The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-09-29
Secrets Of Fisherman,
HINTS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HELP HIM
WHO GOES FISHING.

Fishermen are superstitious ant
they are weatherwise. AS prophet
they seldom risk prediction that will
carry further than twenty.four hours
They have queer methods of discover
ing the approach of storms and the point
from which the wind will blow, but
they can be relied upon. Their theo
ries in regard to the run of fish are not
always sound.
To tell some their secrets in co nfi
dence to our discreet readers proba bly
may do no harm. When on a Friday
evening the sun goes down in acloud,th
following Sunday will be a fine day.
But when the sunset is clear on a Fri.
day evening, Sunday is sure to be a
windy and bad day on the water. OF
course the rule holds good for the
second day after the noted sunset on
any day of the week. Experience has
Taught most fisherman to have faith in
the whims Of sunsets.
Some old weather prophets who
live on the seashore carefully rub their
hands upon flag poles or fence rails
regularly every night before going to
bed: This interesting operation is
performed with view of determining
the point from which the wind will
blow on the following day. Flag
poles and fence rails never lie ; and
salt water magicians consult them
with as much faith as savants have in
the weather bureau. When the post
or fence rail is perfectly dry, the wind
will be from the west. When it is
wet with dew, the wind will blow from
the south, and when it is slightly damp
1t will come from the southwest. If It
is dry and cool there will be a north
wind, and when it is cool and damp
the wind will be from the east, and
will blow hard. No particular fence
rails or flag poles have monopoly in
this BUSINESS. Any common old flag
pole or fence rail can be consulted.
Even BARRIERS pole will do, provided
1t Is near the water, and if there is a
scarcity of poles and fence rails grass
can be made to do service. Now, why
poles, rails or grass should announce
the coming wind is something that the
fisherman don't know, and to possess
such knowledge they wouldn't give a
clam. They are decidedly opposed to
telling this secret, either to Vennor or
DeVoe, for reason based upon
brotherly love. In other words, they
are afraid the professors might rub
all the skin from the palms Of their
hands and wear away all the fence
rails and telegraph poles in their neigh
borhood.
A west or northwest wind is good
tishing wind, but, unless it behaves
itself and keeps quiet it is no favorite
among boatmen. 1t is apt to be puffy
and treacherous, and to tie the man at
the tiller down to to his work and
keep him there
Most people know what shedd er
crab is, but few know what a sooner"
IS. A conner is crab that is thinking of
becoming a shedder, but has not vet
quite made up his mind upon the sub
Ject. The spirit of caste or the color
line exists in regard to shrimp. Shrimp
with black backs are called niggers,
and despised by prejudiced and fool,
ish anglers. There are several kinds
OF CLAIMS, There are skimmers, hard
shells, and soft shells. Skimmers are
the favorite clam bait Almost any
fish will take them. Sand worms are
not handsome. October is the best
month for bass and blackfish. The
latter always give better sport, and are
much finer for table in the fall than in
the summer.