New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-23
THE ACKNOWLEDGES.
TROUT FISHING IN THE ST. REGIS COUNTRY

so soheS iaiu tne matJlng, arranged tno 1nfnlture
and bedding. and cleared the rubbish from the
ground; the winter had damaged nothing; and ouI
retreat looked pretty, in the fresh May sunshine
as lt had seemed In our memory ever since we left
it last year. had planned some additions and inn.
proyements; the lumber for them was on the
ground. and q man had come to help jim They
we're waiting for my plans. I listened to their
questions and proposals and then I said JIM
think the first Job for us is-to go fishing" Jim
became radiant; az think 80 too sir; and before
the other man could set his surprise our boat
was speeding toward the foot Of the lake. There is
no fishing in Osgood Lake. but speckled front are
caught in its outlet, the Usgood River as well as IN
enc of the tributaries Of that stream known as Cold
Brook. At the beginning of the season they are
not always easy to find. for there when the food is
high and the water every where cold they scatter.
instead OF haunting the known spring holes. We
returned after an hour so, with fair string Of
brook trout which we picked up here and there in
the river; and Jim fried them while Diana set the
table in shady spot, and spread upon it the good
cold dinner which had been packed for MS at Paul
Smiths. How sweet the trout tasted, and with
what appetite we sauced them
It was much after the same fashion that during
two weeks ut Paul Smiths came over to camp
every day to oversee the work. The work was
never allowed to Interfere with the fishing nor did
we attend to busness bit better after we forsook
the hotel altogether and moved into our tents We
watched the trout rs they gradually settled in y
at their accustomed summer resorts. We were the
first adventures of the season to push mp Cold
Brook, clearing o way for the boat through the
winters accumulation of driftwood, and when the
front began to como in we were there to welcome
them. We sought them on the rapids Of OsgoOd
River-one of the places where you must leave your
boat and wade. Ghost of Izaak Walton, shall
ever forget one day Of drenchng ran when stood
in three feet OF water among the slippery rocks,
with cloud OF black flies around me, and whipped
the brawling river putting the trout In my pocket.
for lack Of creel, until the insects drove home
nearly franticl There was another memorable day
in june when first found big front in the spring
holes. How Jim's heart was torn that dayl We
know place not far from Paul Smiths where only
the mightiest of speckled trout abide several times
wo have taken them there Of three grounds weight.
and those of pound aud half or two pounds are
not uncommon. One cloudy evening. following q
season Of warm weather, found the hole
crowded with them and they were goriously
hungry. At the first cast of the ay trout Of about
two pounds rose. Well | will not spin oat a sad
story. Allour gut was rotten. No sooner was a fly
taken than the smell snapped off, If the smell held,
SO, as fast as we could repair damages. At the end
of that time had no leaders left and only one fly,
tied to the end of the line and among the ravenous
fish which swan away with my hooks had the
modification of seeing five Of the largest size. Jim
was very sad that evening; but soon got more
trustworthy apparatus. and learned never again to
buy fishing tackle except at the best shops.
And this reminds me to say word about rods
The novice will find that pretty good rod is nearly
the same thing as pretty bad one. used last
year an eight-ounce iron-wood rod which had
good spring at first but proved weak in the joints
aud mperfectly seasoned and finally became so
warped and so brittle that ID would neither make
fair cast nor hold O strong fish That rods got no
heart in It any more" said jim. az he eyed its
crookcdness; aud the criticism seemed TO show o
sort Of poetical insight. "However." he added, /
guess IL You got new middle joint made- and
another tip and had heavier set of ferules that
wouldn't spread like these-you know We haven't
broke the butt yetm Here the scheme of repairs
was disturbed by our both laughing. l put away
the old rod and sent 20 New-Yor< for really good
one of split bamboo. All. that has heart In it."
What comfort is such rod-so noble. 50 graceful.
30 plant. so stanch, so safe! I am no longer
afraid of catching fish too big for my machinery.
When I have hooked great lighting front and
Jim sings out the struggles grow fitful, snow
ct him have Just tho bend of the rod" play the
,reature at the end of the swaying strip of reed
With perfect assurance that il will not break. -
inless indeed. I blunder. This Is tho glory Of
play vigorous fish OF three
pounds or 80 with o fine elastic rod. humoring all
Ms fanclcs Within the limits of safety, letting him
mix at the bottom. lash the surface or dart up
tream. only holding him tight enough to tire him.
IL tbs e1a md Inn nd IA ha
ycakens drawing him cautiously toward the boat
When he comes near the surface and turns up his
,oden side he is so far disheartened that you may
ring him within reach. The landing net is shot |
nder him; with great Topping and commoton he |
hauled in and tho victory Ia won. |
In these summer woods where we feet the time |
arelessly rs they did In tho golden world" trout
shIng is our best exercise and best amusement.
here are places enough within reach Of Paul |
mith's where tho angler can ply his craft, and |
ven the broolSlets running Into the Lower st. |
.egrs Lake and Sapphire Pond near the hotel |
nrnish pretty fair fy-fshing for knowing and |
atient sportsmen. The St Regis waters. however,
ave In truth been over-hshed. and are fraquented
ow by lovers of other entertainments II you want |
,ally good sport you must 20 ut least four or five
tiles from tha hotel There is Slnsh Pond for |
,stance We went there not long ago aud made
Jerry and prosperous day of It, The distance Ia
bout seven miles from Osgood Lake, and we were
,nyeyed along with our boat In rough farm
agon over very rough Srsil. I'm pretty sure"
lid Jim, that tho pond hasn't been thrashed this
earo Certainly the trout acted as il they had not
cen recently disturbed; for although tho day was
ost unfavorabe, tho haze which oversprcad the
" when we started having given way to hot
IN. they rose with delightful voracity and kept us
retty busy At noon we landed, and seeking q
Jump of trees near cold spring. we built fire
nd dined. Then we drove o mile further TO the
lake known as Folingsby JUNIOR where
10 fishing Is usually on par with that in Slush
ond. But there we had little luok, party from
aul Smiths, as we afterward learned. having
,ue by another route than ours aud fshed the lake
few hours before us. We returned accordingly