The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-27

The Casting Tournament Receives Attention
and Doctor Relates an Adventure.

The Fly Fishermen held most interest
ing meeting at their rooms on East Market
street last night, at which little business
and much talk prevailed. The seats along
the wall were filled by such men as DR..
Waterman. DR.. P. G. c. Hunt, A. w. Hatch,
Major NJ. d. Butler and Igna-
thus Brown, while at small
table near by sat General McGinnis and
Jesse Blair, respectively filling the func-
tions of president and secretary. The pro-
posed test tournament In some hall in the
city caused considerable discussion. Tom
linson Hall was urged because it would
give 151l2 feet casting distance, free
from distractions, and at the same
time a seating capacity for accommodating
1000 spectators. Here, it is thought, SUI
perior advantages can also be gained from
the absence of wind. In case TomlinsOn or
any hall is chosen, the floor will have to be
furnished with thirty-by six foot tank,
covered with two inches of water, for the
purpose of more accurately scoring
contestants on distance The fea-
sibility of renting the Baseball
Park was considered, while by others it
was suggested that the contest be held in
some city hall, but that the spectators be
only invited guests, and not such as would
be admitted for a fee. This latter sugges-
ton was made by certain members who
gave as their reason IAN opposition to
being hOOted at by crowd who couldn't
appreciate good casting"
The scheme of holding the contest ap-
peared favorable enough to ALL but some
rangement of the water-tank. To construct
one out of tin would be easy, and to fill it
with water no more difficult job, but the
combined mental activity of the club
failed to hit upon a method for emptying
thought the club could bail it out at
its leisure, but Dr.. Waterman proposed
plan that met no opposition. IL would
suggest, MIR. Chairman" said he, that
after the contest is over, we appoint MEM
Der of the club to get a good supply of
sugar and rum and put it all in the water.
I'll warrant you that the tank would be
emptied in an hour" The whole matter
was referred back to a special committee,
as the time set for the contest, October is
a long ways Oft.
The attitude and the persistence of the
club in regard to viOlatOrs of the fish laws
were more strongly shown than ever in the
committees. The club is now In possession
of the names of some twelve or thirteen
men who own and use seines, and this list
will be put in the hands of the grand jury,
ting tn Ths ITS seems msHt det sr
mined to. break up the illegal killing
of fish by dynamite and seines, if such be
in its power, and considerable private
detective work IS being carried on that
bids fair to result i'm the conviction of sew
eral violatOrs of the law. A motion was
made to adjourn, but at the suggestion of
DR.. Hunt it was decided to listen to a good
fish story, if any member could tell one on
condition that its veraeity be vOuch-
ed
eral approval. and the members re-
sumed their comfortable positions while
fresh cigars were lighted all round DIR.
Waterman was the first TO speak. and, in
quiet, humorous way. he related bit of
personal experience which brought down
the house.
I'm 1885," he said, Major KimbaI and L
were away mp in Minnesota, near Clear
lake. where the country was very thinly
settled. We did not go with the in
tention of fishing, but SIMPLY for the
purpose of seeing the region. One day.
from shore, we saw Remarkably large num-
Der of fish around our boat, and all seemed
TO be very tame. We had no tackle with
US, but we rowed to shore, and each cut a
string in our pockets and some hooks with
out barbs. Well, gentlemen, you may doubt
my word, but Kimball sat in one
end of the boat and in the other. and /
never saw such fishing. We used a piece of
| a dead fish for bait, aud in one hour pulled
in eighty odd fish, while Kimball got over
seventy. But the way the fish acted was
| the funniest part of 1t all. would throw
my hook in and n fish would swallow it be-
fore it had gone down three inches. would
| jerk il out and over the side of the boat, and
then every fish would voluntarily spit
out the hook. bait and all. Out of all those
| eighty fish didn't touch over a Dozen nor
] did have 10 bait my hook a single time.