The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-07-09
DEEP SEA FISHING.
A Nebraska Conirade Astontshes Himself by Catch.
ing Big Halibut.

Ing big Ha1ibut.
The offing beyond the many islands about
Portland is famous for ito fishing grounds, and
the veterans of the Grand Army, many of them,
to enjoy days sport with the line on the Cod
lodges. On Thursday q party of about dozen,
mostly Nebraska men. who were quartered on
Peaks Island, chartered Trefethens sloop,
Captain Stone, and put out for day in deep
water. The younger Trefethen, pilot who
knows every bit Of fishing ground as well as
his own dooryard from Casco Bay to the Banks
of Newfoundland, was along, and held the
tiller. After once clearing the passes between
the islands, a stiff breeze made the sloop spin
over the ocean for about 10 miles, where the
anchor was dropped and the lines cast. The
cod bit well, and after two or three moves to-
ward deeper water nearly 200 fish covered the
deck, and the party was about to vote upon the
proposition to return, when the event OF the
day happened, and for 20 minutes, at least,
drove all thought Of home out of mind.
One of the party, DIR. w. III. Palmer, of Blair,
Neb began to draw in his line as laboriOusly
as though he had hooked lost anchor. He
said nothing, but every one else made comment
to the effect that he had "caught the bottom"
got hole" etc, but young Trefethen leaped
across the deck and seized the line, which the
Doctors hands was ready to yield. It's big
halibut," was oil he said as he drew in the line
hand over hand, and presently the water
deepened in tint at the point where the crowd
was peering down into the green depths, indi-
eating the presence of the great fish.
Now, a halbut is built to show off in the
water for all he is worth. He is as fat as the
we'll known "sunfsh," or pumpkin Seed" of
the creeks and lakes ofthe West, but instead of
riding jauntily up on edge, he swims fiat side
down. His back is dark brown, aud ON the
other, or under side. he is chalky white.
There was q confusion of orders, calls for the
gaff, cries of shoot him" and "don't shoot. "
In the meantime the monster was led up like
savage bull bravely resisting, and while all
were offering excited advice he took in the
situation, and abruptly turned with spiteful
plunge, and started in bee line for the bottom
of the sea, distance of about 65 feet, leaving
Dr. Palmer looking wishfully at the spot where
his fish had cut the water with his fuke as he
bid all good-by, we feared, forever. Trefethen
knew how to handle him, and gave him rope
till he felt his nose touch bottom, while he
kindly, but firmly headed him once more for
the surface.
In the meantime Trefethen had directed
Frazer, the sailor, to get into the dory along
side with short iron hook, no gait being
aboard, and when the fish should open his
mouth on being drawn out of water, to thrust
it down his throat. The fish was led up in due
time and did open his mouth, into which a
mans foot might have been thrust, but he
foundered about so that Frazer was unable to
carry out his part of the program. Once
more the fish started for the bottom amid unan-
imous groans of disapprobation from all pres
emit. Again he came up, and Captain Stone
| blazed away at him with a pistol carrying a
microscopic ball, and again the exasperating
monster turned tail and wabbled down into the
depths of the ocean, making the line spin
through Trefethen's hands.
Four excursions did he make, till Frazer and
Capt. Stone, who had also entered the dory
with another short iron hook, were so
fortunate as to bothf' fasten their i'm
provised weapons in his gills. A dozen
eager hands hoisted him onto the deck, where
the next moment Delaying pin was crushing
his obstinate skull, and he lay still long enough
to have rope fastened to his tail, and the Doc
tor heaved a sigh of relief
The fish was some six feet long by two and q
half wide, and weighed 1873 pounds.
I'D give $50 to have that fish in Nebraska
sighed DR.. Palmer. 1--we tell of it they won't
believe the story"
The capture of such fish SO near shore, and
with simple cod line is of very rare occurrence
along that coast, and created sensation when
the sloop put into port that evening with a
very self-satisfied party of excursionists.