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SEPTEMBER SPORT WITH ROD AND REEL

BY LOUIS RHEAD

From the Roosevelt Trout of California and His Rainbow Brother of Colorado to the Bass and Pike of the Adirondacks

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UCH has been written of the remarkable scenic beauties of the famous Yellowstone Park, but very little is known of the abundance and variety of the fish to be caught in that wonderland. This is partly due, no doubt, to the difficulty and expense of getting at the right places, because many of the best sections can be reached only with a pack outfit. For that reason, a more enjoyable trip can be had if a party of five or six join together, and employ a large four-horse wagon in which to carry the outfit. A cook and guide will make the trip not only easy, but safe. The best sport is not obtained along wellworn roads, but rather just off the beaten track of the tourist. Such a trip will take three weeks or a month, and September is just about the time to do it. The spring is very late, for at the end of June the mountain tops are still covered with snow, and not till well into July has snow-water disappeared, leaving the streams clear, cold, and swift, ideal for trout fishing. Choose the country round Jackson's Hole on the south, and Yellowstone and Absaroka Forest Reserves on the east and northwest, making Cody, Wyo., the place for outfitting. In that section the mackinaw, native, and rainbow trouts give excellent fishing in the different waters of lake or stream, either on the fly, bait, or spoon.

The smaller rivers and brooks furnish the easiest and best fishing, because they are less disturbed by weather conditions, in that it takes but a few hours to clear the roily water after a storm. The Western trout, at least those in the Park, seem to favor quiet, somber-hued flies, such as the gray hackle, brown hackle, coachman, seth green, black gnat, and white moth tied on numbers 10 and 12 hooks. Anglers are not successful with bright-colored flies

like the professor, montreal, and parmachene belle, which are used extensively in Maine and Canada. Many of the regular tourists take along a rod and tackle to fish Yellowstone Lake at the river outlet, returning to the hotel after a day's fishing with about fifty fish averaging a pound each. Hundreds of these fish are caught, but they are not so pleasant to the taste, being somewhat wormy and very inferior to the trout caught in other places.

It is not possible to do justice in so small a space to the many places where one may go all over the whole northeast corner of Yellowstone Park and Clark's Fork country. Beyond the Park you may fish every day, surrounded by geysers and cañons, some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. Nearly all of the waters have been well and judiciously stocked with a great variety of trout, and they are there in abundance to be caught by any angler who has the hardihood to take the proper measures. But it is necessary to have a well-chosen selection of tackle as well as flies, and many of the artifical lures, especially phantom minnows, bucktails, and small spinners and spoons. Such a trip, when taken by a party willing to divide expenses, will make a summer vacation not easily beaten, and certainly not to be forgotten for a considerable time, especially if the angler has confined his attention to Eastern waters where trout streams are well and continuously fished.

To those anglers who desire to make a trip that will combine health with pleasure Colorado affords ample reward. Starting from Denver it is only a few hours' ride to the South Platte River running for miles along the sublimely beautiful Platte cañon where even the most indifferent must feel themselves in touch with the heart of Nature. It is here that the rainbow trout

grows to the unusual size of twelve pounds, and notwithstanding its great bulk rises to the fly with youthful ardor in addition to making a play on the line like a very demon. A combination of careful stocking, watchfulness over their growth, and judicious rules for their preservation makes it possible for anglers to have the unusual sport of taking rainbow, speckled, and cutthroat trout, as well as a few grayling from one stream.

The latter fish, entirely absent in Eastern waters, and nowhere abundant in the United States, has been planted by S. Howarth, of Florissant, Col. This angler has caught the Platte River grayling weighing nearly two pounds. The Platte River is a splendid stream affording different kinds of water, at places in long stretches of deeps, at others rippling over shallows, then tumbling wildly over rocky rapids, the majority of which are just right for wading, though should the water be too deep the banks are open enough to fish from the sides.

During the season good accommodations may be had at Kiowa Lodge, at Bailey's station, fifty-five miles from Denver, or at Shawnee Lodge, at Shawnee station, six miles farther up the cañon. Other points where the angler will find reasonable and good places are Buffalo Park, Glen Isle, and Cassells. In this locality the open season begins rather late, from June 1st to October 31st. In both cases it is a month later than the season in New York State. As the Colorado & Southern Railroad runs alongside the stream for many miles, the fishing is both accessible and convenient.

In fishing for grayling the smallest possible flies should be used. One or two can be placed on the cast, which should be nine feet long and exceedingly fine. Good flies

are

black gnat, coachman, gray hackle, black hackle, iron-blue dun, red ant, and cinnamon. The rod and line may be exactly similar to that used for trout. Cast down or across stream, letting the fly float to the foot of a deep pool. When the flies have passed by, the fish darts up swiftly, and back to the bottom, often a number of times, seemingly afraid to touch it. But it is game, and the flies are at last taken, up goes the great fin to plunge it downward, fighting stoutly to get free.

The grayling will break water repeat

edly, and as the flies are small and its lips somewhat tender, some careful work is needed to handle so dainty a fish; keep the line taut all the time in a gentle way or it will surely get off; the slightest jerk will lose it. It makes a determined fight beneath the surface, being much aided in its resistance by its tall dorsal fin.

Some three or four years ago a new trout was discovered that was considered the most beautifully colored trout in America and found only in one small stream, a tributary to the Kern River, in the High Sierras, of California, called Volcano Creek. To this trout by special permission was given the name of Salmo Roosevelti, in honor of our ex-President. Though not a very large fish, its color is like a mass of gold when seen leaping from the water. Its back is a light, olive-yellowish color, and the lower sides and belly are a bright golden-yellow. Then running along the middle of each side is a band of rosy, semiiridescent hue, as are likewise the gills and fins. The dorsal fin and tail are mottled in black.

In 1905 the Roosevelt trout was reasonably abundant, easily found and captured, being quite voracious and disposed to rise quickly to almost any kind of lure. In that year a party of members of the Sierra Club took seven hundred of these fish in one day. Such fishing could not be expected to last long from so small a stream, and measures were taken to preserve them by prohibiting fishing altogether for three years, afterwards putting a limit on the number caught, with a closed season at spawning time. Now that the closed three years have passed, a trip to this enchanting region should produce some results. Volcano Creek is easily accessible from the trail that leads from the Kern River to Mount Whitney, and in a single day the entire length of the creek may be covered.

Kern River, into which Volcano Creek runs, contains the rainbow, known as the Kern River trout, a bold and gamy fish, taking the fly on the surface and fighting hard by deep and long surges. For twentyeight miles the Kern River runs in an almost perfectly straight line through a cañon which for beauty and sublimity of scenery rivals the Yosemite. All the many tributaries of this stream contain fine trout which rise to the fly with a rush, particu

The

larly in the morning and evening. streams are typical of mountain regionsall more or less turbulent, with many rapids, waterfalls, and cascades, varied with long and quiet reaches where the water flows through meadow lands and valleys.

For such fishing the tackle must be strong, yet fine, and the flies small, on number 12 hooks. Like the Yellowstone trout, these fish prefer quiet tones of black, gray, brown, and white-in fact those mentioned for Yellowstone are exactly suited to the Kern River region. Wherever the rainbow trout is found, sport is assured. Its rapid growth and hardy nature, combined with a bold and aggressive method in taking the flies, place it first in rank of the trout family.

In Michigan and other Middle Western States, and all the Eastern Coast States, the first of September is the beginning of the closed season for the various species of trout, landlocked salmon, and grayling, so that if the angler chooses this locality, he must be content with muscalonge, pike, pickerel, and bass, for which the months of September and October are far better than the warmer months. Anglers in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota consider the bass to be the king of game fish and well they may. Its abundance in the localities mentioned makes it unnecessary to go to distant places to get it; furthermore, Western anglers are by far the most expert in the various modes of catching this fish, in particular in casting the artificial lure and live baits, certainly the most effective way in which to get big fellows and great numbers. I find bass more elusive and erratic than any other fish in regard to their acceptance of the fly. A very large bass rose to one of my little metal body flies tied on a number 10 hook, yet in the same water they also rose to a big bucktail with spoon attachment. At the end of the trip, a small phantom minnow had taken nine out of ten fish captured.

In most of the waters where bass are found the pleasure in angling for them is much enhanced by the fact that muscalonge and pike may be found with them; the same tackle and methods will capture all, unless muscalonge are very large. These three fish-more or less abundant—are found living together (it may be questioned on what terms) in Adirondack waters, Lakes George,

Champlain, Chautauqua, Temagami, in northern Ontario, and the Thousand Islands. In the Adirondacks both the upper and lower Saranac lakes abound in bass which rise beautifully to various flies, but these gamy fish show a preference for the bucktail, either with or without spoon attachments. It is best to fish for them from a boat, casting toward the rocky shores. Bass rise well to a phantom minnow, Dowagiac, Wooden Wizard, and small spoons with feathered hooks. These can be cast from the reel or coil. Bass do not take as well to the lure being trolled.

Small frogs are accepted as excellent lures, but they reject artificial frogs. It is just the reverse with artificial minnows. All anglers agree that these work better than live minnows. The most difficult obstacle to surmount is the difficulty of discovering just where the fish lie, or what fish inhabit the different waters. This is not easily done by those unacquainted with the locality, without the assistance of a guide. For pike, fish near the shores along the edge of rushes or lily pads. Cast with lob spoon or wizard, or troll with pike spoon, Archer spinner, Yellow Kid; or still-fish with live bait.

Lake George has for many years been noted for its large pike, but in recent years the Fish Commission has planted lake trout that are now being caught in great numbers and of fine size during the open season. In Lake George they use a large variety of lures, both natural and artificial, for pike, but live bait, silvery minnows, and shiners get more fish. For the tired, overworked angler to spend a vacation there are few places so beneficial as the Great Back Bay of Lake Champlain, the native home of the small-mouthed bass-and other fish are equally plentiful-big pike, pike perch, lake perch, sturgeon, sheepshead, and mullet. Four and five pound bass are frequently caught, and the pike not only attain a large size, but are extremely good eating.

Five miles from St. Albans, Vt., is Samson's Lake View House, where the best fishing grounds are within easy reach. Chautauqua Lake is most renowned for its muscalonge, the banded variety, known as Esox Ohiensis. This fish is considered to be the most desirable fresh-water game fish that swims, for the reason that large specimens up to thirty-four pounds' weight will

make repeated leaps above the surface on a restraining line. It is also a superior table fish, its flesh being perfectly white, flaky, and of excellent flavor. The mode of its capture is almost exclusively by trolling. In the early spring it responds to a largesized spoon either of gold, silver, or copper. In the fall it takes only minnows, either live or artificial. Of the latter, Woods expert silver minnow is a good lure, but a live silver chub or shiner, six to eight inches long, is the best.

The largest fish I have taken in this lake weighed fourteen pounds and the smashing suddenness of attack makes the angler feel it wise to be always ready for it, with a good chance for hard work even then to beat it. The best place to locate is at Bemus Point, which is the narrowest part and about the middle of the lake. In addition to the muscalonge, the bass fishing is extremely good. Bass, too, are large in size and game. They respond with avidity

to

spoons, spinners, phantom minnows, Dowagiacs, and bucktails, though live minnows and frogs, if cast from the reel, get the most fish. Chautauqua bass are very game. In a second after they feel the barb, they jump out of the water in a cloud of spray.

The last fish we have space for are the muscalonge, pike, and bass of the St. Lawrence, from Clayton, N. Y., down to Ste. Anne de Bellevue, near Montreal. At the latter place is located the Clarendon, where these three fish are taken of unusually large size, at times, according to favorable con

ditions. Competent guides and launches or boats are at the service of guests, who cannot fail to get a full share of sport as well as fish. Clayton is situated directly in front of the upper group of the Thousand Islands and is the mecca of many anglers who go season after season to enjoy with unfailing regularity as good fishing as may be found anywhere in the United States. Both the Hubbard and Walton House are agreeable places to stop for those anglers who are not familiar with the locality.

The various places in Maine, like Rangeley and Belgrade, are too well known to need mention here in detail. The large number of visitors who go there attest the fact that the fishing is of the best. There are many other places that will interest anglers in the fresh-water regions of the North, where fishing is superior in September to that in the warmer districts. This is still more apparent in waters that flow from high snow-capped mountains, which in a measure keep the waters cool throughout the summer. In September the weather is ideal for fishing and one is fairly comfortable, neither hot nor cold. The forest leaves are slightly tinged with russet and gold, and the air is fresh and invigorating. Fish are just beginning to search actively for food, whereas in hot weather it was SO abundant as to be fairly thrown at them, making them gorged and lazy, refusing to be lured by any bait. Grown large and fat, now is the time to give the best satisfaction to the angler from every standpoint.

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LEARNING FROM THE PROFESSIONAL

HAVE been reading for perhaps the fourth time Bliss Perry's admirable little essay on the Amateur Spirit, and there are four sentences that stick in my mind. Here they are: "Play a match at golf against the dour Scotchman who gives lessons for his daily bread. He will beat you because he cannot afford not to beat you. Shoot against your guide in the North Woods. You will possibly beat him at a target, but he will hit the deer that you have just missed; you can cast a fly on the lawn much farther than he, but he will take more fish out of the pool.” The strife between the professional and the amateur is as old as organized sport. For many years it was firmly held and zealously taught by those who "followed " the amateur game that the two were irreconcilable in method and aim. The anateur was the amator-the lover-who played for play's sake, while the other was a vulgar sort of person who bent his body to the base uses of material gain. These definitions will not quite stick.

Without depreciating in the least the amateur's love of the game for the game's sake, whether he be among the especially gifted or the mediocre, there still remains something to be said for the professional in this respect. Who that has seen Aleck Smith in a close eighteen-hole match, or Christy Matthewson "on the hill" in the ninth inning of a nothing to nothing game, or even Tod Sloan in a winning drive at the wire can doubt the keen zest and daring spirit of these players? The money counts to be sure, just as the money counts with other men in other less playful aspects of the great game of living, but it will not explain everything.

The professional is a professional before he becomes a top-notcher, and the golden will o' the wisp beckons in other directions. Something there is to be said for the love of the game that lures men into it before the rewards become so rich and fame so towering.

Not only so, but something is to be learned from these men who are playing for pay-and in most cases earning it. Spelled in one word, that something is Efficiency. The professional athlete must make his efforts count. A trick missed is not only money lost but prestige lowered and fame dimmed. By so much as he fails to rise to the higher levels of his class, by that much does he fall short of the full glory of his title.

The professional not only plays to win, but he takes every reasonable precaution that he may not lose, which is sometimes a very different matter. There is little chance for the mediocre professional.

I yield to no one in my appreciation of the charm of the amateur, his traditions, his spirit, above all his chivalrous recognition of the quality of his opponent, which is the crown of amateur sport. But even here the professional is not to be excluded from his share of praise. He too has traditions-and clean ones at that— his courage is not to be impugned, and the mucker soon finds his level among professionals as well as among amateurs.

Perhaps you may say that these virtues are due to the influence of the amateur spirit flowing over into the professional field. Probably true, but what of the counter-influence? Deride the spirit of playing to win as you please, no one plays to lose, and none of us enjoys the taste of defeat. If the amateur is teaching the professional that there is no place in any sport-amateur or professional-for the crook, so may the professional teach the amateur that the world has few rewards and little room for the man who brings to the game anything less than his highest powers of body and brain.

And this applies not only to sport but to what some would probably call more serious matters. The indifferent amateur is in a class with the halfway interested lawyer and the fairly confident engineer.

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