New-York tribune., 1874-08-25
"MY FIRST SALMON"

ru,,, ow wrrn,s cAPrUy,E OF SALMON WHEN A
poy--rNfrRrsTING BEADING FOR THE PEOPLE OF
SYRACUSE.
TO the Editor Of The Tr'o"me'
SIR: Mr.. Dawson of The Albany Evening
Journal, who. accompanied by Cohector AI'nui' d"
equally enthusiastic angler, has just returned from
salmon fishing excursion upon nova oeoua r"cr "t
up In the neetnern atudes, Is giving Tie readers oi
that journal letters which enable them to share I'm
aeinstven the tolls and the rewards OF most inter
eating exysdion Mr.. Dawson's reputation for trout
fshng vas we'll established but this was his first visit
10 rivers in which the salmon "most do con gregate
Gen Arthur, believe, had been fisher OF salmon on
former occasions. cannot err. think In saying that
Mr. Dawson's vivid and glowing description OF the cap
ture Of his first salmon" is quite worthy Of place in
the columns OF THE TRIBUNE.
mouth of the tsh operated like the sound of trumpet
Every tingied, and the blood leaped through
very few moments however, was myself again had
marked spot where the fish had risen had gathered
up nv line for cast had dropped the NY, like
snowflake Just where desired when like flash
the same enormous head appeared the same open jaws
revealed themselves, swirl and leap and strike fo
lowed and my first salmon hooked with thud,
which told me plainly as IL the operation mad tran
spred within range of my visOn that II lost him
it would be my own fault. When thus assured there
excitement but no furry. My nerves thrilled and
steel but realized the full sublimity Of the occasion,
stupid inaction which followed first aPparition. My
untested rod bent under the pressure in graceful
curve my reel clicked out iveler melody, than ever
emauated from harp hautboy as the astonshed lsh
made his first dash the tensioned line emitted eolian
strain to which it subjected, and for
80 minutes there was saca CIV, gyih. anu anu
and tearing such hoping and fearing, as would have
Injected life into the ribs OF DEATH, made an anchorte
dance in very ecstacy and caused true angler TO
believe that his heart a kettle drum, every snew
jewsharp, and the whole framework OF ms excited
nv canoe rendered efficient service in keeping wen
pace with the eccentric movements OF the struggling
given me ana "make him work for every inch of line"
Whether therefore, he took so yards or foot tried 10
make him pull IT. and then to regain whatever was
taken as soon as possible The result was an incessan
clicking the reel either paying cut or in taking in
been no prevented than the onrushing OF loco
motive. Any attempt to have suddenly checked him
by making adequate resistance, would nave MADE
leader line rod wreck in an instant All that IL was
proper safe to do was TO give to each 1't the amount
ounce more nor ounce less ! and i believe that
measured the pressure so exactly that the strain upon
my rod did not vary naf an ounce from the hrs 10 tue
last of the struggle . .,.
Toward the close of the fight. when it was evident
that the "iIg up" and elt myself master OF the
situation. took my stand upon projecting point IN
most favorable opportunity possible was aordea ne
CATER 10 give the struggling nsh tne hna death m tntas
and 30 end battle II skillfully done The nrst
plunge OF the ga brought him TO the green sward and
there lay out before in all his silver beauty anu
N nnsry fonr feet IN length
killed in so minutes, and Afforded me more pieasur.
sincc-Well, say since Lee suffchucleu
iI is said that when the good DIR. Bethune landed
mis- first salmon he caressed 1t as fondiy ms ne ever
in speechess admiration and delight-pantng win
fatigue trembling IN very ecStlcy ana eAciaing Win
berries Doubtless God could have made better berry
but doubtless God never did and 80, may JudSe'
God never did make more cdim quiet, innocent feci"
alton thau angling" ,,.
ThIs victory was a surfeit for the morning. With
other sh in full yIew ready to give me repetition OF
the grand sport had already experienced made no
cast and retired perfectly contented Tne beau
ful fish
canoe ami borne in triumph to camp, where fish and
fisher given such hearty welcome amid such MIA
rous enthusiasm was betting the cause and the
In the afternoon OF the same day killed 23-pound
salmon m the pool IN 20 Misunderstanding, was
sorry TO learn getting back 10 camp nonopOzei the
had SO much as a rise
had no thought of adding word to the foregoing
but it reminded of the killing OF my first sal
mon" an which, though it will be bat tame
affair after reading Mr. Dawsons thrilling extract, may
be found TO possess some historical interest.
In the Spung of 1910, with two other boys. was
walking pleasant evening in the vcIusy OF the Ou
ondaga Creek mlle and half south OF the site Of the
present City of Syracuse, then tangled swamp, inab
tied mainly by frogs, watersnakes, and owls. Upon
the creek Woods mill. below which for several
rods riffs. Our attention and surprise were ex
cited by seeing bright lights moving, supposed.
along the banks of the creek. On approaching how
eyer we discovered Onondaga Indians with pine knot
torches and clubs killing salmon whose ns and backs
were seen as they ascending .the creek In shallow
water over riffs The Indians good naturedy lent
lie clubs and gave the benefit OF their torches until
each had captured a salmon, with which departed
for our in jubiant spirits Most Of the inhabit-
ants of Syracuse will find it hard to believe tnat salmon
we're ever taken south OF that city, And yet such is the
fact for which my friend Philo D. Mickles recently de-
ceased would have vouched, he one OF my COM
paniOns on that occasion. T. w.
Neie-Yoyk, Aug. %, 1874.