Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-06-07
Written for the Green Mountain freeman.
NY Fishing Experience.

Ao OtiC hotiluS oOupOH annuity NOiAAOS AOoHNj
and the boys begin to buster about for the an
Cling apparatus, it brings to mind my own ex-
parience in trout catching. The time has been,
within my own remembrance, when fishing IN
the brooks amongst the Green Mountains of
Vermont amounted to something, and those
well skilled in the art could spend day with
good success, even in the larger streams and
rivers. AT the present time there is moro in
the name than anything else The fishermen
have become so plenty, and the trout 80 scarce,
that the demand exceeds the supply to such an
extent as 10 make the business dull, and none
but the most skillful return at night after
days tedious jaunt with good string"
never was a good fisherman. The only op-
portunity had when boy to get initiated into
the art was stolen half hour as the sun was
passing from my sight over the western hills,
and the cows for which had been sent were
taking their last bite of grass before being driv.
en- to the yard to fast for the night.
If, on such occasions, whether with steel or
pin hook, some dozen of the little speckled
swimmers were secured, the luck was counted
first rate and the morning fry > well provid-
ed for.
Brook fishing was always very different from
riuer fishing. The former requires activity and
motion the latter la&inesS and patience.
never made any professions as an active
worker, and on the other hand, was never indo-
lent enough to angle for trout in large streams,
and to stand the annoying theft of those shin
ing dace as they nibbled off the bait and exposed
the naked hook required more patience than
was ever incorporated into my system.
had, however, a near relative who was par
ticularly gifted with all the necessary ngred-
ents for large trout Ongler. Patience was i'm
pressed upon his brow. The other qualifca-
ton was engrafted into his nature. A pin
hook was beneath his notice, and nothing short
of the most expensive apparatus ever found
place upon his body or girdcd his loins when
starting upon his favorite fishing excursions
His adherence of labor and propensity for
sport was found so strong at an early day as to
determine which would predominant in after life
When sent with the laboring servants into the
work-feld, he always found amusement for
them, as we'll as himself, in the destruction of
game, hunting bees and telling stories. When
the black clouds were gathering In the West,
and every sign indicated an approaching storm,
his propensity for sport always seemed to in
crease, and many Well-drenched load of hay
was the consequence of engagements in other
business rather than the work of the day.
The reader may well believe that he was no
ordinary fisherman. He always scorned this
little brook fishing, and such troutas the writer
of this would regard great achievement to Sc
cure, he would throw back into the river as too
small for his basket. If any one came within
his sight when fishing, he would be sure to be
seated where trout were never seen, nor even
nibble ever obtained But when left alone, he
stole away to his favorte and well-selected fish
ing-ground, and his luck was always such that
the boys would have it that he had namo for,
and mark on, every trout, and that they were
extracted from the river according to age and
size
The writer was younger lad, and was seldom
allowed to accompany the elder fisherman,
and when such favor was granted, he was
kept outside of hearing distance, and all COM
munication was by signs and signals until tho
sport was ended. If one could have been hon
ered with carrying the trout, or even the bait,
some insight of the mysterious art might per-
haps have been obtained, but no such favor was
bestowed, so grew up perfect novice in all
the necessary attainments requisite to good
fisherman. But it so happens that one of infe-
rior attainments may, during life time, come
in contact with Others by whom the little knowl-
edge he possesses is magnifed to such an extent
that ne becomes hero. Such was, on one oc.
casion, my after experience in fishing.
A few years since improved leisure week
In making q family visit to kind of second
cousin of my wife, some thirty miles from my
own residence. The subject of trout fishing
came up. had long before given up the busi-
ness, and determined to try my luck no more :;
but my friend, some forty years of age, was
gifted in all kinds Of trade, such as dealing in
horses, cattle, sheep and swine; wool, butter,
cheese, ducks and chickens, knew how many
pounds of cream it took for tub of butter,
and all the rules of loss and gain to perfection,
and he succeeded in over persuading me to make
days tour with him after trout My mind
at first was adverse to the project, but expect
ing to learn something new from my discreet
and shrewd friend, with the reflection that NV