The Delta independent., 1888-06-12
AN ANGLERS PARADISE.
My First, Days Fishing on the Whit


My First, Days Fishing on the White
River.
Trout fishing commences on the first of
June and lasts until the end of November.
Is this not so? 1 know very lit about
science or natural history; butt o believe
know something about trout fishing. 1t
has been my good fortune to fish in all sorts
of waters for all sorts of fish, and in every
part of the world. There are few rivers and
streams in Colorado in which l have not
wet line" at some time or other. They
are all beautiful; but want to tell you
about one that is particular..pe of mine
the White River. In 'S4 my natural pro-
pensity for wander-around-genernl dad
to be gratitied, and after killing few
trout In the Taylor river and in the Roar
ing Fork, our people made their way past
the spot where now stands that charming
health resort-Glenwood Springs. We
forded the Grand, and turning of at Elk
creek (now the site of Newcastle) we made
our way up to the plateau and nearly
north till we reached a small tributary of
the White, called Miller creek, where we
camped. Next day was the first of August
and by ten o'clock we reached the White
ITSELF That evening we camped at the
Juncture of the North and South Forks of
this river. Picture to yourselves one of
the prettiest valleys in Colorado, watered
by stream as clear as crystal, and always
cool. One minute the river gIides onward
In stately grandeur; the next the scene
changes and the water rushes along, ,lashed
into foam and spray, rejecting the rainbow
hues of the sun. The next morning my
partner, who is mighty Nimrod, started
of after venison and bear, while I-who
am an humble disciple of Isaak Walton and
of old Colton-chose the river. With a
twenty-pound basket, light splitbamboo
rod and small fly book, soon reached
my starting point-about mile from camp
-and sitting down, lit a pipe and looked
around.
What lovely country.l What verdure,
what beauty Of scsneryl In verify, true
sportman's paradise.
Now, l am crank about trout fishing
and want to tell you this at the start, for
no reason in particular except that you,
too, dear reader, may belong to the species
and if so shall, 1 know, have your SYM
pathy. When entered the store to buy flies
the Obliging salesman would open up before
my admiring eyes flies of every color, size
aud description, with the most astounding
and inappropriate names in the world. Buy
any9 did you say. Well, should remark
l spent small fortune years ago on every
kind, size, color and description Of fly. But
now-well, l am older; don't you know?
bright and glittering colors are no longer
the attraction they were. No; when fish
in Colorado one Oldest fly of the genus
gray hackle is all ant. Change the color
of this fly's waistcoat, my friends, and you
have the infallible and certain lure for
every season and for every water in the
State. Ahl that first day on the White.
Shall ever forget 1t? But to business. A
nine-foot leader of best Spanish gut and
three flies: at the tail grey hackle and
orange body, next grey and red body and
then plain grey.
Past where started in the river was
overhung on both sides by dense shrubs,
so after having let my leader soak few
minutes, pick up my rod and wade in.
The water is very swift, so find have to
be careful and pick my steps. There is q
huge boulder Just below and right in the
middle Of the river; and although can't
see below 1t, vet have my own idea that
there Is something remarkable to be seen
down there. Well, here we are; but its
awfully hard work to stand, the current is
rock. What a vision !! la lovely smooth
pond of great slow swirling, silvery eddies
with torrent on each side. No sign Of q
fish rising. Now let us make our first cast.
Right close up to that rock, eh? Here goes.
Swish; plash Jove what have got hold
of? The fish for Just one moment stays in
the eddies; then feel him. With rush
he takes twenty yards of line right scross
the river. But humor him and slowly but
steadily fellow. Now see him for the first
time-what monster he seems, and how
beautiful! However, there is an end to
everything, and at last / conquer and gem
tly land my prize on tiny little piece Of
grass bank that find sloping into the water
just in the right place. Now have you,
my friend. He proved to be rare speci-
men; alas too rare now in most Colorado
waters. He weighed Just lbs. ounce
dressed; and that morning caught three
more as heavy and one one ounce heavier.
And further may tell you that, not count
ing these, my basket was full in two hours
from the start and did not contain single
trout under one pound. l thought this
strange at the time and found afterwards
that it was not usual to catch small trout
in this part OF the river. do not know the
reason, for the White river below the forks
swarms with trout of all sizes.
Brother anglers, imagine my return to
camp. After weary week. travelling and
packing over the mountains, think of sit
ting down to such a dinner !-fried trout
au naturel, ,venison steak with few onions,
a pips Of the ''noxious weed" glass OF
the "old standby" and long talk with
dear old friend and hunting companion,
till tho stars, winking and blinking at us,
tell US 10 roll into our blankets, and SO,
dear readers, we will bid on "good-night." I"
-Csptsin Jack in Sports Afeld.
The Union Pacific Bill.
WASHINGTON, June 4.-The men,
Der, OF the house committee on Pacific rail-
road las been making herculean efforts to
secure report from the committee on rules
sranting special order for the considera-