Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-12
CATCHING A BIG PIKE.

Col. Clay's Exciting story of an Adven-
Nv ature with Fish ON the Red River.
Among the party was Col. Clay, a cou-
sin of the great Harry OF the West, says
a writer in the Philadelphia News, de-
scribiug group of fishermen. lie was a
man about 80 years Old36 feet highdn his
stockings, and as straight and erect as an
arrow. Upon my expressing some sur
prise at some Of the fish stories | heard,
our host said. .fa.
Colonel, tell our friend here about how
you caught the big pike in Red river last
summer ,
The Colonel, like all modest men, hated
to speak of his personal achievements,
but, upon my adding my earnest request
to that OF the host, cleared mis- throat with
a drink and said:
'For two years or more an immense
pike had been seen in the pools OF the
river about the fishing grounds, and all
the crack Fishermen were on their met
tie to catch him. Several of them hooked
him at different times, but he invariably
got away, much to their chagTn and
disgust. Last summer was with fish
ing party up to the river, and / wandered
away from the party as | walked down
stream beating up the pools. About 4
O'Clock in the afternoon l waded out to a
small rock, just about big enough to
stand on, and cast my fly in a pool be-
yOnd. Scarcely had 1t touched the water
when il was taken with an eagerness that
showed me that was in for some sport.
let my fish have all the line he wanted,
and the way he made the reel spin was a
caution. BY and by l wound MIN up a
bit, and then he darted of again. could
tell By the feel that he was a whOpper, and
| saw that II would take all my skill and
patience TO kill him. Well, played him
for full hour, alternately winding him
IN as far as / could and then letting him
90 as far as he would The pool began
about 10 feet beyond the rock on which
stood, and between the water was not
more than Is inches TO feet deep. BY and
by / began TO be uncertain whether had
caught pike or whether the pike hadn't
caught me. The rock was wet and Shiny,
and it was hard keeping my footing on II.
| lad no landing net, aud began TO won
der when my fish was going 10 tire. He
certainly showed very little evidence OF
exhaustion then. / called at the TOP OF
my voice for my comrades, but only the
echoes Of the hills answered me. Ny fish
had run out almost 10 the end OF my line.
Then began winding him up. Further
and further be came in until at last / got
in over the edge OF the pool and into the
SHALLOW wafer. Iben l saw Lhat i had
hooked the famous big pike.
Talk OF excitements. / fought all
through the war and I've been where the
balls were pretty thick, but my heart
never beat 80 fast as IL did that moment.
put my hand up 20 brush the perspira-
ton OF my brow, and then I spat out my
thoroughly chewod quid OF tobacco. MY
fish was rssting--gathering strength for
another dash through the water.
thought Of the song Thou art 80 near and
yet so far Then put my hand back 70
my hip pocket 10 get some tobacco. It
struck the handle OF my revolver, which
in my anxiety had forgotten all about.
took IL out, and, as / frightened my grasp
on the reel, mentally exclaimed: Mr..
Pike, your time has comet The next
moment drew a bead on bis left eye and
1 sent q ball through his head. He
jumped clear out Of che water aud then
fell back, my prey. NY companions
heard the shot and came 90 see. When
they arrived they found me sitting on the
bank alongside OF the biggest pike ever
caught In the river, the tirodest and
pr0udest man 10 all Kentucky