Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-10
FISHING IN FLORIDA.
Sambo Takes Pleasant Nap, ard Catches a
Big Catfish Wonderful Stew.


Success in fishing star-fishing, at least
demands either patience or extreme lazi-
ness, writes Hamilton Jay in The New
York Sun. The negro is highly accom-
plished in both. In them he lives and
moves and has his being. The negro is
more patient even than the mule 1t is
the patience of ignorance or the ignorance
OF patience. Witness his long years of
silence under slavery. Had he not been
so, the land would have been red with
blood long years before historic 81. But
the negro then was usually happy and
contended. All his physical wants were
supplied. He had no cares. and his men
CaLty was so vague and underlined that it
ulu not bother him much Iaziness Is
'he mother of patience, and the god
liio.ner OF the negro. Give Sambo a pole
ana me, a pocketful of worms or indis-
poseo peet, sunny nook along the river
or on the wharf, and for the time beino
he VIII thank the good Lord for nothing
else HIS favorite fishing place in Florida
Is from the wharves that line the e.
Johns river. The wharf is Sambo,s
throne, and from this coign of advantage
he hurls his well-hooked line into the
water. The river at Jacksonville is . mi
Versal cesspool. Here are thrown all the
garbage and offal of the market. residuum
OF restaurant and saloon, slop of boarding
mouse, and here is the favorit prazinC
place of the catfish. Talk not of the
pompano, the trout, or the bass. They
are all unknown quantities to Sambo.
his aHectlOnS are conferred on the cat.
The sight of one of them makes his month
open to the fullest extent and the lonuinor
red tongue reaches nearly around TO the
hack of his T.
dishes to his exotic mind Catfish stewf
Cut the fish III small pieces. plenty of
water, pinch of salt, some sweet pota
toes from your neighbours blank" thew
are best gathered at midnight a pone of
corn-bread, and what more does the color
ed eplcure require? Baked catfish! Take
bull cat, the larger the better, dress him
carefully, stuff his ample bosom with oni
ons and corn-meal mixed with strip and
flank 1T with side dish of blue collards.
When Sambo and his family sit down to
this least the door is locked, and there is
no admittance until the postprandial
pipe.
The recipients daily of varied and
bOuntlfnl, If not dainty supply of food.
these catfish grow to immense size and at
tain weight of from ten to fifty pounds.
the average along the wharves is about
fifteen pounds. After Sambo has caught
one of these large dandies of the deep he
Is not particular whether he catches an
other one that day or not. Sufficient I'M
to the day is the evil thereof, also the
good-to him. The days quota is pro-
vided. The sun is warm and inviting. He
feels its genial rays penetrating ali the
nerves and tissues of his being. The mon
otonous lap of the waves against the pier
invites to slumber. So, tying the line to
his big toe, which looks like the head of a
loggerhead turtle, he falls over on his back
and is soon fast asleep. Gradually his
slumber becomes more profound. His
mouth opens and remains in that position
1t is invaded by an army of flies, green,
blue, and black. Curious flies they are too.
They examine each tooth carefully and
IelSurly. Some take observations from
the upper tongue, Others venture as far as
the palate. One more reckless than his
brother becomes enwrapped in the tOnsils
and, wrapping the drappery of his couch
about him, he lies down to pleasant
dreams.
Meantime, under the turbid waves of the
mighty river strange scene is being en-
acted. An immense catfish is out for a
stroll on the watery boulevard. He moves
gently along. His tail vibrates to and fro.
His fins make gentle ripples in the deep.
Suddenly he stops and backs water. There
are traces of indecision on his expressive
countenance. Right before him is cur
we'd something which may or may not be
good to eat. Curiosity gets the better of
him. He draws near, he touches it with
his nose. 1t smells good He tastes it.
1t tastec good. He gulps it down, feels
the pr11p1 ho- nd no
There is a wild scramble on the wharf.
Overheard goes Sambo, thus rudely
awakened from his sIumber. He is fine
swimmer, as nearly all negroes are, and
soon reaches the wharf again. He hauls
In his line, and grins rapturously as he
sees the big fish. A half hour in the sun
dries his clothes, and home he goes with
the two days rations dangling by his
side.
When winter comes to the north with
ice and snow, Percy De We're, half invalid,
enthusiastic sportsman, gathers his as
Sentiment of luxurious, costly, jOinted rods,
and impossible flies, and comes to Flori-
da. Passionately fond of fishing, de-
voted deciple of Izaak Walton, as soon
as the fatigue of the journey wears off
he goes to work. Selecting the best boat,
he can find and well recommended
boatman out he goes upon the river or
the lake. His boatman gazes upon the
strange implements and singular bait
with awe, not entirely unmingled with
contempt. Arrived at the fishing ground
orr friend Percy unlimbers and gets his
battery in position. He gives the line
the most artistic fling ever taught in the
piscatorial schools of his native state.
He changes from one fly to another until
his repertoire is exhausted. The sun is
preparing to give toe moon a chance
when he orders his boat turned home
ward. He has probably half dozen
small fish, and has had lots of fun in try
ing to batch more. On the way back he
passes boat at anchor. In it is Sambo,
just winding up mis- lines. The boat it is
a crazy structure. homemade and leaky.
The lines are rough in texture, but very
strong. The bait is anything that can
be picked up around the market. In the
boat are a couple of dozen Of fine bass
and about fifty other fish of different
sizes and varieties. The face of Percy
turns to tho color Of the sinking sun. His
boatman chuckles hysterically Sarnbo