Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-10-15


names Of the others. | wish did for the
interest they took in us has made me never
forget them, though l have never seen
them since. We slept that night in
the fish-house, and as soon as day we
were up and began to get ready for our
days work. The captain had provided
bait for US. and after hastily prepared
breakfast we were ready for a start. Cap
tain Mcfarland said they were going out
side as there was better fishing there, ard
said we had better go with them and they
would look after US little, if necessary.
| So we started in their wake, for as it was
perfectly calm we had to row, and as they
had more strength for that business than we
they soon left US far astern. Getting tired
of rowing we concluded not to go very far,
but anchored between Wheeler's Porcupne
and Egg Rock broad off Lyuam's Cove. |
had tshed there before. We had quite good
luck there that morning and went back
| into harbor before noon, dressed our fish
and cooked haddock tor dinner. oh, how
| good fish will taste so fresh and new and
when you have worked to get it and feel
that you have earned it. Many time since
| then have longed to go over those times
again that | might once more get that
| boyish appetite and again feel that boysh
independence.
Most Of the boats came in at noon
dressed their fish and cooked their dinners
| rs we had done and then went out for the
afternoon fishing Captain Mcfarland said
they were going out into the bay for night
fishing aud wanted US to 60 out in com
pany with them, and stop out the first part
Of the night The wind was then blowing
!. pretty smartly and | was some acquainted
with the southwesters that came down
| from those hills and thought We haG not
better 20, but the captain thought there
would be no danger and said they would
| help Us in if the wind blew much harder.
| So we allowed ourselves To be persuaded
and went out with them, as We could easily
| do so the wind being fair. There were some
I fifteen or more boats At anchor already.
near where We anchored. The fish bit
smartly and We soon became quite excited.
and the wind blew harder and harder till
a fearful gale was whistlng and howIiug
around us. Our boat rode most galiantly
and we did not feel ourselves in any par
ticular danger, but night was coming on
and the wind gave no signs Of abating
but rather increased. So We thought our
safe way would be to try and get in some
where before dark.
Quite number of boats had got undrr
way already and some of them were try.
ing for the harbor while others were of
before the wind for the other side of the
bay. We reefed our sail, got our anchor,
and headed our boat for the outside Of Bar
Island which we reached and making lea
soon rowed to the harbor which we reach
ed about an hour after dark, the wind still
blowing great guns Two other boats on.
ly came into the harbor that night; the
Others all went across the bay, probably
10 Stave Island. Mcfarland stald out
through the night. We never saw them
again Tired aud wet we soon tumbled
into our camping place and slept soundly
through the night.
As soon As it was daylight we were up
ana after getting hasty breakfast started
again for another days work 1t was
beautiful morning SO calm and pleasant,
not vestige of the wind storm of the
night before remaining. The sea was
calm, the sky was clear not even "a gen
tie breeze was blowing" That morning
we went off Oh to what was called
Captain Reddoxs ground, about halfway
between Sheep Porcupinc and Bald Rock
There We anchored and soon commenced
our mornings work.
We soon found the fisn were there and
ready for US and our sport (for sport it
was soon commenced in earnest. For
four hours stood in the stern of the boat
with line on each side and hauled frst
one and then the other. The fish being
mostly hake, booked themselves. Ny
brother stood forward that being the
boys place. and with one line did quite a
good business. lis always said that all
the big fish will bite at the boys line.
This was verified at this time and mad to
leave my lines and help him more than
once that morning. A large cod had turn
ed up and gave US most lively time and
now something else more lively makes the
line whiz through his hands and my help
Is called for. | soon found that whatever
was on the line would come to the surface
only by coaxing. So when he wanted to
run | let him go till the whole length of
the line was out, then | began to feel
little obstinate and to exercise coercion.
Pretty soon he came for the surface even
faster than | could take in the line; then
suddenly changing his mind away he went
again. l humored him as | knew that
would be my only way to secure him, bv
tiring him in the end. had never caught
large halibut, but | had always heard
that was the way to do if you did not wish
him to go Off with the hook in his mouth
and part of the line left in your hands.
So humored this fellow for while. let
ting him run and then hauling him back
until l was lucky enough to bring him
alongside and then the gaff was soon Sc
curely fastened to his gills and he was
brought safely into the boat. This proved
to be halibut weighing one hundred and
twenty-five pounds. We Were proud of
our achievement and also pretty tired. NV
brother said he had about fishing enough
and l felt about the same Our boat was
full anyway and so we reeled up our lines,
| hauled in our anchor and started for the
harbor. We went alongside of Captain
Reddox, who had come out later In the
morning. and anchored not far from us.
He thought we had splendid luck; said we
had got ahead of him by coming out early
and tollng the fish around US and kept
| them from him. After few minutes talk
we left him and l never saw him again
He was good old man, somewhat rough
at times, but true and honest. If you used
him well he would surely do the same to
you. He has long since gone to other
fishing grounds and others must furnish
the bait to fishermen instead of him.
| We soon were again in the harbor and
after partakiDg of hastily prepared din
4 a. L