Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-10

v 2 arc IbflllLLeu 70 PUBLISH the following
letter from a devoted disciple Of LEAK
Walton The season and weather make
the topic both Interesting and OppOrtune;
and we have the promise Of another letter
before the party return:
Mouth OF SHOAL CREEK, 10 miles
from Florence, Ala, April S.-My Dear
Friend -:
ssWinter time has gone and past.
And fishing time has come at last"
All nature seems to rejoice at the close of
Winter and return OF Spring. No more
cold sleety rains, no more slush and mud,
no more crying for fuel to warm the half
clad poor, no more dreary confinement of
the merry, bright faced lads. Il is a vel
come holiday fer all things animate and
inanimate, both on the land and in
the waters. A bright cheerfuluess per
vades all. The young ladies dress and
look prettier; the boys, with their tops,
kites, marbles and fishing tackle rejoice al
the return Of Spring; the little birds sing a
merry welcome, and all the animal cFea-
ton seems TO rejoice; the church bells in
the cities and towns sound sWeeter on a
bright Spring Sabbath morning, calling the
young and old to Sunday-sChOOl and chu Oh
for devotion and thankfulness to the God
Of Spring, than at any other season; the
flowers look brighter and sWeetel, aud
every little stream, with It's pebbly bottom
and silver, CRYSTALLINE waters forming
beautiful little cascades in its downward
course, laughs merrily at the genial rays Of
an April sun and welcomes back the return
Of Spring, to make happy its fnny inlab-
itants. Well did Thompson say
''Come gentle spring, ethereal mIIdness come
1t is in reality s'etherial mildness7 which
gladdens the heart Of every one and makes
Us all happy. But l am transgressing my
bounds and imposing upon your good ma
ture, to read my ltltle preface on Spring,
but though, you must IecOllect that the
opening Of Spring is suggestive of the sub
jec. you desire me 10 dilate upon, viz:
Angling in Tennessee its pleasures, re-
suits, costs, etc. This is a good place and
time, and will attempt 10 give you briefly
my own experience and observations:
Angling is a recreative and recuperative
sport for the mind and body, and to those
who take advantage Of it, the most health
full, beneficial, pleasant and innocent.
Philosophers, divines, scientists, Lawyers,
doctors and merchants, have achieved their
greatest successes from results Of medita-
tons, plans, schemes and mental sugges-
tons, while angling on the banks Of some
placid stream. The late good Christian,
Rev. DR.. a. J.. p. Green, once informed me
that his happieSt moments outside Of his
family circle were those when angling on
the banks Of some quiet stream, forming
plans to advance The good Of the church,
and increase the happiness Of its mem
bers.
Within two hundred yards Of where I sit
writing this note t. you, can see more
than one well known ia Nashville who
have accumulated over one hundred thsu-
sand without the aid Of q friend or a dollar
IN cash to begin with, and all the result of
plans originating under the q1iet, unOb-
.ruded shades Of trees aud huge bluffs and
cliffs, on the banks Of the beautiful fishing
streams in Tennessee, while angling for
trout and jack, and put into practical opera
ton, after their return to the city, with a
vim and practice characteristic only of
hose who had given their mind and body |
free access to all Of natures sweetest balm
and rest. a lazy man, lOafer |
Dr. an idler cannot be a successful angler or /
business man, scientific or professional. |
Such fellows are fit only to dig worms or /
,atch minnOws and wait on those who EN-
DlOy them merely for their labor. Energy |
and industry are required in every branch |
ot business, spout. or enterprise TO insure |
success.
Every one says, 81 wish 1 could spare
.iIne to 90 fishing or hunting; it looks like |
4 waste of time if leave my clerks or en-
must be with them Hundreds |
IF good, clever merchants and others in /
to-day, cOnsUmptiye, sickly, |
Dale-faced and sunken-eyed, from overwork |
md continued confinement, are walking /
for pis1atOIi al and field |
sports, many Of whom believe il a sin, and /
wen destructive to the morals Of the young,
or them 10 venture out from their smoky
corners and cOuntinC-TOOms and take adj
-antage Of the free, open air which God has |
given us, saying, a don't want to set an
example to my young men and children
What fOOlishness! Can a man by his ex-
.mple prevent a boy from falling in love
With pretty girl? Can he stop him from
he love of whip-top, kite, ball or the
Wild chase after the game Of our land? !
The boys will love their dogs, horses, guns
md fishing tackle with as much ardOr and |
ervOr as a fashionable young lady adopting
he new styles Of the season.
How bright and happy are the faces Of
II the boys at school when promised a
Iunt for birds or the sport Of angling Ou a
iven day. Their whole soul enters into
h5 anticipation Of the sport and recreation |
romised. They will often even spend
leepless nights revolving I'm their minds
he prospective sport, and often discuss with
are ability the best methods adapted for
atChing their favOrite gzme-nOt for the |
rOft resulting, but for the Qualification Of
worthy and pleasant passion, which eX-
sts in all ambitious boys, and even grown !
nd old men. The boy or man who does |
Ot enter into, or enjoy any Of the sports
the field, forest or waters, generally
sads a dull, mOnOtOnOus routine of life, |
litable and adapted only 10 women, and
lOuld be taught how 70 cook and mend !
be clothing Of those who rauble through |
he thickets, wade in the mud or Toll on |
be banks.
But, in order to enjoy these sports, how
yer, considerable pecuniary outlay will !
e necessary, as you will observe from the /
blowing figures which embrace every i'm |
Orlalt article. Tor the Tennessee angler,
nd which l place at cash prices in the
Iashville market. Cheaper outfits, Of
purse, would answer in emergencies and
IT the smaller streams; but large streams
nd large game fish will require for one
ngler, say
Meek's reels, Nos. 2 and 6........SfO 90
Japanese lines, 100 yards each.. 10 90
japanese rods, rugged. ........... 400
MinnOW bucket ................. 80
Dozen snoods.. .......,.......:. l 90
Floats. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. so
Landing net 3 90 l