The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-06
SLY, CUNNING TROUT.
A FISH THAT TAXES A sPoRTSMAN's
KEENEsT POWERS.
Some of the Clever Things Swift Nov
ing Brook Trout Can Do-Story of
Big Fellow Who Jumped Over an OBJ

OIL the angler uelignl. ana OF the sports
man generally, is but little known to the
COY. The latter is essentially a pothunter,
and fishes for the frying pan. Not that
the exercise Of his skill in taking his
trophies from stream or wood affords him
less intense pleasure than similar captures
give his father, but his pleasure has more
direct reference TO those of the table.
Propose TO the urchin quest for quad
ruped or bird, root. bark or fruit, and the
question that instinctively arises is. rs it
good to eat:" The savage man advances
no further than this, and indeed a large
proportion of civilized men occupy the
same status. A farmer OF my acquaint-
ance destroyed one of the most prolific
little trout streams ! ever knew by divert
ing the current for days at time during
successive years in order to get all the
large fish Hundreds of small trout were
left unprotected in the shallow pools to be
come feast for the kingishers and their
other enemies.
During boyhood and early youth the
writer caught more trout with his hands,
snare and spear than by means of hook and
line Through the long, narrow valley
where those years were passed flows a con-
siderable stream, which during the spring
and early summer months teemed with
trout through all its course From every
transverse fold in the hills flowed down
small stream Often during the hot sea
son beds of dry stones marked these small
Ter water courses in their passage through
the clearer fields.
Winding around through the hollow Of
the hills, in some cases for miles, under
the dense forest shade, a small flow OF wa
ter connected the pools, in some of which
scores of trout subsisted. They were Icon
tinually passing from one pool to another,
and in doing so were often surprised by
solitary urchin who used TO resort thither
to capture the savory food for which his
palate yearned. These places were often
the scenes of contests in which the trout
were more frequently winners than almost
any one at first sight would suppose.
THE BROOK TROUT.
The brook trout is a creature of great
intelligence. The ability with which he
can navigate water course in which there
is no water to speak of is something truly
wonderful to behold. If he is shy he is
sly, as is shown by his behavior when sur
prised in course of transit over shallow
place. Silently settling beside stone he
will remain immovable for several min
utes, but the instant ones eye rests upon
him he darts away, almost invariably 60
ing down stream. In his shoots and
plunges he rarely strands himself, and if
deep pool be near at hand it is folly to try
to intercept him.
Two of the largest brook trout I ever
caught were taken with a spear. | had
almost incredible fondness for the savory
trout, the red, faky flesh Of which was
perhaps the most familiar reminder of my
early home on the Pacific coast. AS late
as the early sixties the south fork Of the
Sacramento, tie American river, con-
tanned plenty of salmon.
Sometimes Digger Indian would appear
at the kitchen window with splendid fish,
almost before it had ceased to palpitate, for
which, whether it weighed eight, twelve
or fifteen pounds, he demanded the uniform
price of fifty cents. Very often miners
captured stray salmon in their race ways,
fumes and even smaller sluices. 1t was
natural therefore that my favorite way
of catching brook trout was &c enter his
own proper element and there do battle
with him.
One July morning, when l was supposed
to be diligently spreading hay, the mowers
btlllB OuO VI III, NOul1 Jtthc
a look at the trout in a deep rock bottom
hole in the large brook which flowed near
at hand. Near the head of this deep pool
a small stream of cold spring water entered
the brook. Here, In the shade of an over
hanging tree, trout delighted to pass theiI
leisure hours. 1t had been a dry season;
above and below the pool the flow of water
was meager. A few small trout may have
been visible at the usual place, but they
did not interest me.
BUILDING A DAM.
was about to return TO my work when,
in an opening among the roots OF the large
tree, through which the spring water was
flowing, | perceived what then certainly
thought the largest trout L had ever seen.
The head, with portion of the back sut-
ficent to exhibit the broad dorsal fin, was
visible The fish had partially turned, and
l momentarily expected to see him dash
for the deep water. However, he did not
move, and | retreated and began industri-
Ously to erect a barricade across the large
brook just above the point where pursuit
was hopeless.
/ took pains that there should be no ac-
commodating chinks in the wall, which |
raised nearly foot above the water before
advancing on the enemy. think he knew
what | was about. for no sooner had
stepped aside than he darted forward and
shot over the wall, landing in deep water
four feet beyond
This Remuslike performance astounded
as well as provoked me- thought had
the trout. "a moment and he was gone"
l returned to my work disheartened and
tried to make up for lost time. Just before
noon it occurred 70 me that if / should take
down the barrier she trout would, at least
during the succeeding night. return to the
colder water. Judge my astonishment at
finding the front IN the original position
between the roots. The sound Of the din
ner horn led TO the resolution to bring my
spear before disturbing him.
After hastily eating dinner quickly re-
turned The trout was in the same posi-
ton. Cautiously advancing from behind
/ held the spear pcrpendicularly over bis
head | tromo Died with excitement as !
lunged down ward, and instead Of striking
him fairly through the eills. a. ! expected.
one outer tine penetrated the extreme end
Of his snout. The tough cartilage held,
and / exhibited my trophy in triumph a.
the house before the others had risen from
the table.-Cor. Forest and Stream
Delicate Scales
The writer was shown a marvellous piece