The Forrest City times., 1891-08-07
BATTING FOR SALMON.
HOW AND WHERE THE FINEST
 P1SH lS CAUGHT.
A Very Expensive SpOrt-Large Prlcss Paid for the Right to Fish In We'll Stocked Waters-The
 Life of . salmon.


 Pliny, over 1900 years ago, said tha, salmon were the best of all fishes or words to that effect and to this day most persons agree with him. Whether on the hook, leaping and racing around pool or tearing down a rapid, with the angler doing his best to keep ur with him, or lying in state on platter, surrounded by parsley and drawn but ter, he ranks A No. 1.
 It is unfortunate that with our usual shortsighted policy we have extermin- ated our salmon on the Atlantic coast, writes William Holberton in the Now York Advertiser, and thereby lost an annual income of at least $2, 900, 900, to say nothing of the loss of sport. This we are now trying to repair in e feeble, faint-hearted way.
 The Penobscot river in Maine is the only waters where they have shown up to any extent some forty or fifty are now killed there on the fly every season. But here as elsewhere the netters control everything and their nets lap one another at the mouth of the river in such manner that it is wonderful that salmon ever escapes. There were about 200 or 300 salmon killed illegally in the Hudson last year, mostly taken in fykes and shad nets but so far none have been caught fair ly on hook and line, though several good anglers have tried it every spring
 Hendrix Hudson reported that these fish were very plentiful when he en- tered the Hudson river, but he prob ably mistook the weak-tish for the salmon. It is doubtful whether salmon ever entered the rivers further South than Connecticut. notwithstanding Thackeray's "Virginians. though lately the Susquehanna and Delaware have been stocked with these fish, and few years ago several were taken in the latter river on the fly. Half of the salmon's life at least is spent in the ocean where these fishes find abundant food in the various crustaceans, young crabs, shrimp. etc. It was supposed at one time that they did not feed in fresh water. but this theory is now ex- ploded. They take worms, minnows. young trout flies and even artificial minnows when they feel in the humor. After spawning in the fall they are in d wretched condition. and are known as 'kelts." The young fish when first matched are red spotted and look some what like trout They are called ''parr" then and remain in the river until next season. when they assume a silvery coat and descend to the ocean uUder the name of 'smolt" The first time they return from the sea they are beautiful and clean built, full of life and vigor, and are then knowns as .grilse," and can be easily dstin- g,ashed from a salmon of the same weight as the latter is more stocky After the next trip to the salt water thay become full grown salmon.
 Grilse seldom exceed a weight of six or seven pounds. but they make it live ly for tho angler when hooked In our rivers they are seldom seen. but they are common in the rivers of Can ada. The salmon attain weight of fifty to sixty pounds. but differ in that respect according to the river they are bred in. The Cascapedia is celebrated for it's long fish. though they are not so plentiful as in the Restigouche and other waters.
 Salmon fishing is essentially the sport oi the wealthy anglers Not only are the fishing privileges held high. but the long journeys expensive guides and tackle and camping outfits, make it high priced amusement Still the number of salmon anglers is rapid ly increasing. and since the Canadian courts have decided the rights of land owners to the waters fronting their lands, a fair pool can sometimes be leased for reasonable sum Most of the wealthy American anglers either own private pools or belong to the Restigouche club which is one of the most famous fishing clubs in America Enormous sums are paid for favorite stretches on salmon rivers. 1 have heard that as high as $35, 900 was paid for one short stretch on the Resti- gouche last season.
 The outfit for salmon fishing con- sists of rod. reel, line. leaders and flies. This at first sight seems simple enough, but when one comes to pur- chase it the figures grow to quite a respectable size. for salmon fishing is serious matter and the cheap stuff that will do to bounce baby trout out of a brook will nos do for q thirty pound salmon in swift water. A good salmon rod costs from $22 to $65. It should not be less than fifteen feet long and spring nearly from tip to butt The reel should be a simple click of hard rubber and German sil- yer. capable Of holding not less than 100 yards of water proof silk line. A good reel costs anywhere from $l5 to $35. and the lines arc worth 10 cents per yard, Some anglers reel on 100 yards of Cuttyhunk line and then splice on fifty yards of the heavy silk line, but it is very risky. as the Hay" in the Cuttyhunk line will twist the leads of close to the fly sometimes. Good leaders are difficult to find. They should be nine feet long and tested to stand a strain when dry of seven to eight pounds A hrst-class article can be bought for from SIS to $S0 per dozen.
 Flies can be bought at $3.50 to @ per dozen. according to size and kind. Some salmon flies are really works of art and the whole world is ranssck ed to supply the various feathers. Teal wood duck silver and golden pheasant bustard. wild turkey. sea swallow