Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-07-06
SENATORS WHO CO A FISHING

Expert Anglers I'm the Upper House
Statesmen Who Love to Cast q Fsv
and Others Who Prefer the Bait Rod.
There are not many who would take
Senator Edmunds to be one of the most
skillful anglers in the country, says the
Washington Star. He can, however, cast
tly with the best of 'em, and fairly revels
in the sport. He is an expert at salmon
fishing, and has killed many big fellow
with light rod by dexterity and patience
alone.
Nor is Mr.. Edmunds the only accom-
plished and enthuslastic disciple of Walton
in his branch of the national legislature.
In fact, some of the best anglers anywhere
TO be found are in the Senate.
Hon. Wade Hampton is almost without
a peer as fiy-fisherman. 1t is not alone
the ease and grace with which he handles
the rod that gives him prominence in the
piscatorial art, but he is thoroughly versed
in every branch of the sport. HIS fond
ness for it has led him to study the phi
l0sophy Of angling, the habits Of game
fishes, and the utility of tackle. He is
recognized authority on all matters per-
tanning to the sport. It has not been many
days since Senator Hampton, with naked
line on light rod, made a cast that sent
the end Of the line "a yards.
Senator Frye is another skillful manipu-
lator of the fly. He delights in coaxing
the wary trout to take the lure, and his
sunburnt face is proof OF the diligence
with which he plies the rod through the
fishing season.
Senator Vest is also a skillful angler,
and remarkably successful one. In the
rivalry that always goes with the fishing
party he invariably enters with genuine
spirit, and he usually wins the champion
ship by killing the biggest fish and the
greatest number.
Senator Mcpherson is another superb
angler. He is the owner of one Of the
most complete and costly outfits that was
perhaps ever collected together. With the
adjournment of Congress he betakes HIM
self and tackle to the haunts of bass and
trout, and for a change he sometimes goes
in quest of salmon.
Senator Platt. of Connecticut, is like
wise an ardent lover of the sport, and he
is entitled to rank with the experts. He
makes an annual tour through the Adj
rondacks, where he has fine permanent
camp.
Senator Kenna, of West Virginia, is
as fond of the rod and reel as of following
the hounds. His home is pleasant and
popular resort of spoYtsmen. He keeps
fishing tackle enough to supply friends
and neighbors on any occasion, and he
is always ready, if fishing fails, to start
his hounds on the trail.
Senator Miller, of New York, knows
how to cast fly to perfection, and Sena-
tor Seweu is familiar with the exciting
thrill that runs all through a man when
he has a ssstrike.''
Senator Garland is fond of fishing, but
he is rather Old-fashiOned in his ideas of
the sport. He does not banker after a
split bamboo rod, but prefers the natural
cane pole. Nor does he care about artis-
tically handling a fly. He would just as
soon catch a big bass with a minnow for
bait as to delude him to the surface with
fly.
Senator Williams also prefers old time
methods, though heis fond of the sport.
Senator Vance can handle the light fly
rod and the heavier bait rod with equal
facility. His angling education was ac-
Quired in North Carolina, where the va
rieties of the finny tribe are so numsrous
that the sportsmen must learn all ways of
taking them.
Senator Ransom, from the same State,
likes to go fishing with jovial party, but
he is not particularly fond of the sport,
though he can handle a rod successfully
when so disposed.
Senator Riddleberger is impatient for
adjournment that he may set out upon
sporting jaunt. He has comfortable
spring wagon and a pair Of excellent
horses, with which he will traverse the
valley region of Virginia, fishing the
streams and hunting the hills. His
family generally accompany him on these
trips.
Senator Maxey is an enthusiast in bass
fishing, but he is not particular whether
he takes them with bait or fly.
Senator Beck is willing to make one of
fishing party most any time, but it's more
the good company than the sport that at
tracts him. He doesn't mind holding
rod when the fish bite freely, but if the
bass has to be coaxed, the Senator gets
out of patience.
Senator Don Cameron is another who
goes fishing only when the company is to
his taste, and for the fun that an ''outing"
with jolly crowd affords.