The hydraulic press., 1861-08-17
Shooting Trout.


Near Petaiuma there is a creek in which
tifosaat. do abound. In San Francisco there
are many old sports who delight in trout, and
who will 20 several miles in order to ''hook"
one of the spotted beauties. These sports
generally congregate at "Dans" and agree
on future movements. One day last week
six gentlemen met at the "Blue Wing" and
decided to have days fishing Petaluma
was decided upon as the spot, on account OF
its good water, buttermilk and soft she'll
crabs. AS we have been particularly request
ed by three of the party not to mention their
names, we will not do SO, but merely give
their initials, which are: Colonel
V-i-b-b-a-r-d, Jim Gray and Sam
Brown. The gentlemen reached Pet
aluma in safety, joined their rods and COM
menced to fish. After few moments useless
"tossng the fly" the Colonel became tired,
and determined to shoot. Accordingly he
took the only gun in the caravan and went
off to hunt doves, chippies, or wrens.
Having exploded about a pound of powder
without any other effect than that of breaking
the limbs of trees and tearing up plowed
ground, the Colonel was completely disgusted
and started back for the creek. Just as he
hove in sight of the man whose name com
mences with Jim, he heard his name called.
Rushing to the brook, he saw James standing
in the attitude of Ajax, as represented by
Tom Donnelly's picture, and "cussing."
"What's the matter p says the Colonel.
"Why, the matter is this" says Jim, ~ just
caught big trout, 'he weighs over four
pounds threw him out and can't find him" "
"Can't you take off an ounce or two ?? says
the Colonel. "No, no." says Jim, "he was
so heavy that my line is broken, and my arm
is sprained with the exertion of lifting him."
The Colonel looked wise, and after thinking
of every thing earthly, commenced to scratch
his head and look upwards. What should
be the first object that struck his vision but
q fine trout weighing about three quarters of
a pound dangling from the limb of shrub
oak tree.
He called Jim's attention to it. and then Il
council of war was held. 1t was decided
that the Colonel should shoot the limb of,
he being particularly good at that business,
and that some one should stand in the
brook directly under the scaly bird and
catch it. Jim complained of having a cold
ia his head and demurred to the water
proposition. Consequently Sam was called.
He had just been to a ranch near by and
had pitcher of buttermik in one hand and
a slice of bacon in the other. Sam is good
soul, and rs he was requested to step into
the brook and catch the trout he could not
refuse. Carefully he went under the limb.
and planted himself on the point of n rock.
The Col shot, the limb fell, and so did Sam,
for losing his balance, he instantly tumbled
backwards. Unfortunately, having forgotten
to deposit his pitcher of buttermilk on the
land, the beverage was spilled at the same
time Sam was. A rush was made by all
parties for Sam, the pitcher, and the trout.
The result was, that three men stood in the
'brook, the water reaching their chins, the
trout foated away, the pitcher was broken
by Sans boot heel, and all looked miserable.
Finally, one laughed, then the others, and
then altogether they scrambled ashore. The
next day they arrived in town and told their
adventures, but as nobody saw the trout,
why the reader can believe as much as he or
she pleases. There is moral, however.
When you 60 trout-fshing always take your
shotgun along.-S. F. Mirror.