The New York herald., 1879-08-31
GREENWOOD LAKE.

Izask Walton begin to appear in their most attrac-
tive forms. Every angler il Eastern waters knows
that September inaug urates the best of the
year for pscatorial sports. that in thar month the
festive perch the livelies the black bass the most
voracious and that the pckere too. begins to show
signs OF good appetite This the season is some
what forward. and at many places the hotels ara
already filled with guests. Fish generally are in
fine condition. and there is why the season
should prove OF the most successful in years.
Greenwood Lake. situated in the mountains Of
Orange county N. ". has tins year attracted un-
usual number OF lovers of pscatorial sport but the
supply and the apparent inclination Of the fnny
tribe to be equal to the occasion. The lake Is
reached by either the Eric or New Jersey Midland
railway. and the route lies through very pictur-
esquo country On all sides and along the entire dis
tance OF the road immense mountains raise their
submits to the sky; the train one minute dashes
along precipitous mountain side the noxt rattles
over high trestle works and then passes through
rocky giens and canyon overhung with terms. The
distance is traversed in about three hours from New
York city. and the traveller landed the northern
part OF tho lake steamer plies between this point
and the other end. and gives magnificent opportu-
nifty for observing the superb scenery.
DESCRIPTION OF LAKE.
The lake itself is in the shape Of a slight curve,
and il nine miles long. about one milo wide and has
average depth of over fifty feet It is surrounded
on all sides by densely wooded mountains. which in
some places rise to altitude Of avo hundred
feet above the surface OF the lake. popularity Of
its banks is that though the mountains consist
principally of rocks and iron ORE there appears at
place a rocky ledge of dimensions large enough
to interrupt the undulating lire created by the
mountain tops, nor to disturb the graceful decvty
OF the sides. At places the scenery surpasses Of
tbc H,lls in its and
there in the LAX. appears island covered with
bushes and trees, and Offering the most delightful
place retreat to enjoy the cool mountain breezes
and the pleasures of hook and line These islands
OF solid rock and they lie scattered about.
relieving the monotony Of the even or rulied surface
OF the lake. the beholder is impressed with the idea
that Nature when forming those giant mountains
that surround them threw the islands into the great
mountain pond as so much waste material. The top
of one OF the mountains presents curious. and, to
a religiously inclined mind. an imposing and glori-
spectacle AS the forest which covers Its sides
nears the summit it becomes thinner. that tho
crest the verant carpet OF foliage and shrubs Is dis
tinctly discernAbie. On the very apex. IN tho
centre of an arena OF green grass and yellow
field flowers, stands an old oak the monarch OF the
forest. Some envious streak OF lightning has de-
prived it of its topmost branches that ut dis
tance it has perfect resemblance to the cros- on
calvary. The dark woods surrounding the lake are
interspersed with numerous tents denoting the loca
ton OF camping out partes some OF whom remain
for weeks and months. The Brandon, Windormere
and St. George hotels together with several cottages.
constitute the evidences of civilization along the
banks OF the lake. The hotels pretty well filled.
but guests continue to arrive daily Near the centre
OF the lake enterprising fisherman has stationed
floating dwelling aud here the epicure can indulge
in meal fish which he taken alive out Of
the water and prepared tor the table before his eyes,
THE IN THE COUNTRY
The fish taken out OF Greenwood Lake have the
any other fish the country. and the Of this
reputation does not rest wholly in imagination.
tion no brooks streams dow into it out of it,
Its water supply is derived from innumerable
small springs and fountains which oozo out Of the
rock constituting its bottom. This is easily per-
ceived by bathing in the lake. the temperature OF
the water is continually varying. This coolness.
which does not prevail in high degree in any
other lake river, tends to mako the meat of tho
fish more firm and delicious, and forms of the
principal attractions OF Greenwood Lake. Unlike
the human animal. the fish indulge in houseclcaning
in the hottest part OF the season. and tho phonome-
non known as 'purging OF the water was peculiarly
noticeable this year. 1t is constituted by the rising
to the surface in the shape of gases of all the hh
and unclean substances that have accumulated
appearance. and all tho fish, with the exception OF
the bass which not affected by it. look sickly
and their meat assumes habby consistence This
year the process OF purgng took place in the latter
part OF July.
THE HOOK AND LINE
The most numerous fish caught at present are
bass, OF which many specimens weigh hing from three
to six pounds are taken daily Yellow perch and
sundsh also found III large numbers, the latter
frequently growing to the size of largo porges.
PicLerel can also be caught. but they will remain
somewhat scarce until the first frost. when they will
constitute the principal game. AS for bait all kinds
are used, though the most experienced fishermen
prefer a small animal known as the he'll
gon.ite. This animal somewhat resembles tho
scorpion, and is found in brooks. One OF the
principal industries of the island consists in
collecting helgomitcs, grasshoppers frogs, angle
worms aud other kind OF bait. ana the supplying
boats and fishing tackle to the guests at the ho-
tells and the excursionists. Though the fishing has
been rather poor this year 1T is rapidly improving
and there is at present plenty OF sport The
or the poor fishing Is attributed by tho
local fishermen to the immense numbers OF grass
hoppers which were found i'll the woods this year.
with food. that they will not readily take bait. AZ
the grasshoppers are now becoming scarce tile
fish take the hook with more eager
for sport. though 1t Is pursued at all hours
both day aud night AS evening draws near and tho
sunshine Is confined to the mountain tops spread
ing delightful shade the surface ot the lake,
every boat along tho shores Is called into roqusl
ton ard tho nny tribe are attack oil from all sides
Young ladies'. mpanied by some representative
OF the sternor just To put those 'nasty things
the hooks. are among the most devoted lovers of
secluded spots along the lake chosen by these par
tics. and that in great many cases waiting tor
nibble' Is only convenient subterfuge of Cupid.
both parties generally prefcrring the absence of all
living beings. the fish not excepted. and watching
tho motions OF the buoy as It dances on the rip
pies OF the water. Evening IL certainly the most
delightful time on tho lake. A soft. hazy twilight
to rest ON the water. the setting of the sun
being only noticeable its rays Withdraw the gild-
ing from the tree tops the SUBMITS of the noun
tains. Darkness gathers in the more distant parts
of the lake, filling the valleys between the noun
tains and slowly cncroachng the domain OF the
watcrs. No sound is heard save the chrping Of tho
cricket. the mournful call OF the whippoorwi. the
babbling OF the waters the wavelets break the
Shore the dubious Whispering of the breezcs and
occasional spisshing OF OARS The silence inn
posed by nature remains unbrokcn; even tho
guitars whose soft strains aoatcd the water in
the earlier part of tho evening" are laid aside aud
main voiccless ip the impressive quiet The moon,
which in tho meantime has Deon ascending the
armament, peeps down the lake over the summit
OF a mountain. The effect In magical and the nag-
nation transforms the into one of the ARABIAN
Nights." As the first pale beams strong enough to
penetrate the darkness but not to dispel it, strike
the surface of the lake. silvery incline
from the water to the mountain top and
from thence to realms unknown is created. This
increases in dimensions and intensity. and soon
silver sheen nature. the compact darkness
hiding In the rocky glons and beneath tho impon-
etrabie cover OF tho forest. In this panorama OF