappie has a large mouth; they should be -tied on gut snells. A quill float is useful in weedy places, or about -brush and logs. The best bait is a very small minnow, hooked under the -dorsal fin, care being taken not to injure the spinal cord. Soft -crawfish, cut-bait, or earthworms may be substituted where minnows are -scarce. A reel is not necessary for bait-fishing, but a short leader -should always be used, and where required a split-shot sinker is heavy -enough. - -For fly-fishing, the lightest trout fly-rod and the smallest click reel -should be employed, with a braided, enamelled silk line of the smallest -caliber, and dark or grayish flies of small size, on hooks No. 4, on gut -snells, with a fine leader. The most useful flies are gray, red, and -black hackles, black gnat, blue dun, gray and brown drake, and stone -fly; but far the best fly that I have ever used is the Henshall of a -small size. It has a body of green peacock harl, hackle of white hairs -from a deer's tail, gray wings, and tail of a fibre or two from the tail -feather of a peacock; they will rise to this fly when no other will -tempt them to the surface. Toward sunset, with the tackle named, on a -breezy summer day, the angler will be amply rewarded, for under these -conditions fly-fishing for the crappie is a sport not to be despised. - -It has been alleged that the name "Campbellite," by which the crappie is -sometimes known in Kentucky, was bestowed because the fish first -appeared in Kentucky streams about the same time that the religious sect -founded by Alexander Campbell became established in that state. This may -have been the origin of the name, but I am inclined to doubt it from the -fact that the crappie has probably always inhabited Kentucky streams, -inasmuch as it was first described by Rafinesque in 1820 from Kentucky -waters. He gave gold ring and silver perch as the common names then in -vogue for it at Louisville. I think it more likely the name originated -in this wise: among the many names given to this fish is "newlight," -probably owing to its bright and apparently translucent appearance; and -as this name was also bestowed by some on the religious sect referred -to, the names newlight and Campbellite became interchangeable for both -fish and sect. It is, however, seldom called Campbellite, while newlight -is the most universal name for it in central Kentucky. - -The name crappie, or croppie, has an unknown derivation; perhaps it -comes from the French _crêpe_, a "pan-cake," from its shape or -deliciousness when fried, for it was always a great favorite with the -French of St. Louis and the creoles of Louisiana. In the latter state it -is also known as _sac-à-lait_, "bag for milk" (?). - -Great numbers of crappies are annually seined from the shallow bayous -and sloughs bordering the Illinois and Mississippi rivers by the United -States Fish Commission, and planted in suitable waters. If allowed to -remain in the sloughs, which dry up in the summer and fall, they would -eventually perish. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE BASS FAMILY - -(_Serranidæ_) - -The bass family is composed mostly of marine fishes, nearly all of which -are good game and food-fishes. These will be described among the fishes -of the East Coast and Florida in subsequent pages. It is the most -typical group among the percoid (perchlike) fishes. Only two species of -the family inhabit fresh water,--the white-bass and the yellow-bass. - -The fishes of this family are characterized by an oblong body, large -mouth, brushlike or bristlelike teeth, sometimes with canines; one or -two dorsal fins, the first always composed of spiny rays; the anal fin, -always with three spines; scales adherent and rough (ctenoid); -preopercle usually serrate; opercle with flat points or spines; cheeks -and opercles always scaly; premaxillary protractile; dorsal and ventral -outlines do not always correspond; caudal fin not deeply forked; its -peduncle stout. - - -THE WHITE-BASS - -(_Roccus chrysops_) - - _Roccus chrysops._ The White-bass. Body oblong, deep, and - compressed; head 3-1/2; depth 2-1\2; eye 5; D. IX-I, 14; A. - III, 12; scales 10-60-15; mouth moderate, maxillary reaching - middle of pupil; a patch of teeth at base of tongue, and a - patch on each side; preopercle serrate; subopercle with a deep - notch; lower jaw somewhat projecting; dorsal fins separate; - gill-rakers long and slender, _x_ + 14. - - _Morone interrupta._ The Yellow-bass. Body oblong, ovate, the - back arched; head 3; depth 2-2/3; eye 4-1/2; D. IX-I, 12; A. - III, 9; scales 7-50-11; dorsal fins slightly joined; jaws - subequal; no teeth on base of tongue; gill-rakers moderate, _x_ - + 13 to 16; preorbital and suprascapula serrate. - -The white-bass was first described by Rafinesque in 1820 from the falls -of the Ohio River, near Louisville, Kentucky. He named it _chrysops_, or -"gold eye," owing to the golden hue of the iris. It is known also as -white lake-bass and fresh-water striped-bass. It is abundant in Lake -Erie, Lake Michigan, and upper Mississippi River, especially in Lake -Pepin, and in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. It was formerly not uncommon in -the Ohio River, but is now rare. Its body is compressed and rather deep, -with the back arched; its head is rather small, but the mouth is large, -with the lower jaw protruding; the eye is large; teeth brushlike, -without canines. The color is silvery white, greenish above, golden -below, with six or more narrow dusky lines along the body, most -conspicuous above the lateral line; those below broken, or not -continuous. The white-bass is found in water of moderate depth, -preferring those that are clear and cool, as it does not resort to weedy -situations. It is essentially a lake fish, except in spring, when it -undergoes a semi-migration, entering the tributaries of lakes in large -schools. It spawns usually in May. It feeds on small fishes, crawfish, -insects, and their larvæ, etc. Its usual size is a pound or a little -less, but occasionally it grows to three pounds. It is a food-fish of -much excellence, its flesh firm, white, flaky, and of good flavor. - -It is one of the best fresh-water game-fishes, being a bold biter, and -on light and suitable tackle affords much sport to the appreciative -angler. For fly-fishing, the best season is during the spring, when it -enters the tributary streams of lakes. At this time the fly-fisher will -be successful at any hour of the day. He may fish from the bank or from -an anchored boat, the latter plan being the best. As the fish are -swimming in schools, either headed up or down stream, no particular -place need be selected, though off the points at the edge of the -channel, or in the narrowest portions of the streams, are perhaps the -best. In the summer and fall the fish are in the lakes or deeper water, -when the fishing will be more successful during the late afternoon hours -until sundown, and the angler may be guided by the conditions followed -in black-bass fly-fishing, as mentioned in a previous chapter. - -A trout fly-rod of six or seven ounces, with the usual trout click reel -and corresponding tackle, will subserve a good purpose. When the fish -are running in the streams the most useful flies are gray drake, green -drake, stone fly, brown hackle, gray hackle, Henshall, and Montreal, of -the usual trout patterns, on hooks Nos. 5 to 7. - -For bait-fishing, a light black-bass or trout rod, with multiplying -reel, braided silk line of the smallest caliber, a leader of small gut -three feet long, and hooks Nos. 3 or 4 tied on gut snells, will answer -well. The best and in fact the only bait that can be successfully used -is a small minnow, hooked through the lips. The fishing is done from an -anchored boat on lakes or the deep pools of streams, either by casting -or still-fishing. - -No fish will rise to the artificial fly except in comparatively shallow -water, or when near the surface, and this is especially true of the -white-bass when it resorts to the depths after the spring run is over. I -remember a striking instance of this that once occurred in Wisconsin. I -was fishing for black-bass in the Neenah channel of Lake Winnebago -during the May-fly season, when the black-bass were taking the -artificial fly right along, being near the surface feeding on the -natural flies, though the water was quite deep, with a rocky bottom. A -party of bait-fishers anchored near my boat, and began fishing with -heavy sinkers, as the water was very swift, and with small minnows for -bait. The white-bass were not slow in taking the proffered minnows, and -they caught a goodly number, but not a single black-bass; nor did I take -a single white-bass during several hours of fishing, for they were lying -among the rocks at the bottom. - -In the rocky coves about the Bass Islands of Put-in-Bay, on Lake Erie, I -have had really good sport, in the summer months, bait-fishing for -white-bass, with light tackle, the fish running about two pounds; but -with the fly my success was generally _nil_, as they were in deep -water, and nothing but minnows would attract them. But in the upper -Mississippi, notably on Lake Pepin, the case was different. About the -rocky points of that beautiful lake, and in the clear water of the river -below, I have enjoyed royal sport fly-fishing for white-bass. This was -years ago. Afterward I made a trip in a steam yacht from Cincinnati to -St. Paul, traversing the Mississippi from Cairo to the head of -navigation, and also going up the St. Croix River to Taylor's Falls. On -this trip the white-bass fishing was not so good as in former years, -though the black-bass seemed to have held their own pretty well. I might -remark, in passing, that the upper Mississippi is one of the most -beautiful and scenic rivers in the world, and is unsurpassed for -black-bass fly-fishing. At one time the islands of that river furnished -superb woodcock shooting in summer, which could be varied with fine -fishing. - - -THE YELLOW-BASS - -(_Morone interrupta_) - -The yellow-bass was first described by Dr. Theodore Gill in 1860. His -type specimens were from the lower Mississippi River in the vicinity of -St. Louis and New Orleans. He named it _interrupta_, in allusion to the -broken or "interrupted" lines along its sides. It is also known as -brassy-bass. It belongs to the same genus as the white-perch of the East -Coast. It is found only in the lower Mississippi River and its -tributaries, sometimes extending its range a short distance up the Ohio -River. - -The yellow-bass might be called a cousin of the white-bass, though it -belongs to a different genus. It takes the place of that fish in the -lower Mississippi Valley. Compared with the white-bass it has a somewhat -longer head, with a body not quite so deep; otherwise the general shape -is much the same. The mouth is a little larger, though the snout does -not project quite so much, and the profile of the head is straighter, -and it has a larger eye. The posterior border of the cheek-bone is -finely serrated. - -The general color is brassy or yellowish, darker on the back and lighter -on the belly. There are about half a dozen very distinct and black -longitudinal lines along the sides, the lower ones broken or -"interrupted," the posterior portions dropping below the anterior, like -a "fault" in a stratum of rocks. - -It is fond of the deeper pools in the rivers and clear-water bayous, -and the foot of rapids and riffles. It is partial to the same character -of food as the white-bass, small minnows constituting the greater part. -It likewise spawns in the spring, and grows to a pound or two in weight, -sometimes reaching three pounds. It is an excellent food-fish. - -I have had good sport with the yellow-bass on St. Francis River in -Arkansas, and at the head of the Yazoo Pass, in Mississippi, with the -same tackle and by similar methods as recommended for the white-bass on -a prior page. As with the two black-basses and the two crappies, the -white-bass and yellow-bass having similar habits and kindred tastes, the -same tackle and the same modes of angling are as well suited for one as -for the other. This will apply to both fly-fishing and bait-fishing. - -I was once, one autumn, with a party on a river steam yacht on the lower -Mississippi when geese, ducks, deer, and turkeys were more plentiful -than they are now. Up the St. Francis River, in the "sunk lands" of -Arkansas, the yacht was moored at Cow Bayou, near a steep clay bluff, on -the top of which was a dilapidated tent occupied by a young man and his -wife, who were building a shanty boat in which to float down to sunnier -climes for the winter, as the man was "nigh gone" with consumption. One -morning I was out early fishing for yellow-bass after a rainy night. As -I was landing a fish I saw the woman at the top of the bluff, looking -for a way down to the yacht. She was quite a fresh and comely-looking -woman, too. She started down very carefully, for the wet clay was quite -slippery. I became interested to see how she would succeed. Suddenly her -bare feet slipped from under her, and she came down with a rush, her one -garment, as I soon discovered, an old calico gown, slipping back over -her head, disclosing her nude form, which appeared very white in -contrast to the red clay. Then I looked the other way just as she -flopped over from a prone to a supine position. When she reached the -river side she looked like a sculptor's model in clay. She quietly -adjusted her gown as if nothing unusual had occurred, and asked: "Has -you-uns got any matches? We-uns' matches all got wet in the drizzle last -night, and I want to cook my old man's breakfus." I pulled ashore and -handed her my matchbox, and scarcely knowing what to say, I remarked. -"You had better change your dress before you cook breakfast." She -replied, "I hain't got another one." - -While the boys were eating their breakfast of fried fish, deer steak, -and broiled duck, I related the "toboggan" episode, and mentioned the -"one frock." When the meal was concluded the boys overhauled their -belongings and chipped in several pairs of slippers, long woollen -stockings, underclothing, and blankets, and the "skipper" threw in some -calico and muslin from the yacht's stores. These were made into bundles -and carried to the top of the bluff by a more circuitous route. -Proceeding to the tent they deposited their offerings, together with -some ducks and venison. The man and woman were overcome with gratitude, -but the boys said they were glad to get rid of the stuff. The skipper -had taken his camera along to get a snap-shot at the tent and its -occupants, which being made known to them the woman said. "Wait a -minnit!" She went into the tent, but immediately reappeared wearing a -large sun-bonnet, in which she was "took" with her "old man." I have -often wondered since why she put on that sun-bonnet. My excuse for this -digression may be found in the memorable words of George Dawson, "It is -not all of fishing to fish." - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE BASS FAMILY (_CONTINUED_) - -(_Serranidæ_) - -In addition to the fresh-water species of this family and those of the -East Coast are the groupers, cabrillas, etc., of Florida waters, to be -noticed later. The family name is founded on Cuvier's genus _Serranus_, -from the Latin _serra_, or "saw," in allusion to the serrated edge of -the cheek-bones, common to all fishes of this family. - - _Roccus lineatus._ The Striped-bass. Body rather elongate, - little compressed; head 3-1/4; depth 3-1/2; eye 6; D. IX-I, 12; - A. III, 11; scales 8-67-11; back little arched; head - subconical; mouth large, maxillary reaching middle of orbit; - lower jaw projecting; teeth on base of tongue in two parallel - patches; preorbital entire; preopercle weakly serrate; margin - of subopercle entire; suprascapula entire; gill-rakers long and - slender, 4 + 15; dorsal fins separate; caudal fin forked. - - _Morone americana._ The White-perch. Body oblong, ovate, the - back moderately elevated; head 3; depth 2-1/2; eye 4; D. IX-I, - 12; A. III, 8; scales 8-50-12; head depressed above eyes; snout - rather pointed; mouth small, maxillary not reaching middle of - orbit; preorbital entire; base of tongue without teeth; head - scaled; dorsal fins connected at base; gill-rakers 4 + 16. - - _Centropristes striatus._ The Sea-bass. Body robust, elevated - anteriorly, somewhat compressed; head 2-2/3; depth 2-2/3; eye - 5; D. X, 11; A. III, 7; scales 5-55-17; head large and thick, - naked on top; mouth rather large, lower jaw projecting; teeth - in broad bands, the canines small; preopercle serrate; - gill-rakers long, about _x_ + 18; scales on cheeks in 11 rows; - caudal fin double concave or three-lobed. - - -THE STRIPED-BASS - -(_Roccus lineatu_) - -The specific name _lineatus_, or "striped," was bestowed by Bloch in -1792. North of the Delaware River it is universally called striped-bass, -but in more southern waters it is known as rock or rockfish, from its -habit of foraging on rocky shores in search of crustaceans and small -fishes. From this vernacular name comes the generic name _Roccus_. It is -found from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Florida, but is most abundant -from Buzzards Bay to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It has been -successfully transplanted to the Pacific coast, where it is now common -near San Francisco. - -The form of the striped-bass varies considerably with age. Young -specimens are rather slender and symmetrical in outline, the depth being -about a fourth of the length. The depth increases with the weight of the -fish, while the back becomes more arched, and the belly more -pendulous. The head equals in length the depth of the body usually. -The mouth is large, opening obliquely; the snout is rather sharp, and -the lower jaw projects. The color is olivaceous, often bluish on the -back, sides with silvery lustre, fading to white on the belly. There are -six to eight horizontal rows of dark spots, forming interrupted stripes, -four or five running from head to caudal fin, with three shorter ones -below; the fins are pale and usually unmarked. It is found within the -range given during the entire year, though it frequents certain situations -at different seasons. The largest fish resort to the rocky shores of the -bays and indentations of the coast between the shores and outer -reefs, those of smaller size frequent the estuaries and tideways, -and still smaller ones seek the shallower and quieter waters. - -[Illustration SURF-FISHING FOR BASS] - -It spawns in the spring, usually in May, in both fresh and brackish -water. Large schools ascend rivers for long distances in the spring, -more particularly those rivers resorted to by the shad, which they seem -to follow, perhaps for the purpose of feeding on shad spawn, as they are -said to do. Others follow the smelt up certain rivers farther north. A -large female will deposit from a million to two million eggs, which are -about one-seventh of an inch in diameter, are free, transparent, and -semi-buoyant, and hatch in a few days. Owing to a large oil-drop in the -front part of the yolk-sac, the young fry at first swim with the head -toward the surface of the water, and not in the horizontal position -usual with the fry of most fishes. - -Its food consists of small fishes, crabs, lobsters, shrimps, squids, -sandworms, and other marine invertebrates. It grows to a very large -size, being frequently taken by anglers from thirty to sixty pounds, and -in the nets of fishermen as heavy as one hundred pounds or more. In the -city of Baltimore, in boyhood days, I often went to the fish markets on -Saturdays to see and admire the various kinds of fishes. On one occasion -there were several large rockfish being weighed on the old-time balance, -consisting of a beam and two large, flat, wooden scales supported by -chains. The largest fish did not weigh quite two fifty-six-pound -weights. A man then asked me how much I weighed, and I replied one -hundred and three pounds. I was then placed on the scale instead of the -weights, with the result that the fish outweighed me perhaps a pound or -two. At all events it weighed between one hundred and three and one -hundred and twelve pounds--probably one hundred and five pounds. It was -as long as an average man. - -The striped-bass is a food-fish of fine quality, and the markets of the -eastern cities are well supplied with it during summer and fall, and to -a certain extent during the winter. It is very active from early spring -until late in the fall, when it resorts to the back-waters and bayous of -tidal rivers for the winter. It is said by some to hibernate, but this -is doubtful. The opinion is probably due to the fact that it is more -sluggish and listless while in winter quarters, and refuses to respond -to the wiles of the angler. - -That the striped-bass is a game-fish of high degree goes without saying. -It is rated by some enthusiastic anglers as being superior even to the -salmon in game qualities. This opinion, however, is hardly correct when -the two are compared weight for weight. In surf-fishing the first rush -of a large fish, upon feeling the hook, is something to be remembered. -It is probably longer and stronger than that of a salmon of equal -weight, for the reason that while the latter fish is leaping from the -water in its efforts to escape, the bass is making his furious dash for -liberty beneath the surface, and exerting every ounce of his muscular -fibre in the effort. But this immense strain cannot long be continued, -and as he seldom breaks water like the salmon, and does not sulk, he -resorts to strategy and finesse to free himself. - -After making several desperate but ineffectual rushes to escape, he may -endeavor to chafe or part the line against sharp rocks, or to foul it -among the kelp or sea-weeds. Sometimes, but not often, he dives toward -the angler to obtain slack line, which is a dangerous move if the reel -does not respond quickly in taking up the loose line. When it is -considered that all of these manoeuvres of a monster bass to free -himself occur amidst the rolling and tumbling of the surf, or in the -dashing of foam-crested combers, while the angler often has but a -precarious footing on a slippery rock, and perhaps with a half gale of -wind blowing, some idea may be formed of the skill and good judgment -required to subdue and land so valorous a fish. And under such -conditions it is very natural for the angler to rank his noble quarry -with the salmon. - -When a Baltimore boy I thought there was no better sport than -still-fishing for rockfish running from a half to a pound or two, on -the flats off Fort McHenry, the Lazaretto, or up the Patapsco River -near the Long Bridge. It was good sport, too, for the fish were plentiful -in those days, and from an anchored boat, with light cane rod and shrimp -bait, I was often on the ground to catch the young flood tide at sunrise, -or before, on summer mornings, and seldom failed to be rewarded with -a full basket of small striped-bass. - -[Illustration CATCHING SEA-BASS OFF NEWPORT] - -Still-fishing in summer is best practised in comparatively shallow water -in the estuaries, at the edge of the tideways, near the mouths of -rivers, or up streams of good size as far as the tide reaches. In some -cases the fishing may be done from bridges, piers, wharves, or from the -bank, but usually from an anchored boat. In the estuaries and at the -mouths of rivers the first of the flood and the last of the ebb are -usually the best stages of the tide. In the shallow bays and lagoons, or -far up the rivers, the full tide is the most favorable time. For this -fishing the rod should be light, pliable, and not more than nine feet in -length. A black-bass rod can be utilized to good advantage. The best rod -for the purpose, however, is the "Little Giant," a modification of the -Henshall black-bass rod. It is in two pieces, seven and one-half feet -long, and weighs eight ounces in ash and lancewood, or seven ounces in -split bamboo. It is stiffer than the Henshall rod, so that a two or -four-ounce sinker can be used with it whenever necessary. A good -multiplying reel must be employed with black-bass rods. The line should -be fifty yards of braided linen, smallest size, with a three-foot leader -of single gut; Sproat or O'Shaughnessy hooks Nos. 1 or 2 on gut snells -are large enough for bass up to two or three pounds. A small float is -useful on grassy bottom with shrimp or crab bait, and sinkers of weights -in accordance with the strength of the tidal current must be employed, -also a landing-net. - -Shrimps, soft or shedder crabs, soft-shelled clams, sandworms, small -minnows, silversides, spearing or killifishes, are all good baits in -their season. Shrimp is perhaps the best all-round lure. It should be -hooked under the back plates, and a single shrimp is sufficient for -small bass. Shedder or soft crab should be cut in small pieces. The -scallop is likewise an attractive bait, especially in the fall, when -clam bait may also be used to advantage. Early in the spring shad roe -may be used in quiet waters, or at slack tide, but it is a difficult and -unpleasant bait to handle. - -The bait should be from one to three feet above the bottom, and should -be kept in motion. Even crab bait should not be allowed to lie on the -bottom, as some anglers advise. To maintain the proper position and -depth of the bait the angler may employ a float, with or without a -sinker, as the exigencies or conditions demand. - -Very often hand-lines or stiff cane poles are used in estuary fishing, -and the bass, even when of several pounds in weight, are yanked out of -the water into the boat at once. But with the tackle recommended above -the pleasure of the angler is enhanced, and the fish given a chance for -his life in the brief struggle that follows. - -In trolling for fish of from three to ten pounds a natural bamboo rod, -eight or nine feet long, answers well with one hundred yards of braided -linen line, size E or F, and Sproat hooks No. 2-0 to 3-0 on gut snells. -Where the bass run larger, two hundred feet of line, size E, with hooks -Nos. 5-0 to 6-0 may be required, also a heavier rod. The baits for -trolling are bloodworms of large size, a minnow hooked through the -lips, the natural squid or an eel-tail; also the artificial squid of -bone or block tin, or a trolling-spoon or spinner with a single hook. -When the spoon or artificial squid is used it is not necessary or -advisable to add sandworms or other natural bait, as is often done. -Employ one or the other, but never both in combination. The artificial -baits are sufficiently attractive in themselves, and the additions -mentioned do not enhance their effectiveness. The boat should be rowed -alongshore, or over rocky reefs or shoals, and about the eddies of rock -pools. As the fish always hooks itself in trolling, it only remains for -the angler to play and land his quarry in good form, always having a -large landing-net or gaff in the boat. - -Casting menhaden bait from the rocky shores of the coast requires tools -and tackle of great excellence and strength, as the largest bass are -taken in this way. The most approved rod is a first-class split-bamboo, -eight or eight and one-half feet long, and weighing from twelve to -sixteen ounces. A more serviceable rod, that is, one that will admit of -harder usage, is made of greenheart, lancewood, or bethabara, of the -same length, but somewhat heavier. A cheaper rod, but one that will -give good satisfaction, and withal is lighter than a wooden rod, is made -of natural male Calcutta bamboo, and is known as a "chum" rod. Rods of -eight or eight and one-half feet in length should be made in two or -three pieces, or if not exceeding seven and one-half feet may be made of -one six-foot piece with a handle of eighteen inches. They should have -double bell-mouth guides and funnel top. The more expensive rods should -have the guides, or at least the funnel top, lined with agate. - -The reel must be a first-class multiplier, made expressly for -surf-fishing, with jewelled or steel bearings, with a capacity of two -hundred yards of from twelve to eighteen-thread Cuttyhunk line. The -hooks should be knobbed Sproat or O'Shaughnessy, Nos. 5-0 to 7-0, and -attached to the line by two half-hitches, the loose end turned up and -secured by another half-hitch. A long-handled gaff-hook of good steel -and very sharp is indispensable. A chum knife and spoon are also -necessary, and a woollen thumb-stall will be needed for thumbing the -reel, or a piece of leather may be affixed to one of its bars as a -brake. - -The bait for casting may be the tail of a lobster, cleaned of every -vestige of shell, but menhaden bait is generally used. After scaling the -fish, a slice of several inches is cut from its side, tail end, and -scored on the flesh side longitudinally with a sharp knife, to admit of -its being more readily folded along the hook, which it should envelop -completely. The small end of the bait is affixed to the head of the hook -by a half-hitch or two, its bend and barb being concealed by the broader -end of the bait. This is the conventional method of baiting, though I -have had good success in more southern waters by using an entire bait of -mullet or other silvery fish, five or six inches in length, and hooked -through the lips. - -The residue of the menhaden, after the baits are cut off, is chopped -fine, and is known as "chum." This is thrown in the water to attract the -bass. It is called "chumming," and causes an oily "slick" that spreads -over the surface for a long distance. The pieces of cut fish thrown in -are soon swallowed by scup, cunners, bass, and other fishes, leaving -nothing but the oily slick on the surface. The bluefish, being a surface -feeder, is probably attracted by the slick, but it is questionable if -it is noticed by the striped-bass, a bottom and mid-water feeder. And -even if the common belief were true, it is not likely that the bass -would be tolled directly toward the angler through a slick covering many -acres. The real attraction is in the chopped menhaden that sinks below -the surface. - -Casting the menhaden is quite an art. It is somewhat in the nature of -casting a minnow for black-bass as described on a previous page, though -the rod is a two-handed one and the bait much heavier. The bait is -reeled up to within a foot or two of the rod tip, and the rod grasped by -both hands, one just above and one below the reel, with the thumb of the -lower hand resting on the spool of the reel, and protected by a woollen -or leather thumb-stall. With the rod at one side, it is given a -preliminary whirl, or swing or two, and the bait cast, underhand, much -like striking at a hip-high or shoulder-high ball with a bat. The cast -is made from either side, and while some anglers place the right hand -below in casting from both sides, it is not the best way. In casting -from the right side the left hand should be below, and the reel -controlled by the left thumb; while in casting from the left side the -right hand should be below. The thumb should maintain a gentle and -uniform pressure on the spool as it revolves, to prevent backlashing, -and by a stronger pressure stop the revolution of the spool as the bait -reaches the water. - -As long a cast is made as possible, and when the bait settles it should -be reeled in again very slowly and the cast repeated until the bait is -taken by a bass. When the water is very rough, so as to churn the bait -and keep it in constant motion, fewer casts are necessary, as the bait -can be left in the water for a longer time before making a new cast. -When the fish is hooked and starts on his initial rush, line should be -given, the thumb always on the spool to check him when it can be done -without endangering the tackle. His first rush will probably be his -strongest, and he must then be killed on the rod and reeled in to the -gaffer. During the struggle of playing the fish, great care must be -observed to prevent the cutting or chafing of the line against sharp -rocks, and to keep the fish away from weeds, timbers, or other -obstructions. - -As the bass may weigh anywhere from ten to fifty pounds, the utmost -skill and precaution are necessary to land him safely. Very often the -angler has not only to contend with the fish, but with the strength and -undertow of the tide and the tossing of breakers--factors that are by no -means to be despised or neglected. But once fairly gaffed, the angler -may feast his eyes on the grand fish, weighing, perhaps, thirty pounds -or more, and congratulate himself on a great achievement. - -When the bass are running far up the fresh-water streams in the spring, -they will often take the artificial fly. As the fish do not run much -heavier than black-bass, the rod and tackle used in fly-fishing for that -fish can be utilized, employing such flies as oriole, polka, coachman, -red ibis, or other showy creations. The fishing is more successful about -sundown. - -Many years ago the striped-bass was planted in the waters of the Pacific -coast by the United States Fish Commission. It has multiplied -exceedingly, so that bass-fishing is now a favorite sport with San -Francisco anglers, who fish the neighboring bays, rivers, and sloughs -with great success. The baits commonly used are clams and the -trolling-spoon. The sport has culminated in the formation of several -striped-bass clubs, with quite a large membership. - - -THE WHITE-PERCH - -(_Morone americana_) - -The white-perch was described, but not named, by Shöpf, in 1788, from -the waters near New York. From his description Gmelin named it, in the -same year, _Perca americana_, or "American perch." The genus _Morone_ -was established for it in 1814 by Dr. Mitchill, as owing to structural -differences it could not properly be placed in the genus _Perca_. - -The white-perch is one of the most abundant fishes of the brackish -waters on the Atlantic coast, its range extending from Nova Scotia to -South Carolina, but more especially from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras. It -is also landlocked in fresh-water ponds at various places along the -coast. - -It is a handsome fish, symmetrical in outline, and well proportioned. -Its body is compressed, its depth is not quite a third of its length. -Its head is as long as the depth of the body, depressed above the eyes, -and with a somewhat pointed snout. The mouth is rather small; the teeth -are small, without canines; there are a few teeth on the edge of the -tongue, but none on its base. There are two dorsal fins, though they -are connected at the base. - -Its color is olivaceous, or green of various shades on the head and -back, with silvery or greenish sides, and silvery white belly. Sometimes -the color is bluish on the back and head. Those confined in ponds are -always darker in hue. - -The white-perch is one of the best and most esteemed pan-fishes of the -eastern coast. It grows to a foot or more in length, occasionally -weighing three pounds; but the usual size is from six to nine inches, -and from one-half to a pound in weight in brackish water. Smaller ones -ascend the streams to fresh water. It is usually found associating with -small striped-bass, and their habits are much alike, feeding on the same -food, as small minnows, young eels, shrimp, etc. It spawns in the -spring, usually in May, in shallow, weedy situations in both fresh and -brackish water. The eggs are quite small, about forty thousand to a -fish, and hatch in three or four days. - -As a boy I was very fond of fishing for white-perch, which were then -very abundant in the Spring Garden branch of the Patapsco River, at -Baltimore, from Ferry Bar to the mud-flats near the Long Bridge, and -also above the bridge on the main river in brackish water. Being -gregarious, it was found in large schools, and was a free biter at -shrimps, shedder-crab, small minnows, and earthworms. At the time of -which I write it was very plentiful at the mouths of all tidal rivers -emptying into Chesapeake Bay. I have seen great wagon loads brought -ashore in one haul of a long market seine. And in camping along the Bay, -during my summer vacations, they seemed to be as plentiful as -blackberries. There was never any dearth of fried white-perch or other -fishes in our camp, and we never tired of them. We feasted on them -daily, with terrapin, soft-shelled crabs, oysters, green corn, tomatoes, -cantaloupes, and watermelons, and all to be had for the mere catching or -asking. - -Any light rod may be used for white-perch, with or without a small -multiplying reel, with a line of braided linen, smallest size, and hooks -Nos. 6 to 8. Most anglers use two or three hooks, but I would advise a -single hook for all kinds of fishing. A short leader of single gut, -about three feet long, is an advantage, and hooks should be tied on gut -snells. - -In quiet water, with small, live minnows for bait, a sinker or float -need not be used. In tidal waters a sinker is necessary to keep the bait -at mid-water, or a few feet from the bottom, especially when shrimp, -crab, or earthworms are used for bait. The weight of the sinker must be -adapted to the strength of the tide. The best season is during late -summer or autumn in brackish water, from an anchored boat, at half-flood -or half-ebb tide; up the tidal rivers at high tide. At low water they -must be looked for in the deep holes, among the rocks. Wherever found -the white-perch will not disappoint the angler, but is ever ready to -respond to his baited hook. - -It rises pretty well to the artificial fly, especially when landlocked -in ponds, or far up the streams. Trout tackle and trout flies are just -right, on hooks Nos. 7 or 8; and as the most favorable time for fishing -is toward dusk, light-colored flies are the best, as coachman, gray -drake, red ibis, oriole, etc. - -I was once fishing for white-perch on Gunpowder River, in Maryland, with -a companion who happened to lose one of his hooks through a defective -snell, which, however, he soon recovered by catching the perch that had -stolen it. We were perfectly sure that it was his, as he had tied his -hooks himself with a peculiar shade of sewing silk. He then marked the -fish by clipping off a portion of one of the spines of the dorsal fin, -and returned it to the water, only to be retaken three times, twice by -my friend and once by myself. The lips of the perch being then quite -ragged from the frequent hooking, it was humanely killed and deposited -in the basket. - -From my experience with both wild and domesticated fish I am quite sure -that cold-blooded animals, like fishes and batrachians, are not very -sensitive to pain. Owing to the very small brain and the gelatinous -character of the spinal marrow of fishes, it is very doubtful if they -suffer much, if any, pain from the infliction of so slight an injury as -the pricking of a fish-hook. If it were otherwise, I do not think a -hooked fish would offer so much resistance and pull so hard upon the -hook if it caused much pain. Nor does it seem reasonable that a fish -would repeatedly subject itself to the same experience if its mouth felt -at all sore, as all experienced anglers know they do, time and again. -The mouth and throat of a fish cannot be very sensitive when it is -considered that it swallows, whole, such prey as sunfish and catfish -fry, bristling with sharp fins and spines, and those of the catfish are -always erect, even if swallowed head first. Marine fishes also swallow -crabs, lobsters, prawns, besides mollusks, sea-urchins, and other -creatures that would be exceedingly irritating and painful to a -sensitive throat. - -[Illustration THE SEA-BASS] -[_Centropristes striatus_] - -[Illustration THE MASCALONGE] -[_Esox nobilior_] - -[Illustration THE PIKE] -[_Esox lucius_] - - -THE SEA-BASS - -(_Centropristes striatus_) - -The sea-bass is known in various localities as black sea-bass, black -will, black harry, hannahills, humpback, and also by names belonging -rightly to other well-known fishes, as blackfish, bluefish, and -rock-bass. The name sea-bass, however, is in most general use, and is -the most distinctive and appropriate. Linnæus described it briefly, in -1758, and named it _striatus_, or "striped." He afterward received -specimens from South Carolina, which in 1766 he named _atraria_, or -"blackish," but the older name must hold according to the law of -priority. - -It is confined to the Atlantic coast, with range extending from Cape Cod -to Florida, but it is most abundant along the coast of New Jersey. It -has a robust body, its depth not quite a third of its length; the back -is elevated over the shoulder, the "hump" being more prominent in males -during the breeding season. The head is large and thick, with a large, -oblique mouth, leathery lips, and projecting lower jaw. The fin rays are -long and slender, and the caudal fin is double concave. - -Its color is bluish black, sometimes greenish black or dusky brown on -the back and top of the head, lighter on the sides and belly. The edges -of the scales being dark, give a mottled, streaked, or reticulated -appearance. The dorsal fin has several series of bluish white elongated -spots; the other fins are bluish or dusky, and are more or less mottled. -Young specimens have a broad dusky band or stripe along the sides, which -later becomes broken up, forming cross shades. - -The sea-bass, as its name implies, is a sea fish, seldom entering -brackish water. It congregates in large schools about the offshore rocky -reefs and shoals, and about old wrecks, feeding on crabs, shrimps, and -other marine organisms, often in company with the tautog and porgy. It -is a deep-water fish, and of course a bottom feeder. It spawns in -summer, between May and August, depending on the temperature of the -water, but usually in June. The eggs are quite small, about twenty-five -to the inch, and hatch in from four to six days. Its usual weight is -from one-half to two or three pounds, occasionally weighing ten or -twelve pounds. It is very voracious and will take almost any kind of -bait that is offered. It is taken in large numbers by market fishermen -on hand-lines and clam bait. It commands a ready sale, being a good -food-fish, with firm, flaky flesh of a fine savor, and is highly valued -for chowders. It is a hard-pulling fish on the line, boring toward the -bottom with vicious tugs. - -A light cane chum rod is very suitable, or perhaps the Little Giant rod -is better. It is seven and one-half feet long and weighs eight ounces, -and will bear the strain of such sinkers as must be used. The line -should be braided linen of small caliber, and a multiplying reel should -always be used. A short leader of three or four feet, and Sproat hooks, -Nos. 1-0 to 3-0, on silkworm fibre and a sinker adapted to the strength -of the tide, make up the rest of the tackle. As the fishing is done from -an anchored boat a landing-net should be provided. With the tackle just -mentioned, at slack tide, and with clam, shedder-crab, sandworms, or -shrimp bait, the angler can enjoy a good measure of sport with the -sea-bass. Where the tide runs very strong, compelling the use of heavy -sinkers of from three to six ounces, a striped-bass rod should be -employed, especially in water from fifteen to thirty feet deep. - -Great crowds of men, women, and children patronize the excursion boats -from New York and Philadelphia, in the summer season, to catch bass, -porgies, tautog, and flounders on the various fishing banks off the -Jersey coast, where they use hand-lines and clam bait. While such -fishing is greatly enjoyed by the uninitiated, it does not appeal to the -angler. - - -THE SOUTHERN SEA-BASS - -(_Centropristes philadelphicus_) - -This species was described by Linnæus in 1758, and named -_philadelphicus_, under the impression that his specimen was from the -vicinity of that city. Afterward he received specimens from the South -Carolina coast, which, in 1766, he named _trifurca_, meaning -"three-forked," in allusion to its "triple-tail." The older name, -unfortunately, must stand. - -Its color is olive-gray, darkest on the back, whitish below, with seven -oblique dusky and diffuse bars along the upper portion of the sides. The -three-forked appearance of the caudal fin is more pronounced than in the -northern sea-bass; otherwise there is no structural difference, except -in coloration. Its habits are similar. The same remarks apply equally to -the following species, except that it has a few less gill-rakers than -the northern species. They may eventually all prove to be the same -species, or geographical varieties. The directions as to fishing apply -as well to both these southern forms as to the northern sea-bass. - - -THE GULF SEA-BASS - -(_Centropristes ocyurus_) - -This species was described from the "snapper banks," off Pensacola, by -Jordan and Evermann in 1886, who named it _ocyurus_, or "swift tail." It -has not been recorded from any other locality. It agrees with the -northern sea-bass, except as mentioned, and in its coloration, which is -grayish or pale olive, darker on the back, with three longitudinal rows -of black blotches along the sides. It is called "tally-wag" by the -snapper fisherman. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE PIKE FAMILY - -(_Esocidæ_) - -The fishes of this family have a long body, not much compressed, and not -elevated. The head is long, with a flattened and prolonged snout; a very -large mouth filled with long and very sharp, cardlike teeth on the jaws -and roof of the mouth, and with smaller teeth on the tongue. They have a -single dorsal fin composed entirely of soft rays, and situated very far -back and opposite to the anal fin, which is likewise composed of soft -rays. The scales are small; the cheeks and gill-covers are more or less -scaly; the head is naked above. All are greedy, voracious fishes, -marauding tyrants, living almost entirely on other fishes. There is but -one genus, _Esox_. - - _Esox nobilior._ The Mascalonge. Body elongate; head 3-2/3; - depth 6; eye 5; B. 17 to 19; D. 17; A. 15; scales 150 along the - lateral line; cheeks and opercles naked below, scaly above; in - about 8 rows. - -[Illustration THE MASCALONGE OF THE WEEDS. TROLLING WITH HAND-LINE] - - _Esox lucius._ The Pike. Body elongate; head 3-1/3; depth 5; - eye 6; B. 14 to 16; D. 16 or 17; A. 13 or 14; scales 125; - cheeks entirely covered with scales; lower half of opercles - naked, upper half with scales. - - _Esox reticulatus._ Eastern Pickerel. Body elongate; head - 3-1/2; depth 6; eye 8; B. 14 to 16; D. 14; A. 13; scales 125; - cheeks and opercles entirely covered with scales. - - _Esox vermiculatus._ The Western Pickerel. Body elongate; head - 3-1/4; depth 5 to 6; eye 6; B. 12; D. 11 or 12; A. 11 or 12; - scales 105 along the lateral line; cheeks and opercles entirely - covered with scales. - - _Esox americanus._ The Banded Pickerel. Body elongate; head - 3-1/2; depth 5-1/2; eye 5; B. 12 or 13; D. 11 or 12; A. 11 or - 12; scales 105; cheeks and opercles entirely covered with - scales. - -As some anglers find it difficult to distinguish a large pike from a -mascalonge, or a pike from a pickerel, owing to the similar shape and -appearance, the several species can be easily identified by means of the -following artificial key: - - The mascalonge (_Esox nobilior_) has the upper part of both the - cheeks and gill-covers scaly, while the lower half of both - cheeks and gill-covers is naked; it has from 17 to 19 - branchiostegal rays (the branchiostegals are the rays on the - under side of the gill-cover, that, like the ribs of an - umbrella, assist in opening and closing it during breathing). - Its coloration is of a uniform grayish hue, or when marked with - spots or bars they are always of a much darker color or shade - than the ground color. - - The pike (_Esox lucius_) has the cheeks entirely scaly, but only - the upper part of the gill-cover, the lower half being naked; - it has from 14 to 16 branchiostegal rays; its coloration is a - bluish or greenish gray, with elongated or bean-shaped spots - covering the sides, and which are always of a lighter hue than - the ground color. - - The eastern or reticulated pickerel (_Esox reticulatus_) has - both the cheeks and the gill-covers entirely covered with - scales; it has from 14 to 16 branchiostegal rays; its - coloration is shades of green, with sides of golden lustre, and - marked with dark reticulations, mostly horizontal. It is rarely - or never found west of the Alleghanies. - - The little western pickerel (_Esox vermiculatus_) has both - cheeks and gill-covers entirely scaly, as have all the - pickerels; it has from 11 to 13, usually 12, branchiostegal - rays; its coloration is greenish or grayish, with curved - streaks on the sides forming bars or reticulations; the color - is quite variable, sometimes plain olive. It is found only west - of the Alleghanies. - - The banded or American pickerel (_Esox americanus_) has, like - the other true pickerels, both the cheeks and the gill-covers - entirely covered with scales; it has 12 or 13 branchiostegal - rays; coloration dark green, sides with many distinct black - curved transverse bars; a black bar below the eye, and one from - the snout through the eye to the gill-cover. It is found only - east of the Alleghanies. - - -THE MASCALONGE - -(_Esox nobilior_) - -The specific name _nobilior_, long current for the mascalonge, and the -one based on its earliest accurate description, was conferred by Rev. -Zadoc Thompson in 1849 in "Notes on Certain Vermont Fishes," in the -Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, Vol. III, -published July 18, 1849, and later he described it fully in the "History -of Vermont," 1853, Part I. It is an excellent and appropriate name, and -one that has become familiar to anglers. I have retained it, inasmuch -as it was discarded, I think, for a very insufficient reason. - -The specific name _masquinongy_, which has recently been given to this -species in the books, is supposed to have been given to the mascalonge -by Dr. Mitchill in 1824. His description, however, cannot now be found. -It is alluded to by De Kay in his "Fishes of New York," in 1842, who -gives its reference as "Mirror, 1824, page 297"; but I have searched for -it in vain, as have others. De Kay merely says: "According to Mitchill, -who describes a specimen 47.0 long and weighing thirty pounds, the fin -rays are as follows: 'D. 21; P. 14; V. 11; A. 17; C. 26.' But this -radial formula is just as applicable to Richardson's _E. lucius_: 'D. -20; P. 16; A. 18,' also given by De Kay." The size and weight of the -alleged specimen of Mitchill would seem to indicate the mascalonge, but -the great northern pickerel, _Esox lucius_, occasionally reaches a like -size and weight. I once caught one weighing twenty-five pounds in -northern Wisconsin, and saw several a little heavier, one of fully -twenty-eight pounds. - -Dr. Kirtland, in 1838, had, previous to De Kay, applied Mitchill's name -_masquinongy_ to a specimen from Lake Erie, and it is upon this -evidence, principally, that this name has been adopted as the specific -title of the mascalonge. - -But afterward Dr. Kirtland used Thompson's name _nobilis_ (meaning -_nobilior_) and Le Sueur's name _estor_ for the mascalonge. He also -subsequently described the mascalonge from Lake Erie as _atromaculatus_, -and one from the Mahoning River, Ohio, as _ohiensis_. From this it would -appear that Dr. Kirtland, although a good naturalist in his day, was not -at all clear in his estimation of the mascalonge. - -There has been considerable controversy concerning the common or -vernacular name of the mascalonge. Some claim it is from the French, and -derived from the words "masque" and "allonge," which virtually mean -"long face," and which is certainly nearer to the common pronunciation -of mascalonge or muscalunge. Others claim it is an Indian name from the -Ojibwa language, as "mash," meaning "strong," and "kinoje," meaning -"pike." "Mash" is also said to mean "spotted" and "deformed." From mash -and kinoje come "maskinonge," as it appears in the statutes of Canada. -The name has been spelled in numerous ways, as evidenced in the Century -Dictionary, which gives the following variations: maskalonge, -mascalonge, maskalunge, maskallonge, masquallonge, masq'allonge, -mascallonge, muscalonge, muskalonge, muskalinge, muskellunge, -moskalonge, moscononge, maskinonge, maskanonge, maskenonge, maskenozha, -maskinoje, and maskenonge, to which might be added muscalinga, -mascalinga, etc. There is no authority or precedent for the name -"muskellunge" as used by some writers and anglers, as neither the -original French or Indian words have the letter "u" in either the first -or last syllable. Moreover, the term "lunge" is in some sections applied -to the lake trout. I am aware, of course, that the name has obtained -considerable currency, but in much the same way that the black-bass is -called "trout" in the South, and the pike-perch is denominated "salmon" -in certain localities. - -Rev. Zadoc Thompson, who was the first to call attention to the scaling -of the cheeks as a diagnostic character, gives the vernacular name -"masquallonge," and attributes it to French derivation, to which opinion -I am inclined. As the most prominent writers on fish and fishing give it -as "mascalonge," that name should be universally adopted, no matter what -its origin, or whether derived from the French Canadians or the -Chippeway Indians; that question is more interesting to philologists -than to anglers. As an instance of inconsistency, or of the irony of -fate, the books give the scientific name of the subgenus as -_mascalongus_, from the French, and the specific name as _masquinongy_, -from the Ojibwa. - -The mascalonge is common in the St. Lawrence basin and the Great Lakes, -more abundant in the lakes of northern Wisconsin, less common in the -upper Mississippi River, Chautauqua Lake. New York, and Conneaut Lake, -Pennsylvania, and rare in the upper Ohio River and tributaries. It has a -long body, somewhat compressed, its depth being about one-fifth of its -length; the head is large, about a fourth of the length of the body, and -flattened, with the lower jaw projecting. It has a terrible array of -teeth of assorted sizes. On the edge of each side of the lower jaw are -several long, bayonet-shaped teeth, from one-half to an inch apart; in -the front part of the tip of the projecting lower jaw are a few short -but sharp teeth, recurved; in the front part of the upper jaw are three -clusters of long, fanglike teeth, standing out amidst the smaller, -cardlike teeth; on the edge of the forward half of the upper lip is a -row of small, but very sharp, recurved teeth; back of these on the roof -of the mouth (vomer and palatines), and extending back from the fangs in -front to the throat, are three rows of cardlike teeth, recurved and very -sharp. - -The coloration and markings vary so much that several varieties have -been needlessly established, as the variations are found in every -locality, and do not seem to depend on habitat or environment. The usual -color is dark gray, greenish or brownish, always darker on the back, -lighter on the sides, and belly white or whitish. The fins usually have -dusky or slate-colored spots or blotches; the lower fins and caudal fin -are often reddish. The markings of the body vary a great deal. In the -young the upper half of the body is covered with small, round black -spots, which usually disappear or change their shape as they grow old. -In mature fish the spots are more diffuse, sometimes enlarging to an -inch or more in diameter, or by coalescing form vertical broad bands, -while in others there are no distinct dark markings. And while all of -these various markings are found in fish from the same locality there is -no apparent structural difference. - -I have examined and compared specimens from the St. Lawrence and Indian -rivers, New York. Lake Erie, the Wisconsin lakes, Lake Pepin, Chautauqua -and Conneaut lakes, Scioto and Mahoning rivers, in Ohio, and have seen -preserved heads of large ones from Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and -found that they all agree so well in the number of branchiostegals, -squamation of cheeks and opercles, in dentition, fins, and in -measurements, that they must all be considered as one and the same -species. At the Chicago Columbian Exposition there were some twenty very -large specimens of mounted skins from Canadian waters, in the exhibit of -the Ottawa Museum, which showed well the variation in markings. Some -still showed the dark spots on a gray ground; others were more or less -distinctly barred with broad or narrow bands; others showed both bars -and diffuse spots; and still others were of a uniform slate or grayish -coloration, without markings of any kind. In the museum of the Cuvier -Club, in Cincinnati, there are quite a number of mounted skins of -mascalonge from the Wisconsin lakes, mostly large ones, that also show -all of the various markings, as well as those of a uniform coloration. - -About 1890 I donated to the Cincinnati Society of Natural History a -specimen from Lake Erie; and in 1892 I donated to the United States -National Museum two specimens from Lake Erie, and one from a tributary -of the Muskingum River, in Ohio. All of these Ohio fish were from -eighteen inches to two feet long, and all showed similar markings, being -profusely covered with round black spots from an eighth to a quarter of -an inch in diameter. Where the spots become diffused, and the bands are -inclined to spread and coalesce, they are always more distinct toward -the tail. In a mascalonge of less than a foot in length the spots are -very black, very round, and quite small, not exceeding a sixth or an -eighth of an inch in diameter. - -Various appellations have been bestowed on the mascalonge to denote its -rapacity, as the shark, wolf, or tiger of the waters, all of which are -well merited by that fierce marauder. It subsists entirely on fish, -frogs, snakes, and even the young of aquatic mammals and water fowl. -Nothing in the shape of food comes amiss to him. He is solitary in his -habits, lying concealed among the water plants and rushes at the edges -of the streams or channels and along the shores, or beside shelving -rocks or banks in clear lakes, from whence he darts open-mouthed upon -the luckless fish that approaches his lair. The number of fishes -swallowed by a mascalonge during a single summer is almost incredible; -and they are not minnows and small fry alone, such as are devoured by -other predaceous fishes, but such as are old and large enough to -reproduce their kind. It is fortunate that the mascalonge is -comparatively a rare fish. As it is now being artificially propagated in -some states, great care and judgment should be exercised as to the -waters planted, so as not to jeopardize other and better game-fishes. - -It spawns early in the spring and in very shallow water, where most of -the eggs are devoured by frogs, turtles, fishes, and water fowl--a wise -provision of nature when it is considered that the female deposits from -one hundred thousand to three hundred thousand eggs. The eggs are quite -small, about ten or twelve to an inch, and hatch in about two weeks. The -mascalonge is the most valuable food-fish of its family, and is -pronounced by some as being really excellent; but I consider it much -inferior to the whitefish, lake-trout, pike-perch, black-bass, or -brook-trout. While possessing no especial flavor, its flesh is firm and -flaky, more so than that of the pike or pickerel, and it commands a -ready sale in the markets. - -It grows occasionally to an enormous size. I have taken it up to forty -pounds, good weight. The late Judge Potter, of Toledo, Ohio, an angler -of the old school, informed me that he had seen, in early days, many -that weighed from fifty to seventy-five pounds. Mr. L.H. McCormick, -formerly of Oberlin College, Ohio, saw one taken in a pound net that -weighed seventy-two pounds. The late Dr. Elisha Sterling, formerly of -Cleveland. Ohio, a contemporary of Judge Potter and the late Dr. -Garlick, the father of artificial fish-culture in America, told me of -one he once speared in Lake Erie that weighed eighty pounds, and said -that those of fifty to sixty pounds were common in the forties. - -The mascalonge is the best game-fish of its family. When of large size, -from twenty to thirty pounds, it exhibits a bull-like ferocity when -hooked, making furious dashes for liberty, and if not stopped in time -will eventually take to the weeds. It exhibits great powers of -endurance, but little finesse or cunning in its efforts to escape. It -depends on main strength alone, swimming swiftly in straight lines, as -might be inferred from its shape. Its long body does not admit of the -quick doublings of the black-bass or brook-trout. If kept on the surface -with a taut line it sometimes leaps into the air; but if allowed its own -sweet will it bores toward the bottom, or endeavors to reach the refuge -of weeds or rushes. One of less weight than twelve pounds, when hooked, -can scarcely be distinguished from the pike or pickerel in its manner of -resistance, and exhibits but little more gameness. - -A black-bass rod of eight or nine ounces is sufficient for the largest -mascalonge one is likely to encounter in these days. I caught one on the -St. Lawrence, many years ago, that weighed thirty-two pounds, on an -eight-ounce Henshall rod, and gaffed it in twenty minutes. Others have -done the same even with a lighter rod. But it must be remembered that -the weight of the fish, added to his fierce lunges, is very trying to a -light rod, and I should not recommend one of less weight than eight -ounces, which will answer for all emergencies in skilled hands. A good -multiplying reel, a braided silk or linen line, size E or F, and Sproat -or O'Shaughnessy hooks Nos. 3-0 to 5-0 on gimp snells, with brass -box-swivel for connecting snell and line, constitute the rest of the -tackle. - -The best season for mascalonge fishing is in May or June, and in -September and October, the latter months preferable. The most favorable -hours are in the early morning and late afternoon. The middle of the day -may be fished with a better prospect of success on cloudy, lowering -days, with a brisk wind. - -The best bait is a large minnow, either alive or dead, though a frog -answers very well; and in the absence of either, a trolling-spoon, No. -4, with a single hook, may be utilized for casting. Rowing along in -water from five to ten feet deep, the bait should be cast as far as -possible to the edge of weed patches, reeling it again very slowly, or -if the bait is alive it may be allowed to swim outside of the -water-plants for a short time. By moving along continuously, and making -frequent casts, this method is much more successful than still-fishing. -When the wind is just right, or when the current is strong enough and -the wind not contrary, it is a good plan to allow the boat to drift -while casting. - -As soon as a fish is struck and hooked the boat should be moved to -deeper and open water at once, in order to give free play to the fish -and lessen the probability of its taking to the weeds. In open water the -angler has a better chance successfully to play and land his quarry, -which should be kept on the surface as much as possible. He can be aided -very much in his efforts by the careful and judicious management of the -boat by a skilful oarsman. - -When the mascalonge shows signs of weakness and can be drawn alongside, -it should be gaffed at once. Not by striking at it with quick and -violent motions, which serve only to frighten the fish and endanger the -angler's tackle, but the gaff should be kept below the fish until it can -be drawn over it, and then by raising it slowly and cautiously, until -near enough, when, by a quick upward and drawing motion, the point of -the hook should be driven into the throat or breast of the fish, and by -the same motion the fish should be lifted into the boat. It should then -be killed by a smart stroke on the head, as a wound from its sharp teeth -is no trifling matter. In the absence of a gaff-hook the fish should be -more thoroughly exhausted before bringing it alongside the boat, when it -should be struck a stunning blow on the head before being taken in. - -The bait or spoon may be trolled along the edges of the channel, just -outside of the weed patches, from a moving boat, with a line of thirty -to fifty yards. In trolling, the revolving spoon, glistening and -shining, is the attractive lure, and any addition of a minnow, or strip -of fish or pork-rind, or other bait, as is often resorted to by some, is -entirely unnecessary. It adds nothing to the chances of hooking a fish, -and should never be practised by the consistent angler. He may use -pork-rind if he wishes, but let it be used alone, on its own merits. A -spoon is bad enough in any case, but it only makes it more reprehensible -and repulsive, to the angler at least, to handicap it with bait of any -kind; even the bunch of feathers that usually adorns the spoon should be -discarded, as it is of no practical use. - -Most mascalonge are taken, I am sorry to say, by trolling with a -hand-line of heavy braided linen, size B or C, and a spoon of very large -size, as large as No. 8, which seems to be the favorite size with -hand-trollers. In this method of fishing the mascalonge hooks himself -when he strikes the spoon. It is then drawn in, hand over hand, as the -sailors say, with might and muscle. And as might be supposed, those who -practise this method are loudest in their praise of the mascalonge as -the "king of all game-fishes." A quick pull, a strong pull, and a pull -all together, with the hauling aboard as soon as possible of the -struggling fish, amidst much splashing and floundering, seems to be -their estimation of gameness in a fish. - -The foregoing remarks apply to fishing on lakes and quiet, weedy streams -of the Northern states. In the clear and swifter waters of the upper -Ohio, and its tributaries, the mascalonge lies in the deep pools during -summer and fall, where it is taken by still-fishing. A large sucker, -weighing from half a pound to a pound, is the favorite bait, with -suitable rod and reel. The fish is given plenty of time to gorge the -bait before striking, and this is quite important with so large a bait. -Many large mascalonge, there called "pike," have been taken in this -manner in those waters, events to belong remembered and talked about, -while the head is carefully preserved for the admiration and envy of -future generations of anglers. - -Once when returning from a fishing trip to northern Wisconsin when -mascalonge were much more in evidence than at the present day, I was -carrying the head of a forty-pounder that just filled an ordinary tin -bucket. At Appleton, while waiting for the train to Green Bay, the big -head was the centre of an admiring group of anglers. Then came the -natural and inevitable query, "Where did you catch it?" In order to -avoid a long recital, which only could have done justice to the subject, -and expecting the train at any moment, I replied, "An Indian speared it -on Lake St. Germain." They looked at me as if I had seven heads; then -one said: "Well! well! It requires an awful lot of moral courage to make -such an admission." But I killed it, all the same, on a nine-ounce rod, -and my Indian canoe-man gaffed it. - - -THE PIKE - -(_Esox lucius_) - -The pike is more generally known in the United States as "pickerel," and -sometimes as the great northern pickerel to distinguish it from the -pickerel, properly so-called. In England the young pike is a pickerel, -an older one a jack, and the mature fish a pike. In England and -continental Europe the pike (_E. lucius_) is the only species of the -family inhabiting their waters, while there are five species of the -family in America, which makes it all the more confusing when the name -"pickerel" is applied indiscriminately to all,--even the mascalonge -being sometimes alluded to as an "overgrown pickerel." - -The range of the pike in America is from Lake Champlain, the Great Lake -region, and the upper Mississippi River, north to Alaska; it is rare in -the Ohio Valley. - -Next to the mascalonge the pike is the most important and largest member -of the pike family. It has a long body, somewhat compressed, its length -being a little more than five times its depth. The head is large, -somewhat more than a fourth of the length of the body, with a long, -flattened, and projecting snout; the teeth are similar, but not quite so -large or numerous as in the mascalonge. - -The coloration and markings of the pike are quite constant, not varying -so much as in others of the family, and is very different from those of -the mascalonge or any of the pickerels. The ground color is grayish or -greenish gray, darker on the back and fading to silvery white on the -belly; the sides, from head to tail, are profusely covered with -irregular, oblong, or bean-shaped whitish spots or blotches, much -lighter than the ground color; the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are -marked with dark spots or blotches. It is somewhat more gregarious, and -is more of a rover than the mascalonge; otherwise its habits are very -similar, and it coexists with that fish in many waters, especially in -the region of the Great Lakes. It feeds on fish, frogs, and -water-snakes. Its usual weight reaches fifteen pounds, though it -occasionally grows to four feet in length and a weight of twenty-five or -thirty pounds. - -As a food-fish it is variously estimated. Some consider it to be very -good, and it sells well in the markets,--which, however, is not always a -fair criterion. It is much better in the fall and winter than in summer. -Most people who know it best, and I agree with them, think it inferior -to any fresh-water fish for the table except the carp and sucker. Its -flesh is soft and dry, and unless of large size is not flaky, and it is, -moreover, very full of small bones. One of ten pounds, stuffed with a -savory dressing and baked, is not unpalatable, but cannot be compared -favorably with the whitefish, black-bass, or trout. - -The pike when of large size is a good game-fish. Its weight and -strength, added to its bold rushes when hooked, are very trying to light -tackle. One of fifteen pounds is worthy of the angler's most serious -attention on an eight-ounce rod. Its manner of fighting is similar to -that of the mascalonge, though in a lesser degree, and it does not -continue its resistance so long. After a few frantic rushes it weakens -very materially, and if kept away from weeds soon gives up the struggle -for freedom. - -In England, where game-fishes are much scarcer than in this country, the -pike is considered a fine game-fish and is much sought after by -bait-fishers, and with a wonderful array of murderous traces, -minnow-gangs, and spinning tackle. In the United States, where there are -so many better game-fishes, it is not often made the object of special -pursuit. Most pike are caught by anglers in northern waters when fishing -for black-bass. - -Ordinary black-bass rods and tackle are very suitable for pike fishing, -though where they run large, eight to fifteen pounds, an eight or -nine-ounce rod is to be preferred to a lighter one. A good multiplying -reel, a braided line, either silk or linen, size F, and Sproat hooks, -Nos. 2-0 to 3-0, are better suited to large pike than black-bass. - -[Illustration THE EASTERN PICKEREL] -[_Esox reticulatus_] - -[Illustration THE WESTERN PICKEREL] -[_Esox vermiculatus_] - -[Illustration THE PIKE-PERCH] -[_Stizostedion vitreum_] - -[Illustration THE YELLOW-PERCH] -[_Perca flavescens_] - -A minnow, or a trolling-spoon of small size with a single Sproat or -O'Shaughnessy hook, may be employed in casting from a boat along the -edges of weed patches, lily-pads, and wild rice, and along the shoals -and bars. The same tackle can be utilized for trolling in the same -situations. Where the conditions are favorable it is advisable to allow -the boat to drift, in order to dispense with the noise and confusion of -rowing or paddling. The directions already given for black-bass fishing, -as to playing and landing the fish, will answer just as well for the -pike. - -As the pike seems to suggest the trolling-spoon, this is a good place to -say a few words concerning that little-understood article of fishing -tackle. In the first place, it should never have more than a _single_ -hook, and that should never be handicapped by adding a minnow, frog, or -strip of fish or bacon-skin, as is so often done. The hook should be -left free to perform its function, untrammelled by extraneous and -useless appendages. If the angler pins his faith to them, by all means -give them a fair chance on a hook without a spoon; it is not only more -logical, but more sportsmanlike. Give the fish a chance, also, and of -two evils let it choose the least by using them separately. Seriously, -the spoon is a most alluring and attractive bait in itself. Its bright -and shining appearance when spinning and glancing through the water is -well-nigh irresistible to a predaceous fish, and is in itself all that -could be desired as an effective lure. - -The original trolling-spoon (made by Buell) was the bowl of a dessert -spoon, with a hole in the broadest end for the line, and a single hook -soldered to the narrow end. It is as effective as the best -trolling-spoon made to-day. With a single hook, either loosely attached -or soldered to the spoon, one is more apt to hook his fish, and more -certain of landing it, to say nothing of the cruel and inhuman practice -of using the triangle of three hooks usually attached to most -trolling-spoons. - -Manufacturers generally affix a triangle of hooks to trolling-spoons, -disguised by a bunch of red and white feathers that are worse than -useless. The spoon is made of many shapes and of various sizes, and -often of two or three spoons combined. They seem to vie with each other -as to who can turn out the most ridiculous contrivance, for the farther -it departs from the original spoon the more useless it becomes. -Manufacturers are not all anglers, and endeavor to produce what is most -novel and attractive to the prospective customer. Such appliances sell -to the uninitiated and unwary, but do not catch many fish, or even -anglers of experience. - -And the same remarks will apply in a measure to the gang or trace of -several hooks, usually employed in trolling or spinning the minnow. A -minnow, hooked through the lips--and it may be a dead one--with a single -hook, will move more lifelike, and be really more attractive to the -fish, than the whirling, wabbling one, bristling with a dozen hooks. It -is cruel and heartless to employ so murderous a device. I have seen the -mouths of bass and pike and lake-trout lacerated and mutilated, -sometimes the lips and upper jaw torn completely off, by the triangle of -the spoon or the half dozen or more hooks of the gang or trace. If their -use cannot be dispensed with on the score of inutility, a single hook -being far more successful, their employment should be relinquished in -the name of humanity. - -The pike will not often rise to the artificial fly, but will take it if -allowed to sink a foot or two after casting. Many years ago, in -Wisconsin, I devised the "polka" black-bass fly, and on its first trial, -at the very first cast, it was seized by a pike of six pounds. The polka -has a body of red floss silk, with spotted wings of the guinea fowl. I -have frequently taken the pike with other red-bodied flies, as the -Abbey, red ibis, king of the water, and Montreal, but the polka was -always the favorite. Flies with bodies of peacock harl, as coachman, -Henshall, Governor Alvord, etc., are very useful, as well as some with -yellow bodies, as professor, queen of the water, and Lord Baltimore. The -afternoon hours, especially toward sundown and until dusk, are the most -promising for fly-fishing. Large flies are also successfully used in -trolling for pike, from a rather slow-moving boat. For fuller -instructions for fly-fishing the reader is referred to those given for -the black-bass, which will answer very well for the pike, especially -where the two fishes inhabit the same waters. - -Fishing through the ice for pike or pickerel has quite a fascination for -some persons, even for those who never fish in any other way. And there -is a certain kind of enjoyment in it, though actual fishing, as we -understand it, has but little to do with it. If the ice is glare and -free of snow, one can vary the amusement with skating. The bracing, -nipping air on a clear day, with the sun shining brightly on the winter -landscape, has its charms, and fishing through the ice is a good pretext -for a winter outing. A dozen or more holes are cut through the ice in a -circle, its diameter extending over the feeding grounds of the pike, -whether small or great in extent. A fire may be built in the centre, if -far from the shore on a lake, or on the shore itself if convenient to -the holes. The holes being cut and a fire made for comfort, the next -thing to do is to place the "tip-ups," as they are called, and bait the -hooks, when there is nothing more to be done but to fill one's pipe and -wait by the fire for the anticipated event--the rising of a signal -proclaiming a "bite." - -Tip-ups are made in several ways, but the simplest plan, which is as -good as any, is to provide a piece of thin board, say two or three feet -long and two or three inches wide. A few inches from one end a hole is -bored, through which is thrust a round stick, like a section of a -broom-handle, and long enough to extend well across the hole in the ice. -A short line, usually three or four feet long, with suitable hook and -sinker, is tied to the short end of the thin board, through a small hole -bored for the purpose. The hook is then baited, placed in the water, and -the thin board is laid down on its edge, with the short end at the -middle of the hole in the ice, and the round stick straddling it. It -will be readily understood that a fish pulling on the line at the short -end of the thin board, or lever, will raise the long end, thus -indicating to the watcher the looked-for event. The long end of the -lever may be shaved to a point, to which a signal flag may be affixed. -Where the fish are plentiful it will keep one pretty busy running from -one hole to another to take off the pike or rebait the hooks. - -When residing at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I found that fishing through the -ice for pike and yellow-perch was a favorite sport. I indulged in it -once for pike and several times for perch, for the latter is a firm, -sweet, and delicious pan-fish in the winter. Driving over La Belle Lake -in my sleigh to the "pickerel grounds," where my man had cut the holes -the day before, the tip-ups and lines were soon arranged and the hooks -baited with live minnows. A fire was then built on the shore, near at -hand, to warm the chilled fingers. It was pretty tame when considered -from the angler's point of view; but with the keen, crisp winter air, -and the bright sun sparkling on the pure white snow, on which I -occasionally took a spin in the sleigh, it was quite an enjoyable -experience. In the course of a few hours several pike were taken and -left lying on the snow, where they soon became frozen stiff. Upon my -arrival at home they were placed in a tub of cold water, when all but -one or two revived and began to swim about; the latter were probably too -thoroughly frozen or may have been dead before being frozen. Apropos of -this: I had some minnows in a live box, at the edge of the lake near my -home, that thawed out alive in the spring after being frozen all winter. -They were evidently the same minnows, as there were no dead ones, and -the live ones could hardly have got into the box from the lake. - -The mediocrity of the pike as a game-fish is doubtless a just estimation -in a majority of cases, but once in a while one will exhibit game -qualities that will surprise the most doubting and contemptuous angler, -compelling his admiration, and forcing him to admit that there are -exceptions to all rules, but more especially in fishing. I was once one -of a party of black-bass fishers on a lake in Wisconsin. In one of the -boats was a lady of Milwaukee, who was justly considered one of the most -expert and level-headed anglers in the party. She always stood up in her -boat, was a marvel in casting the minnow, and played a bass to a finish -in a style both graceful and artistic after a short, sharp, and decisive -contest. She used the lightest rods and tackle, and the best. On this -occasion, after landing a number of gamy bass and logy pike, she hooked -a pike of about six pounds that put her six-ounce rod to the severest -test, and gave her twenty minutes of the liveliest work that a fish is -capable of. It leaped repeatedly from the water, and rushed not only -straight away, but twisted and turned and doubled in a manner that would -have done credit to the gamest bass. Finally she brought it to the -landing-net in triumph, though she was, to use her own expression, -"completely tuckered out." I venture to say that no man of the party -would have been successful in landing that pike, with the same tackle, -in the same length of time. - -A woman who is an expert angler will risk her tackle to greater lengths -than a man, and will take more chances in subduing a fish within a -reasonable time. This is not because of recklessness, or because she -does not understand or appreciate the tensile strength of her rod. On -the contrary, she knows her tackle well, and has the utmost faith in its -potentiality. I knew a lady friend who was never more than thirty -minutes in bringing to gaff any salmon of from twenty-five to thirty -pounds. And my Kentucky friend, Mrs. Bachmann (formerly Mrs. Stagg), -killed her tarpon of two hundred and five pounds in eighty minutes. - - -THE EASTERN PICKEREL - -(_Esox reticulatus_) - -The eastern pickerel, also called chain pickerel in the North, and jack -in the South, was first described by Le Sueur, in 1818, from the -Connecticut River. He named it _reticulatus_, owing to the -"reticulations" or the netted character of the markings on the body. - -Its range extends from Maine along the coastwise streams to Florida and -Louisiana. West of the Alleghanies it has been reported from the Ozark -region of Missouri and Arkansas, but I am rather inclined to doubt it. - -In its general form the pickerel resembles a small pike, though it is -more slender, has a larger eye, and its coloration is quite different. -The ground color is either olive-brown or some shade of green, the sides -with a golden lustre, and the belly white. The sides are marked with -many dark lines and streaks, mostly oblique and horizontal, forming a -kind of network. There is a dark vertical bar below the eye; the dorsal -fin is plain; the lower fins sometimes reddish; the caudal fin -occasionally has a few dark spots or blotches. - -In its habits of feeding and spawning it is similar to the pike, -spawning in the early spring. It is found in weedy ponds in the North, -and in the quiet, grassy reaches of southern streams. It feeds mostly on -small fishes and frogs. It grows to a foot in length, usually, sometimes -to two feet and weighing seven or eight pounds, though its usual maximum -weight is three or four pounds. - -In the New England states it is regarded by many as not only a fine -game-fish, but an excellent food-fish as well. Others despise it on both -counts, and there you are. To many a Yankee boy fishing for pickerel was -the highest ideal of angling, but with the larger experience of mature -years his idol has been thrown from its pedestal, and he, too, has -learned to look askance at the friend of his youth. But while the -pickerel is not a game-fish of high degree, it is capable of furnishing -a fair amount of sport with light black-bass tackle in waters not too -weedy. - -Ordinary black-bass rods and tackle are quite suitable for pickerel -fishing, either with bait or fly, though the hooks should be larger, -about 1-0 to 2-0, on gimp snells or heavy silkworm fibre. Where the -weeds are too thick to admit of playing the fish a reel can be dispensed -with, and a plain, light bamboo or cane rod, in its natural state, can -be substituted for the jointed rod. It should belong enough to furnish -considerable elasticity, say twelve feet, as its flexibility must -subserve, somewhat, the purposes of a reel. - -The pickerel will take a sunken fly in shallow water, after it has been -fluttered on the surface awhile. The red ibis, soldier, Abbey, polka. -Montreal, and coachman are all good pickerel flies, if cast toward the -dusk of evening. - -Skittering is a favorite method of fishing for the pickerel in weedy -ponds. It is practised with a long cane rod, and line of about the same -length as the rod, with or without a reel. A spoon bait, frog, or a -piece of white bacon-rind cut in the semblance of a fish, or a frog's -hind legs, skinned, are skittered or fluttered on the surface near the -lily-pads and pickerel weeds. The fish should be kept on the surface if -possible, when hooked, and drawn into open water; otherwise it may -become entangled in the weeds and lost. - -The pickerel may also be taken by still-fishing from a boat with the -live minnow or frog. On open water, a very successful way is trolling -with a small spoon and single hook, or a dead minnow. For these methods -the reader is referred to pike or black-bass fishing on previous pages. - -I have found the pickerel as far south as eastern Florida, where it is -known as "pike," though it is rarely met with, and owing to its rarity -is held in pretty fair esteem as a game-fish. In the marshes and rice -ditches of South Carolina, and some sluggish streams of south-east -Georgia, it is rather more plentiful, though usually of inferior size -and dusky coloration. I once caught several on the Cooper River in South -Carolina when fishing with very light tackle for "bream," which were -unusually active and strong, and which impressed me as entitled to a -better reputation as a game-fish than is commonly accorded to it by -anglers. On the whole, the eastern pickerel is not half a bad fish, as -English anglers would say. One might go farther and fare worse. - - -THE WESTERN PICKEREL - -(_Esox vermiculatus_) - -The western pickerel was first described by Le Sueur from the Wabash -River. He named it _vermiculatus_, owing to the "wormlike" appearance of -its markings. He collected it about 1818, but his description was not -published until 1846. It inhabits the Mississippi Valley, south to -Arkansas and Mississippi, and the tributaries of Lakes Erie and -Michigan. It is not found east of the Alleghanies. - -It is formed on the same general lines as the other members of the pike -family, but is rather more slender and rounder, with a shorter head, -proportionally, but a larger eye. Its color is olive-green, or grayish -green, darker on the back, and belly white. The sides are covered with -many dark curved streaks, inextricably mixed, or forming reticulations. -The coloration is quite variable in different waters. A dark vertical -bar is usually present below the eye; the sides of the head are -variegated. - -It is common in the grassy streams of the Middle West and weedy bayous -of the South-west, never exceeding a foot in length. The late Dr. Elisha -Sterling, of Cleveland, Ohio, once sent me a plaster cast of one not -more than eight inches in length, with the ovaries exposed, showing the -ripe ova. It is not of much importance as a game-fish or as a food-fish. -It spawns in early spring, and feeds on small fish, frogs, and tadpoles. -It may be fished for in the same way, and with the same tackle as -recommended for crappies on a previous page. - - -THE BANDED PICKEREL - -(_Esox americanus_) - -The banded pickerel, Long Island pickerel, or brook pickerel, as it is -variously known, was one of the first of its family to be recognized. It -was described by Gmelin, in 1788, from Long Island. New York. He named -it _americanus_, or "American pike," as a variety of the European _Esox -lucius_. - -It is found only east of the Alleghanies in coastwise streams from -Massachusetts to Florida. It is almost a duplicate of the little western -pickerel in its general form, and represents that species in eastern -waters. The characteristics of fin rays, scales, and squamation of -cheeks and gill-covers apply equally to both species. - -The ground color is dark green; belly white; sides with about twenty -distinct, blackish, curved, vertical bars, often obscurely marked, but -not distinctly reticulated. There is a black vertical bar below the eye, -and a horizontal band extending from the snout, through the eye, to the -gill-cover. The lower fins are often quite red. I have collected it on -the east coast of Florida of a beautiful emerald-green coloration, -without distinct dark markings, and with orange-colored lower fins--a -most beautiful fish. - -Although an interesting little fish, it is of no importance to anglers -and is merely mentioned here, with the little western pickerel, to -enable the reader to identify the different members of the pike family. -It spawns early in the spring. It seldom grows beyond a foot in length, -and is usually much smaller. Fishing for it is on the same plane with -sunfishing, and the lightest tackle should be employed. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE PERCH FAMILY - -(_Percidæ_) - -Most of the species belonging to this family are the dwarf perches, the -beautiful little darters of the clear streams. The only genera of -importance as game-fishes are _Stizostedion_, the pike-perches, and -_Perca_, the yellow-perch. They are characterized by an elongate, nearly -round body; small, rough, and adherent scales; rather large mouth with -sharp teeth; spines on opercle, and preopercle serrate; branchiostegals -six or seven; two dorsal fins, the first composed of spines, the second -of soft rays; the anal fin with two spines. - - -GENUS STIZOSTEDION - - _Stizostedion vitreum._ The Pike-perch. Body elongate; back - somewhat elevated; head 4; depth 5; eye 4; D. XIV-20; A. II, - 12; scales 10-125-25; head and cheeks sparsely scaled; canine - teeth on jaws and palatines; opercle with small spines; pyloric - coeca 3. - - _Stizostedion canadense._ The Sauger. Body elongate and - spindle-shaped; head 3-1/2; depth 4-1/2; eye 5; D. XIII-18; A. - II, 12; scales 9-100-27; head and cheeks scaly; spines on opercle; - head depressed and pointed; pyloric coeca 5 to 7. - - -GENUS PERCA - - _Perca flavescens._ The Yellow-perch. Body oblong, somewhat - compressed, the back elevated; head 3-1/4; depth 3-1/4; eye 5; - D. XIV-15; A. II, 7; scales 6-75-17; top of head rough; profile - convex from dorsal to occiput, thence concave to snout, which - projects; cheeks scaly; opercles nearly naked; preopercle and - shoulder girdle serrated; teeth in villiform bands; - branchiostegals 7; scales strongly ctenoid. - - -THE PIKE-PERCH - -(_Stizostedion vitreum_) - -The pike-perch or wall-eye was first described by Dr. Mitchill in 1818, -from Cayuga Lake, New York. He named it _vitrea_ in allusion to its -large vitreous or glassy eye. It would have been indeed fortunate if the -name glass-eye or wall-eye, with or without the suffix perch, had been -adopted; for this fine fish is a true perch, with nothing "pike-like" in -form or habits, except its large mouth and canine teeth, and nothing -"salmon-like" except its trimly-shaped body. But these fancied -resemblances have caused it to be called in various localities wall-eyed -pike, yellow pike, blue pike, glass-eyed pike, salmon, and jack salmon. -It is also known in Canada as dorè and okow, and among the commercial -fishermen as "pickerel." However, the names pike-perch and wall-eyed -pike have been rather universally adopted, and it will probably be -always known by these names. Pike-perch is the Anglicized form of -_Lucioperca_, the Latin name of the genus in Europe. - -It is abundant in Canada and the Great Lake region, and fairly abundant -in the upper Mississippi River and its tributaries, and especially in -Lake Pepin. It is found also in the lake region of northern Minnesota, -and in the lakes and streams of Wisconsin and Iowa. It is not uncommon -in the upper Ohio River and tributaries, south to Tennessee. On the -Atlantic slope it is more rarely found from Pennsylvania to Georgia, -where it often exists in brackish water. I have taken it in my boyhood -days at Ferry Bar, a point on the Patapsco River, near Baltimore. -Maryland. Its range is being constantly extended by transplantation. The -pike-perch is a very trimly-built and shapely fish. Its body is rather -slender, not much compressed. The head is well shaped, neither too large -nor too small, with a large mouth well filled with teeth, some quite -long and sharp. The eye is very large and glassy. Like all the perches -it has two dorsal fins, well separated; the caudal fin is forked. The -scales are small and rough. The edge of the cheek-bone is toothed or -serrated, and the edge of the gill-cover has one or more small spines. -The color varies considerably in different localities, and even in the -same waters. The usual color is olive, or greenish brown, mottled with -brassy or yellowish blotches forming oblique but indistinct lines, or -vermicular markings. The head is similarly colored and marked; the lower -jaw is reddish; the belly and lower fins pinkish or yellowish; the first -dorsal fin is not much marked, but has a large black blotch on its -posterior border; the second dorsal fin is mottled with olive, brown, -and yellow; the caudal fin is likewise mottled, with the tip of the -lower lobe white or light colored. - -The pike-perch frequents waters of good depth, only entering the shallow -portions of streams and lakes at spawning time, and at night when -feeding. It prefers a bottom of rock or gravel in clear and cool water, -and loves to lie in the deep pools at the foot of riffles, or at the -entrance of streams; or where the current is strong and deep near -mill-dams and under sunken logs, or shelving rocks and banks, and about -the timbers of bridges in deep water. It is nocturnal in its habits, -for which it is well fitted by its large and prominent eye, and seeks -its prey, which consists mostly of small fishes, in shallow water. - -It spawns in the spring, and in lakes usually resorts to its spawning -grounds in the winter, where it is caught through the ice in large -numbers in certain localities, notably in Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie, and -in Lake Pepin and other northern lakes. It spawns in sand or gravel in -shallow water. Its eggs are small, twelve to an inch, and average fifty -thousand to a female. After spawning it retires to deeper water, and in -summer locates in the deepest pools. During the spring freshets it -sometimes ascends smaller streams in its search for food. Its usual -weight does not exceed three or four pounds, though it often grows much -larger, from ten to twenty pounds. I have seen preserved heads of fish -that must have weighed thirty or forty pounds, which had been caught in -Kentucky--in Tygert Creek and Kentucky River. It is highly prized as a -food-fish, its flesh being white, firm, and flaky, and of an excellent -flavor. It is a commercial fish of much importance, especially on Lake -Erie, from whence it is shipped in large numbers to the city markets, -where it always commands a ready sale, being in great demand during the -Lenten season. - -The pike-perch is a good game-fish, taking live bait eagerly, and rising -pretty well to the fly. When hooked it is a vigorous fighter, pulling -strongly and lustily. It does not exhibit much dash or take line -rapidly, but swims away rather slowly, but at the same time is -constantly tugging and jerking on the line in such a manner as to -require careful handling with light tackle. Ordinary black-bass rods and -tackle are well suited for the pike-perch up to six or eight pounds, -either for bait-fishing or fly-fishing. Where they are found in -considerable numbers, and especially on lakes where pickerel or pike -abound, gimp snells should be used instead of gut snells to withstand -their sharp teeth; otherwise the tackle may be the same as recommended -for black-bass fishing. The best bait is a live minnow, though crawfish -are successfully used. On lakes it should be fished for in comparatively -deep water, over pebbly or rocky bottom. On streams the likely places -are in deep and swift water, at the foot of rapids, or on a rocky lee -shore with a brisk wind, where it congregates in search of minnows that -are rendered almost helpless by the churning water. - -Owing to its nocturnal habits, the hours from about sunset until dark -are the most favorable. Night fishing is also quite successful should -any one care for it. As a matter of experiment I fished Pewaukee Lake, -in Wisconsin, one moonlit evening in summer, many years ago, in company -with three other anglers, there being two to a boat. In a few hours -twenty-two were landed to each boat, weighing from three to four pounds -each. This was my only experience in fishing for pike-perch at night, -but I have known many others to practise it very successfully. - -Fly-fishing is most successful from about sundown until dark, or later, -and on cloudy days also during the afternoon. Two flies on a four-foot -leader may be used, one of which should be a light-colored one, as the -coachman, or white miller; the other may be any of the hackles or the -stone fly, oriole, gray drake, polka, professor, or Montreal. The same -instructions concerning fly-fishing for black-bass may be profitably -followed for the pike-perch, allowing the flies to sink two or three -feet after each cast, though it is a more uncertain fish to locate, -being much given to roaming in its search for food at different -seasons. - -Years ago I had fine sport on several occasions, about sundown, -fly-fishing for pike-perch from the bridge over Neenah channel, the -outlet of Lake Winnebago, in Wisconsin. It was really the best fishing I -have ever had for this fish. All the conditions seemed to be just right, -and they responded eagerly to the coachman and oriole at first, but at -the approach of dusk they preferred the dusty miller and gray hackle. -The fish averaged three pounds, and in the swift water were quite gamy. -I have been very successful, on many occasions, fly-fishing on the -Muskingum River, in Ohio, fishing just below the dams late in the -afternoon; and also about the rocky tow-heads on the upper Ohio -River,--the fish, however, averaging only about a pound. But taking -everything into consideration, the character of the stream and its -surroundings, I think I have had the most enjoyable experience with the -pike-perch, both in fly-fishing and bait-fishing, on Rock River, -Wisconsin, in the southern part of the state. It is a beautiful, rocky -river in places, an ideal stream for wading. The fish also were of good -size, running up to five or six pounds. - -In fishing for pike-perch in different parts of the country I have -noticed its variableness of coloration, which might be inferred from -some of its names, as gray pike, yellow pike, blue pike, white salmon, -etc. As I remember them, those caught in brackish water in Maryland were -quite greenish, with silvery reflections and with dark markings. On Lake -Erie the coloration varies somewhat with age, the younger ones being -known as blue pike, the mature fish as yellow pike, and the oldest and -largest as gray pike. On the rivers of the Middle West that are subject -to periods of high and muddy water they are much paler. On the many -pine-fringed lakes in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota the variation in -color is quite apparent, both as to the ground color and markings. The -older fish are very dark and dull on the back, and the younger ones much -brighter. - - -THE SAUGER - -(_Stizostedion canadense_) - -The sauger was first described by C.H. Smith, in 1834, who named it -_canadensis_, from having collected his type specimens in Canada. - -It is also known as jack, sand-pike, gray-pike, and rattlesnake pike. It -is closely related to the pike-perch, though smaller and more slender, -with a more pointed head and smaller eye. It is distributed through the -Great Lake region and in the upper portions of the Missouri, -Mississippi, and Ohio rivers. It grows to a length of twelve to fifteen -inches. Its color is paler than the pike-perch, grayish above, with -brassy sides, which are marked by several blackish blotches or patches, -hence "rattlesnake pike." - -It is not nearly so good a food-fish as the pike-perch, and is not of -much importance as a game-fish. It may be fished for with the same -tackle as that recommended for the calico-bass or crappie, in the same -situations mentioned for the pike-perch. I have taken it with a gaudy -fly on the Ohio and Muskingum rivers, in Ohio, and in the Big Sandy and -Tygert Creek, in Kentucky; also by still-fishing and trolling on Lake -Erie about the Bass Islands. The meaning or etymology of the name -"sauger" is unknown. - - -THE YELLOW-PERCH - -(_Perca flavescens_) - -The yellow-perch was first described by Dr. Mitchill in 1814, from the -vicinity of New York. He named it _flavescens_, "yellowish," owing to -its coloration. It is closely allied to the perch of Europe. It is -commonly known as perch or yellow-perch, also as ringed-perch and -raccoon-perch. It is abundant in the Great Lake region and in coastwise -streams of the Atlantic slope from Nova Scotia to North Carolina. It is -also common in some of the tributaries of the upper Mississippi River -and in certain lakes in northern Indiana. It is a handsome fish, well -proportioned, and of a lively disposition. It has a shapely body, with a -depth of about one-third of its length, somewhat compressed, and with an -arching back. The mouth is moderate in size, with bands of small, -bristlelike teeth, but no canines, and has a projecting snout. The head -is not quite one-third of the length of the body. Its back is dark -olive, sides bright golden yellow, belly pale or pinkish, with half a -dozen or more broad, dark, vertical bars. The lower fins are bright red -or orange. While the coloration varies somewhat in different situations -it is always brilliant, rendering it one of the handsomest fishes among -the fresh-water species. - -The yellow-perch is gregarious, always in schools, and the fish of a -school will be about of a uniform size, be that great or small. It -frequents waters of a moderate depth in streams or lakes or ponds. In -streams, early in the spring, it frequently resorts to the edge or foot -of riffles, when feeding, but later prefers the deeper water under -mill-dams and about the submerged timbers of bridges, and the still -water under hollow banks, or in the eddies of old logs, rocks, etc. It -is averse to a muddy bottom in fresh water, but along the eastern coast -it is often found on the weedy shoals of shallow bays in brackish water. -In my boyhood days it was a prime favorite with myself and companions. -We sought it on the mud-flats, among the water-plants, of the Patapsco -River, near Baltimore. It was there known as "yellow Ned," and was -considered a good pan-fish. - -In Lake Michigan, after leaving its winter quarters in the spring, it -fairly swarms about the piers and wharves of Chicago and other towns, -where it is caught by thousands by men, women, and children with -hand-lines, rods, and dip-nets. It is a very predaceous fish and feeds -principally on small minnows and the young of other fishes, also on -crawfish, tadpoles, small frogs, insects, etc. In large waters it grows -to a pound or two in weight, sometimes more. Usually it is much smaller, -a half-pound perch being a good-sized fish in most localities. In -midsummer, in weedy ponds, it is not good; but at other seasons, or in -clear, cold water, it is an excellent pan-fish, firm and flaky. In -brackish water it is good at all seasons. Whenever it has a muddy taste, -it should be skinned, by which the objectionable flavor is removed -almost entirely, and owing to its adherent scales it is the best plan -for dressing it. It spawns early in the spring, in March and April, -though in very cold waters not until May. The eggs are about twelve to -the inch, and are held together by a glutinous substance in long, -ribbonlike masses from two to six feet in length, and from an inch to -three or four inches wide. - -Light trout tackle, either for bait-fishing or fly-fishing, is suitable -for the yellow-perch for those anglers who can appreciate the pleasure -to be derived only by the use of appropriate and elegant tackle for any -kind of fishing, and a pound perch is well worthy of such implements. -With a fly-rod of a few ounces, a light click reel, an enamelled silk -line, and a small leader and flies on hooks No. 7, the yellow-perch will -not disappoint the most exacting angler who has a true love for the -sport. Under such circumstances it is a good game-fish, eager to rise, -bold to a degree, and fights to a finish. - -Most of the flies used for black-bass, as coachman, polka, oriole, -professor, Abbey, etc., are successful, as well as the hackles of -various shades, and occasionally red ibis and stone fly. The late -afternoon hours are to be preferred for fly-fishing. The flies should be -allowed to sink with each cast, after being fluttered on the surface a -few seconds. - -In the absence of a more suitable rod, a light one of native cane, nine -or ten feet long, will do good service without a reel. The line should -be the smallest "sea-grass," or twisted silk. Hooks Nos. 5 or 6, on gut -snells, with a small brass box-swivel for connecting snell and line, -make up the rest of the tackle. - -The most taking bait is a small minnow, but grasshoppers, crickets, -white grubs, or earthworms are good. In tidal waters the shrimp is -preferred. But in the absence of any of these baits, cut-bait, either -fish or flesh, may be used with good results, for the yellow-perch is -not very particular or fastidious. Large perch are also easily taken by -trolling with the minnow, or a very small spoon on lakes or ponds. If -the spoon is employed, but a single hook should be used, and that not -too large. I am not an advocate, however, for trolling for so small a -fish, and merely mention it as one of the ways and means that may be -followed. There are men who never rise above this method for any -game-fish, but they are more to be pitied than blamed. They either lack -the skill to practise more approved methods, or are too indolent to -learn them. - -The yellow-perch has been introduced into some waters west of the -Rockies. A few weighing about a pound were sent to me from a lake about -forty miles west of Spokane, which were of exceptionally bright -coloration and good flavor. In the same box were two pike of about four -pounds each, and a large-mouth black-bass of eight pounds, dressed, and -very fat, plump, and delicious. These fish were the result of a single -plant by the United States Fish Commission some years ago. On the -Missouri River, a few miles above the Great Falls, a large lake has been -formed by an expansion of the river, caused by building a dam for an -electric light plant. Several years ago some yellow-perch were placed in -this lake, or in the river just above it, but by whom I have not been -able to ascertain. At all events, the lake now swarms with perch, -strings of one hundred or more not being an uncommon catch in a single -day, as I am credibly informed. As the water above the forks of the -Missouri River is too cold for the perch, and the water of the lake too -warm for trout or grayling, there seems to be no probability of any harm -resulting from the introduction of the yellow-perch, though it was not a -wise thing to do. About the only fish in that portion of the Missouri, -before the perch were planted just above the Great Falls, were ling, -suckers, and catfish. - -In the many small lakes near Oconomowoc. Wisconsin, the yellow-perch -thrives well. It is caught in the summer by men, women, and children -with almost any kind of bait, and often with the rudest tackle. To the -summer visitors it is a source of perennial delight, and an unfailing -means of enjoyment to the juvenile anglers. In my day, Genesee Lake, a -few miles from Oconomowoc, contained some of the largest perch of all -the numerous lakes and lakelets. In this lake only the small-mouth bass -and yellow-perch were found, no large-mouth bass or pike, and the bass -and perch were of about the same size--two pounds. This uniformity of -weight did not obtain in any of the other lakes. A basket of perch from -Genesee Lake was a handsome sight, and the fish were unusually sweet and -savory. During the winter the residents catch yellow-perch through holes -cut in the ice in great numbers, in all of the lakes mentioned. It was -here that I devised my "Oconomowoc" bass fly with creamy yellow body, -hackle of hairs of deer's tail, cinnamon (woodcock) wings, and tail of -ginger; but for the perch of Genesee I found that with a tail of scarlet -wool it was more effective. Many a two-pound perch responded to that -lure, in days long gone, and as Thoreau says, "It is a true fish, such -as the angler loves to put into his basket or hang on top of his willow -twig on shady afternoons." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE GRAYLING FAMILY - -(_Thymallidæ_) - - _Thymallus signifer._ Head 5-1/2; depth 4-2/3; eye 3; D. 24; A. - II; scales 8-88 to 90-11; coeca 18; body elongate, compressed, - highest under the anterior portion of the dorsal; head rather - short, subconic, compressed, its upper outline continuous with - anterior curve of the back; mouth moderate, the maxillary - extending to below the middle of the eye; maxillary 6 (?) in - head; jaws about equal; tongue, in the young, with teeth, which - are usually absent in the adult; eye quite large, rather longer - than snout; scales moderate; lateral line nearly straight; a - small bare space behind isthmus; dorsal fin long and high, - about 3-1/2 in length of body; adipose fin small; anal fin - small; gill-rakers short and slender, about 12 below the angle. - - _Thymallus tricolor._ Head 5; depth 5-1/2; eye 4; D. 21 or 22; - A. 10; scales 93 to 98; gill-rakers 7 + 12; maxillary 2-1/2 in - head; dorsal fin 5-1/2 in length of body. Otherwise much as _T. - signifer_. - - _Thymallus montanus._ Head 5; depth 4-1/2; eye 3-1/2; D. 18 to - 21; A. 10 or 11; scales 8-82 to 85-10; gill-rakers 5 + 12; - maxillary 3 in head; dorsal fin 4-1/2 in length of body. Other - features much resembling _T. signifer_ and _T. tricolor_. - -Owing to the restricted area of its distribution, the "graceful, gliding -grayling" is known to but comparatively few anglers in America. He who -has been so fortunate as to have this beautiful fish respond to his -deftly cast flies, will bear me out in the assertion that for courage, -finesse, and all the qualities that constitute a true game-fish, the -grayling is the equal of its congener, the trout. - -In France it is known as ombre, in Germany as asche, and in Norway as -harren. Among all English-speaking people it is the grayling, though -occasionally it is called umber in parts of England. All of these names -are somewhat descriptive of its grayish, ashy, or bluish coloration. -Gliding along in clear, swift water it seems, indeed, a gray shadow; but -fresh out of its native element it becomes a creature of -mother-of-pearl, so beautiful and varied are its tints. - -The graceful outlines and beautifully-moulded proportions of the -grayling, together with the satiny sheen and delicate coloration of her -adornment, have always impressed me as essentially feminine. The -evanescent play of prismatic hues on her shapely and rounded sides, when -fresh from the pure and crystal stream she loves so well, reminds one of -changeable silk shot with all the colors of the rainbow. Her tall dorsal -fin, with its rose-colored spots, she waves as gracefully and effectually -as the nodding plume of a duchess. - -[Illustration THE ARCTIC GRAYLING] -[_Thymallus signifer_] - -[Illustration THE MICHIGAN GRAYLING] -[_Thymallus tricolor_] - -[Illustration THE MONTANA GRAYLING] -[_Thymallus montanus_] - -The grayling was named by the ancients _Thymallus_, owing to a smell of -thyme that was said to emanate from the fish when freshly caught. -However that may have been in days of old, it is not so now, though an -odor of cucumbers is sometimes perceptible when it is just out of the -water. But the name, if not the odor, has endured to the present day, -for _Thymallus_ is still its generic appellation. The graylings were -formerly included in the salmon family, and are still so considered by -European ichthyologists, who include them in the genus _Salmo_. Dr. -Theodore Gill, however, has formed them into a separate family -(_Thymallidæ_), owing to the peculiar structure of the skull, whereby -the parietal bones meet at the median line, excluding the frontal bones -from the supra-occipital; whereas in the other salmonids the parietals -are separated by the intervention of the supra-occipital bone, which -connects with the frontals. - -There are three species in America: one in the Arctic regions, one in -Michigan, and one in Montana. To the untrained eye no great difference -is apparent between these various species as to form and coloration, [1] -and their habits are similar, all loving clear, cold, and swift water, -with gravelly or sandy bottom. They feed on insects and their larvæ, -small minnows, crustaceans, and such small organisms. They spawn in the -spring. The eggs are smaller than trout eggs, running seven to the inch. -They hatch in from ten days to two weeks, according to temperature of -the water. - - -THE ARCTIC GRAYLING - -(_Thymallus signifer_) - -The Arctic grayling was first described by Sir John Richardson, in 1823, -from specimens collected at Winter Lake, near Fort Enterprise, in -British America. He named it _signifer_, or "standard-bearer," in -allusion to its tall, waving, gayly-colored dorsal fin. It is presumably -the oldest and original species, and it is not unlikely that it was -transported to Michigan and Montana on an ice-field during the glacial -period. It is often called Bach's grayling, in honor of an officer of -that name who took the first one on the fly, when with the Arctic -expedition of Sir John Franklin, in 1819. It abounds in clear, cold -streams of the Mackenzie and Yukon provinces in British America, and in -Alaska up to the Arctic Ocean. This boreal grayling has a somewhat -smaller head than the other species, its upper outline being continuous -with the curve of the back. The mouth is small, extending to below the -middle of the eye, which latter is larger than in the other graylings, -while its dorsal fin is both longer and higher, and contains a few more -rays. The sides are purplish gray, darker on the back; head brownish, a -blue mark on each side of the lower jaw; the dorsal fins dark gray, -splashed with a lighter shade, with rows of deep blue spots edged with -red; ventral fins with red and white stripes. Along the sides are -scattered a few irregularly-shaped black spots. - -A friend of mine, an ardent angler, returned recently from Cape Nome and -the Yukon, in Alaska, where he resided for several years. He informed me -that the grayling is very abundant in the streams of that region, and -that he had taken thousands on the fly; but not knowing that they -differed from the Montana grayling, he did not examine them closely. - - -THE MICHIGAN GRAYLING - -(_Thymallus tricolor_) - -The Michigan grayling was first described by Professor E.D. Cope, in -1865, from specimens from the Au Sable River. He named it _tricolor_, on -account of its handsomely-decorated fins and body. At that time it was -abundant in the Au Sable, Manistee, Marquette, Jordan, Pigeon, and other -rivers in the northern part of the lower peninsula of Michigan, and in -Otter Creek, near Keweenah, in the upper peninsula. It has a somewhat -larger head than the Arctic form, its length being about one-fifth of -the length of the body; the outline of the latter does not differ except -in not being so prominent over the shoulder. - -The coloration is purplish gray with silvery reflections, darker on the -back, belly white and iridescent; sides of head with bright bluish and -bronze lustre; sides of the body with small, black, irregular spots; -ventral fins with oblique, rose-colored lines; dorsal with alternate -dusky and rose-colored lines below, and alternate rows of dusky green -and roseate spots above; caudal fin dusky with a middle roseate stripe. - -In 1870-1876 I visited most of the grayling streams in Michigan, and -found it abundant, affording fine fishing. At that time it was also in -the Boyne, and in Pine Lake and River. I also took it in Lake Michigan -while fishing for cisco from the pier at Charlevoix. Fish running from a -pound to a pound and a half were common, and occasionally one of two -pounds was taken. - -It is sad to contemplate the gradual disappearance of this fish from the -once densely populated streams of Michigan. At the present day the -angler is fortunate, indeed, who succeeds in taking a brace of grayling -where a few years ago his basket was soon filled. This deplorable state -of affairs has been brought about by the axe of the lumberman, whose -logs, descending the small streams on the spring rise, plough up the -spawning beds, smothering the eggs and killing the helpless fry. As -brook-trout spawn in the fall they escape this calamity, the fry being -old enough in April to take pretty good care of themselves. The decrease -of both trout and grayling is commonly attributed to overfishing; but -while this may have its influence to a limited extent in lessening the -numbers for a season, other causes must be looked for to account for the -permanent depletion of certain waters. - -A stream or pond will support but a limited number of fish, the number -depending on the supply of natural food for both young and mature. By -the supply of food on one hand, and the natural enemies of the fish on -the other, a certain balance is maintained which if disturbed by, say, -overfishing one season, will be restored by natural laws the next. And -this state of affairs will continue so long as the natural conditions of -the waters remain undisturbed. - -By cutting down the pine trees at the sources of the streams and along -the small tributaries, which are the spawning grounds of both trout -and grayling, the natural conditions are changed. The scorching rays of -the summer sun are admitted where once mosses and ferns and the trailing -arbutus luxuriated in the shade of a dense growth of pines and hemlocks -and firs. The soil becomes dry, the carpet of green shrivels and dies, -and the myriads of insects that once bred and multiplied in the cool and -grateful shade, and whose larvæ furnish the food for the baby fish, -disappear. The brooks and rivulets diminish and vanish. A page has been -torn from the book of nature, and the place that trout and grayling knew -so well is known no more forever. - - -THE MONTANA GRAYLING - -(_Thymallus montanus_) - -The Montana grayling was collected by Professor James W. Milner, of the -United States Fish Commission, in 1872, from a tributary of the Missouri -River, at Camp Baker, in Montana. He named it _montanus_, from the name -of the state. Lewis and Clark, however, during their wonderful journey -that blazed the western course of empire, described, but did not name -it, seventy years before, from fish taken near the head waters of the -Jefferson River. A few years ago (1898) it was my good fortune to be the -first to call attention to this prior description. Knowing that Lewis -and Clark ascended the Jefferson nearly to its source in the Rocky -Mountains, in 1805, I thought it extremely probable that those -remarkably close observers had mentioned the existence of this beautiful -and well-marked species. Upon investigation I found my surmise to be -correct. On page 545 of Dr. Elliott Coues's edition (1893) of "The Lewis -and Clark Expedition," I found the following:-- - -"Toward evening we formed a drag of bushes, and in about two hours -caught 528 very good fish, most of them large trout. Among them we -observed for the first time ten or twelve trout of a white or silvery -color, except on the back and head, where they are of a bluish cast; in -appearance and shape they resemble exactly the speckled trout, except -they are not so large, though the scales are much larger; the flavor is -equally good." (In a foot-note Dr. Coues stated that this fish remained -unidentified.) - -The locality where these fish were taken was near the head waters of the -Jefferson River, where Lewis and Clark abandoned their canoes and -crossed the Continental Divide on horses purchased from the Indians. At -this point the grayling is abundant to-day, as I know from personal -observation, and coexists with the red-throat trout almost to the -exclusion of all other species. - -Lewis and Clark were both remarkable for clear and correct descriptions -of the animals and plants met with during their journey, many of which -were new to science; but as they neglected to give them scientific -names, others have reaped the honors of many of their discoveries. I -published my identification of the fish in question as being undoubtedly -the grayling, and soon afterward received a letter from Dr. Coues, -congratulating me and indorsing my opinion, which he said was certainly -correct. - -The Montana grayling is found only in the tributaries of the Missouri -River above the Great Falls. In Sheep and Tenderfoot creeks, tributaries -of Smith River, in the Little Belt Mountains, it is fairly abundant, as -it is likewise in the three forks of the Missouri,--the Gallatin, -Madison, and Jefferson rivers. Its ideal home is in several tributaries -at the head of Red Rock Lake, swift gravelly streams, and especially in -the upper reaches of the Madison above the upper cañon, where the -water is rapid, though unbroken, the bottom being dark obsidian sand, -with a succession of pools and shallows. I have taken fish weighing two -pounds in Beaver Creek, in the upper cañon, which is also an ideal -stream. Such situations are peculiarly adapted to the grayling, being -preferred to the broken water of rocky streams so much favored by trout. - -The Montana grayling is a trimmer-built fish than its Michigan cousin, -being not quite so deep, proportionally, and with larger scales. Its -dorsal fin is about the same height, but with one or two less rays. - -Its back is gray, with purplish reflections; sides lighter, with lilac, -pink, and silvery reflections; belly pearly white. It has a few -irregularly-shaped black spots on the anterior part of the body, but -none posteriorly as sometimes on the Michigan grayling. It has two -oblong dark blotches in the cleft of the lower jaw, and a heavy dark -line running from the ventrals to the pectoral fin; these markings are -more pronounced in the male, being quite faint or wanting in the female. -The dorsal fin has a rosy-red border, six or seven rows of roseate, -roundish spots, ocellated with white, and gray blotches form lines -between the rows of red spots; in the upper, posterior angle of the -dorsal fin are several larger oblong rosy spots; the ventral fins have -three rose-colored stripes along the rays; the pectoral and anal fins -are plain; the caudal fin is forked. - -As a game-fish the grayling is fully the equal of the trout, though its -way of taking the artificial fly is quite different, and the old hand at -trout fishing must pay court to "the lady of the streams" with the -greatest assiduity before he is successful in winning her attention to -his lures. And even then he must become fully conversant with her coy -and coquettish way of accepting his offer, though it be cast never so -deftly. There is a rush and snap and vim in the rise of a trout to the -fly that is lacking with the grayling. The trout often leaps above the -water to seize the fly, while it is taken more quietly and deliberately, -though just as eagerly, by the grayling from below. In other words, it -is "sucked in," as English anglers term it, though that hardly expresses -it, as the act is not so tame as might be inferred. On the contrary, the -grayling rises from the bottom of a pool and darts upward like an arrow -to seize the fly, though as a rule it does not break water, and is not -so demonstrative as the trout; but it seldom misses the mark, if the -fly is small enough, which the trout often does. - -Sometimes the grayling will rise a dozen times to a fly, and for some -reason refuse it, but will take it at the very next cast. Just why this -is so is one of the unanswerable problems that often vexes or confounds -the angler. Presumably the fly is too large, or is not presented in just -the right way to please her ladyship. But the angler should not despair -under such circumstances, but remember the old couplet, "If at first you -don't succeed, try, try again." Moreover, he must remember that he is -fishing for grayling, not for trout. He must not cast on a riffle, or at -its head, but below, in the eddy or still water, where it is deepest. -There lie the large fish, though small ones may be in the shallower -water, and it is the latter that perplex one by their antics, oftentimes -leaping over one's flies in play. - -Trout generally lie in ambush beneath the bank, shelving rocks, or -roots, usually in shallow water, from whence they rush with tigerlike -ferocity upon the fly, often leaping over it in their eagerness for the -fancied prey. On the contrary, grayling lie on the bottom of pools, in -swift water, entirely in the open. They are also gregarious, assembling -in schools, while the trout is a lone watcher from his hidden lair. - -Some dry fly-fishers of England, echoing the opinion of Charles Cotton, -term the grayling a "dead-hearted fish" that must be taken with a wet or -sunken fly. This idea of its lack of gameness is implied in Tennyson's -lines:-- - - "Here and there a lusty trout. - And here and there a grayling." - -As the English grayling grows only to half of the weight of the trout, -it suffers by comparison when killed on the heavy rods of our English -brothers. Their assertion, also, that the grayling has a tender mouth, -and must be handled gingerly, is another fallacy, inasmuch as it has as -tough lips as the trout, but the smaller hooks of grayling flies do not -hold so firmly as the larger and stronger hooks of trout flies. - -It must not be supposed that the grayling is not a leaping fish because -it takes the fly from beneath the surface of the water. On the contrary, -in its playful moods it may be seen leaping above the surface the same -as a trout, and moreover it breaks water repeatedly after being hooked, -which the trout seldom does. It puts up a stiff fight also beneath the -surface, being much aided in its resistance by its tall dorsal fin. It -is no disparagement, then, to the gamesome trout, to declare the -grayling its equal when of similar size and weight. - -Grayling fishing has been practised in England for centuries. In -addition to fly-fishing, swimming the maggot, where a tiny float is -used, is a common method. An artificial bait, called the grasshopper, is -likewise employed. While grayling are taken during the trout season, in -spring and summer, the most successful season seems to be from September -to December, when they are at their best, both as to gameness and -condition. - -With English anglers the universal practice is to fish up-stream, as the -fish are not so apt to see the angler, and that plan undoubtedly has its -advantages in the clear and shallow streams of England. In fishing for -grayling, however, it is advised by some of their best anglers to cast -across the stream, instead of above, and allow the flies to float down. -No reason is given for this deviation from the generally accepted method -with trout; but I imagine that as grayling lie on the bottom of deep -pools, it has been found by experience that they are not so apt to see -the angler as other species in mid-water or near the surface, especially -in the clear chalk streams. - -In America, the streams being deeper, the necessity for fishing -up-stream is not so apparent. Fishing down-stream is by far the best -plan, for obvious reasons, if the angler wades slowly and cautiously, so -as not to roil the water. The principal reason is that one's line is -always straight and taut in swift water, and the flies can be more -easily controlled and floated down over the fish, which always heads -up-stream. Upon hooking the fish it can be drawn to one side, whereby -the other fish in the pool are not much more alarmed than in the case of -casting up or across. Casting across seems to be really a concession to -the advantage of fishing down-stream. - -The fly-rod, reel, line, and leader ordinarily employed for -trout-fishing may be used also for grayling, though I would advise some -modifications. While a first-class split-bamboo rod of three and a half -or four ounces may be advantageously used by an angler who knows how to -handle a very light rod, I prefer one of five or six ounces. Such a rod -is certainly light enough to be used all day without fatigue, and it is -well to have the resourceful reserve of an ounce or two for -emergencies. In any case it should not exceed ten and one-half feet in -length, if built on the modern plan, where most of the pliancy is in its -upper two-thirds, the lower third being stiffish and springy, -constituting its backbone. A very good rod can be constructed with ash -butt, and lancewood, greenheart, or bethabara upper pieces, and one that -will be almost as light as split-bamboo, and certainly more serviceable -in the long run. I would also advise flush, non-dowelled joints, and -reel-bands instead of a solid reel-seat, the latter being of no -advantage and only adding to the weight of the rod; moreover, it is now -put on the cheapest rods to make them sell. A plain groove for the reel, -with bands, is very much better. - -As a matter of course the line should be of braided silk, enamelled, and -suited to the weight of the rod, as small as size G, but not larger than -size E. It may be level, but a tapered line is better for casting, and -is also better adapted for the delicate leader that must be employed. - -A tapered leader six feet long is best, but should not be shorter than -four feet. It must be made of the very best silkworm gut fibre, round, -clear, and unstained. The distal end should be made of the finest drawn -gut, known as gossamer, and taper to the larger or proximal end, which -should be the smallest undrawn gut. - -In England the most delicate leaders and extremely small flies are -employed for grayling. The flies are usually tied on Pennell hooks, -turndown eye, sizes 0, 00, 000, Kendal scale, which are smaller than No. -12, Redditch scale, the latter being the smallest size commonly used in -America. The favorite flies in England have yellowish--lemon to -orange--bodies, and bodies of peacock harl, either green or bronze. -Flies with purplish, black, or slate-colored bodies are more sparingly -employed. They are either hackles or split-winged flies. The formulas -for some of the favorites are as follows:-- - - _Red Tag._ Body bright green harl from the "moon" of a - peacock's feather; hackle, bright red cock's hackle; tag, - bright red wool; hook, No. 0, Kendal scale. - - _Orange Bumble._ Body, orange floss silk, ribbed with a strand - of peacock's sword feather and fine flat gold tinsel; hackle, - honey dun cock, wrapped all down the body; hook No. 0, Kendal - scale. - - _Green Insect._ Body, bright green peacock's harl; hackled with - a soft silver-gray hen's feather; hook No. 0, Kendal scale. - - _Bradshaw's Fancy._ Body, copper-colored peacock's harl; - hackled with a feather from the neck of a Norwegian crow; tag, - bright crimson wool or silk, with a couple of turns of the same - at the head; tying silk, dark purple; hook No. 0, Kendal scale. - - _Claret Bumble._ Body, claret floss silk, ribbed with a strand - of peacock's sword feather; medium blue dun cock's hackle; - hook. No. 0, Kendal scale. - -Most of the foregoing are fancy flies, but are considered the best -killers on English waters. In this country it has been demonstrated, -also, that flies with bodies of peacock harl, or with yellowish bodies, -have been more uniformly successful than others. From this it would -appear that the predilection of grayling for certain colors in -artificial flies is much the same both in this country and England. From -my own experience I can recommend the following well-known flies, -adding, however, that their construction should be a little different -from the conventional trout flies of these names in having a red tag or -tail of scarlet wool, instead of the usual tail, and in having narrow -split wings instead of the regular style of full wings:-- - -Yellowish-bodied flies: professor, queen of the water, Oconomowoc, Lord -Baltimore. Green-bodied flies: coachman, Henshall, and grizzly king. -Other useful flies are black gnat, cinnamon, iron-blue dun, oriole, red -ant, gray hackle, and black hackle. They should all be tied on Sproat or -O'Shaughnessy hooks, No. 12, Redditch or common scale. Two flies only -should be used in a cast, and of different colors. - -Bearing in mind that the portions of a stream mostly used by grayling -are the sandy and gravelly pools in swift, smooth water, they are fished -for in much the same way as trout, except that the flies are allowed to -sink below the surface, very much as in black-bass fishing. It is very -important that the line and leader are always taut, inasmuch as the rise -of the fish is not always seen, except as a quick flash or shadow -beneath the surface. With a tight line the fish will be more apt to hook -itself. With the small hooks of grayling flies, it is not wise for the -angler to attempt to "strike," as in trout or black-bass fishing. - -Upon hooking the fish it should be led sidewise from the pool, if -possible, so as not to disturb or frighten the others of the school; and -for the same reason it should be kept near the surface until taken into -the landing-net. - -Either a light trout bait-rod or the fly-rod may be employed for -bait-fishing for grayling, with fine silk line, leader, and hooks Nos. 6 -to 8 with a split-shot sinker a foot above the hook. English anglers use -a small float, but in fishing down-stream it is not advisable, as the -current prevents the bait from touching the bottom, and renders the use -of a float for this purpose unnecessary. The bait should be kept from -six inches to a foot above the bottom. The best bait is the larva of the -caddis-fly, a small worm or caterpillar encased in a bag or covering -composed of bits of bark, sticks, etc.; it is known in the Rocky -Mountain region as the "rockworm." Earthworms, small grasshoppers, -crickets, and grubs of various kinds are also useful. - -When it became known to fishculturists, about 1874, that the grayling -existed in Michigan, attempts were made to propagate it artificially, -but without success, as the same lines were pursued as with the -brook-trout. It remained for the United States Fish Commission to -successfully cope with the problem in Montana, under my supervision. -Beginning with 1898, we have hatched millions at Bozeman Station and the -auxiliary station near Red Rock Lake, at the head of the Jefferson -River. We have also shipped millions of eggs to different parts of the -Union, as far east as Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, mostly to -United States Fish Commission stations, where they were hatched and -planted in suitable streams. It is to be hoped that some of these -plants will result in the permanent establishment of this beautiful and -desirable fish in eastern waters. - -The eggs of the grayling are smaller than those of the trout, being but -one-seventh of an inch in diameter. When first extruded they are -amber-colored, owing to a large oil-drop, which renders them lighter -than trout eggs, almost semi-buoyant, and for this reason are best -hatched, or at least "eyed," in hatching jars. My plan is to keep them -in the hatching jars until the eye-spots show, when they are removed to -hatching-trays until incubation is complete. - -In a few days after extrusion the eggs become crystal-like or hyaline in -color, when the embryo can be seen in motion. The period of incubation -is from ten days to two weeks. The fry when hatched are very small, -about the size of mosquito "wigglers" (larvæ). Their umbilical yolk-sac -is absorbed in a few days, when it becomes imperative to supply them -with stream water, which contains the small organisms (_Entomostraca_) -on which they feed at first. Afterward they can be fed artificially the -same as trout fry, which they soon outgrow. - -There is an erroneous opinion that has gained considerable currency -among anglers to the effect that grayling and trout are antagonistic, -and that to this cause is to be attributed the decrease of grayling in -the waters of Michigan. My observations have led me to the conclusion -that this opinion is not supported by any evidence whatever. When I -fished the streams of that state, years ago, both trout and grayling -were plentiful in the same waters, and were living in harmony as they -had done from time immemorial. Their habits and choice of locality being -different, the trout hiding under cover and the grayling lying in -exposed pools, their struggle for existence or supremacy does not bring -them much in opposition, or cause them to prey on each other or on their -eggs or fry in an unusual degree, or to such an extent as to effect the -marked decrease of either species. Honors are even. It is the same in -Montana. In that state the red-throat trout and grayling seek out such -portions of the streams as are best suited to them; but very often they -are found together on neutral ground, where they live peaceably and not -at variance with each other. As no disturbing element has yet been -introduced, their numbers still bear the same relative proportion that -has existed since the days of yore. - -Likewise in England, in such historic waters as the Wye, the Derwent, -the Wharfe, or the Dove, hallowed by "meek Walton's heavenly memory," -the grayling and trout still coexist in about the same relative -proportion that has been maintained since and before the days of Dame -Juliana Berners, Izaak Walton, and Charles Cotton in the fifteenth -century. On those quiet streams no cause has ever been allowed to -militate against the well-being of either species, or to disturb the -natural conditions to any considerable extent. - -In a recent number of the _London Fishing Gazette_ is one of the best -articles on the English grayling that I have ever seen. It is written by -Mr. E.F. Goodwin, who is undoubtedly fully conversant with his theme -and well acquainted with the habits of that fish. Among other things he -says:-- - -"When in season I maintain that the grayling will give excellent sport -on suitable tackle, is splendid eating, and is as handsome a fish as any -angler need wish to gaze upon. What more can one want? How Charles -Cotton could have written in such terms of condemnation of the sporting -qualities of this fish as to call him 'one of the deadest-hearted -fishes in the world, and the bigger he is the more easily taken,' passes -my understanding, although we must remember that this remark was passed -to 'Viator' on his catching a grayling in the early part of March, when -the fish would be out of condition in all probability. I confess to a -feeling of disappointment at the summary way in which Walton dismisses -the grayling, showing that he did not think very highly of him either -from an edible or sporting point of view. - -"Grayling will rise readily to the artificial fly, and although they -will come again time after time if missed (or perhaps I should say if -they miss the fly, which is more usual), they require the neatest and -finest tackle and the most delicate handling to secure them; and as -Francis truly says, 'when you have hooked a grayling, your next -job is to land him.'--There is a lot of difference between the way a -well-conditioned trout and grayling fight after being hooked, and this -may account for some of the condemnation heaped upon the latter as to -its non-sportive character; for although not so lively as the trout with -its mad rushes for liberty, yet the kind of resistance is more dangerous -to the hold you have on him, for the grayling tries the hold of the -hook in every possible way, and from every possible point of that hold. -To my mind a grayling is much more difficult to land than a trout, and -the more I fish for grayling the more convinced I am of his gameness and -sporting qualities. Certainly there are a great many more grayling lost -after being hooked than trout, and this is accounted for principally not -so much from the reputed tenderness of the mouth as from the fact of the -fish not being so firmly hooked as the trout usually is. - -"The ideas of grayling not heading up-stream and of being deleterious to -the trout have been perpetuated by author after author, just copying one -another without really ascertaining the facts.... As regards the -advisability of introducing grayling into a trout stream, that depends -entirely upon the nature of the river. As far as my experience and -observation go, grayling only become detrimental to the trout in that, -being active and voracious feeders, they consume the food that otherwise -would have belonged to and been partaken of by the trout. It is certain -that these fish live together in general amity. The grayling is but -seldom a fish eater, and therefore any accusation as to its being -destructive to the fry of trout is untenable. That it, in the -trout-spawning season, may help itself to what it can find of the -superfluous ova which float down the stream no one can object to, but as -to its burrowing in the redds and disturbing the hatching ova. I very -much doubt it. Both the late Dr. Brunton and Dr. Hamilton were very -strong in their assertion that this was a matter of impossibility with -the grayling, and yet we are assured by Dr. James A. Henshall that the -fry of grayling are as much addicted to cannibalism as the pike-perch -fry." - -After giving a brief space to natural bait-fishing, he goes on to say: -"But after all there is only one way in which this fish should be -caught, and that is with the fly. This ground has been gone over so many -times that it only remains for me to say that, the grayling being a bold -and daring riser, never be discouraged if you fail to hook him, even if -he rise at your fly time after time. He lies very low in the river when -watching for his prey, and therefore is not so easily disturbed; and if -you remain quite still when he has risen and missed the fly and gone -down to his lair, he will surely rise again. His rise, too, is different to -a trout. A trout, from lying close to the surface when feeding, takes -without effort the flies floating over him, and also is easily scared. -A grayling, from lying deep in the water, quite close to the bottom, -comes up with great rapidity, and seldom takes the fly until it has -passed him; and should he miss it, which often happens, disappears -so quickly that he may well be compared to a shadow--hence the name -of 'umber,' from _umbra_, a shadow. Should you hook him, up goes his -great dorsal fin and down goes his head in his determination to get to -his hiding-place, and it depends on his size and gameness, as well as -the skill of the angler, whether he succeeds or not. I have often heard -anglers complain that grayling are more difficult to hook than trout. -Experienced anglers are all aware that grayling are not so easily hooked -on the rise as trout, but he offers the best compensation in his power by -consenting to rise over and over again until if you do not hook him the -fault is yours, not his. When he rises at a passing fly he must ascend -at lightning speed in order to cover the distance in time to catch it; -having done so, he turns instantly head down and descends at the same -speed. This is really the 'somersault' so well known to grayling fishers. -With a long line it is next to impossible to strike a grayling on the -instant, and a taut line in this fishing is of even greater importance -than in trout-fishing." - -[Illustration THE MORE SPORTSMANLY WAY OF CATCHING MASCALONGE] - -I have given the above liberal quotations because the article agrees so -well with my own practice in grayling fishing, and accords with the -habits of the American graylings as I have observed them. - - FOOTNOTE: - -[Footnote 1: SPECIFIC CHARACTERIZATIONS OF THE - GRAYLINGS -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+ -| | T. signifer | T. tricolor | T. montanus | -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+ -|Head in length | 5-1/2 | 5 | 5 | -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+ -|Depth in length | 4-2/3 | 5-1/2 | 4-1/2 | -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+ -|Eye in head | 3 | 4 | 3-1/2 | -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+ -|Maxillary in head | 6 (?) | 2-1/2 | 3 | -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+ -|Scales | 8-88 to 90-11 | 93-98 | 8-82 to 85-10 | -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+ -|Gill-rakers |12 below the angle| 7 + 12 | 5 + 12 | -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+ -|Dorsal rays | 20-24 | 21-22 | 18-21 | -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+ -|Height of dorsal fin| 3-1/2 in length |5-1/2 in length|4-1/2 in length| -+--------------------+------------------+---------------+---------------+] - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -THE SALMON FAMILY - -(_Salmonidæ_) - -This is quite an extensive family, embracing the salmons, trouts, and -whitefishes, and is characterized principally by an adipose fin and -small, smooth scales. It is my province to consider only the Rocky -Mountain whitefish and the cisco, as the salmons and trouts are -described in another volume of this series. There are a number of -whitefishes, but none of them can be considered game-fishes except the -one about to be described, as they rarely or never take the fly or bait. - - _Coregonus williamsoni._ Rocky Mountain Whitefish. Head 4-1/2 - to 5; depth 4 to 5; eye 4-2/3; D. 11 to 14; A. 11 to 13; scales - 8 to 10-83 to 87-7 to 10; body oblong, little compressed; head - short, conic, the profile rather abruptly decurved; snout - compressed and somewhat pointed at tip, which is below the - level of the eye; preorbital broad, 2/3 the width of the eye; - maxillary short and very broad, reaching to the anterior margin - of eye, and is contained 4 times in length of head; mandible 3 - times; gill-rakers short and thick, 9 + 15; pectoral fin 1-1/5 - in head; ventral 1-2/5; adipose fin large, extending behind the - anal fin. - - _Coregonus williamsoni cis-montanus._ Montana Whitefish. Head - 5; depth 5 to 5^1; pectoral fin 1^1 in head; ventral 1-4/5; - scales 90. Otherwise like the typical form. - - _Argyrosomus artedi sisco._ Cisco. Head 4 to 5; depth 4 to - 4-1/2; eye 4 to 5; D. 10; A. 12; scales 8-65 to 80-8; body - long, slender and somewhat compressed; head long, pointed and - compressed; mouth large, lower jaw somewhat projecting, - maxillary reaching to pupil; mandible 2-1/3 in head; dorsal fin - high, its rays rapidly shortened; caudal fin forked. - - -THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH - -(_Coregonus williamsoni_) - -This fine fish was first described from the Des Chutes River in Oregon -by Dr. Charles Girard in 1856, who described most of the fishes -collected during the Pacific Railroad Survey, and named the one under -consideration in honor of Lieutenant R.S. Williamson, who had charge of -one of the divisions of the Survey. - -Its general form is not unlike that of the grayling, which has led to -the absurd opinion, held by some, that the grayling is a hybrid, or -cross, between this whitefish and the red-throat trout, its body being -rather long, nearly elliptical in outline, and somewhat compressed. It -is found in the clear streams on both slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and -on both sides of the Cascade Range. In the tributaries of the Missouri -River in Montana it differs slightly from the typical form, and is -known as the variety _cis-montanus_. It is bluish or greenish on the -back, sides silvery, belly white. All of the fins are tipped with black; -caudal and adipose fins are steel-blue. - -I know this fish only from the streams of Montana, where it coexists -with the red-throat trout and grayling. It spawns in the fall. It feeds -on insects and their larvæ, small crustaceans, and the eggs of other -fishes. It grows to about a foot in length, usually, and to a pound in -weight, though I have taken much larger specimens. It is a very fair -food-fish,--as good, I think, as the red-throat trout, as its flesh is -firmer and flaky, and devoid of any muddy or musky flavor. - -It rises to the artificial fly as readily as the trout or grayling, and -to the same flies, though a little more partial to small, dark, or -grayish ones, as black, brown, and gray hackles, black gnat, oriole, -gray drake, etc. When the streams are higher and not so clear, -lighter-colored flies are useful, as professor, coachman, Henshall, -miller, etc. Light trout fly-rods and tackle are used both for fly and -bait-fishing by Rocky Mountain anglers,--the bait, when used, being the -larva of the caddis-fly, and known as "rockworm." Grasshoppers are -employed in the late summer and fall. Fly-fishing, however, is the most -successful method. - -Large baskets of whitefish are made in the three forks of the Missouri -River, especially in the lower Gallatin River, where it is taken with -the grayling, the red-throat trout not being so plentiful in that part -of the stream. The tributaries of this river are also well supplied with -whitefish. Bridger Creek, one of the tributaries of East Gallatin River, -has some large whitefish. I have taken them in that stream up to two -pounds; for gameness they were equal to trout of the same weight, and -just as good for the table. They are at their best in the early fall -months, before spawning, when they are fat and in fine fettle. At this -season they must be looked for in deep holes, especially in August and -September, when they are gregarious, and one's basket may be filled from -a single hole when of considerable extent. Later they depart for the -shallows and pair off for spawning, when they seldom rise to the fly. - -There is a sentiment among trout fishers, and among people generally in -a trout region, that no other fish is quite so good to eat, or possessed -of as much gameness, as the trout. While I concede beauty of form and -coloration to the trout, far excelling all other fresh-water fishes, -there are others equally as good for the table, or even better. When -camping by mountain streams, freshly-caught trout, fried to crispness in -bacon fat, has a happy combined trout-bacon flavor that is certainly -delicious, especially when one has the sauce of a camping appetite to -favor it; but under similar conditions the mountain whitefish, in my -opinion, is fully as good. Nine out of ten persons who are prejudiced in -favor of the trout will declare that it has no scales, thus showing a -lack of comparison and observation. In the Rocky Mountain region, where -there are so few species of fish for the angler, usually only trout, -grayling, and whitefish, the latter should be better appreciated. - - -THE CISCO - -(_Argyrosomus artedi sisco_) - -The cisco, or so-called "lake-herring," was first described by the -French ichthyologist, Le Sueur, in 1818, from Lake Erie and the Niagara -River. He named it in honor of Petrus Artedi, the associate of Linnæus, -and the "Father of Ichthyology." The variety _sisco_ was described and -named by Dr. David Starr Jordan, in 1875, from Lake Tippecanoe, Indiana. -It was for a long time supposed to exist only in Lake Geneva. Wisconsin, -except in the Great Lakes, and an absurd opinion was prevalent that -there was an underground communication between that lake and Lake -Superior by which the cisco entered it. Soon after Dr. Jordan had -discovered it in Tippecanoe Lake I found it in several lakes in -Wisconsin, as La Belle, Oconomowoc, and Okauchee. The cisco is somewhat -smaller than the lake-herring, but otherwise it is about the same. It is -almost elliptical in outline, the body being compressed. The mouth is -rather large, with the jaws more projecting than in the lake -white-fishes. The coloration is bluish or greenish on the back, with -silvery sides and white belly. The scales are sprinkled with black -specks. It is a very pretty fish, is gregarious, swimming in large -schools, and feeds on the minute organisms found in lakes of good depth. -It remains in deep water most of the year, but resorts to shallower -water in the summer, preparatory to spawning. From the last of May to -June, when the May-fly appears in vast swarms on the western lakes, the -cisco approaches the surface to feed on them. It is at this time that -they take an artificial fly of a grayish hue. It grows to a length of -ten or twelve inches, and is highly esteemed as a food-fish. - -At Lake Geneva, when the May-fly appears, crowds of anglers assemble to -cast the artificial fly and the natural "cisco-fly," as the May-fly is -called. A very light trout fly-rod with corresponding tackle can be -utilized for cisco, with gray hackle, gray drake, or green drake, on -hooks Nos. 8 to 10. The fishing is done from boats or the shore. In -using the natural fly the same sized hooks mentioned will answer. As the -May-fly alights on every object, the boat and clothing of the angler as -well, the supply of bait is constant and convenient. - -The cisco can be caught in winter, through the ice, in water from fifty -to seventy-five feet deep, and many are taken in this way from the lakes -near Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. A small white or bright object is used as a -decoy to attract the fish, which is kept in motion near the baited hook, -and on a separate line. The bait may be a very small bit of white bacon -or ham fat, or fish flesh, though insect larva is better. - -When the talismanic words, "The cisco is running," are pronounced, -crowds of anglers from Chicago, Milwaukee, and all intermediate points, -with a unanimity of purpose, rush as one man to the common centre of -Lake Geneva, in eager anticipation of the brief but happy season of -"ciscoing." Anglers of every degree--armed with implements of every -description, from the artistic split-bamboo rod of four ounces to the -plebeian cane pole or bucolic sapling of slender proportions, and with -lines of enamelled silk, linen, or wrapping cord--vie with one another -in good-natured rivalry in the capture of the silvery cisco. Very little -skill is required to fill the creel, as the schools are on the surface -of the water in myriads, and the most bungling cast may hook a fish. -Though the etymology of the cisco is unknown, it is a veritable entity, -whose name is legion during the month of June at Lake Geneva. - -The cisco is a localized variety of the so-called lake-herring of the -Great Lakes, and holds the same relation to it that the landlocked -salmon does to the Atlantic salmon. Being confined to small lakes, the -cisco does not grow so large as the lake herring. Before the Chicago and -Milwaukee railway was built, in Wisconsin, there was a plank road -extending from Milwaukee to Watertown, and thirty miles west of -Milwaukee this road crossed the outlet of Oconomowoc Lake. Within fifty -yards or so of the bridge there stood a roadside tavern where the -freight wagons stopped at noon on their way from Lake Michigan to -Watertown. I have been informed by old residents of that section that in -the fall of the year, about the spawning period of the cisco, boxes of -fresh fish were frequently carried by these wagons, some of which were -cleaned and dressed for dinner on the bank of the outlet of the lake, -and the offal thrown into the stream. It is not unlikely, inasmuch as -the fish were so recently caught, that the eggs and milt of the cisco -thus became commingled, fertilizing the eggs, which were subsequently -hatched. This opinion is supported by the fact that the cisco is found -in that locality only in the chain of lakes composed of Oconomowoc, -Okauchee, and La Belle lakes, all of which are connected by Oconomowoc -River. It is possible that Lake Geneva was stocked in a similar manner -from Racine or Kenosha. If it is objected that eggs from dead fish would -not be fertilized, there is still a tenable theory: When the fish are -taken from the nets alive, many of them are so ripe that the eggs and -milt ooze from them. Under these circumstances some of the eggs would -become fertilized without a doubt, and by adhering to the fish when -placed in the boxes for transportation, they might be carried to the -place mentioned, and there deposited in the stream in the manner -related. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE DRUM FAMILY - -(_Sciænidæ_) - -The drumfish or croaker family is quite a large one, comprising nearly -one hundred and fifty species, inhabiting the sandy shores of the seas -or the brackish water of the bays and estuaries, sometimes ascending -tributary rivers to fresh water; the fresh-water drum, hereafter to be -described, however, is the only species permanently residing in fresh -water. The members of this family have usually an elongate body, with -rough-edged (ctenoid) scales; the dorsal fin is deeply notched, or in -some species separated into two fins, with the soft-rayed portion, or -the second dorsal, composed of many rays, while the spiny-rayed portion -has but few; some have barbels, but all have large ear-bones; the -air-bladder is usually large and complicated, and is supposed to be the -source of the drumming, croaking, or grunting sounds common to most of -the species. - - _Cynoscion regalis._ The Weakfish. Body elongate, somewhat compressed; - head 3-1/8; depth 4-1/4; eye 6; D. X-I, 27; A. II, 12; scales 6-56-11; - mouth large, maxillary reaching beyond pupil; teeth sharp, in narrow - bands, canines large; soft dorsal and anal fins scaly, the scales - caducous; gill-rakers long and slender, _x_ + 11. - - _Cynoscion nothus._ The Bastard Weakfish. Body elongate, slightly - compressed; head 3-1/2; depth 3-3/4; eye 4; D. X-I, 27; A. II, 9 or 10; - scales 6-60-7; mouth moderate, maxillary reaching posterior margin of - pupil; snout short; body rather deep and more compressed than above - species; back somewhat elevated; caudal fin weakly double concave; - gill-rakers long and slender, 4 + 9. - - _Menticirrhus saxatilis._ The Kingfish. Body elongate, but little - compressed; head 4; depth 4-1/2; eye small 7; D. X-I, 26; A. I, 8; - scales 7-53-9; mouth large, maxillary reaching middle of eye; spinous - dorsal elevated; pectoral fins long; teeth villiform; snout long and - bluntish; scales all ctenoid. - - _Micropogon undulatus._ The Croaker. Body rather robust, the back - somewhat elevated and compressed; head 3; depth 3-1/3; eye 5; D. X-I, - 28; A. II, 7; scales 9-54-12; mouth rather large, maxillary reaching - front of eye; profile rounded; snout convex, prominent; preopercle - strongly serrate; anal under middle of soft dorsal; caudal fin double - truncate; gill-rakers very short and slender, 7 + 16. - - _Leiostomus xanthurus._ The Lafayette. Body oblong, ovate, the back - compressed; head 3-1/2; depth 3; eye 3-1/2; D. X-I, 31; A. II, 12; back - in front of dorsal high, convex and compressed to a sharp edge; profile - steep and convex, depressed over the eyes; mouth small and inferior, - maxillary reaching to below pupil; snout blunt; pharyngeals with three - series of molars posteriorly; teeth in upper jaw minute, none in lower - jaw in adult; gill-rakers short and slender, 8 + 22; caudal long and - forked. - - -THE WEAKFISH - -(_Cynoscion regalis_) - -The weakfish, or squeteague, was first described by Bloch and Schneider, -in 1801, from the vicinity of New York. They named it _regalis_, or -"royal." In the Southern states it is called gray-trout and sea-trout. -The name weakfish is doubtless derived from the Dutch, and is said to -have originally meant a soft fish. Jacob Steendam, in a poem in "Praise -of New Netherland," in 1661, has - - "Weekvis, en Schol, en Carper, Bot, en Snoek," - -meaning weakfish, plaice, carp, turbot, and pike. The name squeteague is -of Indian origin. - -The natural habitat of the weakfish is along the Atlantic coast south of -Cape Cod, occasionally straying to the Gulf of Mexico. It is most -abundant between Buzzards Bay and Chesapeake Bay. It is a handsome, -shapely fish, resembling somewhat the salmon in outline. It has a robust -body, with a depth of about one-fourth of its length. It has a long, -pointed head, nearly as long as the depth of the body. The mouth is -large, with projecting lower jaw. The teeth are sharp, in narrow bands, -with several fanglike canines in front of the upper jaw. The dorsal -fins are but slightly separated, and the caudal fin is almost square. - -The color of the back and top of the head is bluish or bluish gray, with -silvery sides and white belly, and with purple and golden iridescence. A -series of dark, diffused spots or blotches form transverse or oblique -streaks, more pronounced on the upper part of the body, from whence they -run downward and forward. The cheeks and gill-covers are silvery and -chin yellowish; the ventral and anal fins are orange; dorsal fin dusky; -pectoral fins yellowish; caudal fin with upper part dark and lower part -yellowish. - -The weakfish is a warm-water fish, visiting the coast and bays during -the spring, summer, and fall, though more abundant in the summer. They -are surface feeders, and swim in large schools in quest of menhaden, -scup, and other small fishes. They are more numerous some seasons than -others, probably owing to certain conditions affecting their food, -temperature of water, and the abundance or scarcity of their enemy, the -bluefish. They seldom, if ever, ascend the streams to fresh water, but -remain about the outer beaches, entering the inlets and estuaries on the -flood tide in pursuit of their prey, and go out again with the ebb; at -least this is the habit of the largest fish, known as "tide-runners." -Smaller fish probably remain in the bays and bayous, resorting to deep -holes at low water. - -Its breeding habits are not well understood, though it spawns in the -bays in early summer, about May or June. The eggs are quite small, about -thirty to the inch, are buoyant or floating, and hatch in a few days, -usually in two. I have taken many hundreds in Chesapeake Bay in August, -but do not remember ever catching one containing roe during that month. -It is an excellent food-fish if perfectly fresh, but soon deteriorates, -becoming quite soft and losing its characteristic flavor when out of the -water a few hours. It is quite an important commercial fish during -summer in the eastern markets. Small ones, below a pound in weight, are -delicious pan-fish; larger ones should be baked. Its usual weight is two -or three pounds, and its maximum ten or twelve; occasionally they are -taken still heavier--twenty or twenty-five pounds. - -Being a surface feeder it is a good game-fish on light tackle, taking -bait or an artificial fly with a rush and snap that reminds one of a -trout, and for a short time it resists capture bravely. Its first -spurt, when hooked, is a grand one, and when checked darts in various -directions, making for the weeds if any are near, or toward the bottom, -or rushing to the surface leaps out, shaking itself madly to dislodge -the hook. It must be handled carefully and gingerly, for it has a tender -mouth from which the hook is apt to be torn if too much strain is -exerted at first. - -A very light striped-bass rod may be utilized, but the most suitable is -the "Little Giant" rod of seven and one-half feet and eight ounces in -ash and lancewood. A good multiplying reel with fifty yards of braided -linen line, size G, a three-foot leader, and snelled hooks, Sproat the -best. Nos. 1-0 to 3-0 for the tide-runners, and Nos. 1 or 2 for school -fish, together with a landing-net, constitute the rest of the tackle. - -The most satisfactory mode of fishing for weakfish is from a boat -anchored near the channel, or tied to a pier or wharf in a tideway. The -time for fishing is on the flood tide, from half flood to half ebb, as -the tide-runners are going in or out in large schools. As little noise -as possible should be made by any necessary movements in the boat, as -the fish are easily frightened. Long casts should be made toward the -advancing or retreating fish, and the bait kept in motion by being -reeled in. No sinker or float is required, as the bait must be kept near -the surface. Menhaden or minnows, shedder-crab, lobster, bloodworms, -clam, and shrimp are all good natural baits. A small spinner, or a small -mother-of-pearl squid, if reeled in rapidly, often proves very taking; -also a large, gaudy fly, as the red ibis, soldier, silver doctor, Jock -Scott, royal coachman, etc., can be used with good effect when the fish -are running strongly and in goodly numbers. - -Still-fishing, with a float, and a sinker adapted to the strength of the -tidal current, can be practised in the eddies of the tide, or at slack -water near deep holes, using the natural baits mentioned. Another method -is casting with heavy hand-line in the surf from the outside beaches, -using block tin or bone squids, and hauling the fish in, when hooked, by -main strength. The largest fish are taken in this way; but while it is -in a degree exciting, it can only be said to be fishing, not angling. -Many anglers, however, prefer it to any other mode of fishing. Another -favorite method, but a tame one, is drifting with the wind and tide, -following a school of fish and taking them by trolling with hand-line. -If suitable rods and tackle were used, it would not be objectionable. - -Next to the striped-bass the weakfish is the most important game-fish of -the East Coast, and to judge from the greater number of anglers who -pursue "weakfishing," it is far and away the favorite with the majority. -The estuaries and bays of the Jersey coast, Long Island, and Staten -Island, and along the Sound, afford good fishing in the season and at -favorable stages of the tide. These localities are more frequented by -anglers than any other section of the East Coast. While ideal angling -can only be found on inland waters in casting the fly for salmon, -black-bass, or trout, amidst the rural and pastoral scenes of hill and -hollow, with the birds and sweet-scented blossoms ever near the rippling -streams--a full measure of enjoyment is vouchsafed to the salt-water -angler in the exhilarating sail to the fishing-banks, the sunlit crests -of the incoming tide, and the health-giving ozone of the chlorinated -breeze. Then follows the ready response of the gamy weakfish to the -angler's lure, the brave fight and happy landing of the prize. This is -surely sport galore, and not to be gainsaid by the most prejudiced. - - -THE BASTARD WEAKFISH - -(_Cynoscion nothus_) - -The bastard weakfish was first described by Dr. Holbrook, in 1860, from -the coast of South Carolina. He named it _nothus_, meaning "bastard," in -contradistinction to the well-known weakfish just described. It is a -rare fish of the South Atlantic coast, preferring deep water, but -otherwise of similar habits, and of the same general form as the -weakfish of the northern waters. It differs from it in coloration, and -has somewhat smaller scales, a smaller mouth, and more compressed body, -which is also a little deeper and more elevated. Its color is -grayish-silvery, thickly sprinkled with small, dark specks on the upper -half of the body, and silvery below, a row of dark spots marking the -division. There is another species inhabiting the Gulf coast which will -be noticed later. Whenever met with they can be taken by the same -methods and with the same tackle as recommended for the northern -weakfish. - - -THE KINGFISH - -(_Menticirrhus saxatilis_) - -The kingfish is also known as barb and sea mink in the North, and in the -South as whiting. It was first described by Bloch and Schneider, in -1801, from the vicinity of New York. They named it _saxatilis_, meaning -"living among rocks," which by the way it does not do, as it prefers -hard, sandy shoals. Its range extends along the Atlantic coast south of -Buzzards Bay, occasionally straying to the Gulf of Mexico. It is most -abundant, however, between Montauk Point and Cape Hatteras. - -It has a long, rather round body, not much compressed, its depth being -nearly a fourth of its length. The head is long, with a blunt snout -projecting beyond the mouth, which is small, with tough, leathery lips, -and with a single barbel on the chin. Both jaws have bands of small, -brushlike teeth, the outer ones in the upper jaw somewhat longer. The -upper angle of the caudal fin is sharp, the lower angle rounded. - -Its color is gray with steely lustre on the back, fading gradually to -the belly, which is bluish white. There are several dark, oblique bands, -running from the back downward and forward, and one extending from the -nape downward, forming a broad "V" with the one next to it; along the -border of the belly is a horizontal dark streak running from the middle -of the body to the tail. - -The kingfish is a bottom feeder, and as might be inferred from the -character of the teeth is partial to crabs, shrimps, young lobsters, and -mussels, but does not object to the sand-lance and other small fishes, -and sandworms, and is found on the hard, sandy shoals where such -organisms abound. It visits the shores from spring until November, but -is more abundant in the summer, when it enters the bays and rivers. It -is usually found in deep water, feeding along the channels. Although it -seems to consort a good deal with the weakfish, its habits of feeding -are quite different from that fish. It spawns in the summer, earlier or -later, according to the temperature of the water, though but little is -known of its breeding habits. - -Its flesh is flaky, of firm texture, and has a delicious flavor when -perfectly fresh, which, however, is lost when out of the water a short -time. It is of small size, usually weighing from a half pound to two -pounds, though occasionally reaching five or six pounds. But although so -small it is justly esteemed and in great demand, the smaller ones as -pan-fishes, for breakfast, and the larger ones for chowders, for which -it is unexcelled by any other fish. - -For its size, the kingfish is considered the gamest of all salt-water -fishes. It bites savagely, suddenly, and with a vim and purpose that are -sometimes startling to the unwary angler. And when he takes the -proffered bait he stands not upon the order of going, but goes at once, -and with a dash that is remarkable for its length in so small a fish. -When checked, he darts from side to side with amazing quickness, or -makes straight for the surface, when the angler is surprised to find him -of so small a size. He is _multum in parvo_,--a large soul in a small -body. - -In sheltered estuaries and bays where the tide does not run strongly or -swiftly, or during the stages of slack water, the most suitable tackle -consists of a black-bass bait-rod and reel, one hundred yards of fine -braided linen line, a three-foot leader, and Sproat hooks, Nos. 1 or -1-0, on stout gut snells, the leader being connected with the line by a -brass box-swivel or swivel-sinker of small size. Where the rush of the -tide is greater, a natural bamboo chum rod or the Little Giant rod is -appropriate, as a heavy sinker must be used to keep the bait near the -bottom. To meet the varying conditions of the tide, sinkers of different -weights are needed, and a landing-net should not be forgotten when the -rod is a light one. - -The fishing is done from a boat anchored near the edge of the channels -or in the vicinity of hard shoals of sand, ledges of rocks, or near -oyster bars, in water of pretty good depth. The bait may be -shedder-crab, clam, blood-worm, or shrimp. All are good, but crab is, -perhaps, the best, and should be kept in motion. - -The northern kingfish must not be confounded with the kingfish of the -Florida Keys, which is a fish of the mackerel tribe, akin to the Spanish -mackerel, a game-fish of high order, growing to a weight of forty -pounds. I was amused several years ago when a correspondent applied to -the angling editor of one of the sportsman's journals for information -concerning the kingfish of Florida. The editor, not knowing any better, -confounded it with the northern kingfish, and recommended the usual -means of capture for that fish. I wondered, at the time, how the -inquiring angler succeeded with the nimble acrobat of the coral reefs, -still-fishing, with such tackle. - -There are two closely allied species--the Carolina whiting -(_Menticirrhus americanus_) and the surf or silver whiting -(_Menticirrhus littoralis_), which differ somewhat in coloration and -in some unimportant structural differences; otherwise they are very -similar to the kingfish. The former inhabits the deeper water, while the -latter frequents the shallow sandy shores of the southern coast from -Carolina to Texas. Their feeding habits are similar to those of the -kingfish, and in their season they can be captured in the same way. - - -THE CROAKER - -(_Micropogon undulatus_) - -The croaker was described by Linnæus, in 1766, from South Carolina. He -named it _undulatus_, "undulating or wavy," owing to the undulating -character of the markings on the body and fins. Its range extends along -the Atlantic coast and Gulf of Mexico from the Middle states to Texas, -though it is more abundant from the Chesapeake Bay to Florida. The -outline of the body is somewhat elliptical and compressed, not much -elevated on the back, but with rather a regular curve from the snout to -the tail; its depth is less than a third of its length. The head is -about as long as the depth of the body, with a prominent, somewhat blunt -snout, and a rather large mouth, with small barbels beneath the lower jaw. - -[Illustration THE WEAKFISH] -[_Cynoscion regalis_] - -[Illustration THE KINGFISH] -[_Menticirrhus saxatilis_] - -[Illustration THE GERMAN CARP] -[_Cyprinus carpio_] - -The border of the cheek-bones is strongly toothed. The teeth of the -jaws are in brushlike bands, with somewhat longer ones in the upper jaw. -There are two dorsal fins, slightly connected; the caudal fin is double -concave or trifurcate. The back is dusky gray with silvery lustre, sides -silvery or brassy, belly white and iridescent. There are a number of -dusky or cloudy vertical or oblique bands, and the upper part of the -body is profusely sprinkled with numerous dark spots, irregularly -placed, in undulating lines. A dusky spot is at the base of the pectoral -fin; the dorsal fins are marked with dark spots, which form lines along -the soft dorsal fin. - -The croaker frequents grassy situations in the brackish water of bays -and bayous, feeding on crabs, shrimps, and other crustaceans, and small -fishes. It grows to a length of ten or twelve inches, and is a good -pan-fish when perfectly fresh. It spawns in the autumn. - -On the grassy flats of the Patapsco and other tributaries of the -Chesapeake Bay I have caught countless numbers of the "crocus," as we -boys called it. Just under the gill-cover, nearly always, we found a -parasitic crustacean or sea-louse, a half inch in length, resembling the -land crustacean known as the wood-louse, or sow-bug,--probably an -isopod. - -A very light rod, a fine linen line, snelled hooks Nos. 1 to 3, and a -small sinker or brass swivel for connecting line and snell are all that -are needed for the croaker, as a reel is not necessary. The boat is -anchored on grassy flats in water from six to twelve feet in depth. -Shrimp is the best bait, though cut-bait of clam or fish is good. A -float may be used to keep the bait from the bottom in still water. While -this fish and the next, the spot or Lafayette, are usually classed as -small fry, and particularly suited to boy anglers, they are such good -pan-fish that many "grown-ups" are quite enthusiastic in their capture. -They hold about the same relation to the more important game-fishes of -the coast that the sunfishes do to the black-bass, trout, pike, etc., of -inland waters. When no better fishing offers they will fill the void -very satisfactorily when light and suitable tackle is employed. - - -THE LAFAYETTE - -(_Leiostomus xanthurus_) - -The Lafayette, spot, or goody, as it is variously called, was described -by Lacépéde, in 1802, from South Carolina. He named it _xanthurus_, -meaning "yellow tail," under the impression that its caudal fin was -yellow,--which, however, it is not. Its range extends from Cape Cod to -Texas, though it is most abundant from New Jersey to Florida. It is -found throughout its range in brackish-water bays and bayous, and is -somewhat similar in appearance to the croaker. It has a short, deep -body; the back in front of the dorsal fin is compressed to a sharp edge -or "razor-back"; the outline of the back is arched, highest over the -shoulder, with a steep profile from thence to the snout; the depth of -the body is more than a third of its length. The head is not so long as -the depth of the body; the snout is blunt and prominent; the mouth is -small. There are few or no teeth in the lower jaw, while those in the -upper jaw are quite small. The throat is well armed with molars and -brushlike teeth. There are two dorsal fins, slightly connected; the -caudal fin is forked. It is bluish or dusky above, with silvery sides -and white belly; when fresh from the water it is very iridescent. It has -about fifteen narrow, dark, wavy bands extending obliquely downward and -forward, from the back to below the lateral line; the fins are -olivaceous and plain; it has a very prominent and distinct round black -spot just above the base of the pectoral fin, which has given rise to -the name spot in some localities. - -Like the croaker, the Lafayette resorts to grassy and weedy situations -in the brackish-water bays, estuaries, and tributaries. In Florida it is -present all the year, but does not enter northern waters until summer -and autumn, when it is often found in company with the croaker or -white-perch. It feeds on shrimps and other small crustaceans and small -mollusks. It spawns in southern waters in the fall. Although but a small -fish, growing to eight or ten inches in length, and usually to but six -inches, it is a great favorite as a pan-fish, as when perfectly fresh it -is a delicious tidbit or _bonne-bouche_ of most excellent flavor. - -The same tackle recommended for the croaker is well adapted for the -spot, though the hooks should be smaller, Nos. 4 to 6. It is found in -the same situations as the croaker, and often in shallow water, or about -the piling of bridges and wharves, wherever shrimps abound. My method, -many years ago, was to use a light cane rod, ten or twelve feet in -length, and a fine line of about the same length, very small hooks, -about No. 8, with bait of shrimp, cut clam, oyster, sandworm, or -earthworm. I used no float, but held the rod elevated sufficiently to -keep the bait from touching the bottom, thus maintaining a taut line, so -that the slightest nibble of the fish could be felt, when I would -endeavor to hook it at once, for it is as well versed in bait-stealing -as the cunner. - -It is only necessary to refer to the many names by which this little -fish is known in various sections of the country to prove its -popularity. Some of these are the spot, goody, Cape May goody, and -Lafayette of northern waters, the roach and chub of Carolina, and the -chopa blanca (white bream) and besugo (sea-bream) of the Portuguese and -Spanish fishermen of Florida. It appeared in unusually large numbers in -northern waters about the time that Lafayette visited this country in -1834, hence one of its numerous names. - -Years ago I have seen crowds of men, women, and boys occupying front -seats on the wood-wharves of Baltimore harbor engaged in fishing for -spots and croakers, on Saturday afternoons, and many a boy was tardy at -Sunday-school the next morning through picking out the bones from his -Sunday breakfast. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE DRUM FAMILY (_CONTINUED_) - -(_Sciænidæ_) - -The most conspicuous and characteristic features by which the members of -this family may be known were given in the preceding chapter, where the -brackish-water and salt-water species were described. There is but one -species found in fresh water, a description of which follows. - - _Aplodinotus grunniens._ The Fresh-water Drum. Body oblong, - much elevated, and compressed; profile long and steep; snout - blunt; head 3-1/3; depth 2-3/4; eye moderate; D. X, 30; A. II, - 7; scales 9-55-13; mouth small, low, and horizontal, lower jaw - included; teeth in villiform bands, pharyngeals with coarse, - blunt, paved teeth; preopercle slightly serrate; the dorsal - fins somewhat connected; scaly sheaths at base of spiny portion - of dorsal and anal fins; second anal spine very large; - gill-rakers short, 6 + 14; pyloric coeca 7; caudal fin double - truncate. - - -THE FRESH-WATER DRUMFISH - -(_Aplodinotus grunniens_) - -This well-known fish of the Middle West is also known as lake-sheepshead -on the Great Lakes, white-perch on the Ohio River, gaspergou in -Louisiana, and as bubbler, croaker, thunder-pumper, and other names in -various sections of the country. It was first described by Rafinesque, -in 1819, from the Ohio River. He named it _grunniens_, meaning -"grunting," from the grunting sound it makes, in common with other -members of the drum family, when taken from the water. It inhabits the -Great Lakes and other smaller lakes in the vicinity, extending along the -Mississippi Valley to Louisiana. Texas, and Mexico. - -The fresh-water drum is somewhat elliptical in outline, with quite a -hump over the shoulders, with a depth of about one-third of its length, -while its head constitutes more than a fourth of the length of the body. -The single dorsal fin has the appearance of two. The ear-bones -(otoliths) are quite large and resemble porcelain in their peculiar -whiteness, and have a semblance of the letter "L" seemingly cut on them. -From this circumstance they are known as "lucky-stones," and are often -carried by boys as pocket-pieces. - -It is of a grayish silvery hue, dark on the back, fading to white on the -belly. In the lakes of the North it has several oblique dusky streaks -or bands, resembling in a minor degree those of the sheepshead of the -coastwise streams and bays. In southern waters the streaks are not so -apparent, and it is called white-perch, owing to its silvery appearance. -It is a bottom fish, feeding mostly on mollusks, which it crushes with -the blunt teeth of the throat. It also feeds on small fishes, crawfish, -and other small organisms. Its spawning habits are unknown, but it -probably spawns in the spring and summer. - -On the Great Lakes it grows to an enormous size, occasionally reaching -fifty or sixty pounds, though as usually taken by anglers it is from -three to ten pounds in weight. It is of no value as a food-fish in that -region, being seldom eaten and heartily despised. On the Ohio and lower -Mississippi rivers its weight is much less, from one to six pounds, and -it is there considered a good pan-fish, selling readily in the markets. -There is no doubt but that it is of better flavor in southern waters -when of small size. - -As a commercial fish it is taken in nets in the North, and in fyke-nets -in the southern extent of its range. On northern lakes it is often taken -by anglers when fishing for black-bass, and being a strong, vigorous -fish with the family habit of boring toward the bottom when hooked, it -furnishes fair sport, and with considerable jeopardy to light tackle, -when of large size. The angler is at first elated with what he imagines -to be a fine bass until its identity is established, when his enthusiasm -gives place to infinite disgust. And this is one reason why it is -despised in northern waters, and very unjustly, too, for it is game -enough, so far as resistance is concerned, and is entitled to that much -credit. In southern waters it bites freely at small minnows, crawfish, -or mussels, and is there better appreciated and has a fair reputation as -a game-fish. I have enjoyed fishing for it with light tackle on White -and St. Francis rivers in Arkansas, and some of the streams in -Mississippi. Light black-bass tackle is quite suitable for it. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE MINNOW FAMILY - -(_Cyprinidæ_) - -This family of fresh-water fishes numbers probably a thousand species, -mostly of small size in America and known universally as "minnows." In -the eastern hemisphere the species grow larger, and of these, two have -been introduced into America,--the German carp and the goldfish. - - _Cyprinus carpio._ The German Carp. Body robust, compressed, - heavy anteriorly; head 4-1/2; depth 3-1/2; scales (normally) - 5-38-5; mouth moderate, with four long barbels; teeth molar, 1, - 1, 3-3, 1, 1; dorsal fin elongate, dorsal and anal fins each - preceded by a serrated spine. D. III, 20; A. III, 5. - - -THE GERMAN CARP - -(_Cyprinus carpio_) - -The carp was described and named by Linnæus in 1758. Its original home -was in China, and from thence it was introduced into Europe, and from -there to America. - -Since the introduction of the carp into the United States, some thirty -years ago, it may now be said to inhabit every state in the Union, -having escaped from the ponds in which it was placed at first, into -almost every stream, especially in the Mississippi Valley. - -The dorsal fin is single, extending from the middle of the back nearly -to the tail, highest in front. In the typical scale-carp the scales are -large, there being about thirty-eight along the lateral line, with five -rows above it and five rows below. But domestication has greatly altered -the squamation; thus in the leather-carp the body is naked, with the -exception of a few very large ones on the back; in the mirror-carp there -are a few rows of very large scales. The coloration is as variable as -its scales. It is usually of some shade of olive or brown, with golden -lustre, darkest on the back, with the belly whitish or yellowish. - -In Europe the carp hibernates, or remains dormant during the winter, -burying itself in the mud of the bottom with its tail only exposed. In -America it seems to have abandoned this habit almost entirely, -especially in the more southern waters. It is not strictly, if at all, a -herbivorous fish as has been alleged, but stirs up the bottom of ponds -in search of minute animal organisms, rendering the water foul and -muddy. It also devours the spawn of other fishes, though some persons -contend that it does not, which is absurd, when it is considered that -almost all fishes are addicted to this natural vice. I know from my own -observation that the carp is not exempt from the habit. It grows to a -length of two feet under favorable conditions. One of twenty-four inches -will weigh about ten pounds. As a food-fish it ranks below the buffalo -or sucker. It sells readily, however, to negroes. Chinese, and Polish -Jews of the cities. - -I have no love for the German carp, but as it is now so plentiful in -most waters, especially in the Mississippi Valley, and is constantly -increasing in numbers, it may be well enough to devote a small space to -it as a game-fish. It is a very poor fish at best, and as the poor we -have always with us, we will never be rid of it. In England, where it -has existed for centuries, it is considered a very shy and uncertain -fish to catch; and the larger the fish, the more difficult to -circumvent. The best success, and the best is very poor, is met with on -small, stagnant ponds, with comparatively small fish. English anglers -use a small quill float and split-shot sinker, allowing the bait to just -touch the bottom. They then stick the butt of the rod in the ground and -retire out of sight of the fish, watching the float meanwhile. They use -for bait, worms, maggots, and pastes of various kinds, and usually -ground-bait the "swims" to be fished, a day in advance. - -Where the carp are large, five or six pounds, the rod, reel, and line -recommended for black-bass fishing will subserve a good purpose. A -leader three feet long, stained mud color, must be used, with small -hooks, Nos. 7 or 8, tied on gut snells. One of the best baits is a red -earthworm. - -I think the hook can hardly be too small; Nos. 10 or 12 would probably -be more successful than larger ones, as the fish is apt to eject the -bait at once upon feeling the hook concealed in it. And this is -especially important if such baits as bread paste, hard-boiled potato, -or boiled grain are employed. - -The carp has a peculiar mouth, and feeds much like the sucker. It draws -in mud and water and food together, strains the water through the gills, -expelling it by the gill-openings, and probably macerates the residue by -means of the tongue and the cushiony lining of the buccal cavity before -swallowing it. During this process of mouthing the bait the fish is -very likely to discover the hook, if large, and eject it. - -When once hooked, the fish is not to be lightly esteemed. The angler -will have all he can attend to with a light rod in a weedy pond, or even -in clear water if the fish is of large size. As most other game-fishes -may in time disappear before the Asiatic carp, the analogue of the -Mongolian boxer, it may be well and prudent to learn some of the ways to -outwit him. In China and Japan the carp is considered before any other -fish for food, and is emblematic of strength, vigor, and other good -qualities. It is a custom in Japanese households, upon the birth of a -male child, to hoist a flag representing a carp, in order that he may -grow in strength and all manly attributes. In England the carp is not -much liked. On the continent of Europe it is considered a good -food-fish, but it is confined in clear running water to deprive it of -its earthy flavor before it is marketed or eaten. It is likewise kept -within proper bounds, although it has been cultivated for centuries. In -the United States, however, it has spread over the Mississippi Valley -and elsewhere from overflowed ponds until it bids fair to become a -nuisance, inasmuch as our waters seem to be particularly suited to it. -As there are so many better species of food-fishes in this country, both -in fresh and salt water, there was no excuse or necessity for its -introduction, which I consider as great a calamity as that of the -English sparrow or the Shanghai chicken, and adding a third foreign evil -that we will never be rid of. - -I have experimented with carp fishing, but I think the results were -never twice alike. A great deal depends on the condition of the water. -In ponds that are kept constantly muddy by the rooting of the carp, it -is difficult for them to see the bait, and they must then depend on the -olfactory sense to find it. This may take a longer time than the -patience of the angler will admit. When the water is clear, as on a -stream, the carp is too apt to see the angler, and being naturally a shy -fish will not go near the bait under these circumstances. There is then -nothing to do but to fix the rod in the bank and lie down beside it, or -behind a bush or screen, until the moving of the float announces the -hooking of the fish. By using a small float, fine line, and very small -hooks, and a variety of baits, as earthworms, boiled grain or -vegetables, pastes of various kinds, and a good stock of patience, one -may eventually succeed in taking a few fish; but the game is hardly -worth the candle. - -As the fish has its advocates, however, I add the following account of -angling for carp in England, where it has been acclimated for several -centuries. The directions given are abridged from Cornwall Simeon, a -writer on natural history and angling:-- - -"The tackle required will simply be a long rod, a reel containing not -less than fifty yards of fineish line, a fine but sound casting-line -nearly as long as the rod, hooks of about No. 9 size tied on gut to -match, and a small, unpretending float, besides a good lump of the crumb -of new bread, and a landing-net. Select a quiet, shallow part of the -pond, especially if the weather be hot, and near its edge stick a few -small bushes as a screen. Then plumb the depth of the water, and cover -the whole of your hook, leaving not the slightest part visible, with a -piece of bread kneaded into paste, and setting the float two or three -feet _farther from the bait_ than the depth of the water, throw it well -out, drawing in afterward all the slack of your line. You may then rest -your rod on a forked stick, and sitting down, smoke your pipe if you -like, and proceed to ground-bait the place by filliping in bread pills -all round your bait and pretty wide of it. The two great objects should -be not to alarm the carp and to get them to feed. They are very timid, -and if they once take fright at anything and leave a place in -consequence, it will generally be a good while before they will return -to it. For this reason I prefer not to throw in any ground-bait when -fishing for them until all my preparations are made and the actual bait -is in the water. When they begin to come to the bread, if the bottom is -at all muddy and the water not too deep, you will see lines of mud -stirred up by them as they come on, nuzzling in it like so many pigs. -You have then only to keep quiet and bide your time. The float will give -you sufficient warning when to strike, and you should only do so when -the carp is going well and steadily away with it. If your tackle is -sound, and you are not intoo great a hurry, you may make pretty sure of -landing him." - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -THE CATFISH FAMILY - -(_Siluridæ_) - -The catfish family is represented by many species in the United States. -They have the body entirely naked, barbels about the mouth, and an -adipose fin, after the fashion of the fishes of the salmon family. They -vary greatly in size, from the little stone-cat of three inches to the -immense Mississippi-cat of nearly two hundred pounds. But one species -will be noticed. - -_Ictalurus punctatus._ The Channel-catfish. Body elongate, slender, -compressed posteriorly; head 4; depth 5; eye large; D. I, 6; A. 25 to -30; head slender and conical; mouth small, upper jaw longest; barbels -long, the longest reaching considerably beyond the gill opening; humeral -process long and slender; caudal fin long and deeply forked. - - -THE CHANNEL-CATFISH - -(_Ictalurus punctatus_) - -The channel-cat was first described by Rafinesque, in 1820, from the -Ohio River. He named it _punctatus_, or "spotted," owing to the black -spots on its sides. It is also known as white-cat and blue-cat in -various parts of its range. It is found in rivers of the Great Lake -region and Mississippi Valley, and in the streams tributary to the Gulf -of Mexico. - -[Illustration THE CHANNEL-CATFISH] -[_Ictalurus punctatus_] - -[Illustration THE SHEEPSHEAD] -[_Archosargus probatocephalus_] - -[Illustration THE CUNNER] -[_Tautogolabrus adspersus_] - -It is the most trimly-built of all the catfishes, with a long, slender -body and small head. It is olivaceous or slate color above, sides pale -and silvery, with small, round, dark spots; belly white; fins usually -with dark edgings. - -Unlike most of the catfishes the channel-cat is found only in clear or -swift streams, never in still, muddy situations. It is a clean, -wholesome fish, and feeds mostly on minnows and crawfish. It is a good -food-fish, the flesh being white and firm and of a rich flavor. It grows -to a weight of twenty pounds, occasionally, though usually to five or -six pounds. - -The channel-cat is a very fine game-fish. It takes the live minnow -readily, also shedder crawfish, and will not refuse earthworms, cut -butcher meat or liver. When hooked it is second to no other fish of its -size as a bold, strong fighter beneath the surface. The angler who has -"tackled," in a literal sense, a channel-cat of five pounds, on a light -rod, can vouch for its gameness. - -As it coexists with the black-bass in streams in the Mississippi Valley, -and is usually taken by the angler when angling for that fish, the rod, -reel, line, and hook recommended for the black-bass will be found -eminently serviceable for the channel-cat. It is fond of the deep pools -below mill-dams, and in the channels of streams off gravelly or rocky -shoals, and near shelving banks and rocks. The method of casting the -minnow for black-bass answers well for the channel-cat, though the casts -should not be so frequently made, and more time should be allowed for -the display of the minnow in mid-water. - -Still-fishing with a small, live minnow for bait is the plan generally -followed; and as the bait should be left to its own devices for several -minutes at a time, a light float is sometimes useful for keeping it off -the bottom. When crawfish, cut-bait, or worms are used, the float must -always be employed for the same reason. The fish should be given several -seconds to gorge the bait, and then hooked by an upward, short, and -quick movement of the tip of the rod. When hooked it should feel -constantly the strain of the bent rod, and no more line given than is -actually necessary; otherwise the struggle will last a long time. No -half-hearted measures will answer for the channel-cat, which has a -wonderful amount of vitality. He must be subdued by the determined -opposition of a good rod and a strong arm. - -There are a number of other catfishes that are taken by angling, but -none are worthy of the name of game-fishes, though as food they are -nearly all to be commended. There are two other species of channel-cats, -though neither is quite so good either as game-fishes or for food. They -are the blue-cat, also known as chuckle-head cat (_Ictalurus furcatus_), -which may be known by its more extensive anal fin, which has from thirty -to thirty-five rays, and its bluish silvery color, and with but few if -any spots. The other is the willow-cat, or eel-cat (_Ictalurus -anguilla_), of a pale yellowish or olivaceous color, without spots. Both -of these fishes are found in southern waters from Ohio to Louisiana. The -channel-cats are often called forked-tail cats, as they are the only -catfishes that have the caudal fin deeply forked. - -I think no one appreciates the gameness of the channel-catfish, or has -such a just estimation of its toothsomeness, as the Kentucky darky. He -will sit all day long, a monument of patience, on a log or rock at the -edge of a "cat-hole" of the stream, with hickory pole, strong line and -hook, and a bottle cork for a float. He baits his hook with a piece of -liver or a shedder crawfish--"soft craw," he calls it, and only uses -minnows when the other baits fail. Apropos of this love for the -channel-cat may be related the true incident of the "cornfield" darky -who, while fishing for cats, had the luck to hook a fine black-bass, -which was landed after a "strenuous" struggle, to the envy of his -companions. After surveying it with evident admiration awhile, he -unhooked it, and with a profound sigh he deliberately threw it back into -the stream to the amazement and disgust of the others. "Good Lawd, -Jeff," exclaimed one, "w'at yo' done do dat fur? dat sholy wa' a good -bass; must a weighed more'n a couple o'poun's!" He surveyed the group -with supreme contempt for a moment before he replied, "W'en I go -a-cattin'. I go a-cattin'." What greater tribute to the channel-cat than -this! - -On the other hand I was once fly-fishing on a black-bass stream in -Kentucky, with a friend from Ohio who was casting the minnow. Having -each made a good basket we were ready to quit, as the evening shadows -were lengthening and the air was becoming decidedly cool. I was taking -my rod apart, but my friend wanted to make "just one more cast," which -happened to be on an inviting-looking "cat-hole." As I was tying the -strings of my rod case I heard him exclaim joyfully. "I've got the boss -bass of the season!" Turning, I perceived him wildly dancing on the edge -of the pool, his rod bent to an alarming curve, and the strain on his -line evidently near the danger point. I watched in vain for the leap of -the bass, and then concluded he had business on hand for an uncertain -period, for I felt sure that he had hooked a channel-cat of considerable -avoirdupois. The fight was well sustained, and a gallant one on both -sides; but it seemed impossible for the light rod to bring the fish near -enough to slip the landing-net under it. Finally he backed away from the -stream, drawing the fish close to the shore, where I netted it--a -channel-cat of five pounds. When my friend saw what it was, he was the -most disappointed and disgusted man in Kentucky. "Great Scott!" he -yelled. "I nearly ruined my rod for a confounded catfish."--"Well," said -I, "you had your fun; he put up a good fight; what more do you -want?"--"Want! want!" he angrily cried, "I want to stamp the life out of -the horrid brute; and I'll do it, too!" But I unhooked the fish and -strung it on a willow branch. I had it stuffed and baked for our dinner -next day, when he acknowledged that it was the best fish he ever ate, -and was entirely consoled for the strain to his rod, to say nothing of -his temper, and ever after had a better opinion of the channel-cat. - -[Illustration FISHING FOR CUNNERS] - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE SHEEPSHEAD FAMILY - -(_Sparidæ_) - -This family embraces the sheepshead, porgies, and sea-breams. It is -characterized principally by a heavy, compressed body, strong jaws and -teeth, the front ones incisor-like and broad, and flat, grinding teeth -or molars in the back of the mouth, like a pavement of small, rounded -pebbles, for crushing the shells of mollusks. - - _Archosargus probatocephalus._ The Sheepshead. Body short, - deep, and compressed, with large scales; head 3-1/2; depth 2 to - 2-1/2; eye 4; D. XII, 10 or 12; A. III, 10 or 11; scales - 8-48-15; mouth large, nearly horizontal, maxillary 2-2/3 in - head; incisors 3/4, entire in adult; molars in 3 series above - and 2 below; gill-rakers about 3 + 6; dorsal and anal spines - notably heteracanthous; frontal bone between the eyes convex - and honeycombed; occipital crest broad and honeycombed. - - _Stenotomus chrysops._ The Scup. Body ovate-elliptical; head - 3-1/2; depth 2; eye 4; D. XII, 12; A. III, 11; scales 8-50-16; - profile steep; nape convex; a strong depression in front of the - eye; snout short; temporal crest obsolete; incisor teeth - narrow; molars in 2 rows above; gill-rakers small, about 6 + - 10; caudal fin forked; top of head, snout, orbitals, and chin - naked; a scaly sheath at base of soft dorsal and anal fins; - scales on cheeks. - - -THE SHEEPSHEAD - -(_Archosargus probatocephalus_) - -In his account of the fishes in the vicinity of New York, in 1788, -Schöpf, a surgeon in the British army, placed the sheepshead in the -European genus _Sparus_, but gave it no specific name. From his -description the ichthyologist Walbaum, in 1792, named it -_probatocephalus_, which being translated means "sheep head." This fish -inhabits the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Cape Cod to Texas, where it -is common during the summer months, but it is especially abundant in the -bays of Florida during the entire year. Its body is nearly half as deep -as long, is much compressed, and elevated and arched over the shoulder. -The head is large, about a third of the length of the body, with a steep -profile, rounded in front of the eyes, which with its incisor teeth -bears a slight resemblance to the profile of a sheep. The mouth is -large, with strong incisor teeth in front, and several series of molar -teeth in both jaws. The general tint is dusky gray, with silvery lustre, -paling to the belly; about half a dozen broad, black bars cross the -body, from above downward, very distinct in the young, but becoming -fainter with age. - -As might be inferred from the character of its teeth, the sheepshead -resorts to mussel shoals, oyster bars, bridge piers, and old wrecks, -where mussels and barnacles abound, and on which it feeds, pinching them -from their beds with its strong incisor teeth and crushing them with its -molars. It is gregarious, feeding in schools, especially in southern -waters, several hundred having been taken on a single tide at places in -Florida. It appears in northern waters in June and disappears in the -fall, probably wintering at great depths of the sea contiguous to the -coast. Its usual maximum weight in northern waters is from three to six -pounds, though occasionally reaching ten, fifteen, or even twenty -pounds, though these heavy fish are exceedingly rare. Its average size -in Florida is less than in the North. - -It is highly esteemed on the East Coast as a dinner fish, baked or -boiled, and owing to its fine flavor has been called the turbot of -America, though it is really much superior, in northern waters, to that -vaunted aldermanic delicacy. In Florida, however, it is very lightly -esteemed as a food-fish, and is seldom eaten where other and better -fishes are available. Perhaps its abundance has something to do with its -depreciation, though I am convinced, from numerous trials and tests, -that it is not so good a fish in southern waters as in the North, having -a sharp, saline taste that is not agreeable to most palates. While -confined to salt and brackish waters in the North, it often ascends the -rivers of Florida to fresh water. I have seen it in the large springs, -the head waters of several rivers on the Gulf coast, its barred sides -being plainly discernible on the bottom at a depth of fifty or -seventy-five feet, in the clear and crystal-like water. - -The difference in flavor between the sheepshead of the North and South -may perhaps be due to the character of their food. It is especially -noticeable that fishes of the salt water that pass the winter season in -the deep sea, as the salmon, shad, etc., possess a more superior flavor -than those that feed constantly and during the entire year along the -shores. While nothing is really known concerning the spawning habits of -the sheepshead in northern waters, it probably spawns in early summer. -From my own knowledge I can say that it spawns in Florida, on the Gulf -coast, during March and April. Its eggs are very small, about thirty to -the inch, are buoyant or floating, and hatch in two days. - -A good rod for sheepshead fishing is the natural bamboo rod, known as -the striped-bass chum rod. It is light, and strong enough to withstand -the vicious tugs, spurts, and especially the propensity of boring toward -the bottom, that is characteristic of this fish. A rod of steel, or -lancewood, or ash and greenheart, or bethabara, though heavier, is -better and stronger. It should be about eight feet in length, with -double guides. A multiplying reel carrying sixty yards of braided linen -line, size E or F, Sproat hooks, Nos. 1-0 to 3-0 on gimp snells, with -sinkers, and a wide-mouthed landing-net, make up the rest of the tackle. -The short barb, with cutting edges, of the Sproat hook renders it -superior to the Virginia. Chestertown, or blackfish hooks formerly so -much in vogue for the sheepshead. A brass box-swivel is necessary for -connecting the line with the snell of the hook. - -While the sheepshead often bites at all stages of the tide, the most -favorable time is about slack water; from that stage, to half flood or -half ebb, good success may usually be expected. The largest fish are -taken from a boat anchored over or near mussel shoals or oyster beds. -Smaller ones can be caught from old wharves or bridges whose piling is -studded with barnacles and mussels, and about which shrimp abound. -During slack water a light sinker is sufficient; but when the tide runs -strongly, heavier ones must be used, as it is imperative to keep the -bait near the bottom, especially if fishing from a boat. If fishing from -a wharf, it does not matter so much, provided the bait is deep enough to -prevent the fish from seeing the angler. While this is a precaution that -must be observed with all fishes, I do not think the sheepshead is so -shy a fish as some maintain; at least I have never found it so. - -The best bait is shedder-crab, fiddlers, or hermit crabs. Clam bait, -though, is cheaper and more universally used in the North. In Florida -the fiddlers can be scooped up by the peck on the inside beaches of the -bays, and contiguous to good sheepshead fishing. If the clam is large, -the meat should be cut up for bait; but if quite small, or if mussels -are used, the shells may be merely cracked or smashed, and put on the -hook entire. The latter is the mode where the fish are scarce or shy, -but I prefer to use the meat only, discarding the shells; in the case of -fiddlers, when very small, they should be used _au naturel_, or whole. - -The bait should be cast and allowed to sink, and the line reeled enough -to keep the bait off the bottom, but close to it. A taut line should be -maintained always, so as to feel the slightest nibble. If crab bait, or -cut clam, is used, the fish should be hooked, if possible, at the first -bite, however slight, by a quick and somewhat vigorous upward jerk of -the tip, otherwise the sheepshead is apt to nip off the bait; or if -sufficient force is not used, the hook fails to enter the well-armed -mouth. One or other of these contingencies is almost sure to follow, if -the fish be not hooked. A small sheepshead is a more adroit stealer of -bait than the cunner. It has a way of deftly pinching the bait from the -hook without much, if any, disturbance. When small clams or mussels are -used in the cracked shells, it is thought best by some anglers to give -the fish a little time to "shuck" the bait before jerking on the rod. -But my advice is to yank him just as quickly as if crab bait were -employed. To hesitate is to be defrauded of either the fish or the bait. - -When the fish is hooked he should be kept from the bottom by the spring -of the rod, and brought as near the surface as possible. When line is -given during his frantic rushes, the spring and resistance of the rod -should never be lessened. Once on the surface he is easily kept there -until conquered; but if allowed to descend to the bottom, he is pretty -hard to manage, as his resistance then is very much greater, and he -endeavors to tear out the hook by forcing his jaws among the rocks and -débris or weeds. He should always be taken into the landing-net, and -care must be observed to avoid his strong and sharp fins when removing -the hook. - -In Florida the sheepshead is almost gregarious, congregating about -oyster bars, old wharves, and near inlets in great numbers. At Colonel -Summerlin's wharf, at Punta Rassa, I knew of a man, fishing for market, -I presume, who took several hundred on a single tide. The wharf just -across the bay at Sanibel Island is also a famous locality for -sheepshead. The largest I ever caught in that state was just inside of -Little Gasparilla inlet, near a steep bank on the north side. The -settlers of Florida take them in cast-nets, and the commercial fishermen -in haul seines; the latter either ship them on ice, or salt them along -with mullet, as they take salt well. With the exception of the mullet, -the sheepshead is the most abundant fish of both the east and west -coasts of Florida, but it is seldom found in the dense salt water along -the keys at the southern end of the peninsula, as it is essentially a -brackish-water fish. The angler need never repine for a lack of sport in -the "flowery state" if he is fond of "sheepsheading," and he will have -no difficulty in securing bait, for the fiddlers are to be found in -myriads convenient to good fishing grounds. - - -THE SCUP - -(_Stenotomus chrysops_) - -Another fish of the _Sparidæ_ family is the scup, or porgy, which was -first described by Linnæus, in 1766, from specimens sent to him from -South Carolina by Dr. Garden. He named it _chrysops_, or "golden eye." -The names scup and porgy are derived from the Indian name scuppaug. The -porgy is mentioned, like the cunner, in deference to the ladies and the -rising generation of anglers, to whom it is fair game on the summer -excursions to the seashore. It is confined to the Atlantic coast from -Cape Cod to South Carolina, being especially abundant in northern -waters. A kindred species, the fair maid (_Stenotomus aculeatus_), is -common from Cape Hatteras southward, there taking the place of the -northern scup. - -The porgy is a short, deep, and compressed fish, rather elliptical in -outline, its depth being nearly half of its length, and with the back -elevated over the nape. Its head is of moderate size, with a steep -profile, depressed in front of the small eye. The mouth is rather small -and the snout short. Its incisor teeth are very narrow and rather -conical or pointed, resembling canines; there are two rows of molar -teeth in the upper jaw. The color is brownish on the top of the head and -back with greenish and golden reflections, and bright and silvery below; -the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are dusky or mottled, and the pectoral -fin yellowish. - -The scup appears along the shores of the East Coast about the first of -May, sometimes earlier, and continues until late in the fall, when it -retires to its winter quarters in the depths of the sea. It is a bottom -fish, feeding on crustaceans and small mollusks, and is found wherever -they abound on the outer shoals. It usually spawns in June; the eggs are -quite small, measuring about twenty-five to the inch; they are buoyant -or floating, and hatch in four or five days. When perfectly fresh it is -an excellent pan-fish, its flesh being firm, white, flaky, and of a -fine, sweet flavor, but owing to its abundance is not properly -appreciated. It grows to a foot or more in length, weighing a pound or -two, though its usual maximum length is ten inches, and weight half a -pound. Very rarely the oldest fish sometimes reach a length of fifteen -to eighteen inches, weighing from two to four pounds. - -The scup is usually taken by hand-line and clam bait on the fishing -banks from the excursion steamers; but fishing from small boats anchored -over the shoals, with suitable tackle, is more sportsmanlike. It is a -very free-biting fish, but is not possessed of much gameness, though the -pleasure of angling for it is much enhanced by the employment of light -tackle. - -A trout bait-rod is quite in order for the scup, though a light natural -cane rod about ten feet long, fitted with reel seat and guides, will -answer a good purpose. A small multiplying reel is not essential, though -it is an advantage in accommodating the line to different depths; and -then a larger fish than the scup may be hooked. The line should be of -small size, Sproat hooks Nos. 6 to 8 on gut snells, with leader three -feet long, connected to the line by a swivel-sinker, and of a weight -adapted to the strength of the tide. A float may be used in shallow -water to keep the bait from the bottom when clam or shrimp is used. In -localities where tautog, sea-bass, or weakfish are likely to be met -with, a heavier rod, like the Little Giant, or a light striped-bass rod, -may be of an advantage to one not accustomed to lighter rods, and the -hook may be a trifle larger. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -CUNNER, FLOUNDER, SMELT - - _Tautogolabrus adspersus._ The Cunner. Family _Labridæ_, the - Wrasse fishes. Body oblong, not elevated, slender and - compressed, with cycloid scales; lateral line well developed; - mouth moderate, terminal; premaxillaries protractile; - maxillaries without supplemental bone, slipping under edge of - preorbital; head pointed; snout moderate; maxillary reaching - front of eye; preopercle serrate; opercles scaly; interopercle - naked; head 3-1/4; depth 3-1/4; D. XVIII, 10; A. III, 9; scales - 6-46-12; 5 canines in front of upper jaw, about 4 in the lower; - bands of small concave teeth behind canines; preopercle with 5 - rows of small scales; opercle with 4 rows, rest of head naked; - gill-rakers very short, about 6 + 11. - - _Pseudopleuronectes americanus._ The Flatfish or Flounder. - Family _Pleuronectidæ_, the Flatfishes. Head 4; depth 2-1/4; D. - 65; A. 48; scales 83; body elliptical, an angle above the eye; - head covered above with imbricated ctenoid scales, blind side - of head nearly naked; body dextral; teeth compressed, - incisor-like, widened toward tips, closely set, forming a - continuous cutting edge; right side of each jaw toothless; - highest dorsal rays less than length of pectorals, and more - than half the length of head; anal spines present. - - _Osmerus mordax._ The Smelt. The American smelt belongs to the - family _Argentinidæ_. The body is long and slender; head 4; - depth 6-1/2; eye 4; D. 10; A. 15; P. 13; scales 68; head and - mouth large; small teeth along the edge of the maxillary; - strong, fanglike teeth on tongue and front of vomer; cardiform - teeth on palatines, pterygoids, and hyoid bone; mandible with - moderate teeth, its tip projecting; maxillary reaching middle - of eye; scales deciduous; dorsal fin rather posterior, the - ventrals under its front. - - -THE CUNNER - -(_Tautogolabrus adspersus_) - -The cunner was named _adspersus_, meaning "besprinkled," by Walbaum, in -1792, from the description of Schöpf, who simply gave its common name, -burgall, in his "History of New York Fishes," in 1788. Its specific name -is in allusion to the fancied mottled markings. It belongs to the -_Labridæ_ family. Its habitat is the North Atlantic coast from Labrador -to Sandy Hook, not appearing much farther south. - -The cunner is known by various other names, as burgall, chogset, -blue-perch, etc. It has an oblong and rather robust body, its depth -being about a third of its length. Its head is about as long as the -depth of the body and pointed, with a mouth of moderate size, well -filled with unequal, conical, and sharp teeth, in several series. - -The coloration is variable, though usually bluish, more or less mixed -with bronze or brown, with brassy sides and pale belly; sometimes brassy -spots on the head and back; young examples exhibit dark blotches and -markings. It resorts to the same feeding grounds as the tautog, and -about old wharves and bridges where shrimp and barnacles abound, -and in such situations is always abundant. It spawns in the early -summer, about June. Its eggs are small, about twenty-five to the inch, -and hatch in four or five days. It grows to about a pound in weight, -though it usually does not exceed half that amount. - -[Illustration THE FLOUNDER] -[_Pseudopleuronectes americanus_] - -[Illustration THE SMELT] -[_Osmerus mordax_] - -[Illustration THE SPANISH MACKEREL] -[_Scomberomorus maculatus_] - -While it is generally considered worthless, or at best a poor food-fish, -it is really a pretty fair pan-fish, and if it were not so common would -be found oftener on the table of fish lovers. As a game-fish it is -anathema with most anglers. It is despised because it responds so -readily to the angler's lures, taking the bait intended for larger and -more desirable fish. But on this very account it is ever dear to the -heart of the juvenile fisherman, who glories in his string of cunners -with as much pride and enthusiasm as his larger brothers with their -tautog, sea-bass, or striped-bass. - -It can be caught with almost any kind of tackle or bait. The cunner has -no particular vanity in the way of either. A piece of liver on an -ungainly hook and twine string is as welcome as the choicest shrimp on -one of Harrison's best Sproat hooks on a snell of the finest silkworm -fibre. My heart goes out to the boy angler with his cane pole and -cut-bait, fishing for cunners. And should he in time become the most -finished salmon fisher, he will look back to his cunner days as -conducive of more real pleasure than any he may have found since. The -cunner is here recorded for the urchin with the cane pole. - - -THE FLOUNDER - -(_Pseudopleuronectes americanus_) - -There are quite a number of flounders, or flatfishes, on the East Coast, -but the one best known to juvenile anglers is the one with the long name -recorded above. It belongs to the flatfish family _Pleuronectidæ_, and -was noticed by Schöpf as early as 1788, and from his description was -named by Walbaum _Pleuronectes americanus_, which means, literally, "the -American side-swimmer." It inhabits the North Atlantic coast from -Labrador to the Chesapeake Bay, and is abundant in all the bays and -estuaries of the Middle states, where it is variously known as flatfish, -flounder, winter flounder, mud-dab, etc. - -Its body is elliptical in outline, about twice as long as broad, and -very much compressed or flat. The head is small, less than a fourth of -the length of the body, with a small mouth containing closely set, -incisor-like teeth. As usual with all of the flatfishes, the dorsal and -anal fins are very long, horizontally, the color on the exposed or right -side is rusty brown, obscurely mottled, with the under or left side -white. - -The flounder is partial to sheltered coves and quiet bays, preferring -bottoms of sand or mud, though sometimes it is found in rocky -situations. It is sedentary in its habits, partially burying itself in -the sand or mud, where it remains during the entire year, feeding on -minute shells, crustaceans, worms, etc. - -It spawns in the spring, during March and April. The eggs are very -small, about thirty to the inch; and unlike those of most marine fishes -they do not float, but are heavy enough to sink, forming bunches or -clusters on the bottom, adhering to the weeds, etc., where they hatch in -from two to three weeks. The fry swim upright, like other fishes, with -an eye on each side of the head, but as they grow older they incline to -one side, the under eye moving gradually to the upper side, so that at -the age of three or four months both eyes are on the upper side, as the -result of a twisting of the bones of the head. The right side, being -constantly exposed to the light, becomes darker or colored, while the -left side, being deprived of light, becomes pure white. - -It is an excellent food-fish, its flesh being firm, white, and of good -flavor; and as it is easily procured in winter when other fishes are -comparatively scarce, it is a favorite at that season. It rarely grows -to more than a foot in length or a pound in weight. As it can be caught -in early spring, late fall, and winter, when other fishes are absent or -not inclined to bite, the angler with light tackle may obtain -considerable sport with this fish, as it will eagerly take almost any -kind of natural bait. A bait-rod used for trout or black-bass or a light -cane rod can be utilized, with very fine linen line, a three-foot -leader, and hooks Nos. 7 or 8, on gut snells; a reel is not necessary, -but is convenient. Using as light a sinker as possible, with clam or -sandworm bait, the angler may be assured of success. The fishing may be -done from a boat anchored at low tide on muddy or grassy flats, or from -wharves or piers favorably located. - - -THE SMELT - -(_Osmerus mordax_) - -The smelts were formerly classed with the salmon family, but are now -placed in a separate one, _Argentinidæ_, in which are included a number -of allied species. To all external appearances the smelt is a true -salmonid, and differs from the trouts and salmon chiefly in the form of -the stomach and its appendages. The American or Atlantic smelt was first -described by Dr. Mitchill, in 1815, from the vicinity of New York; he -named it _mordax_, or "biting." Its habitat is along the Atlantic coast -from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Virginia, but it is most abundant -northward. It islandlocked in a number of northern lakes. - -The smelt is a very pretty, graceful fish, with a long, slender body, -long, pointed head, and large mouth, with a somewhat projecting lower -jaw. The small adipose fin, which is peculiar to all of the salmonids, -is situated far back, opposite the end of the anal fin; the caudal fin -is deeply forked. Its color is pale olive-green above, silvery below, -translucent, with an obscure, longitudinal, broad, satin-like band along -the sides. The fins are greenish, with a few punctulations. - -The smelt enters the tidal rivers and brackish bays in the fall and -winter in countless myriads, preparatory to spawning. It feeds -principally on the small fry of other fishes, mostly at night, and along -the shores in shallow water. It spawns in March, in both fresh and -brackish water. The eggs are small, about twenty to the inch, and are -adhesive. A medium-sized fish yields fifty thousand eggs, which hatch in -two or three weeks, according to the temperature of the water, though -usually in from sixteen to eighteen days. Though small, it is highly -prized as a food-fish, having a delicate and delicious flavor. When -fresh it emits an odor resembling that of cucumbers. Its usual size is -from five to nine inches and weighing from two to four ounces, though -occasionally reaching a foot or more in length. The smaller fish are -more prized, the largest having a rank oily flavor. It is caught in -large seines by fishermen and shipped fresh to the markets, and in -winter is taken in great numbers with hook and line through the ice. - -Smelt fishing is a very popular pastime along the East Coast in the fall -and winter, as it is at a time when not many other fishes are to be -caught. In the inland lakes it is, as has just been mentioned, caught -with hook and line through holes cut in the ice; but this is tame sport -compared with fishing in open water with very light tackle. The angler -can utilize his trout fly or bait-rod, or if he prefers, a very light -natural cane rod eight or ten feet long. A reel is not necessary. The -line should be of the smallest size, linen or silk, though silk lines -soon rot in salt water. A fine leader three or four feet long, with -hooks Nos. 3 to 6, on single gut snells, are next in order. When the -fish are swimming in schools near the surface, especially at night, a -sinker need not be used; under other circumstances, and when the tide is -strong, one of suitable weight should be added. The fishing is usually -best on the flood tide, and almost any kind of bait will answer; but -shrimp is best, though sandworms, very small minnows, or even earthworms -are useful. Given the proper time and place, and with tackle and bait in -readiness, it only remains to cast the baited hook, retrieve the fish, -and so on _ad infinitum_. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE MACKEREL FAMILY - -(_Scombridæ_) - -The fishes of this family are all pelagic, and most of them are highly -valued for food. They are characterized by an elongate body, more or -less compressed; pointed head; large mouth; sharp teeth; two dorsal -fins; the anal and second dorsal fins are similar in shape and size, and -both are followed by detached finlets; the caudal fin is widely forked -or falcate, its pedicle very slender and with a sharp keel; scales small -and smooth. - - _Scomberomorus maculatus._ The Spanish Mackerel. Body elongate, - covered with rudimentary scales, which do not form a distinct - corselet; head pointed, short and small; mouth wide; strong - teeth in jaws, knife-shaped; sandlike teeth on vomer and - palatines; gill-rakers 2 + 11; caudal peduncle with a single - keel; head 4-1/2; depth 4-1/2; D. XVII-18-IX; A. II-17-IX; eye - 4-3/4; soft dorsal inserted in advance of anal, somewhat; - lateral line undulating, with about 175 pores; spots bronze. - - _Scomberomorus regalis._ The Cero. Body rather elongate, its - dorsal and ventral curves about equal; mouth large, maxillary - reaching to below the eye; angle of preopercle produced - backward; pectorals scaly; caudal less widely forked than - _maculatus_; teeth triangular, compressed, about 40 in each - jaw; pectorals scaly; spots and stripes brownish; head 4-1/4; - depth 4-1/2; D. XVII-I, 15-VIII; A. II, 14-VIII. - - _Sarda sarda._ The Bonito. Body elongate, moderately - compressed, robust; head 3-3/4; depth 4; D. XXI-I, 13-VIII; A. - I, 13-VII; P. 10; scales small, those of the pectoral region - forming a distinct corselet; teeth moderate, slightly - compressed, about 40 in each jaw; mouth large, maxillary - reaching beyond orbit; lateral line slightly undulating, with - nowhere a decided curve. - - -THE SPANISH MACKEREL - -(_Scomberomorus maculatus_) - -The Spanish mackerel was first described by Dr. Mitchill, in 1815, from -the vicinity of New York. He named it _maculatus_, or "spotted," owing -to the large bronze spots on its sides. - -It is common to the southern portions of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts -and the Gulf of Mexico, ranging in summer as far north as Cape Cod, and -is one of the trimmest and most graceful fishes known, as well as one of -the most beautiful both in form and coloration. It is especially adapted -for rapid and sustained motion. Its long, graceful, and elliptical body -is four times its depth. The head is as long as the depth of the body, -with a large mouth, and sharp, lancet-shaped teeth in both jaws. It has -two dorsal fins; the second dorsal and anal fins are nearly opposite -each other, are similar in outline, and are each followed by nine -detached finlets; the caudal fin is widely forked, the lobes being long -and pointed or crescent-shaped. Its color is silvery, bluish or greenish -above, paling to white on the belly, with iridescent reflections; the -sides are dotted with some thirty bronze or golden spots, a fourth of an -inch or more in diameter; the first dorsal fin is dark in front, whitish -behind; the second dorsal is yellowish; the anal fin is pale; the -pectoral fin is yellow, bordered with black; the caudal fin is dusky. - -The Spanish mackerel is gregarious and migratory, swimming in large -schools, and feeding at the surface on pilchards, anchovies, and -sardines in Florida, and on silversides and menhaden in northern waters. -When feeding, the schools are constantly leaping above the surface, and -the flashing of their silvery forms in the bright sunlight is a -beautiful and inspiriting sight, enhanced by the flocks of gulls and -terns whirling and darting above the schools, eager for such stray -morsels and fragments as they are able to seize. In the Gulf of Mexico -it often feeds in company with the salt-water trout, and in northern -waters with the bluefish and weakfish. - -It is a fish of the warm seas, approaching the shores for spawning and -feeding when the temperature becomes suitable. It appears on the Gulf -coast of Florida in March and April, though I have observed it as early -as January in forward seasons. Its advent on the Atlantic coast is -later, progressing gradually northward, reaching the vicinity of New -York in July and August, and disappearing in October or November. Its -breeding season in the Gulf of Mexico is in the early spring, and as -late as August or September at the northern extent of its range. Its -spawning may cover a period of many weeks, as the fish do not all mature -at one and the same time. The eggs are quite small, about twenty-five to -the inch, float at the surface, and hatch in a single day. The newly -hatched fry are very small, about the tenth of an inch long, but in a -year will have attained a length of six inches. The average weight of a -mature fish is from two to four pounds, rarely exceeding six or eight -pounds. - -The Spanish mackerel is held in the highest esteem as a food-fish, being -considered one of the very best, second only to the pompano of the Gulf -or the whitefish of the Great Lakes. It has a mackerel flavor, but one -peculiarly its own for richness and sapidity of savor. It is a game-fish -of high degree, and worthy of the angler's highest regard. Its manner of -fighting, when hooked, is mostly on the surface of the water, darting -here and there with dazzling rapidity, in straight and curving lines, -leaping into air, and bounding over the water with a velocity and -nimbleness that is difficult to follow with the eye in the bright -sunlight. - -In northern waters it is usually taken by trolling with a small -mother-of-pearl squid, or one of block tin, using a long hand-line, as -the fish is rather shy and difficult to approach with a boat. In -Florida, however, great sport can be had with a light rod, both in -fly-fishing and bait-fishing, from the sand-spits at the entrance to -deep inlets, and from the long piers and wharves that extend to deep -water. The angling is done in March and April, when the fish are running -into the bays in great schools on the flood tide, often in company with -the salt-water trout. - -A black-bass or trout fly-rod of seven or eight ounces is very suitable -for fly-fishing, with a click reel and a braided linen line of pretty -large size, say D or E, in order to give weight enough for casting. The -enamelled silk line is, of course, better, but it does not last long in -salt water. Any bright or gaudy fly will answer, on hooks Nos. 1 to 3, -though yellowish or grayish flies are perhaps more attractive. A single -fly only should be used, with a three or four foot leader. Black-bass -rods and tackle are just right for bait-fishing for the Spanish -mackerel, except that a braided linen line, and not a silk line, should -be used for reasons just given. The best bait is a small, bright fish, -three or four inches long, either mullet or anchovy, hooked through the -lips. A small pearl squid, or a very small trolling-spoon or spinner, -may be used instead, but the minnow is far and away the most attractive -lure. - -The bait is cast as far as possible toward the school as it is running -past the point of an inlet or the end of a pier, and reeled in slowly, -but rapidly enough to keep the bait on or near the surface, no sinker -being employed. If the fishing is done from a pier, a very long-handled -landing-net must be provided. The best plan is to fish from a small boat -moored to the pier, as the angler is not so likely to be seen by the -fish, and they are more easily landed. The same method is pursued in -fly-fishing in the general features, except that the fly is allowed to -sink after fluttering it awhile on the surface; no other special -suggestions are needed. I have found the following flies useful: gray -drake, green drake, red ibis, oriole, professor, and silver doctor, in -black-bass patterns, on hooks Nos. 1 to 3. - - -THE CERO - -(_Scomberomorus regalis_) - -The cero, or sierra, was described by Bloch, in 1795, from a drawing of -a specimen from the West Indies, by Plumier. He named it _regalis_, -meaning "royal" or "regal." It belongs to the West Indian fauna of -fishes, and is common from Florida to Brazil. Occasionally it strays in -the summer as far north as Massachusetts. It is closely allied to the -Spanish mackerel, and resembles it in form, but differs very much in -coloration and size, being more sombre and much larger. Its color is -brownish on the back, with silvery sides and belly; it is marked with -two dusky longitudinal stripes, and several rows of dark spots, not -bronze or golden as in the Spanish mackerel. - -I have met with the cero only along the Florida reefs and keys. It does -not swim in such large schools as the Spanish mackerel, and does not -accompany it in its wanderings into the bays or along the shores, but -seeks the same localities, and is of similar habits, as the -kingfish-mackerel. It feeds entirely on fishes. Its breeding habits have -not been studied, though they are doubtless not unlike those of the -Spanish mackerel, except as to the locality and season of depositing its -eggs. Its usual weight is five or six pounds, though it sometimes grows -to five feet in length and twenty pounds or more in weight. - -I have taken it with bone and block-tin squids, trolling from a yacht, -and also from an anchored boat with rod and line, by casting mullet or -sardines for bait. A striped-bass rod and tackle are suitable, as it is -a strong and powerful fish, making extraordinary leaps when hooked. For -its weight I know of no gamer fish, but my experience in rod-fishing has -been somewhat limited, being confined to the capture of half a dozen -fish. - -I was once yachting along the Florida keys, and while anchored near -Bahia Honda I put off in the dinghy to cast mullet bait for cero and -kingfish (_Scomberomorus cavalla_). The latter is a near relative of the -cero, and they resemble each other so closely that it is often -difficult to distinguish between them. The kingfish is rather more -slender, the adult fish being of a uniform slaty hue, usually without -spots or markings of any kind, and grows to a larger size, often to -fifty pounds or more. It is fully described in another volume of this -series. - -On the occasion referred to I captured a number of kingfish and two -ceros of about the same relative weight, from eight to ten pounds. The -conditions were quite favorable to compare their gameness, but I was -unable to perceive any difference in this respect. Both fish took the -bait with a rush, and when hooked exhibited game qualities of the -highest order, leaping continuously and to a height of five or six feet. -Their swift rushes, as they cut through the water with incredible -swiftness, and for which they are especially built, were very trying to -my light striped-bass rod. I lost a number of fish that shook out the -hook when leaping. I used the Sproat bend, No. 7-0, but 5-0 would be -large enough for the average-sized cero. My line was a braided linen, -size E, to which the snelled hook was attached by a small brass -box-swivel; but knobbed hooks, if they can be obtained of suitable size, -are to be preferred. - -[Illustration THE BONITO] -[_Sarda sarda_] - -[Illustration THE NIGGER-FISH] -[_Bodianus fulvus_] - -[Illustration THE POMPANO] -[_Trachinotus carolinus_] - -The market fishermen of Key West troll for kingfish and cero in their -schooner smacks, using coarse hand-laid cotton lines, and codfish or -other large hooks as mentioned. The bait is usually a piece of white -bacon-rind, cut in an elliptical shape to resemble a fish, and strung -along the shank of the hook, and fastened at the top by a piece of fine -copper wire. This rude device is very successful, as they take hundreds -of fish in a few days, of a size running from ten to fifty pounds. The -cero and the kingfish are favorite food-fishes in Key West, where large -quantities are consumed; and years ago many were carried to Havana by -the smacks, until a prohibitive duty was imposed by the Spanish -governor-general, in order to favor Spanish fishermen. Under the changed -conditions that now exist in Cuba this trade will doubtless be resumed. -Both the cero and kingfish are excellent food-fishes, with a flavor much -like that of the Spanish mackerel, but more pronounced,--that is, not so -delicate and delicious, but more pungent. - -Northern anglers who go to Florida in quest of the tarpon will find in -the cero and kingfish game-fishes of great merit on light tackle. - - -THE BONITO - -(_Sarda sarda_) - -The bonito is a very handsome and gamy fish belonging to the mackerel -family. It was named _sarda_ by Bloch, in 1793, from its being taken in -the vicinity of Sardinia. It inhabits both coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, -and the Mediterranean Sea. It is not uncommon from the region of Cape -Cod southward to Florida and the West Indies, where it is more abundant. - -It has a long, graceful body, nearly round, its depth a fourth of its -length. It is elliptical in outline, tapering to a very slender caudal -pedicle, which is strongly keeled. The mouth is large, with strong, -conical teeth. The caudal fin is deeply forked, or swallow-like. Its -color is dark steel-blue above, silvery below, with white belly. There -are numerous dark oblique stripes running from the back downward and -forward, by which it is easily recognized. The ventral fins are whitish, -the other fins are bluish black. - -The bonito is a pelagic fish, approaching the shores in search of food, -which consists of small fishes almost entirely. It grows to a length of -three or four feet, though it is usually taken of ten or twelve pounds -in weight. It does not rank high as a food-fish, having rather dark -flesh of a strong mackerel flavor, rather too pungent to be agreeable, -but it is liked generally by sailors. There is another fish of the -Atlantic coast (_Gymnosarda pelamis_), of the mackerel family, that is -known as the oceanic bonito. It may be distinguished by its stripes -being horizontal, instead of oblique; it is rather rare. - -The bonito is taken only by trolling with a small fish for bait, or a -block-tin, bone, or shell squid, from a sailing vessel, and with -bluefish tackle. It is frequently caught by the Key West fishermen when -trolling for kingfish with a bait of bacon-rind. It is a powerful fish, -and withal a very game one, being a swift swimmer, and must be handled -very carefully when hooked. The line should be a heavy one of braided -linen or cotton, and a foot or two of brass or copper wire should be -used as a snell to withstand its sharp and numerous teeth. A Sproat or -O'Shaughnessy hook, No. 7-0, is about right when bait is used, and one -of similar size with artificial squids, or spinners. - -I was once trolling in the vicinity of the Dry Tortugas, and in a short -time took four bonitos of about twelve pounds each. As the yacht was -going at a spanking rate with a beam wind, the strain on the line was -tremendous, and in each case the vessel had to be luffed up into the -wind to enable me to land them. As one fish was more than enough for the -crew, and as I had occasion to land at Fort Jefferson, on Garden Key, I -resolved to donate the others to the garrison of the fortress. On going -ashore I found the "garrison" to consist of one man, the corporal in -charge of the property. He said he did not think he alone could get away -with the fish, but as the lighthouse keeper of the fort would return -from Loggerhead Key in the afternoon, he thought that they, together -with his dog, might manage to dispose of them. Afterward he informed me -that he and the light-keeper had finished one bonito, and the dog, whose -name was Bonaparte, had made way with the others, or as he expressed it: -"Bone eet two," and said this without any intent to pun on bon-i-to; he -thought that I was amused at the capacity of Bonaparte as an -ichthyophagist, being unconscious of his play on the words which caused -my merriment. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE GROUPER FAMILY - -(_Serranidæ_) - -The fishes of this family are characterized by an oblong body, more or -less compressed, covered with adherent scales of moderate or small size, -which are usually ctenoid; the dorsal and ventral outlines do not -usually correspond; premaxillaries protractile; teeth all conical or -pointed, in bands, present on jaws, vomer, and palatines; pseudobranchiæ -large; gill-membranes separate, free from isthmus; cheeks and opercles -scaly; preopercle usually serrate; opercle ending in one or two flat -spines; lateral line not extending on the caudal fin; lower pharyngeals -narrow, with pointed teeth; gill-rakers armed with teeth. - - _Mycteroperca microlepis._ The Gag. Body comparatively elongate - and compressed; head 2-1/2; depth 3-1/2; eye 6; D. XI, 16 to - 19; A. III, 11; scales 24-140-50; pores about 90; dorsal fin - single, its spines slender and weak; head long and pointed; - mouth large, the maxillary reaching beyond the eye; teeth in - narrow bands, each jaw with two canines; gill-rakers few, 12 on - lower part of anterior arch; scales very small, chiefly - cycloid; preopercle with a shallow emargination above the angle, - with radiating serræ; caudal lunate; lower jaw projecting. - - _Mycteroperca falcata phenax._ The Scamp. Body elongate; head - 3; depth 3-1/2; D. XI, 18; A. III, 11; eye 5; scales 24-135-43; - dorsal fin single, the spines slender and weak; head pointed; - mouth large, the maxillary reaching posterior border of the - eye; teeth in narrow bands, each jaw with two strong canines, - nearly vertical; preopercle finely serrate, a notch above the - angle; scales mostly cycloid; outer rays of caudal produced. - - _Mycteroperca venenosa._ The Yellow-finned Grouper. Body - elongate; head 3; depth 3-1/4; eye 7; scales 24-125-_x_; D. XI, - 16; A. III, 11; head rather blunt; mouth large, the maxillary - reaching much beyond the eye; teeth in narrow bands, each jaw - with two strong canines, not directed forward; preopercle - without salient angle, its emargination slight; dorsal fin - single, its spines not very weak; caudal fin lunate; anal - rounded. - - _Epinephelus adscensionis._ The Rock Hind. Body robust, little - compressed; head 2-1/2; depth 3; eye 6; scales 12-100-40; D. - XI, 17; A. III, 7; head subconic, acute; anterior profile - straight; mouth large, the maxillary reaching beyond the eye; - lower jaw strongly projecting; teeth in broad bands, the - canines short and stout, those of the lower jaw the largest; - preopercle finely serrate, convex, with but slight - emargination; scales strongly ctenoid; dorsal fin single, its - spines strong; caudal fin slightly rounded; gill-rakers short - and thick. - - _Epinephelus guttatus._ The Red Hind. Body rather slender, - moderately compressed, the back somewhat elevated; head 2-1/2; - depth 3-1/3; eye 4-1/3; scales 19-100-x; D. XI, 16; A. III, 8; - head long and pointed; mouth moderate, the maxillary reaching - below posterior margin of eye; lower jaw rather weak, its tip - little projecting; teeth rather strong, in moderate bands, both - jaws with two curved canines, those in upper jaw largest; - preopercle weakly serrate, with a salient angle, which is armed - with stronger teeth; caudal fin rounded. - - Petrometopon cruentatus. The Coney. Body oblong, rather deep - and compressed; head 2-1/2; depth 2-3/4; eye 5; scales 8-90-30; - D. IX, 14; A. III, 8; head moderate, a little acute anteriorly, - profile nearly straight; mouth large, the maxillary reaching - beyond the eye; lower jaw not strongly projecting; teeth in - narrow bands, the depressible teeth of the inner series very - long and slender, those of the lower jaw and front of upper - especially enlarged, longer than the small, subequal canines; - preopercle convex, very weakly serrate, its posterior angle - obliquely subtruncate, without salient angle or distinct - emargination; opercle with three distinct spines; scales rather - large, and mostly strongly ctenoid; dorsal fin single, its - spines rather slender and pungent; anal fin rounded; pectorals - long; caudal fin very convex. - - _Bodianus fulvus._ The Nigger-fish. Body oblong, moderately - compressed; head 2-2/3; depth 3; eye 5; scales 9-100-33; D. IX, - 14 to 16; A. III, 8 or 9; head rather pointed, with curved - profile; mouth moderate, the maxillary reaching beyond the eye; - lower jaw strongly projecting; teeth in narrow bands, rather - large, the depressible teeth rather small, canines small, - subequal; preopercle with weak serrations, its outline convex, - with a shallow emargination; opercle with three distinct - spines; dorsal fin single, with slender and pungent spines; - scales rather large, mostly strongly ctenoid; caudal fin - truncate, its angles slightly rounded; pectorals long; ventrals - short. - - _Diplectrum formosum._ The Sand-fish. Body elongate, the - profile strongly arched above the eyes; head 3; depth 3-1/2; - eye 5; scales 9-85-22; mouth large, maxillary reaching middle - of eye; lower jaw slightly projecting; canine teeth small; - preopercle finely serrate at upper margin; preopercle with two - clusters of divergent spines; opercular flap short and sharp; - top of cranium smooth and very convex; 11 rows of scales on - cheeks; fins, except caudal, scaleless; 15 scales before - dorsal; dorsal fin single, with low spines, the first three - graduated; caudal deeply lunate, the upper lobe the longest, - sometimes ending in a long filament. - - -THE GAG - -(_Mycteroperca microlepis_) - -The gag is one of the series of fishes known as groupers in Florida, of -which there are quite a number. It was first described by Goode and -Bean, in 1879, from West Florida; they named it _microlepis_, or "small -scale," as its scales are of less size than the other species of the -same genus. It is known only from the South Atlantic coast and the Gulf -of Mexico, from North Carolina south to Pensacola. - -It has a rather long, shapely body, with pointed head and an evenly -curved profile. Its mouth is large, with projecting lower jaw. Both jaws -are armed with narrow bands of sharp teeth and two canines, the upper -ones directed forward. The predominating hue of the gag is brownish or -brownish gray, with lighter sides, in deep-water specimens; those of -shallow water, especially in grassy situations, are greenish or -olivaceous, mottled with a darker shade, and more or less clouded. Very -small and indistinct dusky spots sometimes cover the entire body, and a -faint mustache is usually present. The dorsal fin is olive; the top of -the soft dorsal fin rays is darker, with white edge; the caudal fin is -bluish black, with white edge. It is a voracious fish, feeding on small -fishes and crustaceans, and grows to a large size; twenty or thirty, or -even fifty, pounds in weight is not uncommon, though usually taken of -from six to ten pounds. It resorts, when large, to the banks and rocky -reefs in deep water. Those of less size frequent the inshore waters. It -is a fine food-fish, and a very game one on the rod. - -A light striped-bass rod, or the natural bamboo chum rod, with good -multiplying reel and fifty yards of braided linen line, size E, and -Sproat or O'Shaughnessy hooks, Nos. 3-0 or 4-0, on gimp snells, with a -brass box-swivel for connecting snell and line, and a sinker adapted to -the strength of the tide, make up the tackle for the gag. A large -landing-net or a gaff-hook should not be forgotten. - -Rod fishing is done in comparatively deep water on the rocky reefs or -shelly banks along the keys, from an anchored boat. Any natural bait, as -a small fish, crab, crawfish, or conch, will answer, though a small -fish, as the mullet, sardine, or anchovy, is the best. When of large -size the gag is a very gamy fish, and must be handled very carefully to -preserve one's tackle intact. - -It is taken more frequently by trolling with a strong hand-line from a -sailing yacht, in the same way as trolling for bluefish. A small -silvery fish is the best lure, though a strong spinner or a shell or -block-tin squid answers well. Even a piece of bacon-rind cut in the -semblance of a fish proves very attractive, in the manner commonly used -by the fishermen of Key West in trolling for the kingfish. - -The largest groupers can be taken on rocky bottom in the deep holes -about the inlets. On the south-east coast, Indian River Inlet, under the -mangroves, and Jupiter Inlet, both afford good grouper fishing. Farther -south, at Hillsboro and New River inlets, and in the deep holes about -the passes between the Florida Keys, from Cape Florida to Key West, -groupers are more or less abundant. The first gag I ever caught was in -the winter of 1877, while trolling off Cape Florida; it was a big one, -too, weighing about fifty pounds. "What is it?" asked a Kentucky boy who -was with me. I was compelled to look it up in my books before replying -that I thought it was a "scamp," as it agreed pretty well with the -description of that grouper, though I was not fully satisfied that my -identification was correct, and less so, when in about an hour we caught -a real scamp. This was some two years before the gag was described as a -new species by Drs. Goode and Bean, from Pensacola. As I had no means of -preserving the fish, it was baked for our dinner, and proved to be very -good indeed. - -In fishing for groupers the angler must keep them well in hand so as to -prevent their getting into the holes and crevices of the rocks, as they -are sure to do if given the chance, and from where it is almost -impossible to dislodge them. They should be brought to the surface, or -near it, as soon as possible after hooking them, and kept there until -ready for the landing-net or gaff-hook. Most people in Florida fish for -groupers with hand-lines, but with the tackle recommended the fish will -be more easily subdued and landed, and the pleasure much enhanced, to -say nothing of the question of sportsmanship as between the two methods. - - -THE SCAMP - -(_Mycteroperca falcata phenax_) - -The scamp is a grouper that resembles very much the gag. It was first -described by the Cuban ichthyologist Poey, in 1860, from Cuban waters. -He named it _falcata_, or "scythe-shaped," from the curving of the -caudal fin. The form common to Florida is a variety or subspecies, that -differs principally in the angle of the canine teeth and to some extent -in coloration. The variety was first described by Jordan and Swain, in -1884, who named it _phenax_, meaning "deceptive," and equivalent to -"scamp." It is abundant along the Florida Keys and the offshore "snapper -banks," from Key West to Pensacola; those of smaller size frequent -inshore waters. - -It resembles the gag very much in its general appearance and in the -shape of its body, with a somewhat larger mouth and more projecting -lower jaw, also a larger caudal fin, which is more crescentic or -scythe-shaped. The depth of its body is about a third of its length. The -teeth are in narrow bands, with two canines in each jaw, but these are -not so strong as in the Cuban form, and those in the upper jaw are not -directed so much forward, nor the lower ones so much backward. The -caudal fin is concave or crescentic, and the scales are larger than -those of the gag. The color is pinkish gray above, paler purplish gray -below; the upper part of the body and head is covered with small, -rounded, irregular dark brown spots; the sides and caudal fin with -larger and longer pale brownish blotches, somewhat reticulate; fins -dusky, some edged with white. Its habits are similar to those of the -gag, just described, in whose company it is found. It grows to a length -of two feet or more, and to ten pounds or more in weight. The remarks -concerning the tackle and fishing for the gag apply equally as well for -the scamp. - -This fish, with the gag, is sometimes taken on the snapper banks by the -red-snapper fishermen, though it is not shipped to the northern markets -as it does not bear transportation so well as the red-snapper, and is -sold for home consumption or eaten by the crews. I first saw this fish -as has just been related, in 1877, when it was caught by a Kentucky -friend, and it had very much the same appearance as the gag. We then -decided that both fish were scamps, my friend remarking that "The only -difference is that this fellow seems to be more of a scamp than the -other one," an opinion I fully indorsed. The scamp does not stray so far -north as the gag, being confined to subtropical regions. It is regularly -taken to the Key West market by the commercial fisherman, where it -commands a ready sale, being well esteemed as a food-fish. The first -specimens I afterward preserved were secured from this source. - - -THE YELLOW-FINNED GROUPER - -(_Mycteroperca venenosa_) - -This grouper was first noticed by Catesby, in 1743, from the Bahamas, -and was named by Linnæus, in 1758, who bestowed the specific title -_venenosa_, or "venomous," as its flesh was said by Catesby to be -poisonous at certain times. It is common at the Bahamas, and from the -Florida Keys southward to the West Indies, and perhaps to South America. -Its form is very similar to the gag and scamp; its depth is a third of -its length. Its head is as long as the depth of the body, and rather -blunt, with the profile somewhat uneven, but curved; the mouth is large, -with narrow bands of teeth, and two canines in each jaw which are not -directed forward. - -Not much is known concerning this fish, as its flesh is reputed to be -poisonous at times, and it is seldom eaten. - -Its coloration is quite varied and beautiful; it is olive-green on the -back, pearly bluish below, breast rosy. The upper parts are marked with -broad reticulations and curved blotches of bright light green, which are -especially distinct on the top of the head; the entire body and head -are covered with orange-brown spots of various sizes with dark centres; -the iris of the eye is orange, as is the inside of the mouth; the dorsal -fin is olive-brown, with whitish blotches and a few dark spots; the -pectoral fin is yellow, and all other fins have black edges. Its habits -are similar to those of the other groupers. It grows to three feet in -length, and frequents rocky situations. - - -THE ROCK HIND - -(_Epinephelus adscensionis_) - -This grouper is one of the most bizarre and gayly colored in the family -_Serranidæ_. It was first accurately described by Osbeck, in 1757, from -Ascension Island, which accounts for its specific name, _adscensionis_, -as bestowed by him. - -It is very widely distributed over both hemispheres, being known from -Ascension and St. Helena Islands, Cape of Good Hope, and is abundant -from the Florida Keys to Brazil. In outline it resembles the other -groupers, having a robust body, but little compressed; its depth is a -third of its length, its head is as long as the depth of the body, is -pointed, with a profile straight from the snout to the nape, thence -curved regularly to the tail. The mouth is large, with the lower jaw -more prominent or projecting than in any of the other groupers; the -teeth are in broad bands, with short and stout canines. - -Its ground color is olivaceous gray, with darker clouds; the head and -entire body are profusely covered with red or orange spots of varying -size, those on the lower part of the body the largest, nearly as large -as the pupil of the eye; parts of the body and fins have -irregularly-shaped, whitish spots or blotches; there are several -ill-defined, clouded, blackish, vertical, or oblique blotches across the -body, some of them extending upward on to the dorsal fin, with the -interspaces lighter; the fins are likewise spotted with red and white. - -The groupers known as "hinds," as the red, rock, brown, speckled, -spotted, or John Paw hinds, are so named from being spotted, and -resembling somewhat in this way the hind or female red deer. They are -all good food-fishes, and are found regularly in the Key West market, -though not so plentiful as the snappers, grunts, etc., but bringing a -better price. The rock hind, as might be inferred from its name, -frequents rocky situations about the channels between the keys, feeding -mostly on small fishes and marine invertebrates. It grows to a length of -eighteen inches. Its spawning habits have not been studied, though it -probably spawns in the spring. - -A light bait-rod, similar to a black-bass rod, with corresponding -tackle, with hooks Nos. 2-0 to 3-0, on gimp snells, will answer for this -fish, using sardines or anchovies, which are abundant along the shores, -for bait. - - -THE RED HIND - -(_Epinephelus guttatus_) - -This beautiful grouper rivals the rock hind in its gay and varied -coloration. There is some uncertainty about the correct specific name of -this well-marked species. The last name to be adopted is _guttatus_, -meaning "spotted," conferred by Linnæus in 1758, based on the early and -vague descriptions of Marcgrave and others on specimens from Brazil and -the West Indies. It belongs to the West Indian fauna, its range -extending from the Florida Keys to South America; it occasionally strays -north in the summer to the Carolina coast. - -It resembles the other groupers in its general form, but is more -slender, has a larger eye, and its lower jaw does not project so much. -The depth of its body is a little more than a third of its length. Its -head is long and pointed, considerably longer than the depth of its -body, with a mouth of moderate size, and a weak lower jaw, which -projects but slightly; the eye is very large; the teeth are in bands, -with two curved canines in each. - -The pattern of the coloration and the markings are similar to those of -the rock hind, but differ in color. The upper part of the body is -grayish or yellowish olive, the belly reddish; the entire head and body -are profusely covered with scarlet spots of nearly uniform size, except -those on the breast and belly, which are a little larger; there are a -few spots, both red and whitish, on the bases of the fins; there are -three broad, oblique, obscure bands running upward and backward on the -sides, extending on to the dorsal fin; the upper fins are edged with -black; the pectoral fin is reddish yellow. - -The red hind, like the rock hind, frequents rocky places and feeds -mostly on small fishes. It grows to a length of about eighteen inches, -and is an excellent food-fish. Not much is known concerning its breeding -habits, though it probably spawns in the spring. The same tackle -recommended for the rock hind, and the same baits, will do as well for -the red hind, as they are found together. - - -THE CONEY - -(_Petrometopon cruentatus_) - -This beautiful fish is allied to the groupers, and belongs to the family -_Serranidæ_, previously described. It was described and named by -Lacépéde from a drawing by Plumier, made from a specimen from -Martinique. Lacépéde recorded it in his "Natural History of Fishes," -1803, conferring on it the name _cruentatus_, meaning "dyed with blood," -in allusion to its red spots. It belongs to the West Indian fauna, with -a range extending from the Florida Keys to Brazil; it is quite common -about Key West, being seen in the markets every day. - -The body has the somewhat elliptical outline of the other groupers, but -is more oblong and deeper, its depth being more than a third of its -length. The head is moderate in size, rather pointed, its length less -than the depth of the body; the mouth is large, with the lower jaw -projecting but slightly; the teeth are in narrow bands, the inner series -long, slender, and depressible; the canines small. Its ground color is -reddish gray, a little paler below; the head and body are covered with -bright vermilion spots, larger and brighter anteriorly. - -It frequents rocky situations, like the coney of Holy Writ. It is highly -esteemed as a food-fish, but is of smaller size than the groupers -previously described, seldom growing beyond a foot in length or a pound -in weight. It probably spawns in the spring. It is quite a gamy fish for -its size on light tackle. - -It is usually taken by the market fishermen on the same tackle as the -grunts, snappers, porgies, etc., among the rocks of the channels, in -rather deep water, with fish bait. It is well worth catching, if only to -admire its graceful shape and brilliant coloration. - -For the coney, black-bass rods, braided linen line, size F, with Sproat -hooks, No. 2-0 or 3-0, on gimp snells, and sinker adapted to the -strength of the tide, with the smallest fish for bait, will answer -admirably. The little whirligig mullet, or spiny crawfish, or even -cut-fish bait, are all good baits to use as occasion may demand. - - -THE NIGGER-FISH - -(_Bodianus fulvus_) - -It is difficult to account for names, we know; but just why this -handsome fish should be called "nigger-fish" is hard to imagine. It is -sometimes called yellow-fish, a better and more descriptive name, -but no doubt nigger-fish it always will be. It differs from the other -groupers in the less number of spiny rays in the dorsal fin; otherwise -it is much the same. It was described by Linnæus, in 1758, from - the account of the "yellow-fish" by Catesby, in 1743, from the Bahamas. -Linnæus named it _fulvus_, or "tawny," from its coloration. This is -also a fish belonging to the West Indian fauna, its range extending -from the Bahamas and the Florida Keys to South America. - -[Illustration CATCHING SPANISH MACKEREL ON THE EDGE OF THE GULF -STREAM] - -The outline of body of the nigger-fish is similar to that of the hinds, -being nearly elliptical, and with a depth of a third of its length, and -moderately compressed. The head is long and pointed, longer than the -depth of the body, with an evenly curved profile from the snout to the -dorsal fin; the lower jaw projects very much; the mouth is large, with -narrow bands of teeth, and small canines. Its general color is yellow, -darker or orange-red on the back, with two black spots on the tail; -there are a few violet spots about the eye, and some blue spots on the -head and anterior half of the body, those on the head with dark margins; -the head, and pectoral and dorsal fins, are reddish. - -The nigger-fish is found in the deeper channels in rocky situations. It -feeds on small fishes principally. It is not very common, and is much -prized as a food-fish by the people of Key West. The common varieties -are the red and brown nigger-fishes, which differ only in coloration -from the yellow ones. It is taken with the other channel fishes, and -with the same baits and similar tackle, by the market fishermen; but the -angler should utilize his black-bass rod, with braided linen line, size -F, and hooks No. 2-0 on gimp snells. As it is a bottom feeder a sinker -must be used to keep the bait at the proper depth. For baits, any small -fish or sea-crawfish or prawns or shrimps will answer. - -I was once fishing for channel fishes in sight of Key West, and having -just landed a nigger-fish. I asked my boatman, a Bahama negro, why it -was so called. He answered in the lingo peculiar to both white and black -Bahamians:-- - -"Vell, maybe it's along of its yaller and red color, for niggers is -right fond of yaller and red; but vether that's the horigin of its fust -name is 'ard to tell. Now, Hamericans calls us Bahama people conchs -'cause we eats conchs, but nigger-fish don't eat niggers, no more does -jellyfish eat jelly. I think they are called nigger-fish 'cause they is -so 'andsome." - - -THE SAND-FISH - -(_Diplectrum formosum_) - -The sand-fish, or, as it is sometimes called, the squirrel-fish, also -belongs to the family _Serranidæ_. It was first described by Linnæus, in -1766, from Dr. Garden's specimens from South Carolina; he named it -_formosa_, or "handsome," from its pretty form and coloration. It -inhabits the Atlantic coast from South Carolina to South America, and is -common to both coasts of Florida, and especially about the keys. It has -a rather elliptical body in outline; its depth is less than a third of -its length, being elongate and rather slender as compared with other -allied species. The head is as long as the depth of the body, with an -arched profile above the eyes; the mouth is large, the lower jaw -projecting a little; the upper border of the cheek-bone is serrated, -with two clusters of small, sharp spines; the teeth are in narrow bands; -the canine teeth are small. - -Its color is light brown above, silvery white below; there are several -dark and broad vertical bars across the body, and a dark blotch at the -base of the caudal fin; the body has eight narrow bright blue -longitudinal stripes, which are more distinct above, and paler below; -the head is yellow, with several wavy blue stripes below the eye and -several between the eyes; the upper fins have blue and yellow stripes, -and the caudal fin has yellow spots surrounded by bluish markings. - -It frequents sandy shoals, and also rocky shores, feeding on small -fishes and crustaceans. It is a good pan-fish, growing to about a foot -in length, but usually to six or eight inches. The same tackle and baits -used for the hinds, coney, and nigger-fish will also answer well for the -sand-fish, which consists of black-bass rod, braided linen line, size F, -hooks No. 1 or 1-0, and suitable sinker and swivel. It is a good -game-fish for its size on the light tackle just mentioned, and is well -worth a trial on account of its beauty, and excellence for the table, -even if its gameness is not considered. - -While engaged in a scientific expedition to Florida many years ago, my -vessel ran aground one afternoon in Barnes Sound, south-west of Biscayne -Bay. The bottom was a sandy marl and quite soft, so that we were unable -to use the setting poles to any advantage in moving the boat. I observed -quite a school of fish surrounding the vessel, which proved to be -sand-fish. I put out a stake to mark the stage of the tide, and while -waiting for the flood tide I put in the time fishing, and soon had -enough sand-fish for supper and breakfast. This was rather fortunate, as -we were still aground the next morning, for strange to say the depth of -the water had neither increased nor diminished for sixteen hours; there -was no tide in that remote corner of the universe. We then took out the -ballast of about a ton of pig-iron and put it in the dory we had intow. -This lightened up the vessel enough to enable us to shove her off into -deeper water. I think we never enjoyed any fish quite so much as those -delicious little sand-fish, and it has ever since been one of my -favorite fishes. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE CAVALLI FAMILY - -(_Carangidæ_) - -The members of this family differ from the true mackerels by a less -number of spines in the first dorsal fin, and in having but two spines -in the anal fin, and no detached finlets; also in having smaller teeth. -Some of the species are described in another volume of this series, to -which the reader is referred. - - _Carangus chrysos._ The Runner. Body oblong, moderately - elevated, the dorsal and ventral outlines about equally arched; - head 3-3/4; depth 3-1/4; eye 3-1/2; lateral line with 50 - scutes; D. VIII-I, 24; A. II-I, 19; profile forms a uniform - curve; snout rather sharp; mouth moderate, slightly oblique, - maxillary reaching middle of orbit; teeth comparatively large; - a single series in lower jaw; upper jaw with an inner series of - smaller teeth; no canines; teeth on vomer, palatines, and - tongue; gill-rakers long and numerous; pectoral fin not longer - than head; scales moderate; cheeks and breast scaly; black - opercular spot. - - _Carangus latus._ The Horse-eye Jack. Moderately deep; head - 3-3/4; depth 2-1/2; scutes 30; D. VIII-I, 20; A. II-I, 17; head - bluntish; profile curved; mouth moderate; lower jaw prominent; - villiform teeth on upper jaw, vomer, palatines, and tongue; - weak canines in lower jaw; breast scaly; maxillary reaching - posterior edge of pupil; pectoral fin about as long as head; - cheeks and upper part of opercles scaly; gill-rakers rather long, - about 12 below the angle. - - _Trachinotus carolinus._ The Pompano. Body oblong, - comparatively robust; head 4; depth 2-1/3; eye 4-1/2; scales - small and smooth; D. VI-I, 25; A. II-I, 23; profile of head - evenly convex; snout bluntly rounded; mouth small, maxillary - reaching middle of eye; jaws without teeth in the adult; - maxillary without supplemental bone; dorsal and anal fins - falcate, anterior rays nearly reaching middle of fins when - depressed; dorsal lobe 4-1/2 in body; anal 5-1/2; dorsal lobe - pale. - - -THE RUNNER - -(_Carangus chrysos_) - -The runner was first described by Dr. S.L. Mitchill, in 1815, from the -vicinity of New York. He named it _chrysos_, meaning "gold," from the -golden sheen of its sides. It inhabits the Atlantic coast from Cape Cod -to Brazil, but is most abundant on southern shores and in the Gulf of -Mexico. - -It has an oblong body, its depth a little less than a third of its -length, with the dorsal and ventral curves about equal. The head is -shorter than the depth of the body, with a uniformly curved profile and -rather sharp snout. The mouth is moderate in size and low, with a single -series of teeth in the lower jaw, and two in the upper one, but no -canines; there are also small teeth on the roof of the mouth and tongue. -Its colour is greenish olive on the back, and golden yellow or silvery -below; there is a black blotch on the border of the gill-cover; the fins -are all plain. - -The runner, as its name indicates, is a great forager, and is the -swiftest and most graceful of all the jacks or cavallies. It ranges -farther northward than the other species of the genus. It frequents the -reefs and the shores of the keys and mainland of Florida in search of -food, which consists of small fishes, as sardines, anchovies, mullets, -etc., crustaceans, and other small organisms. It is the best of the -jacks as a food-fish, and is in great favor at Key West. For its size it -is also the gamest, but as it rarely exceeds a foot in length it is not -so much sought, generally, as the larger jacks. It is, however, a great -favorite with the juvenile anglers at Key West, as it can be taken from -the wharves with almost any kind of bait. On account of its activity and -gameness it furnishes fine sport on light tackle, and under these -conditions is worthy the attention of the angler. A light black-bass -rod, braided linen line, size G, hooks No. 1 or 1-0 on gimp snells, a -light multiplying reel and sinker adapted to the tidal current, comprise -a good outfit for the runner, which is also known as hard-tail and -jurel in some localities. About Key West and the neighboring keys the -best bait is the little whirligig mullet (_Querimana gyrans_), which -whirls on the surface in large schools, or cut bait or shrimps may be -used to advantage. - -The author of a recently published book on the fishes of Florida makes -the following queer statement, "It seems to me the runners are hybrids -from the crevalle and bluefish species or families, as they certainly -resemble both of those fishes." It would be strange did they not -resemble the fishes named, as all are of the mackerel tribe, and all are -distinguished by having falcate anal and dorsal fins of about the same -relative size, and placed about opposite each other, and also have -swallow-shaped caudal fins with slender caudal pedicle; but there the -greatest resemblance ends. I have never seen a hybrid among fishes in -the natural state. They can be produced by the fishculturist between -kindred species, but there is no especial benefit to be derived from -such experiments. Hybrids, or so-called mules, are infertile, and -incapable of reproducing their kind. - - -THE HORSE-EYE JACK - -(_Carangus latus_) - -The horse-eye jack was first described by Louis Agassiz, in 1829, from -Brazil, who named it _latus_, or "broad," owing to its short and deep -form. It differs from the runner mostly in being deeper in body, and in -its large eye. It has a few less soft rays in the dorsal and anal fins, -and but thirty-five bony scutes along the lateral line; otherwise it is -very similar. Its color is bluish above and golden or silvery below, and -it has a black spot on the margin of the gill-cover, but of less size -than that of the runner. While it is similar in habits to the runner, it -has a more extended range, inhabiting all warm seas. - -The horse-eye jack grows to a larger size than the runner, but is not -nearly so good a food-fish, though nearly its equal as a game-fish. Its -flesh is reputed to be poisonous at certain seasons in the tropics, and -whether true or not, it is not held in much favor, though it is caught -by boys at the wharves of Key West, and I presume is eaten. The same -tackle and baits recommended for the runner can be utilized for the -horse-eye jack. - - -THE POMPANO - -(_Trachinotus carolinus_) - -The pompano was first described by Linnæus, in 1766, from Dr. Garden's -specimens from South Carolina, which accounts for its specific name. It -is abundant on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, to which it is mostly -confined, though it occasionally strays north to Cape Cod in summer, and -rarely to the West Indies. - -It has a short, deep body, being nearly half as deep as long, oblong and -robust. Its head is short, about half as long as the depth of the body, -with a small, low mouth, and with few or no teeth in the jaws; the snout -is blunt, the profile from end of snout to the eye about vertical, and -from thence to the dorsal fin is regularly arched. The color is bluish -above and golden or silvery below; the pectoral and anal fins are -yellow, shaded with blue; caudal fin with bluish reflections. - -The pompano frequents the sandy beaches of the keys and islands of the -Gulf coast, mostly the outside shores, where it feeds on beach-fleas and -the beautiful little mollusks known as "pompano-shells," also on small -shrimps and other shore-loving organisms. I consider the pompano to be -the best food-fish in either salt or fresh water--the prince of -food-fishes, it is incomparable. It is caught principally in haul seines -by the fishermen on the flood tide. On the Atlantic coast it is abundant -at Jupiter inlet and at Lake Worth, but not so plentiful as about the -outside and inside beaches of the islands about Charlotte Harbor on the -Gulf coast. In the summer it strays northward to the Carolina coasts. -Its usual weight is a pound or two, rarely exceeding eighteen inches in -length or four pounds in weight. It is often confounded with several -other species, as the permit (_Trachinotus goodei_), which reaches three -feet in length and twenty-five or thirty pounds in weight; also with the -gaff top-sail pompano (_Trachinotus glaucus_), and the round pompano -(_Trachinotus falcatus_), both of which grow larger than the true -pompano and are often sold for the genuine article by dealers; but no -one who has eaten a true pompano can be deceived by these other species. -It spawns in the summer. - -It is difficult to take the pompano with the hook except on the flood -tide, when it is running in schools, feeding along the shores, though it -is occasionally caught by still-fishing in the bays with bait of -beach-fleas or cut clam. The tackle should be very light and the hook -small, Nos. 6 or 8, on fine gut snells. When hooked it is a game-fish of -more than ordinary cunning and cleverness, and one of two pounds will -tax the angler's skill on a six-ounce rod. They can be taken in the surf -of the outside beaches of the islands, on the flood tide, with -beach-flea bait, by casting it into the schools with a fly-rod; and this -is the best form of fishing for this grand fish. - -The hooked pompano frequently breaks water among its other manoeuvres to -escape the angler, and as a leaper at other times has quite a -reputation. I have often had them leap into my boat, both when anchored -and moving, but usually when sailing near a school. The name pompano is -probably derived from the Spanish word _pampana_, a "vine leaf," owing -to its shape resembling somewhat a leaf of some kind of vine; the books -say a "grape leaf," to which the pompano has a remote resemblance if the -extended fins are taken into account. There is another Spanish word -_pampano_, more nearly resembling pompano in sound and spelling. It -means "a young vine branch or tendril," and if the aquatic capers and -aerial saltations of the pompano when hooked are to be brought into the -comparison, they cannot be exceeded by that most intricate dance, the -"grape-vine twist," even when performed by the most agile plantation -negro. But seriously, when its size is considered, one would have to go -far afield, or rather search the waters under the earth, for a better -fish for the angler or the epicure. - -I have seen more pompano about the beaches of Big and Little Gasparilla -Keys of Charlotte Harbor, on the Gulf coast, than elsewhere in Florida. -On their outside beaches, during the flood tide, the beach-fleas and -pompano-shells come rolling in on every wave. The little mollusks -disappear beneath the sand in the twinkling of an eye, but the -crustaceans are again carried out by the receding wave. And this -continues during the first half of the flood tide, during which time -schools of pompano are feeding on them. On one such occasion myself and -a friend were "flea-fishing" for pompano; that is, we were using -fly-rods and very small hooks baited with beach-fleas, which we cast in -the same manner as artificial flies. My friend, fishing at the water's -edge, often forgot in his eagerness to step back to avoid each "ninth -wave," which would wet him to his knees. However, in that warm, sunny -clime the involuntary bath did him no harm, and he had his compensation -in a basket of fine pompano, which were duly planked for dinner and -eaten, bones and all,--for their bones are very soft and -semi-cartilaginous. The head of a broiled or planked pompano is a -_bonne-bouche_ that once eaten will ever be held in grateful and -gratified remembrance. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -THE CHANNEL FISHES - -The channels among the reefs and keys from Cape Florida to Key West and -vicinity abound with a number of percoid, or perchlike, fishes, -belonging to several families. They are mostly of small size, -comparatively, but afford good bottom fishing. They are all good -food-fishes and find a ready sale in the markets of Key West. Most of -them are remarkable for their gay and brilliant coloration. - -The coralline formation of the keys and reefs renders the use of seines -and nets impossible, so that all of the fishing for market is done with -hook and line,--usually with sea-crawfish bait, though a few are taken -in traps formed of heavy wire. The fishes consist of grunts, snappers, -groupers, porgies, etc., and are carried to market alive in the wells of -the small vessels known as "smackees." - -A fleet of larger vessels, mostly schooner-rigged, troll along the keys -and reefs for the larger surface-feeding fishes, as kingfish, cero, -Spanish mackerel, bonitos, large groupers and snappers, etc. The troll -is usually a piece of bacon-skin cut of an elliptical shape to simulate -a fish, and is impaled on a codfish hook with a snell of copper wire, -and a laid cotton codfish line of a size nearly as large as a -lead-pencil. The hooking and hauling aboard of the fish, while under -sail, so disables it that it is killed by a blow on the head and carried -to market on ice. - -As all of the grunts, snappers, porgies, and other channel fishes grow -only to a foot or two in length, the same tackle may answer for all. The -fishing is done in water of varying depth, from a few feet to twenty or -more, from an anchored boat. The best plan for the angler who is -visiting Key West for the first time is to go out with a market -fisherman in his boat and learn by ocular evidence the _modus operandi_ -of channel fishing. After that he will be prepared to follow his own -devices and fish in the same or an improved way. - -A stiffish black-bass rod, or the Little Giant rod of seven and one-half -feet and eight ounces, a modification of the Henshall black-bass rod, -are quite suitable, though the market fishermen use hand-lines -altogether. The rest of the tackle needed is a multiplying reel, a -braided linen line, size E or F, Sproat or O'Shaughnessy hooks of -various sizes, from Nos. 1 to 3-0, according to the size of the mouths -of the different fishes, though No. 1-0 will be found to be a good -average size. Sinkers of different weights, from one to six ounces, to -meet the strength of the tide, and a strong landing-net must be added. -The hooks should be tied on single, strong silkworm fibre. - -The best bait is the sea-crawfish (_Palinurus_), or spiny lobster, which -grows to the size of the common lobster, and is found in the crevices of -the coral reefs or among the rocks and shells at the bottom, from whence -it is taken by the fish spear called "grains." The flesh is taken from -the shell and cut up for bait, and the shell itself is tied to a line -and sunk near the bottom to attract the fish. Shrimps are also good -bait, as are any of the small fishes, or conchs cut into suitable sizes. -Any of the various crabs can also be utilized. The large conchs -_Strombus_ and _Pyrula_ are good, and a large one will furnish bait for -a whole day. - - -BAIT FISHES - -For the information of anglers who would like to know something of the -small fishes used for bait, their names at least, I think it not out of -place to mention them here. The mullet is one of the fishes most -frequently utilized. There are several species belonging to the family -_Mugilidæ_: the common mullet (_Mugil cephalus_), the white mullet -(_Mugil curema_), both of which are abundant in Florida, especially the -first named. There is a somewhat rare species along the coasts, but -common at Key West, the fan-tail mullet (_Mugil trichodon_). A very -abundant but very small species, and one that makes a capital bait for -fishes with small mouths, is the whirligig mullet (_Querimana gyrans_). - -There are several species of sardines belonging to the herring family -(_Clupeidæ_). They may be found in all bays along the coasts, going in -and out of the inlets with the tide. The most common species are the -silver sardine (_Sardinella humeralis_), which has a dark spot at the -base of the pectoral fin, and the striped sardine (Sardinella sardina), -which has faint streaks along the sides. - -The anchovies belong to the family _Engraulididæ_, and may be -distinguished by their very wide mouths, which open back to the -gill-cover. The species all look very much alike; the most common ones -are the banded anchovy (_Stolephorus perfasciatus_), with narrow silvery -longitudinal band, and from two to three inches long; the big anchovy -(_Stolephorus brownii_), which is deeper and grows larger, from four to -six inches in length; these two species are mostly confined to the south -and west coasts. Another species, also abundant on the east coast, is -the silver anchovy (_Stolephorus mitchilli_), which is more silvery or -translucent in appearance than the others, with yellowish fins and -dotted body. - -There are a number of crabs that are excellent baits, as the hermit crab -(_Eupagurus_), which lives in the cast-off shells of univalve mollusks; -fiddler crab (_Gelasimus_), which abounds in myriads on the inside -shores of the bays; the spider crab (_Libinia_), which is quite common -in shallow water, sometimes covered with bits of weeds, shells, etc.; -the common crab (_Cancer_); the lady crab (_Platyonichus_), beautifully -spotted; the stone crab (_Menippe_), quite a large crab, with very large -claws; the mud crab (_Panopeus_), a small crab and a very good bait. -There are a number of crustaceans, commonly called beach-fleas, that -are good baits for small-mouthed fishes along the Florida coasts, among -which may be mentioned the beach-flea (_Orchestia_); the sand-bug -(_Hippa_); the gribble (_Limnoria_); also the shrimp (_Gammarus_); and -the prawn (_Palæmonetes_). - - -THE GRUNT FAMILY - -(_Hæmulidæ_) - -The grunts have an oblong body, more or less elevated and compressed; -head large, its sides usually scaly; mouth low and horizontal, usually -curved; sharp or pointed teeth; dorsal fin single, with a marked angle -at the junction of the spiny and soft portions; the dorsal spines ten or -twelve; anal fin with three spines, the second one the largest; caudal -fin concave. The coloration is bizarre and usually brilliant, with the -lips and inside of the mouth bright red or scarlet. They are all good -pan-fishes, and from their habit of emitting vocal sounds when caught -are called "grunts." They feed on crustaceans, small fishes, and the -innumerable marine invertebrates that inhabit the coral reefs and -coralline rocks. - - _Hæmulon plumieri._ The Common Grunt. Body moderately elongate; - the back elevated and somewhat compressed; head long, the sharp - snout projecting; head 2-2/3; depth 2-2/3; eye 5; - - D. XII, 16; A. III, 8; scales 5-50-17; anterior profile more or - less S-shaped; the nape gibbous; mouth very large, the gape - curved, maxillary reaching beyond front of eye; lower jaw - slightly included; teeth strong, in broad bands, those of the - outer series enlarged; antrorse teeth of posterior part of both - jaws strong; interorbital space convex; preorbital rather deep; - preopercle finely serrate; scales above lateral line much - enlarged anteriorly. - - _Hæmulon sciurus._ The Yellow Grunt. Body oblong, the back not - much elevated; head 2-3/4; depth 2-3/5; eye 4; scales 7-53-14; - D. XII, 16; A. III, 8; interorbital space convex; preopercle - finely serrate; profile nearly straight; snout moderately - acute; mouth large, the gape curved, the maxillary reaching a - little past front of pupil; lower jaw slightly included; teeth - strong; upper jaw in front with about 3 strong canines on each - side; front teeth of lower jaw rather strong; blue stripes on - body. - - _Hæmulon album._ The Margate-fish. Body comparatively deep, the - back much elevated and compressed; the anterior profile steep; - head 3; depth 2-2/3; eye 6; scales 7-46-16; D. XII, 16; A. III, - 7; snout pointed; mouth large, the maxillary extending to front - of eye; lower jaw included; teeth not very large, in narrow - bands; interorbital space strongly convex; preorbital deep; - preopercle finely serrate; soft part of anal and dorsal fins - covered with thin, translucent scales. - - _Hæmulon parra._ The Sailor's Choice. Body comparatively deep, - the back compressed and arched; anterior profile rather steep - and convex; head 3; depth 2-2/3; eye 4; scales 5-50-14; D. XII, - 17; A. III, 7; mouth rather small, the maxillary extending to - front of eye; teeth in bands, rather strong, the outer large, - antrorse teeth of lower jaw well developed; preopercle finely - serrate; lower jaw slightly included; interorbital space - convex; preorbital rather deep. - - _Orthopristis chrysopterus._ The Pig-fish. Body - ovate-elliptical, somewhat elevated at shoulders, considerably - compressed; head 3-1/8; depth 2-3/4; eye 5; scales 10-60-19; D. - XII, 16; A. III, 12; snout long and sharp; jaws equal, each - with a narrow band of slender teeth, the outer above a little - larger; mouth small, the maxillary not reaching to eye; - preopercle very slightly serrate above; snout and lower jaw - naked, rest of head scaly; dorsal and anal spines enclosed - in a deep, scaly sheath; soft rays naked. - - Anisotremus virginicus. The Pork-fish. Body ovate, the back - very much elevated; the anterior profile steep; very much - arched at nape; head 3-1/8; depth 2-1/10; eye 4; scales - 11-56-17; D. XII, 17; A. III, 10; mouth small, the maxillary - extending to anterior nostril; jaws subequal; outer row of - teeth enlarged; about 6 gill-rakers. - -[Illustration THE BLACK GRUNT] -[_Hæmulon plumieri_] - -[Illustration THE RED SNAPPER] -[_Lutianus aya_] - - -THE BLACK GRUNT - -(_Hæmulon plumieri_) - -The black or common grunt is the most abundant and one of the most -popular food-fishes in the vicinity of Key West. It was named by -Lacépéde, in 1802, in honor of Father Plumier, an early naturalist, who -sent drawings of the fishes of Martinique to the museums of Europe. It -belongs to the West Indian fauna, and is abundant near Key West, and not -uncommon about the rocks and reefs at the lower end of Tampa Bay and -other rocky localities on the Gulf coast of Florida. On the Atlantic -coast it is found as far north as Cape Hatteras. - -The depth of the body is a little more than a third of its length, -compressed, with elevated shoulder. The head is as long as the depth of -the body, with a large, curved mouth and a pointed and projecting snout. -The profile is concave in front of the eye. The jaws are armed with -bands of strong and conical teeth, the outer ones largest and the rear -ones curving forward. Its color is bluish gray, with the bases of the -scales bronze, tinged with olive, forming oblique stripes running upward -and backward. The head is golden bronze, with many bright blue stripes, -very distinct, a few of which extend to the shoulder. The inside of the -mouth is scarlet, becoming lighter, or yellowish, on the jaws. The -dorsal fin is grayish, with a yellow border on the spinous portion; the -anal fin is gray tinged with yellow; the ventral fins are bluish gray; -the pectoral fins are gray with a dusky bar at the base; the caudal fin -is plain gray. - -The common grunt grows usually to a foot in length, though more are -caught under that size than over. It is often called "sow grunt" by the -market fishermen, in contradistinction to the "boar grunt," as the -yellow grunt is often designated by them, wrongly supposing one to be -the male and the other the female. While the general remarks on its -feeding habits, as given in the paragraph relating to the family -characteristics of the grunts, are correct, it may be stated that they -are essentially carnivorous, devouring small fishes, crustaceans, and -other marine invertebrates that abound on the coralline reefs. They -spawn late in the summer, on the rocky shoals and hard, sandy bars, -congregating at such times in large schools. As a food-fish it is held -in greater esteem than any other fish in the Key West market, and -selling from a nickel to a dime for a bunch of about half a dozen, it -forms the staple breakfast dish of all Key Westers, who are inordinately -fond of it. - -While assistant chief of the fisheries department of the World's -Columbian Exposition at Chicago, in 1893, I had among other visitors a -young lady friend from Key West, who never before had been away from her -island home, having been educated at the convent of Key West. She could -not find words to express her delight at scenes so entirely new and -novel, and said that some things gave her a better idea of heaven; but -there was one thing, she said, that was lacking amidst all the wonders -and delights from the four quarters of the globe, and without which -everything else paled into insignificance,--"fried grunts for -breakfast." I made her happy by escorting her to the Aquarium and -showing her the live grunts swimming in a tank, seemingly as much at -home as on the coral reefs of Florida. The methods of angling, and the -tackle and baits used for grunts, are given in the opening paragraphs of -this chapter, to which the reader is referred. - - -THE YELLOW GRUNT - -(_Hæmulon sciurus_) - -The yellow grunt was first noticed by Bloch, in 1790, from the West -Indies; but owing to a mistake as to its proper identification it was -named _sciurus_, meaning "squirrel," by Shaw, in 1803, based on Bloch's -description and figure. The name squirrel is in allusion to the grunting -noise it emits when captured, which is compared to the barking of that -animal. It is abundant in the West Indies and south to Brazil, and is -quite common about Key West. - -The yellow grunt is very similar to the common grunt in the conformation -of its body and fins, but has a rather curved profile instead of a -depression in front of the eye. The teeth are similar, with about three -strong canines on each side. The scales on the upper part of the body -are relatively smaller than in the black grunt. Its color is uniformly -brassy yellow, with about a dozen longitudinal and distinct stripes of -sky-blue, somewhat wavy, extending from the snout to the anal fin; the -fins are yellowish; the inside of the mouth is scarlet. It grows to -about a foot in length, but occasionally to eighteen inches. It is the -handsomest in coloration and appearance of all the grunts, and is often -called "boar grunt" by the Key West fishermen. A black-bass bait rod, -braided linen line, snelled hooks No. 1-0, with sinker adapted to the -depth and current of the water, and sea-crawfish, shrimps, prawns, or -cut-fish bait, will be found quite applicable for grunt fishing. - -Although the yellow grunt was known to science from the West Indies as -early as 1790, it was not recorded from the waters of the United States -until a century later, when in 1881 I collected it at Key West. This is -the more remarkable inasmuch as it is rather common along the keys, and -is moreover such a striking, well-marked, and handsome species that it -is difficult to imagine how it had been overlooked. The field has, -however, been pretty well worked since, and many new species have been -recorded. - -The Florida Keys, like the southern portion of the peninsula, are of -recent formation, and are underlaid by oolitic and coral limestones. -These coralline rocks are formed by the action of the waves and weather -on the calcareous secretions of coral polyps, those beautiful "flowers -of the sea" which are still building better than they know on the -outlying submerged reefs, and where may be seen those tiny "toilers of -the sea," madrepores, astreans, mæandrinas, porites, gorgonias, etc., -rivalling in beauty of form and color the most charming and delicate -ferns, fungi, mosses, and shrubs. - -The fishes that frequent the coral reefs are very handsome, both in form -and coloration: silvery, rosy, scarlet, brown, and golden bodies, with -sky-blue, bright yellow, rosy, or black stripes and bands, or spotted, -stellated, and mottled with all the hues of the rainbow; and with -jewelled eyes of scarlet, blue, yellow, or black; fins of all colors and -shapes, and lips of scarlet red, blue, or silver. - - -THE MARGATE-FISH - -(_Hæmulon album_) - -The margate-fish, or margate grunt, is the largest of the family, -growing to two feet or more in length and eight or ten pounds in weight, -though usually it weighs from two to six pounds as taken to market. It -was noticed by Catesby in his "History of the Carolinas," in 1742, and -was wrongly identified from his description by Walbaum in 1792. It -received its present name from Cuvier and Valenciennes, in 1830, from -West Indian specimens; they called it _album_, meaning "white," as it is -the lightest in coloration of any of the grunts. It is much esteemed as -a food-fish at Key West. It is abundant from Key West to Brazil, being -quite common about the Florida Keys, especially in the immediate -vicinity of Key West, being usually found in deep water, except when it -approaches the shallows to feed on crustaceans, etc. It is rather a -warm-water fish. - -The margate-fish is of much the same proportions, and of similar -appearance, as the yellow grunt, but with a more elevated and arching -back, and is more compressed. The teeth are in narrow bands, and are -somewhat smaller than in the other grunts. The adult fish is whitish, -olivaceous on the back, with faint spots on the scales of back and -sides. The inside of the mouth is orange; the lips and snout yellowish; -the fins dusky greenish; a broad but indistinct band extends along the -sides. Younger fish are bluish in coloration of body and fins, with dark -parallel stripes below. - -Somewhat larger hooks, say No. 2-0, and a little heavier line, braided -linen, size F, are more suitable for this fish; otherwise the same -tackle and baits can be employed as for the other grunts and channel -fishes. - - -THE SAILOR'S CHOICE - -(_Hæmulon parra_) - -This grunt is sometimes called bastard margaret by the Key West -fisherman. The name sailor's choice is often wrongly applied to the -pinfish (_Lagodon rhomboides_) and the pig-fish (_Orthopristis -chrysopterus_) The sailor's choice was first described by Desmarest, in -1823, from Havana; he named it _parra_ in honor of the Cuban naturalist, -Parra. It is a good pan-fish, eight or ten inches long, usually, but -sometimes growing to a foot in length. It is abundant from Key West to -Brazil. I have taken it from the line of keys south-west of Cape Florida, -and along the mainland from Biscayne Bay to Marco and Lemon Bay on the -Gulf coast. - -Its body is of about the same proportions, and of the same general -appearance, as that of the yellow grunt, and it grows to about the same -size. The radial formula of its fins and size of scales are also much -the same. The mouth is smaller, but the teeth are of about the same -character. Its color is dull pearly gray, belly grayish, each scale of -the body with a distinct olive-brown spot, forming interrupted, oblique, -and wavy streaks; fins dusky. The inside of the mouth is not so red as -in the other grunts. There is a distinct black spot on the lower edge of -the cheek-bone. - - -THE GRAY GRUNT AND FRENCH GRUNT - -The gray grunt (_Hæmulon macrostomum_) and the French grunt (_Hæmulon -flavolineatum_) are not so common about the Florida Keys as the other -grunts, but grow to about the same size, and are often taken with them, -and with the same baits and the same mode of fishing. - - -THE PIG-FISH - -(_Orthopristis chrysopterus_) - -Another pan-fish belonging to the grunt family and common to the waters -of Florida, and one much esteemed as a food-fish, is the pig-fish. It is -known as hog-fish in Chesapeake Bay, and sailor's choice on the South -Atlantic coast. It was described by Linnæus, in 1766, from South -Carolina. He named it _chrysopterus_, or "gold fin." Its range extends -from the Chesapeake Bay along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts to Florida -and Texas, and occasionally it strays as far north as Long Island. - -It resembles the grunts very much in its general appearance. Its body is -rather more than a third of its length, elevated at the shoulder, and -compressed. Its head is a third of the length of the body, with a long, -sharp snout and a small mouth placed low. There is a narrow band of -slender teeth in each jaw, the outer ones in the upper jaw somewhat -larger. The color of the pig-fish is light blue above, shading gradually -to silvery below; the upper lip is marked with blue; the body scales -have a blue centre, the edges with a bronze spot, forming very distinct -orange-brown stripes along the rows of scales on the back and sides, -those above the lateral line extending obliquely upward and backward, -those below being nearly horizontal; the snout, cheeks, and gill-covers -have distinct bronze spots, larger than those of the body; the inside of -the mouth is pale, the back of the mouth somewhat golden in hue; the -dorsal fin is translucent, with bronze spots or shades, the edge of the -fin dusky; the other fins are more or less dusky, with yellowish -shades. - -Along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts it resorts to sandy shoals in rather -shallow water, but along the Florida Keys it is found also about rocky -bars, and on the Gulf coast is often on grassy flats, or wherever crabs, -shrimp, beach-fleas, and other crustaceans abound, on which it feeds, -principally, though it is also fond of the young fry of other fishes. It -is an excellent pan-fish, of delicious flavor, and is a favorite -wherever its merits are known. It grows to a length of ten inches, -sometimes to twelve or fifteen inches in favorable localities, but in -Florida is mostly from six to eight inches in length. It spawns in the -spring in April and May. - -It is much sought after in Chesapeake Bay, and is a favorite food-fish -at Norfolk, Virginia, where it is known as hog-fish. It grows there -somewhat larger, and is also a favorite fish with anglers. The lightest -tackle must be employed for its capture, and hooks Nos. 2 to 3, on gut -snells, for it has a small mouth. Sea-crawfish, crab, shrimp, -beach-fleas, and other crustaceans are the best baits, though cut conch -and fish will answer pretty well. It is a bottom feeder, and sinkers -must be used to keep the bait near the fish. - - -THE PORK-FISH - -(_Anisotremus virginicus_) - -Another pan-fish of the grunt family (_Hæmulidæ_) is the pork-fish, a -handsome and beautifully-marked species. It was named by Linnæus, in -1758, from South America, though why he called it _virginicus_, -"Virginia," is not known. It is a tropical fish, its range extending -from the Florida Keys to Brazil. It is very abundant in the vicinity of -Key West, and is seen in the markets daily. - -It has a short, compressed body, its depth being half of its length, -with the back very much elevated. Its head is short compared with its -height, with a very steep profile, slightly convex in front and very -much arched at the nape. The mouth is quite small, with thick lips; the -jaws are armed with bands of sharp, pointed teeth, the outer row -enlarged. The ground color of the body is pearly gray; an oblique black -bar, as wide as the eye, extends from the nape through the eye to the -angle of the mouth; another broader and jet-black vertical bar extends -from the front of the dorsal fin to the base of the pectoral fin; the -interspace between the bars is pearly gray, with yellow spots, becoming -confluent above; beginning at the vertical bar and extending backward -are half a dozen deep yellow, longitudinal, and parallel stripes, the -lower ones reaching the caudal fin; all of the fins are deep yellow. - -The pork-fish resorts to the reefs and coralline rocks, feeding on -crustaceans, small marine invertebrates, and small, soft-shelled -mollusks, which it crushes with the blunt teeth in its throat. Its usual -size runs from half a pound to a pound, but occasionally grows to two -pounds. It should be fished for with very light tackle, about the same -as used for the pig-fish, but with smaller hooks. No. 5 or 6, on gut -snells, and cut-conch bait, small shrimps, and beach-fleas. - -The pork-fish has been known from the time of Marcgrave, over two -centuries ago, from Brazil, and from the West Indies for many years, but -was not recorded from the waters of the United States until 1881, when I -collected it near Key West. As in the case of the yellow grunt and the -lane snapper, it is surprising that such long-described and well-marked -and beautiful species should have been overlooked in our own waters -until my collection of that year. - - -THE SNAPPER FAMILY - -(_Lutianidæ_) - -This family of perchlike fishes is related to the grunts on one hand, -and to the groupers, or sea-basses, on the other. Those to be described -here are mostly of small or moderate size, but are all good food-fishes -and fair game-fishes. They are abundant along the Florida Keys, and with -the exception of the red snapper are caught in a similar manner, and -with the same tackle and baits, as the grunts. They are characterized by -an oblong body more or less elevated and compressed; rough scales, large -head and mouth; teeth sharp and unequal; dorsal fin single, with ten or -twelve spines; anal fin similar in shape to soft dorsal fin, with three -spines; the caudal fin concave. - - _Ocyurus chrysurus._ The Yellow-tail. The yellow-tail differs - from the other snappers in the formation of the skull, the - peculiar form of its body, the large, deeply-forked caudal fin, - and the presence of pterygoid teeth. Its body is elliptical, - with regularly-arched back; head 3; depth 3; scales 7-65-15; D. - X, 13; A. III, 9; mouth small, oblique, the lower jaw - projecting, maxillary reaching front of orbit; snout pointed; - caudal peduncle long and slender; eye small, 5; interorbital - space very convex, with median keel; upper jaw with a narrow - band of villiform teeth, outside of which is a single series of - larger teeth, several in front being caninelike; a large, oval - patch of teeth on tongue; an arrow-shaped patch on the vomer; - a narrow band of pterygoid teeth in the adult; gill-rakers long - and slender, 8 + 21. - - _Lutianus synagris._ The Lane Snapper. Body oblong and - compressed, back arched and slightly elevated; profile almost - straight; head 2-3/5; depth 2-4/5; eye 5; scales 8-60-15; D. X, - 12; A. III, 8; mouth moderate, maxillary reaching front of - orbit; interorbital space gently convex; upper jaw with a - narrow band of villiform teeth, outside of which a single - series of enlarged ones; lower jaw with villiform band in front - only, the row of larger teeth nearly equal in size, none of - them canines; vomer and tongue with each a single patch; - preopercle finely serrate, with coarser teeth at angle; - gill-rakers rather long, 5 + 9; 4 small canines in front of - upper jaw. - - _Lutianus aya._ The Red Snapper. Body rather deep, moderately - compressed, the back well elevated, profile steep; head 2-3/5; - depth 2-3/5; eye 5-1/2; scales 8-60-15; mouth rather large, - maxillary reaching front of orbit; snout rather pointed; - interorbital space strongly convex; upper jaw with a narrow - band of villiform teeth, and a row of small teeth outside; - lower jaw with a single row of small teeth, some of which are - almost caninelike; within these is a very narrow band of - villiform teeth in front of jaw only; tongue with a broad oval - patch of teeth, in front of which a small, irregular patch; - vomer with a broad, arrow-shaped patch; preopercle with - serrated edge above, lower border dentate; gill-rakers - moderate, 8 on lower arch; 4 canines in front of upper jaw. - - _Lutianus jocu._ The Dog Snapper. Body comparatively deep and - compressed; the back elevated and profile straight; head 2-1/2; - depth 2-1/2; eye 4-3/4; scales 8-56-15; D. X, 14; A. III, 8; - mouth rather large, jaws subequal, maxillary reaching front of - orbit; upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform teeth, a - single series of larger ones, and 4 canines in front, 2 of them - very large; lower jaw with a narrow, villiform band in front - only, and a series of larger teeth outside, some almost - caninelike; tongue with a single patch of teeth; an - arrow-shaped patch on vomer; preopercle finely serrate above, - coarser teeth at angle; gill-rakers short and thick, about 9 on - lower arch. - - _Lutianus apodus._ The Schoolmaster Snapper. Body comparatively - deep, moderately compressed, the back elevated and profile - straight; head 2-1/2; depth 2-1/2; eye 4-1/3; scales 6-43-13; - D. X, 14; A. III, 8; mouth large, maxillary reaching front of - orbit; snout long and pointed; interorbital space flattish; - upper jaw with a narrow band of villiform teeth, a single - series of larger ones outside, and 4 canines in front, one on - each side very large; lower jaw with a narrow, villiform band - in front, an enlarged series outside; tongue with a large, - single patch; an arrow-shaped patch on vomer; preopercle finely - serrate above; gill-rakers short and thick, about 9 on lower - part of arch. - - -THE YELLOW-TAIL - -(_Ocyurus chrysurus_) - -The yellow-tail is a very handsome fish, and one of the favorite -pan-fishes at Key West. It was named _chrysurus_, or "gold-tail," by -Bloch, in 1790, from its description by Marcgrave in his "Fishes of -Brazil." Its habitat is from southern Florida to South America. It is -abundant in the vicinity of Key West in the channels between the reefs -and keys. - -The yellow-tail is well proportioned, compressed, and elliptical, being -regularly curved from head to tail. Its head is as long as the depth of -the body, with a pointed snout; the mouth is rather small, with the -lower jaw projecting. The color above is olivaceous, or bluish, below -violet; a broad, deep yellow stripe runs from the snout, through the -eye, and along the middle of the body to the caudal fin; above this -stripe there are a number of deep yellow blotches, as if made by the -finger tips; below the broad yellow stripe are quite a number of narrow, -parallel yellow stripes, with violet interspaces; the iris of the eye is -scarlet; the very long caudal fin is entirely deep yellow, and the other -fins are bordered with yellow. - -The yellow-tail associates with the grunts and porgies about the -coralline rocks in the channels, feeding on small fishes and -crustaceans. Its average size is ten or twelve inches in length and -nearly a pound in weight, though it sometimes is taken up to two feet, -and three or four pounds. It is quite a good game-fish and very -voracious, eagerly taking sea-crawfish, crab, conch, or small fish bait. -Some of the large conchs, as _Pyrula_ and _Strombus_, will furnish bait -for an entire outing, the animal being as large as a child's forearm. -Black-bass tackle, with hooks Nos. 1 to 1-0 on gut snells, will answer -for the yellow-tail. - - -THE LANE SNAPPER - -(_Lutianus synagris_) - -The lane snapper is another beautiful fish common about the reefs and -keys. It was named by Linnæus, in 1758, who called it _synagris_, as it -resembled a related fish of Europe (_Dentex dentex_), whose old name was -_synagris_. Catesby mentioned the lane snapper in his "History of -Carolina," in 1743. It is abundant from the Florida Keys to South -America, and not uncommon on the west coast of Florida, as far north as -Tampa Bay, and west to Pensacola. - -The lane snapper resembles very much the yellow-tail in the shape of its -body, which is semi-elliptical in outline, compressed, with the back -regularly curved from the snout to the tail; its depth is a little more -than a third of its length. Its head is as long as the depth of the -body; the mouth is large, and the snout pointed. It is rose color, -tinged with silver below, with a narrow bluish or greenish border on the -top of the back; the belly is white, tinged with yellow; there are deep -yellow stripes along the sides, with indistinct, broad, rosy cross bars; -the iris of the eye and the lips are scarlet; the cheeks and gill-covers -are rosy, with blue above; the pectoral fins are pink, the lower fins -yellow, the soft dorsal pink, the spiny dorsal translucent, with yellow -border, and the caudal fin scarlet; there is a large and conspicuous -dark blotch just below the front part of the soft dorsal fin. The lane -snapper feeds on small fishes and crustaceans about the keys and reefs, -in rather shallow water. It grows to a foot in length, though usually -about eight or nine inches, and is a free biter at the same baits as the -yellow-tail. - -While it is freely conceded that the highest branch of angling is -casting the artificial fly on inland waters, and that the fullest -measure of enjoyment is found only in the pursuit of the salmon, -black-bass, trout, or grayling, it must be admitted that salt-water -angling likewise has joys and pleasures that are, as Walton says, -"Worthy the knowledge and practice of a wise man." And nowhere does -salt-water angling offer more charms to the appreciative angler, or -appeal to his sense of the curious and beautiful in nature, than along -the keys off the southern extremity of the peninsula of Florida. The -palm-crowned islets are laved by the waters of the Gulf Stream, as clear -and bright and green as an emerald of the purest ray serene. Through -their limpid depths are seen the lovely and varied tints of coral -polyps, the graceful fronds of sea-feathers and sea-fans in gorgeous -hues, and the curious and fantastic coralline caves, amid whose -crannies and arches swim the most beautiful creations of the finny -tribe, whose capture is at once a joy and a delight. - - -THE RED SNAPPER - -(_Lutianus aya_) - -The red snapper was named _aya_ by Bloch, in 1790, that being the -Portuguese name for it in Brazil, according to Marcgrave. It was -described by Goode and Bean as a new species, in 1878, and named -_blackfordi_, in honor of Eugene G. Blackford, of New York, in -consideration of his eminent services and interest in fishculture. The -red snapper, while not a game-fish, is one of the best known of Florida -fishes, inasmuch as it is shipped all over the country as a good dinner -fish, its fine, firm flesh bearing transportation well. It is especially -abundant in the Gulf of Mexico, in water from ten to fifty fathoms deep, -on the "snapper banks," from ten to fifty miles offshore, and thence -south to Brazil, occasionally straying north on the Atlantic coast to -Long Island. - -The depth of its body is a little more than a third of its length, being -rather deep and compressed, the back elevated and regularly arched from -the eye to the tail. The head is large, its length equal to the depth -of the body, with a pointed snout, large mouth, and straight profile. -The color of the red snapper is a uniform rose-red, paler on the throat; -fins all red, the vertical fins bordered with dusky blue; there is a -dark blotch under the front of the soft portion of the dorsal fin, -except in the oldest and largest fish; the iris of the eye is scarlet. - -The red snapper, being a deep-water fish, is seldom found along the -shores, and is of no importance to the angler. It is a bottom fish, -feeding in company with the large groupers on small fishes and -crustaceans. It grows to twenty or thirty pounds, but its usual size is -from five to ten pounds. It spawns in summer. - -The commercial fishing for the red snapper is done on the "snapper -banks" in very deep water. Strong hand-lines and codfish hooks are used, -with cut bait. By the time the fish is brought to the surface from the -bottom it is almost exhausted, and would afford no sport to the angler. -The bringing of the fish from depths where the pressure of the water is -so great, to the surface, where it is comparatively so much less, causes -the fish to swell up, and the air-bladder to be so filled that the fish -would float; it is therefore pricked with a sharp awl to let out the -air, as otherwise the fish would not sink in the well of the vessel in -which it is carried alive to port. - - -THE DOG SNAPPER - -(_Lutianus jocu_) - -The dog snapper is very similar in shape to the red snapper, but is much -smaller and of different coloration. It was named _jocu_ by Bloch, in -1801, from Parra's description, in 1787, _jocu_ being the Cuban name of -the fish. It is called dog snapper, owing to its large canine teeth. Its -range extends from the South Atlantic coast to Brazil. It is abundant -along the Florida Keys, and very rarely strays along the Atlantic coast -northward, but has been taken on the Massachusetts coast in summer. - -It has a robust, somewhat compressed body, its depth a third of its -length, and the back elevated over the shoulder. Its head is large, -somewhat longer than the depth of the body, with a straight profile and -a rather long and pointed snout. The ground color of the body is dull -red or coppery, dark olivaceous or bluish on the back, with about a -dozen lighter-colored vertical stripes across the body; the cheeks and -gill-covers are red, with a pale area from the eye to the angle of the -mouth; there is a row of small, round blue spots from the snout to the -angle of the gill-cover, also a bluish or dusky stripe; the upper fins -and the caudal fin are mostly orange in color; the lower fins are -yellow, and the iris of the eye red. - -The dog snapper, like the other snappers, feeds on small fishes and -crustaceans. It grows to a foot in length and to a pound or two in -weight. It is a good food-fish, selling readily in the markets. It is -quite gamy and voracious, and with light tackle is worthy of the -angler's skill. Hooks No. 1-0 or 2-0 on gut snells, and sea-crawfish, or -a small minnow, are good baits. - - -THE SCHOOLMASTER - -(_Lutianus apodus_) - -The schoolmaster snapper was named by Walbaum, in 1792, based on -Catesby's description and figure of the schoolmaster in his "History of -Carolina," but in his figure he omitted the pectoral fins, for which -reason Walbaum named it _apoda_, meaning "without a foot." Its range -extends from the Florida Keys to Brazil, and is abundant in the vicinity -of Key West, where it is seen daily in the markets. Under favorable -conditions of temperature it has been taken on the Massachusetts coast. - -The schoolmaster is very similar to the dog snapper in its general form, -but differs greatly in coloration. Its body is rather deep and -compressed, its depth being more than a third of its length, and the -back is more elevated than in the dog snapper. The head is large, as -long as the depth of the body, with a large mouth; the profile is -straight from snout to the nape, thence regularly arched to the tail; -the snout is long and pointed. The predominating color is orange, -olivaceous on the back and top of the head, with eight or nine vertical -bars across the body, equidistant, of a pale or bluish white color, the -wider interspaces being red; the cheeks and gill-covers are red, with a -row of small blue spots from the snout across the cheeks, just below the -eye; all of the fins are yellow, more or less shaded with red. - -The schoolmaster grows to about the same size as the dog snapper, -usually from eight to ten inches, sometimes to a foot in length, and a -pound or two in weight. It feeds on small fishes, crabs, and other -crustaceans, and is a good food-fish. It is a fairly good game-fish, -and on light tackle fights with vigor and considerable resistance. -Sproat hooks Nos. 1-0 and 2-0 are quite suitable, and should be tied on -gut snells. A sinker adapted to the strength of the tide must be used in -the deep-water channels. Sea-crawfish, anchovies, or whirligig mullets -are good baits. - -The mangrove snapper (_Lutianus griseus_) and the mutton-fish (_Lutianus -analis_) are larger snappers and better game-fishes. They are described -in another volume of this series. - - -THE PORGY FAMILY - -(_Sparidæ_) - -The porgies of Florida belong to the family _Sparidæ_ previously -described, but not to the same genus as the northern porgy, as the scup -is sometimes called. They are characterized by a deep, compressed body, -humpbacked, with a large head and deep snout, and with a knob in front -of the eye. The mouth is small, with strong, caninelike teeth and -molars. - - _Calamus bajonado._ The Jolt-head Porgy. Body oblong, - compressed and elevated over the shoulders; head 3; depth - 2-2/5; eye 3; scales 7-54-17; D. XII, 12; A. III, 10; anterior - profile evenly curved; mouth moderate, maxillary not reaching - front of eye; snout long and pointed; teeth strong, conical; anterior - teeth enlarged, 2 or 3 on each side in the upper jaw, and 3 or - 4 on each side in the lower; molars in 3 series in the upper, - and 2 in the lower jaw; dorsal fin single with slender spines. - - _Calamus calamus._ The Saucer-eye Porgy. Body oblong, elevated - more than the other porgies; head 3-1/3; depth 2; eye 3-3/4; - scales 9-54-16; D. XII, 12; A. III, 10; anterior profile steep; - outline of snout slightly curved; mouth small, maxillary not - reaching front of eye; outer teeth strong, 10 or 12 in number, - the outer one in each jaw, on each side, caninelike; dorsal - spines rather strong. - - _Calamus proridens._ The Little-head Porgy. Body oblong and - much elevated; head 3-1/4; depth 2-1/3; eye 4; scales 9-58-16; - D. XII, 12; A. III, 10; anterior profile steep and straight; - mouth moderate, maxillary scarcely reaching front of eye; - anterior teeth of outer series slightly longer and more robust - than those of the cardiform band; on each side of the upper jaw - one of these teeth becomes much enlarged, caninelike, directed - obliquely forward and downward, and strongly curved, the upper - surface concave; there are usually 7 teeth of the outer series - between these two canines; no evident accessory series of - molars; dorsal spines slender and high. - - _Calamus arctifrons._ The Grass Porgy. Body oblong, but little - elevated; head 3-1/4; depth 2-2/5; eye 4-1/2; scales 6-48-13; - D. XII, 12; A. III, 10; anterior profile unevenly curved, very - convex before the eye; head narrow above; dorsal outline not - forming a regular arch; a rather sharp angle at nape; - preorbital deep; canine teeth, 8 in upper jaw and 10 in lower. - - -THE JOLT-HEAD PORGY - -(_Calamus bajonado_) - -This is the largest and most abundant of the porgies. It was described -by Bloch, in 1801, who named it _bajonado_, after the Cuban name given -by Parra in his "Natural History of Cuba." - -[Illustration THE JOLT-HEAD PORGY] -[_Calamus bajonado_] - -[Illustration THE LADY-FISH] -[_Albula vulpes_] - -[Illustration THE COBIA] -[_Rachycentron canadus_] - -It is not certain what the name is intended to signify. It may allude to -the "bayonet-like," interhæmal bones, or to _bajio_, meaning a -"sandbank" or "shoal," in allusion to its habitat. The jolt-head is -abundant along the Florida Keys, especially in the vicinity of Key West, -where it is one of the commonest market fishes; its range extends to the -West Indies. - -It has a short, deep body, compressed, its depth being half its length; -its back is more regularly arched than in the other porgies, or not so -humpbacked. The head is large, with a long, pointed snout, and mouth -moderate in size; the profile is more regularly curved than in the other -porgies. - -The predominating color is dusky or bluish, with brassy reflections; the -upper fins are pale or bluish, more or less mottled with darker shades; -the lower fins are plain; the cheeks are coppery in hue. - -The jolt-head resorts to the rocks and reefs, as well as to hard, sandy -shoals, feeding on small fishes, crustaceans, and soft-shelled mollusks. -It grows usually to eight or ten inches, but often to two feet in -length, and six or eight pounds in weight. It is a good food-fish, much -in favor with the people of Key West, and is always one of the -commonest fishes in the markets. It spawns in the summer. It is very -voracious, taking almost any kind of bait greedily. It is caught in -company with the grunts and snappers, and on the same tackle, which -should be light. Hooks Nos. 1 to 2 are large enough, Sproat-bend -preferred on account of its short barb with cutting edges and strong -wire. Sinkers adapted to the tide and depth of water must be used. - -While catching porgies at a lively rate one day I asked my boatman, a -Bahama negro, why the big porgy was called "jolt-head." He answered in -the cockney dialect peculiar to Bahama fishermen: "Vell, you see, sir, -'e 'as a big 'ed and an 'ump back, and 'e butts the rocks like a -billy-goat, a-joltin' off the snail-shells and shrimps, and 'e goes -a-blunderin' along like a wessel that 'as a bluff bow and a small 'elm. -'E 'as more happetite than gumption, and swallers anythink that comes -'andy, like the jolt-'ed or numbskull that 'e is. 'E is werry heasy to -ketch and werry good to heat." - - -THE SAUCER-EYE PORGY - -(_Calamus calamus_) - -This porgy is called "saucer-eye," owing to its having a larger eye than -the other porgies. It was first described by Cuvier and Valenciennes, -in 1830, from the West Indies. They named it _calamus_, meaning -"quill" or "reed," from the quill-like bones (interhæmal) that articulate -with the spines of the anal fin. It is abundant in the West Indies, and -is common about the Florida Keys, but not so plentiful as the -jolt-head or little-head porgies. - -[Illustration TAKING BONITO BY TROLLING OFF BLOCK ISLAND] - -It is very similar in conformation to the jolt-head, but is more -humpbacked, being quite elevated above the shoulder. The body is short, -its depth about half its length. Its head is short and deep, with a thin -and gibbous profile, and small mouth. Its color is silvery with bluish -reflections; the scales golden, forming longitudinal stripes, with -pearly-bluish interspaces; the cheeks and snout are purplish, with round -brassy spots; the fins are pale, blotched with orange; the iris of the -eye is golden. - -The saucer-eye grows to twelve or fifteen inches in length, and is -considered a good pan-fish at Key West, commanding a ready sale. It is -found in the same situations as the other porgies, grunts, and snappers, -and is equally voracious, taking the proffered bait eagerly. The tackle -for this porgy is the same as for the others, consisting of a light -rod, multiplying reel, braided linen line, size F or G, three-foot -leader, Sproat-bend hooks. No. 1 or 2, on gut snells, with sinker in -accordance with the depth of the water and the strength of the tide. -Almost any bait will answer, as sea-crawfish, cut conch, or fish. - - -THE LITTLE-HEAD PORGY - -(_Calamus proridens_) - -This species was first described by Jordan and Gilbert, in 1883, from -Key West. They named it _proridens_, meaning "prow tooth," owing to its -projecting canines. It is abundant in the West Indies, and is quite -common about Key West and the neighboring keys. It is one of the -smallest and prettiest of the porgies, and is called little-head in -contradistinction to the jolt-head or big-head porgy. It is almost -identical in shape to the saucer-eye porgy, both in head and body. - -It is brighter in color than the other porgies, being quite silvery with -iridescent reflections; the scales of the upper part of the body have -violet spots, forming longitudinal streaks; those on the lower part have -pale orange spots; the sides have several dark bands; the snout and -cheeks have horizontal, wavy stripes of violet-blue; the dorsal fin is -violet, with orange border; the anal fin is blue; the caudal fin has an -orange band. It is of similar habits to the other porgies, and found -with them, but is less common. It is a good pan-fish, growing only to -six or eight inches in length. - -The little-head porgy, though small in size, is equally as voracious as -the other porgies, and is well worth catching if only to admire its -beauty. The same tackle will answer as for the others, or more -especially that mentioned for the saucer-eye, and the same baits can be -employed. - -My Bahama negro boatman, alluded to under the jolt-head, continued his -dissertation on the porgies somewhat in this wise: "Now, sir, the -little-'ed porgy is a cute little chap; 'e gits to vind'ard o' the -big-'ed, hevry time. 'E doesn't butt 'is 'ed aginst the rocks, -a-knockin' the shells, but 'e 'as two long teeth like gouge-chisels, and -'e jist scoops hoff the crawlin' things from the rock-patches as -'andsome as you like. Little-'ed little wit; big-'ed not a bit!" - - -THE GRASS PORGY - -(_Calamus arctifrons_) - -This pretty porgy was first described by Goode and Bean, in 1882, from -Pensacola, Florida. They named it _arctifrons_, meaning "contracted -forehead," owing to the narrow forehead. It has a more extended range in -the Gulf of Mexico than the other porgies, being common in grassy -situations from Pensacola to Key West; it is not known from the West -Indies. - -The general outline of the grass porgy is very similar to that of the -saucer-eye and little-head porgies, though the back is not quite so -elevated; the profile is unevenly curved, being quite convex in front of -the eye. The mouth is slightly larger than in the saucer-eye. Its color -is olivaceous, with dark spots, and several dark vertical bars across -the body; many of the scales have pearly spots; there are several yellow -spots along the lateral line; the cheeks are brownish, with yellow -shades; the upper fins are barred or spotted; the lower fins are paler. - -It is the smallest of the porgies, but one of the prettiest. It grows to -six or eight inches in length. It is mentioned incidentally with the -others of its family in order that it may be known to anglers who are so -fortunate as to catch it and admire it. The same tackle and bait -employed for the others are suitable. It is found usually in grassy -situations. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -MISCELLANEOUS FISHES - - -THE LADY-FISH - -(_Albula vulpes_) - - _Albula vulpes._ The Lady-fish. Body rather elongate, little - compressed, covered with rather small, brilliantly-silvery - scales; head naked; snout conic, subquadrangular, shaped like - the snout of a pig, and overlapping the small, inferior, - horizontal mouth; head 3-3/4; depth 4; scales 9-71-7; D. 15; A. - 8; maxillary rather strong, short, with a distinct supplemental - bone, slipping under the membraneous edge of the very broad - preorbital; premaxillaries short, not protractile; lateral - margin of upper jaw formed by the maxillaries; both jaws, vomer - and palatines, with bands of villiform teeth; broad patches of - coarse, blunt, paved teeth on the tongue behind and on the - sphenoid and pterygoid bones; opercle moderate, firm; - preopercle with a broad, flat, membraneous edge, which extends - backward over the base of the opercle; gill membranes separate; - no gular plate; a fold of skin across gill membranes, its free - edge crenate; belly flattish, covered with ordinary scales, not - carinate; eye large, with a bony ridge above it, and almost - covered with an annular adipose eyelid. - -The lady-fish, or bone-fish, is the only representative of the family -_Albulidæ_. It has long been known to science through the early voyagers -to the southern coasts of America. It was first described by Marcgrave -in his "History of Brazil," in 1648, and afterward by Catesby, in his -"History of the Carolinas," in 1737, and named _vulpes_, or "fox," by -Linnæus, in 1758, from a specimen taken at the Bahamas. - -It inhabits the sandy shores of all warm seas and is, perhaps, the most -cosmopolitan of all game-fishes, being known from Asia, Arabia. North -and South America, the Pacific Islands, etc. It is common on the coasts -of the Atlantic and Pacific in the United States, and is especially -abundant in Florida waters, occasionally straying in summer as far north -as Long Island. - -The lady-fish is allied to the herring tribe. It has a long, -gracefully-shaped body, nearly round, or but little compressed; its -depth is a fourth of its length; it has a long head with a projecting, -piglike snout, overlapping the small mouth, which is well armed with -teeth; both jaws and the roof of the mouth in front have bands of -brushlike teeth, with patches of coarse, blunt, paved teeth on the back -of the mouth and tongue. Its color is bluish green above, with metallic -reflections; the sides are very bright and silvery, with faint streaks -along the rows of scales; the belly is white, and it feeds on small -fishes and crustaceans. - -Its spawning habits are not well understood, though the young pass -through a metamorphosis, being band-shaped, with very small head and -loose, transparent tissues. I have found them abundant on the Gulf coast -of Florida. The lady-fish grows to a length of from one to three feet, -and to a weight of from one to twelve pounds, though it is usually taken -from two to five pounds. It is a good food-fish, highly esteemed at Key -West and in the Bermudas by those who know it best. - -For its size it is one of the gamest fishes of the seacoast. When hooked -it fights as much in the air as in the water, continually leaping above -the surface like an animated silver shuttle, to which I likened it more -than twenty years ago. It is now becoming better known to anglers who -visit Florida in the winter season, who recognize in it much more -enjoyable sport on light tackle than they can obtain with the heavy -tools required for the tarpon and jewfish. - -A black-bass rod, or the Little Giant rod of eight ounces, is light -enough, as a heavier fish than the lady-fish is apt to be hooked. A good -multiplying reel and fifty yards of braided linen line, size F, and -Sproat hooks, No. 1 or 2, on gut snells, will be found eminently -suitable. No sinker is needed, as the fishing is done on the surface, -though a small brass box-swivel may be used to connect the snell and -line, as in black-bass fishing. A leader is not necessary, but it may be -used if thought best. - -The bait may be a beach-flea, or a very small, silvery fish, as a -sardine, pilchard, or mullet, though a small shell squid, or a -trolling-spoon of the size of a nickel, with a single hook, may be -employed in lieu of live bait, and is quite successful if kept in -constant motion. The minnow is to be hooked through the lips and cast as -in black-bass fishing, reeling it in slowly on or near the surface. - -The fishing may be done from any convenient place near a pass or inlet -on the flood tide. A sand-spit at the entrance, or a boat anchored just -within the inlet, are desirable places, though good fishing is sometimes -available from the end of a pier in a tideway. Fine fishing may also be -had at other stages of the tide about offshore reefs and shoals. I have -taken the lady-fish, with both fly and bait, in Biscayne Bay, in Cards -and Barnes sounds, along the keys to Key West, and at nearly every inlet -on the Gulf coast, as far north as Pass-a-Grille, above Tampa Bay, and -usually found it associated with the ten-pounder. - -The lady-fish, when hooked, will probably astonish the angler who is -attached to one for the first time, by its aërial gyrations and quick -movements. But the rod must be held at an angle of forty-five degrees, -so as to maintain a taut line, notwithstanding its constant leaping; for -if any slack line is given, it is almost sure to shake out the hook. And -as the leaps are made in such quick succession, the only safe plan is to -keep the rod bent, either in giving or taking line, or when holding the -fish on the strain of the rod. - -The lady-fish will often take a gaudy black-bass fly, in which event a -black-bass fly-rod or a heavy trout fly-rod will come handy, with -corresponding tackle. A heavy braided linen line, size D, is better -suited for salt water than the enamelled silk line, and will cast a fly -nearly as well. The flies advised for the Spanish mackerel will answer -as well for the lady-fish, though I have found the silver-doctor and -coachman both very taking toward dusk, which is the most favorable time -for fly-fishing, though the first half of the flood tide and the last -half of the ebb are usually both favorable times about the inlets. - -Twenty years or more ago I called the attention of northern anglers to -the lady-fish, or bone-fish, and the ten-pounder, or bony-fish, as -game-fishes of high degree, and accorded equal praise to both species as -to gameness. I have never been able to convince myself as to which is -entitled to the palm; but they are both good enough, and comparisons are -indeed odious as between them. I am glad to note that they are coming to -the front and their merits at last recognized. Of late years northern -anglers are having great sport with the lady-fish on Biscayne Bay; but -judging from their communications in the sportsman's journals, they are -confusing the lady-fish with the ten-pounder. This is easily accounted -for, inasmuch as they are usually of about the same size, and have very -much the same general appearance in form and bright silvery coloration; -and moreover there is a confusion attending their vernacular names, as -the lady-fish is sometimes known as bony-fish. It should be remembered -that the lady-fish has an overhanging, piglike snout and larger scales, -while the ten-pounder has a terminal mouth with the jaws about equal, -and smaller scales. Moreover, the bony-fish, or ten-pounder, has a bony -plate under the lower jaw, like the tarpon, which is absent in the -lady-fish. Both are cosmopolitan, inhabiting the warm seas of both -continents. They have been known to science for a century and a half, -and have been described by many naturalists from different parts of the -world. The current specific names were both bestowed by Linnæus. -Catesby, in 1837, called the lady-fish (_Albula vulpes_) of the Bahamas -"bone-fish," while Captain William Dampier, one of the early explorers, -called the bony-fish (_Elops saurus_) of the Bahamas "ten-pounder." The -fishermen of Key West usually know the lady-fish as bone-fish, and the -ten-pounder as bony-fish. The best plan for anglers is to adopt the -names lady-fish and ten-pounder for them, and relegate or ignore the -names bone-fish, bony-fish, and skip-jack. - - -THE TEN-POUNDER - -(_Elops saurus_) - - _Elops saurus._ The Ten-pounder. Body elongate, covered with - small, silvery scales; head 4-1/4; depth 6; eye 4, large; - scales 12-120-13; D. 20; A. 13; dorsal fin slightly behind - ventrals, its last rays short, depressible into a sheath of - scales; anal fin smaller, similarly depressible; pectoral and - ventral fins moderate, each with a long, accessory scale; - opercular bones thin, with expanded membraneous borders; a - scaly occipital collar; gular plate 3 to 4 times as long as - broad; pseudobranchiæ large; lateral line straight, its tubes - simple. - -The ten-pounder, or bony-fish, belongs to the same family, _Elopidæ_, as -the tarpon, and both are allied to the herring tribe. The ten-pounder -was first described by Linnæus, in 1776, from specimens sent to him from -South Carolina by Dr. Garden. He named it _saurus_, or "lizard," but -there is nothing lizard-like about the ten-pounder. I imagine that Dr. -Garden sent the fish under the name of "lizard," from hearing it called -by its Spanish name of "lisa," which is pronounced much like lizard. The -ten-pounder was mentioned by some of the old voyagers to the West Indies -and Carolinas. Like the lady-fish, the ten-pounder is a cosmopolitan, -existing in the warm seas of both hemispheres. In the United States it -is common to the southern portions of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts -and the Gulf of Mexico. - -In the general aspect and contour of its silvery body the ten-pounder -has much the appearance of the lady-fish, and has been often confounded -with it by anglers. Its body, however, is more slender than that of the -lady-fish, with smaller scales and a very different head and mouth; the -lady-fish has a piglike, overhanging snout, while the lower jaw of the -ten-pounder projects slightly. The depth of the body of the ten-pounder -is only about a sixth of its length, and the body is not much -compressed, being nearly round. The head is long and pointed, with a -very wide mouth, with upper and lower lips nearly equal, or terminal. -The eye is large, hence one of its names, big-eyed herring. There are -many series of small and sharp cardlike teeth on the jaws, tongue, and -roof of the mouth. There is a bony plate beneath the lower jaw. - -The color on the back is greenish or bluish, the sides silvery and -bright, and belly white; the top of the head is greenish, with bronze -reflections; the cheeks have a golden lustre; the lower fins are tinged -with yellow, the others dusky. - -Its habits are not unlike those of the lady-fish, and they often -associate. It feeds principally on crustaceans and also on small fishes. -It frequents sandy shoals and banks in shallow water at high tide, also -grassy situations where its food abounds. Its breeding habits are not -well understood, though, like the lady-fish, its young pass through a -larval form, and are ribbon-shaped. It grows to a length of two feet or -more, and weighs several pounds, sometimes ten or more. It is quite -bony, and is not considered a good food-fish, but excels as a game-fish, -being equal to the lady-fish in this respect. - -The same tackle as that recommended for its congener, the lady-fish, -answers just as well for the ten-pounder, and it can be fished for in -the same locations. It frequents shallow water on the grassy banks and -sandy shoals rather more than the lady-fish, and can be sought there -accordingly, as well as at the inlets when the tide is making. - -Both the ten-pounder and the lady-fish are warm-water fishes. They are -to be found in Biscayne Bay and along the neighboring keys during -winter, and as the water becomes warmer they extend their range -northward on both coasts. After the disastrous frosts that occurred -during the winters of 1886 and 1895 in Florida, I saw windrows of dead -ten-pounders, lady-fishes, and tarpon on the beaches about Charlotte -Harbor. They had become chilled from the sudden lowering of the -temperature. I have caught both the ten-pounder and lady-fish as far -north as Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida, and Indian River Inlet -on the east coast. My fishing was mostly done from the points of inlets -and passes, on the flood tide, and usually with the artificial fly, in -shallow water, the time and places mentioned being the most favorable -for fly-fishing. At other times I have fished on the shallow bars and -grassy banks, using such crustaceans as fiddlers, beach-fleas, and -shrimps for bait, alternated with small minnows. When beach-fleas are -used a fly-rod is preferable and the hook should be smaller than where -other bait is employed; No. 4 is about right, if of the Sproat or -O'Shaughnessy pattern, they being of larger and stronger wire than other -patterns. If beach-fleas are used with a bait-rod, a small sinker must -be added to give weight to the cast. - -The ten-pounder snaps at the bait or fly in the manner of most fishes, -and is off immediately in a wild whirl, skimming through the water, if -shallow, in a way to astonish the angler who hooks one for the first -time. Then follows a series of brilliant leaps and aërial contortions -that commands the admiration of the coldest-blooded fisher. The -lady-fish, however, owing to the position of its mouth, being underneath -its projecting snout, does not at first take the bait with the vim and -snap of the ten-pounder, but apparently nibbles or mouths it for a -while, but when hooked displays the same energy and desperate efforts to -escape as its congener. The consistent angler may truly exclaim with -Pope:-- - - "How happy could I be with either. - Were t'other dear charmer away." - - -THE SNOOK, OR ROVALLIA - -(_Centropomus undecimalis_) - - _Centropomus undecimalis._ The Snook. Body elongate, with - elevated back and straight abdomen; head 3; depth 4; eye 7; - scales 9-75-16; D. VIII-I, 10; A. III, 6; head depressed, - pikelike, the lower jaw projecting; villiform teeth in bands on - jaws, vomer, and palatines; tongue smooth; dorsal fins well - separated; preorbital faintly serrated; subopercular flap - extending nearly to dorsal fin; maxillary to middle of eye; - gill-rakers 4 + 9. - -The snook belongs to the family _Centropomidæ_, which embraces a dozen -or more species, most of which inhabit the West Indies and the southern -Pacific coast, and are all good game-fishes. The snook was first -described by Bloch from Jamaica, in 1792; he named it _undecimalis_, or -"eleven," as the soft dorsal fin has eleven rays. The name snook was -mentioned as the name of this fish by the early explorers, among whom -was Captain William Dampier, who also mentioned several others, as -"ten-pounders," "cavallies," "tarpoms," etc. Snook is derived from -"snoek," the Dutch name for the pike, which it resembles slightly in the -shape of the head, though it is more like the pike-perch in its -structure and appearance. On the east coast of Florida this fish is -known as the snook, and on the Gulf coast as rovallia, the latter name -being a corruption of its Spanish name _robalo_, by which it is known in -Havana. It is sometimes called sergeant-fish, from the black stripe -along its sides. It is common along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, -from Texas to the West Indies, and is especially abundant in the bays -and lagoons of both coasts of Florida, often ascending the rivers to -fresh water. - -It has a long, robust, and nearly round body, its depth being a fourth -of its length; the back is slightly elevated and arched. The head is -long and depressed, or flat, and is more than a third of the total -length of the body; the mouth is large, with a projecting lower jaw; the -gill-cover is very long; there are brushlike teeth on the jaws and the -roof of the mouth, but no sharp or conical teeth as in the pike or -pike-perch. - -The color of the back is olive-green, the sides silvery, and the belly -white; there is a distinct and very black stripe along the side, -following the lateral line from the head to the caudal fin; the dorsal -fins are dusky; the lower fins are yellowish. - -The snook is a very voracious fish, feeding on fishes, crabs, and other -crustaceans, and resorts to sandy shoals and grassy flats where its -food is found. It grows to a length of two or three feet, and a weight -of twenty or thirty pounds. It is a fair food-fish, though not held in -much favor in Florida where so many better food-fishes are common. It is -better flavored if skinned instead of scaled. - -It is a strong, active game-fish, that, when hooked, starts off with a -rush that is dangerous to light tackle, and its subsequent manoeuvres -require very careful handling when it is of a large size. It has smashed -many light rods in the hands of anglers who were not aware of its -pugnacity. It will take any kind of natural bait, and rises well to the -artificial fly. - -A rather heavy black-bass rod or a light striped-bass rod is required -for the large fish of the bays and estuaries, though ordinary black-bass -tackle will answer for those of less weight at the mouths of streams, or -in fresh water, to which it often resorts. A good multiplying reel and -fifty yards of braided linen line are sufficient, though one hundred -yards will not be amiss, as large fishes of other species are very apt -to be hooked in Florida waters. Sproat or O'Shaughnessy hooks, Nos. 1-0 -to 3-0, on heavy gut snells are required, with a brass box-swivel to -connect the snell with the reel line; a sinker may be used or not, -depending on the strength of the tide, though the fishing is usually -practised in quiet water, and not in the tideways. - -A small fish, mullet or sardine, or fiddler-crab bait, will prove very -enticing to the snook, though the minnow is better adapted for casting. -The fishing is much like black-bass fishing in fresh waters, and the -snook takes the bait in its mouth in much the same way as a bass, -starting off at once with a great commotion if near the surface. Its -desperate and vigorous spurts and rushes are apt to put one's tackle in -jeopardy if the fish is large, and it must be handled with caution and -skill. - -For fly-fishing, a rod of nine or ten ounces is not too heavy where the -fish run large. A heavy braided linen line, size D or E, is best for -casting the fly in salt water. Black-bass flies of showy patterns, on -hooks No. 1 or 2, as coachman, silver-doctor, polka, oriole, red ibis, -professor, etc., will answer. The most favorable time is on the flood -tide near the inlets, or toward evening if in quiet coves or lagoons. -The fly should be repeatedly cast and then allowed to sink a foot or -two. If fishing from a boat, it must be kept in the deeper water, and -the casts made under the mangroves, or to the edges of sand-spits, -shoals, or mud-flats, which abound in all bays on the west coast of -Florida. - -The snook is easily captured by trolling with hand-line and the spoon or -minnow, though it is a questionable style of sport at best. Along the -edges of shoals and mud-flats and over grassy banks the snook will be -found at home. A landing-net should always be used for any kind of -fishing with the fly. - - -THE TRIPLE-TAIL - -(_Lobotes surinamensis_) - - _Lobotes surinamensis._ The Triple-tail. Body oblong, deep, - compressed and elevated; head 3; depth 2; scales 47; head - small; snout short; mouth moderate, oblique, with thick lips; - profile of head concave; upper jaw very protractile; the lower, - the longest; maxillary without supplemental bone; jaws with - narrow bands of villiform teeth, in front of which is a row of - larger conical teeth, directed backward; no teeth on vomer or - palatines; preopercle strongly serrate; maxillary reaching - middle of orbit; scales around eyes small, those on opercles - large; eye small; small scales running up on the base of soft - dorsal, anal, and caudal fins; caudal rounded; D. XII, 15; A. - III, 11; soft rays of dorsal and anal fins elevated, of nearly - equal size, and opposite each other; anal spines graduated; - branchial rays 6. - -The triple-tail belongs to the family _Lobotidæ_. It is allied to the -snapper family, but differs in having no teeth on the roof of the mouth. -It was first described by Bloch, in 1790, from Surinam. South America. -He named it _surinamensis_, from the name of the locality whence his -specimens were procured. There is another species on the Pacific coast, -_Lobotes pacificus_, that is quite abundant at Panama, where it is known -as berrugate. - -The triple-tail is known in all warm seas. Its range on the Atlantic -coast extends from South America north to Cape Cod, though it is not -abundant. I have taken it on both the east and west coasts of Florida. -At Tampa it is called black snapper, and in South Carolina it is known -as black perch. I have never heard it called flasher, which is said to -be its name in the markets of New York. - -It is a short, thick, robust fish, nearly half as deep as long, with an -elevated back, and with the ventral outline corresponding with its -dorsal curve. The head is a third of the length of the body, its profile -concave, the snout prominent, and the lower jaw projecting; the mouth is -of moderate size, with thick lips. - -The color of the back is dark, or greenish black, the sides silvery -gray, sometimes blotched and tinged with yellow; the fins are dusky gray -or yellowish. In life these colors are very bright, but after death -they become almost black. - -It feeds on small fishes, mussels, and crustaceans and grows to a length -of two or three feet, weighing from ten to fifteen pounds, though its -usual size is not more than one-half of this length and weight. Its -breeding habits are unknown. It is found in northern waters only during -the summer months, but from South Carolina to Florida it is common all -the year. - -It is a strong and vigorous fish, but rather slow and sluggish in its -movements, and not remarkable for game qualities, though it pulls -steadily and strongly when hooked. It will take shrimp, clam, fiddler, -or small fishes as bait. - -A light striped-bass chum rod is very suitable for the triple-tail when -of good size. A multiplying reel and fifty yards of braided linen line, -hooks No. 1-0 or 2-0, on heavy gut snells, and a brass box-swivel, make -up the rest of the tackle. A sinker will probably not be needed as it is -usually found in quiet coves about sandy shoals or grassy flats. I have -taken it on both coasts of Florida, though it is more common on the east -coast. I have also caught it in Chesapeake Bay and near Charleston, -South Carolina, but never over five pounds in weight, though I have -seen it taken in nets up to about ten pounds. Its short and rounded -caudal fin, with the soft portions of the dorsal and anal fins, -together, give the appearance of three tails, hence the name -triple-tail, by which it is generally known. - - -THE COBIA - -(_Rachycentron canadus_) - - _Rachycentron canadus._ The Cobia. Body elongate, fusiform, - subcylindrical, covered with very small, smooth, adherent - scales; head 4-1/4; depth 5-2/3; D. VIII-I, 26; A. II, 25; head - broad, low, pikelike, the bones above appearing through the - thin skin; mouth wide, nearly horizontal, the maxillary - reaching front of eye; both jaws, vomer, palatines, and tongue - with bands of short, sharp teeth; lower jaw longest; - premaxillaries not protractile; preopercle unarmed; two dorsal - fins, the spines of the first depressible in a groove; soft - dorsal long and low, somewhat falcate, similar to, and nearly - opposite, the anal; caudal fin strongly forked; no caudal keel; - no finlets; gill-rakers short and stout; pectorals broad and - falcate. - -The cobia, or sergeant-fish, is the only fish of its family, -_Rachycentridæ_. It was first described by Linnæus, in 1766, from a -specimen sent to him by Dr. Garden from South Carolina; it is allied to -the mackerel tribe, and is found in all warm seas in the old and new -worlds. On the Atlantic coast it is common from the Chesapeake Bay to -Florida, but occasionally strays north to Cape Cod in the summer. It is -rather rare on the west coast of Florida, but common on the east coast. - -It is a long and round-bodied fish, quite gracefully formed, with a -depth of about one-fifth of its length. The head is broad and flat, -something like that of the pike, with a wide mouth, and with jaws, roof -of mouth, and tongue armed with bands of short, sharp teeth; the lower -jaw projects. The back is olive-brown, or dusky, the sides lighter and -silvery, and the belly white; a distinct broad and very dark stripe -extends from the upper jaw and through the eye to the caudal fin, with -an indistinct one above and below, and parallel with it. Owing to this -dark stripe the cobia is sometimes called sergeant-fish, thus -confounding it with the snook. - -The habits of the cobia are not unlike those of the pike, or mascalonge, -of fresh waters, in that it is solitary and lies in wait for its prey, -and is almost as rapacious. It lies under the mangroves and cocoa-plum -bushes along Indian River and other streams of the east coast of -Florida, watching for stray fishes and crabs on which it feeds. It is -commonly seen of a length of two or three feet, but grows considerably -longer, with a weight of fifteen to twenty pounds. The largest I have -seen was at Key West; it was fully five feet long. It is not uncommon in -the Chesapeake Bay, and like most of the mackerel tribe it is a fairly -good food-fish. It spawns in summer, but its breeding habits are not -fully understood. - -As might be imagined from its shape and habits, it is a good game-fish, -and quite strong and vigorous on the rod. It requires all of the -angler's skill to land it safely, especially when it is taken about the -mangroves, among whose arching and numerous roots it is sure to take -refuge if it can do so. It will take a small fish bait or a crab, going -for it with a pikelike rush. I once took one on Indian River with a -large red ibis fly, but never succeeded in catching another with the -same lure. - -A strong, rather heavy rod is necessary for the cobia, which the Key -West fishermen call cobi-ó. A striped-bass chum rod of natural bamboo is -a good and serviceable tool for the work, with multiplying reel and -braided linen line, to which is affixed a Sproat hook, No. 3-0, on gimp -snell, by a brass box-swivel. A sinker should not be used about the -mangroves. - -A fiddler-crab, a mullet, or other small fish is hooked through the -lips, and is cast from a boat to the edge of the mangroves or other -bushes, in the same way as in casting for mascalonge in northern waters. -I have never tried casting with a spoon, which might be successful, but -a minnow is better by far. The cobia takes the bait with a fierce lunge, -and turning quickly endeavors to return to his lair, a proceeding that -must be thwarted by the angler at all hazards to his rod or tackle, for -once under the arching roots of the mangroves he is as good as gone. The -boat must be rowed to open water at once, while a strong strain is -maintained by the rod on the fish. With open water the angler can play -his fish with leisure, though he will be severely taxed by the struggles -of as game a fish as he is likely to meet during a winter's sojourn in -Florida. - - -THE SPOTTED WEAKFISH - -(_Cynoscion nebulosus_) - - _Cynoscion nebulosus._ The Spotted Weakfish. Body rather - elongate, compressed; head 3-1/2; depth 4-1/2; scales 10-70-11; - D. X-I, 26; A. II, 10; eye 7; snout long and acute; mouth - large, maxillary reaching to posterior edge of eye; lower - pharyngeals narrow, each with 7 or 8 series of short teeth, the - inner enlarged; maxillary, preorbital, and lower jaw naked; - canines in upper jaw strong; lower jaw without canines, other - teeth in narrow bands, sharp, but closely set; membrane of - preopercle serrate, the bone entire; pseudobranchiæ well - developed; caudal lunate; soft rays of dorsal and anal - scaleless; gill-rakers short and thick, 4 + 7. - -This fish is closely allied to the northern weakfish, and belongs to the -same family, _Sciænidæ_. It is known very generally in Florida as trout, -salt-water trout, or sea-trout, owing to its spots. It is, of course, -not a trout at all, and these names should be set aside; moreover, the -name sea-trout is preoccupied by the sea-run brook-trout of the Gulf of -St. Lawrence. Its present specific name, _nebulosus_, or "clouded," was -bestowed by Cuvier and Valenciennes, in 1830, displacing the earlier and -better name _maculatus_, or "spotted," conferred by Dr. S.L. Mitchill, -in 1815, for reasons that it is unnecessary to refer to here. It is -abundant from Virginia to Florida, and along the Gulf coast to Texas. It -occasionally strays as far north as New Jersey. - -It is almost the counterpart of the common weakfish in the form of its -body, the depth of which is about a fourth of its length, and with a -similar head, eye, and mouth, but with somewhat smaller scales, and a -few less rays in the second dorsal fin. Its mouth is large, with narrow -bands of sharp teeth on the jaws, and two long canine teeth in the upper -jaw. - -Its color is bluish gray on the back, with steely reflections, the sides -are silvery and the belly white. The upper half of the body has -numerous black spots, as large as the pupil of the eye, with smaller -ones on the soft dorsal and anal fins; the other fins are plainer, and -the anal fin is dusky. - -The spotted weakfish is a better food-fish, and also a better game-fish, -than its northern cousin. It is abundant in the bays of Florida during -the entire year, often ascending the streams to fresh water. Its usual -weight is from two to four pounds, often of six to eight, and sometimes -of even ten pounds or more. It appears in schools in March and April, -often in company with the Spanish mackerel, and runs into brackish water -for the purpose of spawning. It spawns in the spring; the eggs are -buoyant, quite small, about thirty to the inch, and hatch in two days. -It feeds on small fishes and crustaceans. - -All things considered, it is one of the best game-fishes of Florida. It -is a surface feeder and takes the artificial fly eagerly, as well as -natural bait, or the artificial squid and trolling-spoon. With light -tackle it affords good sport, being a strong and determined fighter. It -is a great favorite with all anglers who are acquainted with its merits. - -When of the usual weight of from two to four pounds, black-bass tackle -is very suitable and serviceable in rod, reel, line, hooks, or flies, -though a rather heavy braided linen line is better adapted for salt -water than a silk one. To be more explicit, an eight-ounce rod, -multiplying reel, line size F, Sproat hooks Nos. 2-0 to 3-0 on gut or -gimp snells, will be found to be just about right for bait-fishing. - -For fly-fishing, a rod of eight ounces, click reel, braided linen line, -size E, leader of three or four feet, single gut, and black-bass flies -such as silver-doctor, red ibis, Abbey, soldier, oriole, coachman, etc., -on hooks Nos. 1 to 2, will be found to answer in skilful hands. A -heavier rod may be used when the fish run larger, and also flies on -hooks a size or two larger. Very small phantom minnows, spoons, or -squids may be often used with success when the fish are running in -schools in the spring. - -Fishing, either with fly or bait, can be practised with good results at -flood tide from the end of long piers that extend to deep water, or at -the points of inlets during the running season. The piers at Port Tampa -and St. Petersburg, on Tampa Bay, also at Mullet Key and Egmont Key, or -Pass-a-Grille, in the same vicinity, are famed fishing resorts in March -and April. I prefer to fish from a boat moored to the pier, rather than -from the pier itself, as the fish are not so likely to see one, and they -are more conveniently landed. - -During the winter the best fishing will be found in the bays and bayous, -or in the streams, in the vicinity of sand-shoals or mud-flats, at -almost any stage of the tide, which usually rises but a foot or two in -the bays of the west coast. At the inlets and passes, at the first of -the flood and last of the ebb tide, the fishing is also good during the -winter months. - -The spotted weakfish takes its prey at the surface with a snap of its -jaws that is quite audible, especially at night when one's yacht is at -anchor. It takes the angler's fly or bait in the same way. It will -remind him forcibly of the bite of a large brook-trout, and its manner -of resistance when hooked is very much the same as with that fish--one -reason for the name sea-trout. - -The fishing is especially good in Tampa and Sarasota bays, and the upper -portion of Charlotte Harbor, on the west coast; and on the east coast at -the mouths of streams entering Halifax River. Mosquito Lagoon, or Indian -River. - - -THE DEEP-SEA WEAKFISH - -(_Cynoscion thalassinus_) - -This species was first described by Dr. Holbrook, in 1859, from the -coast of South Carolina. He named it _thalassinus_, or "pertaining to -the sea," from its supposed habit of living in deep water. It is either -a rare fish or it has been confounded with the common weakfish. It has -been recorded from several places on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, -in Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, and Mississippi. It is supposed to -inhabit the deep water of the sea and Gulf, though this is by no means -certain. - -Its form is very similar to the spotted weakfish, with a more pointed -snout and somewhat larger eye; otherwise it is much the same. Its color -is brownish above, lighter below; the middle of the sides is marked with -many dark dots; there is a dark blotch on the upper part of the cheek; -the first dorsal fin is black, the second dorsal and anal fins are -dusky, and the other fins pale. The same remarks as to fishing for the -spotted weakfish will apply as well to this species, if the opportunity -should occur to the angler. It is a doubtful species at best, and may -eventually prove to be an aberrant form of the spotted weakfish. - - -THE BERMUDA CHUB - -(_Kyphosus sectatrix_) - - _Kyphosus sectatrix._ The Bermuda Chub. Body ovate, somewhat - compressed; head 3-3/4; depth 2-1/8; scales 10-55-16; D. XI, - 12; A. III, 11; head short, with blunt snout; mouth small, - maxillary reaching front of eye; each jaw with a series of - narrow incisors, implanted with compressed conspicuous roots - posteriorly; behind these a narrow band of villiform teeth; - fine teeth on vomer, palatines, and tongue; teeth 35 to 40 on - each side; preopercle weakly serrate; top and sides of head - finely scaled; interorbital region gibbous, below which point - snout is truncate; soft dorsal and anal very low; second anal - spine highest; caudal well forked, the lower lobe longest; - gill-rakers long; dorsal spines depressible in a groove of - scales; small ctenoid scales entirely covering the soft - portions of the vertical fins, and extending up on the paired - fins. - -The chub belongs to the family of rudder-fishes, _Kyphosidæ_. It was -noticed as _sectatrix_ by Catesby in his "History of the Carolinas," in -1738, and was so named by Linnæus in 1758. _Sectatrix_ is the feminine -of _sectator_, meaning "one who follows," in allusion to its habit of -following vessels. Its range is along the South Atlantic coast to the -West Indies, sometimes straying as far north as Cape Cod in the summer. -It is common on the west coast of Florida. - -It has an oblong, elliptical body, its depth being more than a third of -its length. The head is short, with a blunt snout and small mouth, and a -curved profile. There are well-developed incisor teeth in each jaw, -with peculiar horizontal bases. Its color is bluish-gray, with steely -lustre; the sides have numerous narrow, indistinct, yellowish or brassy -stripes, alternating with bluish ones; there is a pale stripe below the -eye, and a yellowish one above and below it; the fins are dull grayish. - -The chub feeds on barnacles and other small mollusks, and is found -wherever they abound, sometimes in rather deep water. Its usual size is -six to ten inches, weighing from one to three or four pounds, but it -occasionally grows to fifteen or eighteen inches in length in favorable -locations. Its spawning habits have not been studied. It is an excellent -pan-fish. Light tackle is needed for the chub and pin-fish, both being -usually found together. The hook should be small but strong, with gimp -snell; Sproat hooks, No. 1 or 2, are very suitable. The best bait is -fiddler-crab or hermit-crab. It is quite a game little fish. - -I was once staying for a few days' fishing at the Quarantine Station on -Mullet Key, in Tampa Bay. The station is built on piles in water twenty -feet deep. There was a trap-door in the floor of one of the rooms, -through which many kinds of fish could be seen swimming about in the -very clear water. These fishes could be readily taken with the hook or -the spear, as they were unable to see any one in the dark room above. I -was much interested watching the chub and sheepshead pinching off the -barnacles from the piles with their chisel-like teeth. A dozen could be -easily taken in as many minutes with fiddler bait, and the table was -kept well supplied with chub, which was the favorite food-fish during my -sojourn. - - -THE ANGEL-FISH - -(_Chætodipterus faber_) - - _Chætodipterus faber._ The Angel-fish. Body much elevated and - compressed, its outline nearly orbicular, the anterior profile - nearly vertical; head 3; depth 1 to 1-1/2; scales 60; D. - VIII-I, 20; A. III, 18; jaws about equal; no teeth on vomer or - palatines; teeth on jaws slender, somewhat movable; preopercle - finely serrate; two dorsal fins, somewhat connected; vertical - fins falcate in the adult; first soft ray of dorsal - filamentous; ventral fin with a large accessory scale. - -There are a number of angel-fishes in Florida, remarkable for their -bizarre and beautiful coloration, but of no importance to the angler as -they do not often take the baited hook, their very small mouths and weak -teeth being only adapted for feeding on the minute organisms about the -coral reefs. The common angel-fish, or spade-fish, is more sombre in -hue than the others, and belongs to a different family, _Ephippidæ_; -it has a somewhat larger mouth, and is more widely distributed. It was -described by Broussonet, in 1782, from Jamaica, who named it - _faber_, or "blacksmith," though why is difficult to imagine, except -that it is dark in its general hue, with smutty cross bars. It is very -abundant from the South Atlantic coast to South America, and is -not uncommon, occasionally, as far north as Cape Cod. It -is very common on the east and west coasts of Florida. - -[Illustration THE ANGEL-FISH] -[_Chætodipterus faber_] - -[Illustration THE TURBOT] -[_Balistes carolinensis_] - -It has a short, very deep body, nearly round in outline, and very much -compressed; it is almost as deep as long. Its head is short and deep, -with its profile nearly vertical. The mouth is small, with slender, -movable teeth, on jaws only; the soft dorsal and anal fins are quite -large and winglike, extending far backward nearly to the tail; they are -quite scaly, which adds much to their thickness and stiffness; the -caudal fin is broad and nearly square. - -The general color is usually gray or slate color, often bluish with -iridescent tints; there are several dusky, broad vertical bars across -the body, becoming obsolete or faint with age. - -It feeds on small marine organisms, and grows to a length of two feet, -occasionally, though its usual size is ten or twelve inches, and average -weight from one to three or four pounds. It is an excellent food-fish, -though its good qualities in this respect are not generally known. It -spawns in the spring. - -It is usually taken in seines in the bays of the Gulf coast, and salted -with mullet and sheepshead by the fishermen. It can be caught by the -angler with a very small hook, No. 5 or 6, and cut clam or conch bait. -It is a fair game-fish on light tackle, which may be the same as advised -for the Bermuda chub. - - -THE PIN-FISH - -(_Lagodon rhomboides_) - - _Lagodon rhomboides._ The Pin-fish. Body elongate, elliptical; - head 3-1/5; depth 2-1/2; eye 4; scales 10-65-17; D. XII, 11; A. - III, 11; mouth moderate, maxillary not reaching front of orbit; - head flattened; snout pointed; profile not very steep; 4 - incisors in each jaw, all deeply notched; two series of molars - in each jaw; dorsal fin single, with high spines; caudal fin - deeply forked. - -The pin-fish, also called sailor's choice and bream in some localities, -belongs to the family _Sparidæ_, and is closely related to the -sheepshead of that family, having incisor and molar teeth. It differs -from it in the conformation of the skull. - -The pin-fish was first described by Linnæus, in 1766, from specimens -sent to him by Dr. Garden from South Carolina. He named it _rhomboides_, -meaning "rhomboid," from the shape of its body. It is abundant on the -South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, extending south to Cuba, and -occasionally north to Cape Cod. It is found in all bays on the east and -west coasts of Florida. - -Its body is symmetrical, being rather evenly curved on both dorsal and -ventral lines, and rather deep; its head is large, with a depression in -front of the eye. Its color is olivaceous, darkest on the back, with -bluish silvery sides, and narrow horizontal stripes of blue and gold, -alternating, and six faint, broad vertical bars; it has a dark spot on -the shoulder at the top of the gill-cover; the dorsal fin is bluish with -gilt edge; the anal fin is bluish with yellow band; the caudal fin is -yellow, faintly barred; the ventral fins are yellowish; the pectoral -fins are plain. - -It is a pretty fish, and is usually abundant wherever found. It feeds on -small mollusks and barnacles, resorting to old wharves and about the -mangroves where such food abounds. It grows to a length of six or eight -inches, and though small, it is a good pan-fish. It spawns in the -spring. The same light tackle used for the pig-fish and pork-fish can be -utilized for the pin-fish, with small, strong hooks, as Sproat bend, No. -4 or 5, on gut snells. The ends of piers and wharves, in comparatively -shallow water, are favorable localities for fishing. - - -THE SQUIRREL-FISH - -(_Holocentrus ascensionis_) - - _Holocentrus ascensionis._ The Squirrel-fish. Body oblong, - moderately compressed, the back a little elevated; head 3-2/3; - depth 3-2/5; eye 3; scales 5-50-7; D. XI, 15; A. IV, 10; head - compressed, narrowed forward; opercle with a strong spine - above, below with the edge sharply serrated; preopercle with a - strong spine at its angle; mouth small, little oblique, with - the lower jaw projecting somewhat; eye excessively large; upper - lobe of caudal fin the longest; soft dorsal fin pointed, as - high as the body; third anal spine very strong, as long as - longest anal ray. - -The squirrel-fish belongs to the family _Holocentridæ_, the species -comprising that family having very rough or spinous scales, a single -dorsal fin, deeply divided, with the spines very tall; the caudal fin -deeply forked; the anal fin with four spines; and a very large eye. - -The squirrel-fish belongs to the West Indian fauna, ranging from the -Florida Keys to South America. It was first described by Osbeck, in -1771, from Ascension Island, who named it for that locality. It is not -uncommon along the reefs, where I have taken it a number of times. Its -body is oblong, moderately compressed, its depth about a third of its -length, with the back slightly elevated, and the ventral outline nearly -straight. Its mouth is small, the eye enormously large, and the caudal -fin deeply forked. Its color is bright crimson, with a darker shade on -the back, and a somewhat lighter tint below, with silver streaks along -the sides. The fins are also red, some bordered with olive; the head is -red above, with an oblique white bar running back and down from the eye. -It feeds about the reefs on small fishes and marine invertebrates, and -grows to two feet in length, occasionally, but is usually found smaller. -It is a good food-fish and sells at sight in the market. It is a -remarkably handsome and attractive fish in appearance. - -In one of Stockton's stories, John Gayther, the gardener, tells of the -curious and beautiful things to be seen on a coral reef in the tropics, -with the aid of a long box with a glass in the end. His description -applies just as well to the vicinity of the Dry Tortugas, where I have -often viewed the wonders of the sea-floor through a sponge-glass, a -wooden pail with a glass bottom:-- - -"Where the water is so clear that with a little help you can see -everything just as if it were out in the open air,--bushes and vines and -hedges; all sorts of waving plants, all made of seaweed and coral, -growing in the white sand; and instead of birds flying about among their -branches, there were little fishes of every color: canary-colored -fishes, fishes like robin-redbreasts, and others which you might have -thought were blue jays if they had been up in the air instead of down in -the water." - - -THE TURBOT - -(_Balistes carolinensis_) - - _Balistes carolinensis._ The Turbot. The fishes comprising the - family _Balistidæ_ are characterized by an ovate body, much - compressed; small and low mouth, with separate incisor teeth; - eye very high; gill opening a small slit; the absence of - ventral fins; the dorsal fins widely separated, the first with - but 1 to 3 spines. The turbot has a very deep compressed body, - covered with thick, rough plates or scales; head 3-1/4; depth - 1-3/4; eye small; scales about 60; about 35 scales in an - oblique series from vent upward and forward; D. III, 27; A. 25; - third dorsal spine stouter than the second and remote from it; - plates on head similar to those on body; caudal lobes produced; - soft dorsal high; ventral flaps large, supported by several - pungent spines; lateral line very slender, undulating, and very - crooked, showing only when scales are dry; a groove before the - eye; larger plates behind the gill opening. - -The turbot, or leather-fish, belongs to the family _Balistidæ_, or -trigger-fishes. It was first described by Gmelin, in 1788, from -Carolina, from one of Dr. Garden's specimens, Gmelin being a coadjutor -of Linnæus, to whom the specimen was sent. The locality from which the -type specimen was sent accounts for its name. - -The turbot, as it is called by the Key West fishermen, is an inhabitant -of tropical waters, and is abundant on the South Atlantic coast and -along the Florida Keys; it is known also from the Mediterranean Sea. -Like all of the trigger-fishes it has a curious form and appearance. It -is as deep as long, and slants both ways from the dorsal fin above and -from the ventral flap below, presenting somewhat of a diamond shape. The -head is triangular, and the fins are thick and leathery. The first -dorsal spine is locked when erect by the second, or "trigger." The soft -dorsal and anal fins are opposite each other, and are of similar size -and shape. The color is olive-gray, or slate color, with some purplish -spots on the back; two obscure cross bars are under the second dorsal -fin; a ring of blue spots alternating with greenish streaks are about -the eye; there are violet marks on the sides of the snout; the first -dorsal is spotted and clouded with bluish; the second dorsal has pale -yellowish spots, with rows of blue ones, separated by greenish -reticulations; the anal fin is colored like the second dorsal; the -pectoral fins are bluish with olive spots. - -The leather-fish, or turbot, resorts to rocky shoals and coral reefs, -feeding on the small marine organisms that are abundant in such -localities. Nothing is known of its breeding habits. It grows to a foot -in length and is considered a good food-fish by the people of Key West. -The thick skin and rough scales are pared off together with a sharp -knife by the fishermen when delivered to a customer. It is caught, with -the grunts, porgies, etc., in the channels among the keys and reefs with -the baited hook, and also in wire traps. Very small hooks must be used -for the turbot, as it has a very small mouth. Cut crawfish, conch, or -barnacles are good baits. - - - - -CONCLUSION - -In closing this account it occurs to me to say that the angler who has a -genuine love for the finny tribe, and who has never visited the sunny -waters of Florida, has in store an experience of joy and delight in the -wonderful variety of its fishes. Some idea may be formed of their number -from the fact that I have collected nearly three hundred species in the -fresh and salt water of that sub-tropical wonderland. And the fishing -lasts the year round, and is always good, except when an unusually cold -"norther" is blowing. The warm-water species, like the tarpon, -lady-fish, and ten-pounder, are more plentiful, and extend their range -farther northward in the summer. At that season all of the inlets and -passes of both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts abound with them; but the -winter visitor will find them in Biscayne Bay, Barnes Sound, Cards -Sound, and south-west along the keys to the Dry Tortugas. The brackish -water species will be found all winter in the bays and estuaries of -either coast. - -A just idea of the fishing resources of Florida twenty years ago--and it -is much the same today--may, perhaps, be gathered from the following -excerpts from my "Camping and Cruising in Florida":-- - -"At flood-tide the channels under the mangroves teem with redfish, -groupers, and snappers, while near the beds of coon oysters are schools -of sheepshead and drum. In fact, all of the passes and inlets of the -Gulf coast are fairly alive with fishes, from the mullet to sharks and -sawfish. While lying in his bunk, one can hear all night long the voices -of the deep, under and around him. - -"The hollow, muffled boom of the drumfish seems to be just under one's -pillow; schools of sparoid fishes feeding on shell-fish at the bottom, -sounds like the snapping of dry twigs on a hot fire; while a hundred -tiny hammers in the hands of ocean sprites are tapping on the keel. Then -is heard the powerful rush of the tarpon, the blowing of porpoises, and -the snapping jaws of the sea-trout among the swarms of mullet, which, -leaping from the surface by thousands, awake the watery echoes like -showers of silvery fishes falling in fitful gusts and squalls. - -"Sanibel Island, at the entrance of Caloosa Bay and opposite Punta -Rassa, is renowned for its fine fishing. The angler can here fairly -revel in piscatorial abandon and cover himself with piscine glory and -fish scales. If ichthyc variety is the spice of the angler's life, -Sanibel and its sister keys are the Spice Islands. Sharks, rays, and -devil-fish, tarpon and jewfish, redfish, snappers and groupers, Spanish -mackerel and kingfish, sea-trout, bonito and cavallies, ladyfish and -sergeant-fish, sheepshead and drum, a host of smaller fry--spots, -grunts, and porgies, and the ever-present and ubiquitous catfish--can -here be jerked, and yanked and snaked, and pulled and hauled, until the -unfortunate angler will lament that he was ever born--under the last but -not least of the zodiacal signs." - - * * * * * - -The foregoing excerpts relate to fishing on the Gulf coast, but on the -east coast, while the variety of fishes is not so great, the angler will -find enough and to spare, and many that are worthy of his best efforts. -Large-mouth black-bass are plentiful in Tomoka River, near Ormond on the -Halifax, and in Elbow Creek, Turkey Creek. Sebastian River, Taylor's -Creek, and the St. Lucie River, all tributaries of Indian River. At the -mouths of these streams, brackish-water fishes will be found in more or -less abundance, comprising most of the species inhabiting the Gulf -coast. Some of the best localities are at Daytona. New Smyrna, Rock -Ledge, Indian River Inlet, Gilbert's Bar, and Jupiter Inlet. Still -farther south the fishing is much better, notably at Lake Worth, and on -Hillsboro' and New rivers. Mangrove snappers, bluefish, amber-jacks, and -barracudas are especially abundant south of Indian River Inlet, more so -than on the Gulf coast. In all of the fresh-water lakes in the interior -of the state the angler will be amply rewarded, as large-mouth -black-bass, calico bass, warmouth perch, and bream are in most of them. -As a matter of fact, one can hardly go amiss for some kind of fishing in -Florida, wherever there is water, salt or fresh, provided one proceeds -with patience and intelligence, and with a due regard for the amenities -of the gentle art. - -Perhaps the queer descriptions and homely comparisons of some of the -fishes as given by my negro boatman from the Bahamas, whom I have before -mentioned, may not be uninteresting. I always employed him when -possible, for he was a good fisherman and sailor, and had a -never-ending fund of anecdotes; and being a close observer, he had a -good general idea of the fishes of the locality. I always encouraged him -in his quaint and original remarks about fishes, and in this way -obtained considerable knowledge of their habits from this faithful -Achates. Some of his observations, as I remember them, and which seem -very odd in his Bahamian lingo, were as follows:-- - -"Vell, sir, it's curious 'ow some fish is made; but w'atever their model -in length, beam, and draft, there is some good reason vy they is built -so." - -"Yes," I would answer, "they are all endowed by Nature with the shape -best fitted for their mode of life and environment." - -"Vell, 'wironment or not, as you say, and I'm not gainsayin' it, there's -as much diff'rence in their model as atween a man-o'-war 'awk and an -'ummin'-bird. Now, sir, just look at the stingaree and the wipporee; -they is flat as pancakes, and goes a-skimmin' along like a turkey -buzzard, or a-wabblin' like a jolly-boat in the breakers, and then they -flops down on a sandbank like a flounder, when feedin', 'cause their -mouth is hunderneath like a shark. And they crawls along on their belly -a-gobblin' hup the periwinkles and fiddlers, and crounches 'em vith a -set of teeth like a pair o'mill-stones." - -"Yes," I assented, "the rays are curious creatures, and have very -remarkable teeth." - -"Now, on the hother 'and, sir, look at the moonfish. They is all length -and draft and no beam, like the 'ind weel of a vaggon; it couldn't cast -a shadder if it was facin' the sun. And the angel-fish 'aven't much more -beam to swear by. Now, sir, hall these slimjims 'ave small mouths and -pinchers for teeth, and goes a-nosin' 'round the rocks, and a-vorkin' of -theirselves thro' the narrow crannies, and a-pinchin' hoff the -coral-bugs and sea-lice. Now, sir, a flounder is wicey wersy from a -moonfish, it 'asn't hany draft, and don't carry any sail to speak of, -and so it 'ides in the sand a-waitin' for sumpthin' to turn hup in the -vay o'grub." - -"That's true," I would say, "they lead a very lazy, humdrum life, and -don't hustle much for a living." - -"But for a real racin' yacht," he would continue, "give me the kingfish, -or Spanish mackerel, or boneeto; they ketches their food on the run and -jump; and speakin' o'jumpin', sir, look at the tarpon, and bone-fish, -and skipjack; they is the kankeroos o' the sea." - -"Many fishes," I would observe, "have their analogues; that is, they -seem to bear some fancied resemblance, either in habits or appearance, -to some object or animal of the land." - -"Vell, sir, it's as true as gospel; a man is like a fish out o' water; -'e puffs like a porpus and drinks like a fish. And the butterflies are -the yellow grunts and pork-fish and little snappers and cockeyed pilots; -and the red snappers and squirrel-fish are the fillimingoes and pink -curlews; and the nigger-fish and conies is the le'pards; and the -blowfish and puffers is the 'edge'ogs and porkupines. And then there's -the poll-parrots, red, blue, yellow, and green, from the puddin'-wife to -slippery-dick; if they'd vings like the flyin'-fish, we'd put 'em in -cages." - -"True, enough," I would assent; "and up north we have fish that go into -hiding and sleep all winter, like the bears; and some that make nests -for their eggs, and guard them, and take care of their young ones like a -hen broods her chicks. And in some countries there are fish that crawl -out on the land, and climb trees like squirrels." - -He listened to this apparently very doubtfully, and frowned fiercely, -but kept silent until he filled and lighted his pipe; then, after -scanning the horizon, he said meekly:-- - -"I think we'll be goin' 'ome, sir; it looks werry squally in the sou' -east." - - - - -INDEX - - _Albula vulpes_, ladyfish, 355, 361. - - _Ambloplites rupestris_, rock-bass, 2, 52. - - Anchovy, banded, 320, - big, 320, - silver, 320. - - Angel-fish, 384, - description, 385, - tackle and fishing, 386. - - Angling, fresh-water, 341. - salt-water, 341. - - _Anisotremus virginicus_, pork-fish, 323, 334. - - _Aplodinotus grunniens_, fresh-water drum, 232. - - _Archoplites interruptus_, Sacramento perch, 2, 57. - - _Archosargus probatocephalus_, sheepshead, 251, 252. - - Arctic grayling, 176. - coloration, 177, 178. - description, 177, 178. - - _Argyrosomus artedi sisco_, cisco, 204, 207. - - Artificial flies, 20, 21. - rules for, 21. - - Artificial key to pike species, 121, 122. - - - Bachelor, 80. - - _Balistes carolinensis_, turbot, 390. - - Banded pickerel, 121, - description, 154. - tackle and fishing, 155. - - Bank lick bass, 73. - - Barb, 221. - - Bar-fish, 80. - - Bass, bank lick, 73. - big-fin, 74. - black, large-mouth, 30. - black, small-mouth, 3. - brassy, 90. - calico, 73. - family, 85. - fresh-water striped, 86. - grass, 73. - Lake Erie, 74. - rock, 52, 115. - sea, 115. - sea, Gulf, 119. - sea, southern, 118. - silver, 73. - strawberry, 73. - striped, 96. - white, 86. - white lake, 86. - yellow, 90. - - Bastard margaret, 330. - - Bastard weakfish, 221. - description, 221. - habits and habitat, 222. - - Beach-fleas, 321. - - Bermuda chub, 382. - description, 382. - tackle and fishing, 383, 384. - - Besugo, 231. - - Big-fin bass, 74. - - Bitter-head, 74. - - Black-bass, small-mouth, 3. - description, 1-6. - gameness, 10-15. - - Black-bass [_continued_] - habits and habitat, 7-9. - tackle and fishing, 15-29. - - Black-bass, large-mouth, 30. - description, 31. - gameness, 34, 35. - habits and habitat, 32-43. - spawning and nesting, 33-43. - tackle and fishing, 36-52. - - Blackfish, 115. - - Black grunt, 323. - description, 323. - tackle and fishing, 326. - - Black harry, 115. - - Black sea-bass, 115. - - Black sunfish, 58. - - Black will, 115. - - Blue bream, 62. - - Bluefish, 115. - - Blue gill, 62. - - Blue perch, 264. - - Blue sunfish, 62. - description, 62. - tackle and fishing, 64. - - _Bodianus fulvus_, nigger-fish, 287, 300. - - Bone-fish, 355, 361. - - Bonito, 282. - description, 282. - tackle and fishing, 283. - - Bony-fish, 361. - - Boy and tobacco-box, 67. - - Boyhood days, 72. - - Bream, blue, 62. - copper-nosed, 62. - red-breast, 68. - - Bridge perch, 74. - - Bubbler, 232. - - Burgall, 264. - - - _Calamus arctifrons_, grass porgy, 348, 353. - - _Calamus bajonado_, jolt-head porgy, 347, 348. - - _Calamus calamus_, saucer-eye porgy, 348, 350. - - _Calamus proridens_, little-head porgy, 348, 352. - - Calico-bass, 73. - description, 74. - habits and habitat, 75. - tackle and fishing, 75-78. - - Campbellite, 80. - - _Cancer_, common crab genus, 320. - - Cape May goody, 231. - - _Carangidæ, cavalli_ family, 306. - - _Carangus crysos_, runner, 306, 307. - - _Carangus latus_, horse-eye jack, 306, 310. - - Carp, German, 236. - leather, 237. - mirror, 237. - scale, 237. - - Catfish, blue, 247. - channel, 244. - chuckle-head, 247. - eel, 247. - family, 244. - forked-tail, 247. - white, 245. - willow, 247. - - Cavalli family, 306. - - _Centrarchidæ_, sunfish family, 1. - - _Centropomus undecimalis_, snook, 366. - - _Centropristes ocyurus_, Gulf sea-bass, 119. - - _Centropristes philadelphicus_, southern sea-bass, 118. - - _Centropristes striatus_, sea-bass, 96, 115. - - Cero, 278. - description, 278. - habits and habitat, 278, 279. - tackle and fishing, 279-281. - - _Chænobryttus gulosus_, warmouth, 2, 58. - - _Chætodipterus faber_, angel-fish, 384. - - Channel catfish, 244. - description, 245. - tackle and fishing, 245-247. - - Channel fishes, 316. - tackle and bait, 317, 318. - - Chincapin perch, 74. - - Chogset, 264. - - Chopa blanca, 231. - - Chub, 231. - - Cisco, 207. - description, 208. - tackle and fishing, 209, 210. - - _Clupeidæ_, herring family, 319. - - Cobia, 373. - description, 374. - tackle and fishing, 375, 376. - - Cobió, 375. - - Commercial fishing, Key West, 316, 317. - - Common sunfish, 69. - description, 70. - tackle and fishing, 71-73. - - Conchs, 318. - - Conclusion, 393. - - Coney, 286, 299. - description, 299. - tackle and fishing, 300. - - Copper-nosed bream, 62. - - Coral fishes, 328. - polyps, 328. - reefs, 327, 389, 390. - - Coralline formation, Florida reefs, 316. - - _Coregonus williamsoni_, Rocky Mountain whitefish, 203, 204. - - _Coregonus williamsoni cis-montanus_, 204, 205. - - Crab, common, 320. - fiddler, 320. - hermit, 320. - lady, 320. - mud, 320. - spider, 320. - stone, 320. - - Crappie, 73, 79-80. - description, 80, 81. - tackle and fishing, 82, 83. - - Croaker, 226, 232. - description, 226, 227. - tackle and fishing, 228. - - Crocus, 227. - - Croppie, 73, 80. - - Cunner, 263, 264. - description, 264. - tackle and fishing, 265, 266. - - _Cynoscion nebulosus_, spotted weakfish, 376. - - _Cynoscion nothus_, bastard weakfish, 221. - - _Cynoscion regalis_, weakfish, 214, 215. - - _Cynoscion thalassinus_, deep-sea weakfish, 381. - - Cypress trees, giant, 61, 62. - - _Cyprinidæ_, minnow family, 236. - - _Cyprinus carpio_, German carp, 236. - - - Darky and catfish, 248. - - Deep-sea weakfish, 381. - description, 381. - tackle and fishing, 381. - - Diplectrum formosum, sand-fish, 287, 303. - - Dog snapper, 344. - description, 344. - tackle and fishing, 345. - - Drum family, 213, 232. - fresh-water, 232. - - - Eastern pickerel, 149. - description, 149, 150. - tackle and fishing, 151, 152. - - _Elops saurus_, ten-pounder, 361. - - _Engraulididæ_, anchovy family, 319, 320. - - _Epinephelus adscensionis_, rock hind, 286, 295. - - _Epinephelus guttatus_, red hind, 286, 297. - - _Esocidæ_, pike family, 120. - - _Esox americanus_, banded pickerel, 121, 154. - - _Esox lucius_, pike, 121, 137. - - _Esox nobilior_, mascalonge, 120, 121, 122. - - _Esox reticulatus_, eastern pickerel, 121, 149. - - _Esox vermiculatus_, western pickerel, 121, 153. - - _Eupagurus_, hermit crab genus, 320. - - _Eupomotis gibbosus_, common sunfish, 3, 69. - - - Fascination of the float, 71. - - Fishes not sensitive to pain, 114. - - Fishing through ice, 145, 146. - with the cork, 72. - - Flasher, 371. - - Flatfish, 266. - - Float, fascination of, 71. - - Florida Keys, 341. - - Flounder, 263, 266. - description, 266, 267. - tackle and fishing, 268. - - Fresh-water drumfish, 232, - description, 232, 233. - tackle and fishing, 234, 235. - - Frozen fish reviving, 78, 79, 147. - - - Gag, 285, 287. - description, 288. - tackle and fishing, 289-290. - - _Gammurus_, shrimp genus, 321. - - Gaspergou, 232. - - _Gelasimus_, fiddler crab genus, 320. - - Generals Sheridan and Stager, 77. - - German carp, 236. - description, 236-238. - tackle and fishing, 238-243. - - Giant cypress trees, 61, 62. - - Goggle-eye, 53. - perch, 74, 80. - - Goody, 228. - Cape May, 231. - - Grass-bass, 73. - - Grass porgy, 353. - description, 353. - tackle and fishing, 354. - - Grayling, Arctic, 176. - description, 176, 177. - fishing, 178. - - Grayling, English, 174. - fishing, 191, 197-201. - - Grayling, Michigan, 178. - fishing, 179. - scarcity of, 179-181. - - Grayling, Montana, 181. - description, 184, 185. - gameness, 185, 186. - propagation of, 194, 195. - tackle and fishing, 188-193. - - Gribble, 321. - - Grouper family, 285. - yellow-finned, 286, 294. - - Grunt, black, 323. - boar, 327. - common, 321, 323. - family, 321. - French, 331. - gray, 331. - margate, 329. - sow, 324. - white, 329. - yellow, 322, 326. - - Gulf sea-bass, 119. - description, 119. - habits and habitat, 119. - - Gymnosarda pelamis, oceanic bonito, 283. - - - Hæmulidæ, grunt family, 321. - - Hæmulon album, margate-fish, 322, 328. - - _Hæmulon flavolineatum_, French grunt, 331. - - _Hæmulon macrostomum_, gray grunt, 331. - - _Hæmulon parra_, sailor's choice, 322, 330. - - _Hæmulon plumieri_, black grunt, 321, 323. - - _Hæmulon sciurus_, yellow grunt, 322, 326. - - Hannahills, 115. - - Hard-tail, 309. - - Henshall rod, 25. - - Hind, brown, 296. - John Paw, 296. - red, 286, 297. - rock, 286, 295. - spotted, 296. - - _Hippa_, sand-bug genus, 321. - - Hog-fish, 331, 333. - - _Holocentrus ascensionis_, squirrel-fish, 388. - - Horse-eye Jack, 306, 310. - description, 310. - tackle and fishing, 310. - - Hybrids, 309. - - - Ichthyophagous dog, 284. - - _Ictalurus anguilla_, eel-cat, 247. - - _Ictalurus furcatus_, chuckle-head cat, 247. - - _Ictalurus punctatus_, channel-cat, 244. - - - Jack, horse-eye, 310. - - Jack salmon, 157. - - Jolt-head porgy, 348. - description, 348, 349. - tackle and fishing, 350. - - Jurel, 309. - - - Key to pike species, 121, 122. - - Kingfish, 221. - description, 222-224. - tackle and fishing, 224, 225. - - Kingfish-mackerel, 279, 280. - - Knot, for leader, 19. - jam, for eyed hook, 19. - - _Kyphosus sectatrix_, Bermuda chub, 382. - - - Lady anglers, 148, 149. - - Lady-fish, 355. - - Lafayette, 228. - description, 229. - tackle and fishing, 230, 231. - - _Lagodon rhomboides_, pin-fish, 330, 386. - - Lake Erie bass, 74. - - Lake-herring, 207. - - Lake-sheepshead, 232. - - Lamplighter, 74. - - Lane snapper, 339. - description, 340. - habits and habitat, 341. - - Large-mouth black-bass, 30. - - Leather-fish, 390. - - _Leiostomus xanthurus_, Lafayette, 214, 228. - - _Lepomis auritus_, red-breast sunfish, 67. - - _Lepomis megalotis_, long-eared sunfish, 65. - - _Lepomis pallidus_, blue sunfish, 62. - - Lewis and Clark, 181-183. - - _Libinia_, spider crab genus, 320. - - _Limnoria_, gribble genus, 321. - - Little Giant rod, 101, 102. - - Little-head porgy, 352. - description, 352. - tackle and fishing, 353. - - _Lobotes pacificus_, berrugate, 371. - - _Lobotes surinamensis_, triple-tail, 370. - - Long-eared sunfish, 65. - description, 65. - tackle and fishing, 66. - - Lucky stones, 233. - - _Lutianidæ_, snapper family, 336. - - _Lutianus analis_, mutton-fish, 347. - - _Lutianus apodus_, schoolmaster, 338, 345. - - _Lutianus aya_, red snapper, 337, 342. - - _Lutianus griseus_, mangrove snapper, 347. - - _Lutianus jocu_, dog snapper, 337, 344. - - _Lutianus synagris_, lane snapper, 337, 339. - - - Mackerel family, 272. - kingfish, 279. - Spanish, 273. - - Margate fish, 328. - description, 328, 329. - tackle and fishing, 330. - - Mascalonge, 122. - coloration, 127-129. - description, 126, 127. - distribution, 126. - nomenclature, 122-126. - tackle and fishing, 132-135. - - Maskinonge, 124. - - _Menippe_, stone crab genus, 320. - - _Menticirrhus americanus_, whiting, 225. - - _Menticirrhus littoralis_, silver whiting, 225. - - _Menticirrhus saxatilis_, kingfish, 221. - - Michigan grayling, 178. - - _Micropogon undulatus_, croaker, 214, 226. - - _Micropterus dolomieu_, small-mouth - black-bass, 1, 3. - - _Micropterus salmoides_, large-mouth - black-bass, 2, 30. - - Minnow family, 236. - - Minnow gangs, 143. - - Montana grayling, 181. - - _Morone americana_, white-perch, 95, 110. - - _Morone interrupta_, yellow-bass, 90. - - Mud-dab, 266. - - _Mugil cephalus_, common mullet, 319. - - _Mugil curema_, white mullet, 319. - - _Mugil trichodon_, fan-tail mullet, 319. - - _Mugilidæ_, mullet family, 319. - - Mullet, common, 319. - fan-tail, 319. - whirligig, 319. - white, 319. - - Multiplying reel, invention of, 13. - - Muskellunge, 125. - - _Mycteroperca falcata phenax_, scamp, 286, 291. - - _Mycteroperca microlepis_, gag, 285, 287. - - _Mycteroperca venenosa_, yellow-fin grouper, 286, 294. - - - Newlight, 80. - - Nigger-fish, 287, 300. - description, 300, 301. - tackle and fishing, 302. - - Not all of fishing to fish, 92-94. - - - Oceanic bonito, 283. - - _Ocyurus chrysurus_, yellow-tail, 336, 338. - - _Orchestia_, beach-flea genus, 321. - - _Orthopristis chrysopterus_, pig-fish, 322, 330, 331. - - _Osmerus mordax_, smelt, 263, 269. - - Osprey on the fly, 64. - - - _Palinurus_, sea-crawfish genus, 318. - - _Palæmonetes_, prawn genus, 321. - - _Panopeus_, mud crab genus, 320. - - _Perca flavescens_, yellow-perch, 165. - - Perch, black, 371. - blue, 264. - bridge, 74. - chincapin, 74. - family, 156. - goggle-eye, 74, 80. - pike, 157. - raccoon, 166. - red-bellied, 68. - ringed, 166. - Sacramento, 57. - warmouth, 58. - white, 110, 234. - yellow, 165. - - _Percidæ_, perch family, 156. - - Permit, 312. - - _Petrometopon cruentatus_, coney, 286, 299. - - Pickerel, banded, 154. - brook, 154. - eastern, 149. - great northern, 137. - Long Island, 154. - reticulated, 149. - western, 153. - - Pig-fish, 322, 330, 331. - description, 331, 332. - tackle and fishing, 333. - - Pike, 137. - description, 137-140. - fishing through ice, 144-146. - tackle and fishing, 141-147. - - Pike family, 120. - glass-eyed, 157. - gray, 164. - rattlesnake, 164. - sand, 164. - wall-eyed, 157. - yellow, 157. - - Pike-perch, 157. - description, 157-160. - night fishing, 162. - tackle and fishing, 161-163. - - Pikes, key to, 121, 122. - - Pin-fish, 386. - description, 386, 387. - tackle and fishing, 387. - - Piscatorial polemic, 44. - - _Platyonichus_, lady crab genus, 320. - - _Pomoxis annularis_, crappie, 3, 79. - - _Pomoxis sparoides_, calico-bass, 3, 73. - - Pompano, 311. - description, 311-314. - best of food-fishes, 312, 314. - tackle and fishing, 313, 314. - - Pompano, common, 307, 311. - gaff top-sail, 312. - permit, 312. - round, 312. - - Porgy, 259. - big-head, 347, 348. - family, 347. - grass, 348, 353. - jolt-head, 348. - little-head, 348, 352. - saucer-eye, 348, 350. - - Pork-fish, 323, 334. - description, 334, 335. - tackle and fishing, 335. - - Prawn, 321. - - _Pseudopleuronectes americanus_, flounder, 263, 266. - - Pumpkin-seed, 69. - - _Pyrula_, mollusk genus, 318, 339. - - - _Querimana gyrans_, whirligig mullet, 319. - - - Razor back, 74. - - Record fly-casting, 16. - - Red-bellied perch, 68. - - Red-breast bream, 68. - - Red-breast sunfish, 67. - - Red-eye, 53. - - Red hind, 286, 297. - description, 297. - tackle and fishing, 298. - - Red snapper, 342. - description, 342. - tackle and fishing, 343, 344. - - Red sunfish, 67. - - Reel, click, 17. - - Reel, multiplying, 13. - - Roach, 231. - - _Roccus chrysops_, white-bass, 86. - - _Roccus lineatus_, striped-bass, 95, 96. - - Rock, 96. - - Rock-bass, 52. - description, 53. - tackle and fishing, 54-57. - - Rockfish, 96. - - Rock hind, 286, 295. - description, 295, 296. - tackle and fishing, 297. - - Rocky Mountain whitefish, 204. - description, 204. - tackle and fishing, 205, 206. - - Rod, Henshall, 25. - Little Giant, 101, 102. - - Rovallia, 366. - - Rules for artificial flies, 21. - - Runner, 306, 307. - description, 307. - tackle and fishing, 308. - - - Sac-a-lait, 80. - - Sacramento perch, 57. - description, 57. - tackle and fishing, 58. - - Sailor's choice, 330, 331, 386. - description, 330. - tackle and fishing, 331. - - Salmon family, 203. - - _Salmonidæ_, 203. - - Sand-bug, 321. - - Sand-fish, 287, 303. - description, 303. - tackle and fishing, 304. - - _Sarda sarda_, bonito, 273, 282. - - Sardine, silver, 319. - striped, 319. - - _Sardinella humeralis_, silver sardine, 319. - - _Sardinella sardinia_, striped sardine, 319. - - Saucer-eye porgy, 350. - description, 351. - tackle and fishing, 352. - - Sauger, 164. - description, 165. - tackle and fishing, 165. - - Scamp, 286, 291. - description, 292. - tackle and fishing, 293. - - Schoolmaster, 345. - description, 345, 346. - tackle and fishing, 347. - - _Sciænidæ_, drum family, 213, 232. - - _Scomberomorus cavalla_, kingfish, 279, 280. - - _Scomberomorus maculatus_, Spanish mackerel, 272, 273. - - _Scomberomorus regalis_, cero, 272, 278. - - _Scombridæ_, mackerel family, 272. - - Scup, 259. - description, 260. - tackle and fishing, 261. - - Scuppaug, 259. - - Sea-bass, 115. - description, 115, 116. - tackle and fishing, 117, 118. - - Sea-bass, family, 95, 285. - black, 115. - Gulf, 119. - southern, 118. - - Sea-crawfish, 318. - - Sergeant-fish, 366, 374. - - _Serranidæ_, bass family, 85, 95, 285. - - Shad, 80. - - Sheepshead, 252. - description, 252-254. - tackle and fishing, 255-259. - - Sheepshead family, 251. - lake, 232. - - Sheridan and Stager, 77. - - Shrimp, 321. - - _Siluridæ_, catfish family, 244. - - Silver-bass, 74. - - Small-mouth black-bass, 3. - - Smelt, 263, 269. - description, 269. - tackle and fishing, 270, 271. - - Snapper, black, 371. - dog, 337, 344. - family, 336. - lane, 337, 339. - red, 337, 342. - schoolmaster, 338, 345. - - Snook, 366. - description, 366, 367. - tackle and fishing, 368-370. - - Southern sea-bass, 118. - description, 118. - habits and habitat, 119. - - Spade-fish, 385. - - Spanish mackerel, 273. - description, 273-275. - tackle and fishing, 276-278. - - _Sparidæ_, porgy family, 251, 347. - - Speckled perch, 74, 80. - - Spot, 228. - - Spotted weakfish, 376. - description, 377, 378. - tackle and fishing, 379, 380. - - Squeteague, 215. - - Squirrel-fish, 388. - description, 388. - tackle and fishing, 389. - - _Stenotomus chrysops_, scup, 251, 259. - - _Stenotomus aculeatus_, fair maid, 259. - - _Stizostedion canadense_, sauger, 156, 164. - - _Stizostedion vitreum_, pike-perch, 156, 157. - - _Stolephorus brownii_, big anchovy, 320. - - _Stolephorus mitchilli_, silver anchovy, 320. - - _Stolephorus perfasciatus_, banded anchovy, 320. - - Strawberry-bass, 73. - - Striped-bass, 96. - description, 96-100. - fly-fishing, 109. - still-fishing, 101. - surf-fishing, 104-108. - tools and tackle, 101-105. - - _Strombus_, mollusk genus, 318, 339. - - Sunfish, black, 58. - blue, 62. - common, 69. - family, 1. - long-eared, 65. - red-breast, 67. - - Susquehanna salmon, 157. - - - Tally-wag, 119. - - _Tautogolabrus adspersus_, cunner, 263, 264. - - Ten-pounder, 361. - description, 361, 362. - tackle and fishing, 363-365. - - Thunder-pumper, 233. - - _Thymallidæ_, grayling family, 173. - - _Thymallus montanus_, Montana grayling, 173, 181. - - _Thymallus signifer_, Arctic grayling, 173, 176. - - _Thymallus tricolor_, Michigan grayling, 173, 178. - - Tip-ups, 146. - - Tobacco-box, 65. - - Toboggan episode, 92-94. - - _Trachinotus carolinus_, common pompano, 307, 311. - - _Trachinotus falcatus_, round pompano, 312. - - _Trachinotus glaucus_, gaff top-sail pompano, 312. - - _Trachinotus goodei_, permit pompano, 312. - - Triple-tail, 370. - description, 370, 371. - tackle and fishing, 372. - - Trolling-spoon, 141-143. - - Turbot, 390. - description, 390, 391. - habits and habitat, 392. - - - Wall-eyed pike, 157. - - Warmouth perch, 58. - description, 58, 59. - tackle and fishing, 60-62. - - Weakfish, 215. - description, 215-217. - tackle and fishing, 218-220. - - Weakfish, bastard, 221. - deep-sea, 381. - northern, 214. - spotted, 376. - - Western pickerel, 153. - description, 153. - tackle and fishing, 154. - - White-bass, 86. - description, 86. - tackle and fishing, 87-89. - - Whitefish, Rocky Mountain, 204. - - White lake-bass, 86. - - White-perch, 110, 234. - description, 110, 111. - tackle and fishing, 112, 113. - - Whiting, 221. - - Wonders of the sea, 327, 389, 390. - - - Yellow-bass, 90. - description, 90, 91. - tackle and fishing, 92. - - Yellow-finned grouper, 294. - description, 294. - habits and habitat, 295. - - Yellow grunt, 326. - description, 326. - tackle and fishing, 327. - - Yellow-perch, 165. - description, 165-167. - tackle and fishing, 168-172. - - Yellow-tail, 338. - description, 338. - tackle and fishing, 339. - - Youthful angling, 72. - - - - -AMERICAN SPORTSMAN'S LIBRARY - -Edited by CASPAR WHITNEY - -To be completed in ten volumes, with numerous illustrations - -Each of these volumes will be prepared by a writer, or group of writers, -thoroughly in sympathy with the work, and fitted for his special -subject. The series will be under the editorial supervision of Mr. -Caspar Whitney, the editor of _Outing_, and for many years sporting -editor of _Harper's Weekly_. - - -=THE DEER FAMILY.= By =Hon. Theodore Roosevelt=, =T.S. Van Dyke=, and -=H.G. Stone=. Illustrated by CARL RUNGIUS. _Now ready._ =Price $2.00, -net.= - -=UPLAND GAME BIRDS.= By =Edwyn Sandys=. Illustrated by LOUIS AGASSIZ -FUERTES, A.B. FROST, and J.O. NUGENT. _Now ready._ =Price $2.00, net.= - -=SALMON AND TROUT.= By =Dean Sage= and =William C. Harris=. Illustrated -by A.B. FROST and others. _Now ready._ =Price $2.00, net.= - -Further volumes will include articles on the Bear Family. Water Fowl, -Wild Fowl, Taxidermy, etc., Cougar, Wild Cat. Wolf, Fox, etc., Tuna, -Tarpon, etc., Bass, Perch, Pickerel, etc. - - -THE MACMILLAN COMPANY - -66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK =AMERICAN SPORTSMAN'S LIBRARY= - - -=The Water-fowl Family= - - By LEONARD C. SANFORD, L.B. BISHOP, and T.S. VAN DYKE. - Illustrated by L.A. FUERTES, A.B. FROST, and C.L. BULL. - -Bass, Pike, Perch, and Pickerel - - By JAMES A. HENSHALL, M.D. Illustrated by MARTIN JUSTICE and - others. - - -IN PREPARATION FOR EARLY ISSUE - -Big Game Fishes of the United States - - By CHARLES F. HOLDER. Illustrated by CHARLES F.W. MILLATZ and - others. - -Guns, Ammunition, and Tackle - - By A.W. MONEY, W.E. CARLIN, A.L.A. HIMMELWEIGHT, and J. - HARRINGTON KEENE. Illustrated. - -The Bison, Musk-ox, Sheep, and Goat Family - - By GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL, OWEN WISTER, and CASPAR WHITNEY. - Illustrated by CARL RUNGIUS and others. - -Photography for the Sportsman Naturalist - - By W.E. CARLIN. Illustrated. - -Further volumes will include articles on The Bear Family; The Cougar. -Wild Cat, Wolf, and Fox; The Sporting Dog; American Race Horse and -Running Horse; Trotting and Pacing; Riding and Driving; Yachting, Small -Boat Sailing, and Canoeing; Baseball and Football; Rowing, Track -Athletics, and Swimming; Lacrosse, Lawn Tennis, Wrestling, Racquets, -Squash, and Court Tennis; Skating, Hockey, Ice Yachting, Coasting, and -Skate Sailing. - - -THE MACMILLAN COMPANY - -66 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Notes - -Italic text is denoted by _underscore_ and bold text by = sign - -Obvious spelling and punctuation errors repaired. - -To preserve the flow of this text, all illustrations are -hyperlinked. - -Index added to Table of Contents. - -The oe and ae ligatures in the text has been left as it appears in the -original book. -UTF-8 coding. - -Both "black-bass" and "blackbass" used in this text. Both "lady-fish" and -"ladyfish" used in this text. Both "skipjack" and "skip-jack" used in this -text. Both "subtropical" and "sub-tropical" used in this text. - -In ambiguous cases, the text has been left as it appears in the original -book. 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