The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-09-17
SECRETS or FISHERMEN.
HATS that May or May Not Help him who
Goes Fishing.

Fishermen are superstitious and they are
woatherwise. As prophets they seldom risk
prediction that will carry further than twenty
four hours. They have uuoer methods Of dis
covering the approach OF storms and tho points
from which the wind will blow. but they can DO
relied upon. Their theories in regard " tho
run OF fish arc not always sound.
To toll some of their secrets in confidence to
the discreet readers of THE Sun may do no
harn When on II Friday evening the sun goes
down in u cloud. tho following Sunday will DO
II fine day But when tho sunset is clear on u
Friday evening. Sunday is sure to be windy
and bad day ON tho wator. OF course the rule
holds good for tho second day aftor tho noted
sunset on any day Of the week but tho Sab
bath being tho principal day for angling trades
men and boat letters. the weather indications
for that day are watched with the closest at
tention Experience has taught most hshor-
men to havo faith In the whims Of sunsets.
Some old weather prophets who live on the
sea shore carefully rub their hands upon flag
poles or fence rails regularly every night be-
fore going 10 bed. This interesting operation
is performed with view of determining tho
point from which the wind will blow ON the
following day. Flag poles and fence rails
never lie; and salt water mngicans consult
rail is perfectly dry. the wind will DO from the
west. Whom 1t is wet with dow. the wind will
blow from the south. and when it is slightly
damp II Will come from the southwest. II 1t is
dry and cool there will be u north wind. and
be from, the east, and will probably blow
hard No particular fence rails or ilay poos
mon old flag pole or fence rail can be con:
suited. Even BARRIERS pole viii do. provided
poles and fence rails grass can BE- made to do
service. Now, why poles, rails or gtiss should
announce the coming wind is something that
knowledge they wouldn't give II clam. They
are decidedly opposed. to telling this secret,
upon brothrry love. In other words. they are
afraid the professors might rub all the skin
from the palms Of their hands and wear away
nli The fence rails and telegraph poles In their
neighborhoOd.
When with little wind a heavy ground swell
panied by tho distant music of the great whist
ling buoy, there Will very probably DO n heavy
southeast storm on the following day Yest1r
unless it behaves itself and keeps quiet, it is no
fay9rite among boatmen., II is apt to pc puffy
down to his work and keep him there An
cast or southeast wind is bad for fishing. rs n
rn p,l but i is an honest sailing breeze. and
good -na,urcd in ot'!er. respects. 1t brings
fishermen hone Wet and in excellent spirits;
Most people know what shredder. crab is. but
aT rSb thST Thf9 U SSSa but
has npt uulLc fllhue up MS mlNu upon lne
subject. The spirit of castc or the color line
exists in regard TO shrimp. Shrimp with black
backs are called nigsers. and despised by pref;
udictd and foolish anglers. There are several
kinds OF clans. There are skimmers. hard
shells. and soft shells. Skimmers are the favor
lite clam bait. Almost any fish will take
them. Sand worms are not handsome. They
have no wings and no feathers of any kind.
When on the homestretch, they are about six
inches high. They are pulling creatures In
the natural state they live in the water and in
the wet sand; but In captivity they commit
I.1n ~ lnA lnH in Fn..llN .lrt.
clay. They are beloved by wcakl!sh in many
places. Some people think that wcakfl sh can't
sing. but they can. Many Il belated fisherman.
drifting home in calm has heard their melo
di"s: They hnve not got such fine voices as
builfrogs. Their notes arc not so rich but they
are + tttcr sustained. When weaknsh have a
concert they never bite. That is the reason
anglers hate to hear them sing. Weakhsh go
away from here about the end OF September or
the first week in October. October is the best
month for bass and biackhsh. The latter al
ways give better sport. and arc much finer for
table in tho fall than in the summer. At their
usual haunts weakt,h are not quite so plentiful
a. they were iii July and August.