The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-11-25
BEGUILING THE TOMCOD.
FROSTY WEAVER ANGLING THAT
HAS IT'S REWARDS.
There Hs Piesty OF Fun Cstehiug the LittIs
Fellows SD Arerward They F-rnish
Fine Eating-A Simple Outat Needed.

There .. Pierty OF Fun Cstehire che Li,.ie
Fellows sud Arerwara They Furnish
Fine EstinE-A Simple Outnt Needed.
Where that humble but meritorious fish, the
tomcOd, betakes himself during the summer no
one knows definitely. Possibly. being fond OF
low temperatures. he retires TO the cool depths
OF the sea, or, as many fishermen affirm, takes a
summer outing up the coast, his journey extend
ing 10 the shores OF Maine or even further
~northward. Wherever he goes or whatever he
docs during the warm season, he Is on hand all
along the Connecticut and New York coast
when the cold days OF autumn have come. Then
In countless shoals, the tomcods appear in the
coves and tide rivers, coming near the shore and
running up creeks and inlets on every rising
tide, TO ieturn to deep water on the cbb.
II Is with the first frosts Of autumn, which
mark the close of other shore fishing In the
Northern States, that the fishing for tomcods
properly begins. The men and boys who
throughout the year, when ice does not actually
prevent, sit day after day on the string pieces of
wharves, letting the falling tide carry their lines
out In hopes OF accommodating a mess ~ fish for
n dinner, now brighten up and expect to fill
their baskets. At this season. likewise, scicn-
tifc fishermen who have taken their innings at
blueilsh, weakfsh, aud striped bass do not dis
dain to go forth with rod and reel for a days
fishing for ~"tommies."
For these last-named fishermen the coves and
creeks of the Long Island shore offer favorite
angling places, and of such chosen spots none is
held In higher esteem by the initiated than
Alley Greek. at Douglaston, a sluggish water
strip extending from Little Neck Bay back
through grassy marshes TO the hills, receiving
at its head two running streams, the outlets of
several trout ponds among the high lands. Its
hrackish waters abound with 'omcOds reputcd
to feed on oysters, and famous for their size and
flavor. Hence the late autumn days are few
which do not see a line Of fishermen ranged
along the drawbridee pier of the Long Island
Railroad. at this point, taking in tommies, fast
or slowly, rs anglers luck may run, or waiting
patiently the right time Of tide that shall set
these himsical little fish TO biting.
For this fishing IA springy bait rod such as is
used in trout fishing is the best. Bass rods are
often used and serve the purpose well. Fifty
feet of line Is ample, "a long casting is not nee
attached which will hold to the bottom wher-
ever II falls, for the tide draws strongly up and
down between the drawbridge piers. Three
feet above the sinker the leader, carrying three
hooks. is attached. sand worms are the best
bait, one OF them being cut into several short
pieces, each piece serving for a hook.
Let us suppose that you have decided TO take
a November days trip, to Douglaston for tom
mica. The first thing for you to do IL to ascer-
tain the time of high tide. which in Little Neck
Bay Is three or four hours later than at Sandy
Hook. for you should reach Douglaston early on
the rising tide. You are dressed warmly. and IL
u is an all,day trip you carry a luncheon in the
fishing tackle and extra garments, and will serve
70, carry. back your fish. The trip from Long
Island City occupies thirty-seven minutes.
Arrived at Dougluston. you walk back over
ties and trestle to the drawbridge crossing the
wide marsh with It's hay-stacks and busy now
for use as stable bedding and for ice. packing.
Your, party numbering, say, three or four, hay
pier, string their tackle. bait hooks,
and dispnsing themselves along the stringplece.
piers and await results. The tide is coming in,
an hour perhaps since its turn, and there is two
advance nSSs S' guard Ma' Of tomcod .n has not SnT arrived fr rome
the bay and you have time TO look about you.
u " rs an innian s4nnier day WITH no wind, It
sunny air with the wooded hills and fine villas
upon three sides, and three or four hundred
shore lines of Little Neck Bay, opening upon
the waters of the Sound with its fleets ofmoving
pied hills of the New York mainland. Perhaps
a sloop from outside drops its white wing at the
creeks mouth. and the draw is swung To let
her pass. swift as an arrow, borne onward by
the inrushing tide.
From these scenes you are recalled to your
surroundings by "a little quick yank of your line.
and you pull up a Topping tomcod, perhaps six
ance. Dropping him into your basket and merely
readJusting the bait thai caught your fish.
you yoS i toss in again: ToT one = o. y9Hr eGmpa1ions
Clearly the fish have begun To run. AS the tide
comes steadily In they are biting faster; your
AAA' oN"AN tAA ~ nv NaNtA tA'AC lht III
tie yank comes. and often you lift your rod To
find n tomcod upon each of the three hooks.
The sport, as simple rs minnow fishing, is yet
mildly exciting. Even If the day, as it is liable
to be at this season. is cold and raw, you are
still lOath to leave off fishing and 20 into the
traw-tcnder,s little house u warm up.
80 you fsh while the tide rises, to full, and
iurns, and you still may catch the tommies,
which, having run up the creek to its head, are
now coming back seaward on the ebb. II you
nave timed your coming well you should get
FOUR last fishing at fall of darkness, when tho
are deep between the piers, while be-
lind YOU the splendid tints of awintry red or
icllow sunset fill the western sky, throwing into
black Silhouette the trees and barns and villas
IpOn the long hill crest.
The fish. which for a while have been biting
anguidly, make a fresh squirt as the shadows
But the air ia chilly, fingers get cold.
md the basket is already as heavy as two men
AN easily carry: 50, by common consent, fish
NC is declared OF for the day and the tackle is
and rod uniointcd. Then hack to the
tauOn over the ~trestle, whose ties are none too
Ia walk IN the twilight. and then by train
md ferry To New York to have your fish pre-
for dinnert the same night. Thi. last point
; AN important one, for, one of the sweetest
lshes in the world II cooked Immediately after
the tOmmy's flesh detcriorates mark
dlY in flavor II kept over only until morning.
Don't fear To have plenty OF them cooked, for,
.fter being cleaned, they are as unsubstantial a.
delicious, and n hungry fisherman thinks little
disposing OF twenty-five or thirty Of AN aver
ge. size when they appear, appetizingly fried
With bacon scraps, ut the table.