The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-15

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Chicago Mail
With the greening Of the grass and the leahn e
Of the trees the fsherman's thoughts turn
lightly to his love Of other days-the shady side
Of some ripping stream whose bed is enc OF
sunken bowlders and hidden logs, and whose
waters are peopled with the fish that is dearest
10 his heart-ths small-mouthed black bass.
All true disciples Of Izaak Walton and followers
Of Thoreau have stored sway in memorys halls
some such place as this aud with each recurring
spring, grow FESTIVE until the proper time arr
Fiyss for testing new rods and lines the
monster bass he fed with flies and leaders last
year. but which always managed to got away
Just the landine-net touched the water. Al
though the black bass season does not open
ill after they are through spawning in June,
many fishermen spend day or two between now
and that time In angling for the voracious red
ey and sun6sh. and as they bite freely in the
early spring, large strings and lusty appetite
often reward the outer for q few hours scramb-
ling among the drifts along the rivers side. But,
even If be returns empty handed, he has been
more than repaid for his trouble BY the lesson
nature never fails to teach the observing student
In the months Of April and May. 1t is then that
the deIicately tinted snowdrop, the wild violet
the lily Of the valley, and other early flowers
stretch out their slender stems from nook
and corner to catch glimpse of sun
shine. and, after having attained their
object, curl mp under it's influence and
fade away. Another thing that will please his
eye and give him food for thought is the bud
ding and early Towering trees-the dogwood,
with its wealth Of snowy blossoms. and the
Judas-tree. red-bud. in its crimson coat
making radiant pictures on bare-looking back
mwnr~N nf lakar-lnaGnO fraaa Tharo ard rnarxr
other things Of natures handiwotk, add to the
sharm of spring day spent along the banks of
any Of the streams in this vicinity. and bring
The rnind into closer communion with the Mas
ter Hand By whose will these annual changes
are wrought.
There q number of fishermen, however
those who use the fiy exclusively-who seldom
wet . line until the middle Of June or the Arst
week 10 July. unless it is in the lakes of the
northern part Of Indiana or in the trout streams
OF Michigan and other States Indeed there is
. growing sentiment in favor of abolishng
spring fishing for al varieties Of fish which do
not spawn before the last OF March Several OF
the Eastern States have such regulation in
eoTp0rated In their fish laws. and il 10 said to
have good effect 10 increasing the number Of
game fishes. A majority of the Fly fshermen's
Club, of this city. favor legislation of this kind
and therefore do not fish until the bass have
left their nests. freed themselves from the
carnacles that attach TO them during the process
of spawning. and regain healthy condition By
. few days chasing and goTgine of minnows.
In the meantims the members of the fly fish
ing club do NOS propose to lose any of their skill
for want of practice. They have decided to
hold q tournament on Thursday, May "a, at
which trial of excellence in fly and bait cast
4nR will take place. and as it will be the first
event OF the kind held in the West, at any
placs outside of the one held yearly by the Ma
9ional Rod ana Reel Association at Harlem
Mere. in Central Park, New York, it will no
doubt attract considerable attention among the
anglers Of Indiana and adjoining States. The
rules and regulations which viii govern the CON
test are somewhat similar to those of the New
York association. but arranged for fresh-water
fishing only. The tournaments will commence
At o'clock At some point on the canal. and the
executive committee will prepare platforms,
casts OF leaders and flies. and appoint judges in
the several classes Bait casters and others.
who are not members of the club. will be in
vited to participate Following the rules:
Rule L. All persons competing for prizes shall nay
an entrance fee in each contest as follows: Mem
bers, 81; non members So. entrances cards may be
obtained on the grounds from the secretary 80
isule z. 40 one shall oe permitted 20 enter an
has ever been guide. has been engaged IN the
manufacture Of Fishing tackle for sale.
The judges in the different classes shall appoint
member that the tackle is at all times during
the contests in accordance with the rules and require
rents of the association all contestants use
the leader and flies. The judges any partieu-
Lar class appeal shall have power to decide all
matters relating thereto, and their decision shall be
Rule g. No single-handed fy-rod shall exceed
twelve feet in length and it shall be used with sin
Rule I. In singlshanded ay-casting any style of
reel or line may be leader Of single gut not
less than six in length will be required to which
two flies, one stretcher and one dropper four feet
apart shall Do attached.
Rule S. No allowance Of distance shall be made for
difference in length of rods
Rule 8. Persons entering these contests shall
draw lots to determine tho order in which they will
east and must be ready to cast when called upon by
Rule 2. Each contestant will be allowed fifteen
minutes In which to cast for distance and viii then
stand aside until called in his turn cast for
and delicAcv. Shouid. hOv1ever the
rod break time to replace ths broken joint shall be
given him No allowances OF time shall be made to
being the intent and purpose of this rule that each
contestant shall abide BY his accidents. except
Rule 8. The distance shall be measured by a line
with marked buoys stretched the water, said line
70 be and verified at least once each day Of
the tournament BY two officers to be desig-
mated by the president secretary. mark shah be
made on the stand from which the buoy line shall be
measured, and the caster may stand with his toes
touching this mark, but may not advance beyond il.
Should be step back of it. unless directed to do SO by
the judges. the loss in distance shall be his
of the leadsr in ali casts The others are not deemed
important The distance will be measured
from the toe mark to the stretcher.
Rule 10. Delcacy and accuracy shall be contested
and adjadged 1t the time, and follows. Each
contestant shall be allowed twenty easts at object
the water. forty feet distant from him. For
the purpose Of this absolute deicacy in
casting the fly shall be considered in casting tie fly
Lies upon the in such disturb its
surface to the least possible extent. he who most
neary approaches this shall DO adiudgad the superior
ln dcisacy He shall be judged % DO the superior in
accuracy who average Of all his casts places his
etretcher-hy nearest the mark Twenty points shall
be credited 20 him who is adjudged the superior IN
dslicaey. and twenty points to him who IS AdJudged
fhs superior in accuracy. The other contestants
shall be awarded lower scores in accordance with
their comparative excellence.
Rule II. the ultimate scores of the various con-
fessanis shall be determined follows. To the dis
fanes in feet each has been adjudged to have cast
shail be added the assigned for accuracy and
1eleaey, and prizes shall be awarded IN accordance
with this aggregate.
Rule H. TO prevent fouiing the measuring line
and accidents 70 spectators in the dycastin contests
che points of all hyhooks shall DO broken off above
the bend.
I&ue 13. In the absence of an appointed Judge the
president secretary shall fill the vacancy
Iuie Ia. Black bass minnow casting-AH general
rules which do not Conflict with the following special
Fuies shall govern No rod shall be than ten
feet in length any reel line may be used but ali
easts must be made from the point of the rod.
The weight of the sinker shall not exceed onehalf
ounce 70 Be Furnished BY the club In easting but