The Opelousas courier., 1885-05-02
"reminiscences Of the Darbonne


the haunts of their favorite fishing re
sorts. In many places, more conve
niently situated near good fishing
waters, the rod and tackle, and caml
fixtures, have already done good ser
vice, and veteran sportsmen seated
around the typical camp fires. have
added many stirring and stupendous
experiences to the already large vol.
ume of authentic fish stories. With us
however, the grand rallying time fol
real and earnest sport is in the month
of August, because at that time every
one has more leisure, the bathing is
more enjoyable, and after the first Of
that month those who are fond of hunt
ing can also shoot deer. Until that
month. fishing parties are spasmodical,
last only for a day, and are confined
to angling principally in the small
bayous for " small fry" with an occa-
sional trip to catch the noted caspergoo
in the more pretentious stream-bayou
/ Courtableau.
When the grand camp fires are to be
/ lighted for summers campaign
/ against the fnny tribe, the crystal
waters of the Darbonne are generally
the head quarters of our sportsmen.
There the fishing, hunting, and bath
ing surpass any other point in our par
ish. Already our sportsmen are can
vassing their plans for the coming sum-
mer trips, and speculating as to the
number and size of the trout and SAGA
lait they expect to catch, and in forti-
flying their expectations relate some of
the big catches they made during the
past summer Just here, we cannot
omit to relate an episode that was re-
lated to us, few days ago, as happen
ing with party of gentlemen on a
fishing excursion, at the Darbonne,
last summer. All of them were vete-
rams who never fail to spend few
weeks, at that place, during the heat
ed term in bathing and trout fishing.
We shall omit the surnames of the par.
ties in the joke, but many of our read
ers will readily recognize the actors in
this fish story.
Two of the party, Jo and Charley,
prided themselves particularly on their
skill for catching trout Nobody could
beat them with the bob, troll, or live
bait. One, bright morning, the two
friends sailed forth, each in his own
way, to win the honors of the day
About Ii o'clock they arrived in camp,
when other members of the party gath
cred around to see which of the two
we're entitled to the championship.
Charley and 10, both with conscious
pride, began to dump ont slieir large
mouthed beauties. 1t was excellent
luck on both sides, ia point of numbers,
but JOS trout were all large, and Char
ley's all small ones. Charley looked
crestfallen and Jo was jubilant
i" WE'LL. said Charley, " I'll try you
again Tomorrow Z. All right" res
ponded 10. The next morning, bright
and early, Charley took his boy, Peter,
along with him with the determination
of winning. Peter was pretty good
angler himself, and during the morn
ing, among others, landed very large
and handsome trout near by where
Charley was catching small ones.
" Hello, Peter cried Charley, come
here.n Peter obeyed the summons,
and his eye beamed with joy at his
unusual feat. Now, Peter" quoth
Charley, +" here is, a balf dollar I will
give you for this trout, and when we
reach camp yol must say that caught
it, Peter agreed to it and took the
money. In due time the contesting
fishermen met in camp and made dis
play of their days success. 10 had his
usual number of fine fish, and Charley
4 rood number of small ones, except
the large trout which he bought from Pc
ter, and which proved to be the largest
one that had been taken on tile trip.
Jo at once said: Charley, you did not
catch that large trout, and addressing
Peter. asked him if he didn't catch that
Ash. Peter was SO elated at his own
luck that lie made full confession Of
the whole trick. A hearty laugh fol.
lowed the disclosure, but the joke pass
cd off ID pleasant and friendly man
ner AT night, Charley said to 10: q
want yon to tell me how in the d-l
You manage to catch SO many large
trout!n 10 proceeded to instruct him,
by telling him that be must go along
the bank very carefully and quietly SO as
not to alarm the fish; that the large trout
were very wary and could be easily
frightened by shaking the bushes or step
ping Oh dry branches along the shore.
sT'he trouble, Charley, with you is that
you make too much noise, and none
bat the small and inexperienced trout
remain ID your vicinity The next
-. ~. a-l,,v etp.1rir ag1t IN fry JOS