The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-01-11

tumn nave come. linen 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 return to deep
water on the ebb.
1t 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 pre-
vent, sit day after day on the string
pieces of wharves, letting the falling
tide carry their lines out in hopes of
accommodating mess of fish for din
ner, now brighten up and expect to fill
their baskets. At this season, likewise,
scientific fishermen who have taken
their innings at bluefish, weakfish and
striped bass do not disdain to go forth
with rod and reel for 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 creek, at Douglaston, sluggish
water strip extending from Little Neck
bay back through grassy marshes to
the hills, receiving at its head two run
ming streams, the outlets of several
trout ponds among the high lands. Its
brakish waters abound with tomcods,
reputed to feed on oysters and famous
for their size and flavor. Hence the
autumn days are few which do not see
line of fishermen ranged along the
drawbridge pier of the Long Island
railroad, at this point. taking in TOM
mics, fast or slowly, as anglers luck
may run, or waiting patiently the time
of tide that shall set these whimsical
little fish to biting.
For this fishing a springy bait rod,
such as is used in trout fishing, is the
best. Bass rods are often used and
serve the purpose we'll Fifty feet of
line is ample, as long casting is not
necessary. At the end of the line
heavy sinker is attached which will
hold the bottom wherever it falls, for
the tide draws strongly up and down
between the drawbridge piers. Three
feet above the sinker the leader, car
rying three hooks, is attached. Sand
worms are the best bait, one of them
being cut into several short pieces,
each piece serving for hook.
Let us suppose that you have decided
to take November days trip to Doug
laston for tommies. The first thing
for you to do is to ascertain the time
of high tide, which in the 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 if it is an
all-day trip you carry luncheon in
the long, bow-handled basket, which
contains your fishing tackle and extra
garments, and will serve to carry back
your fish. The trip from Long Island
City occupies thirty-seven minutes
Arrived at Douglaston, you walk
back over ties, and trestle to the draw
bridge crossing the wide marsh with
its hay stacks and busy mowers who
are cutting the late harvest of salt
grass for use as stable bedding and for
ice packing. Your party numbering,
say, three or four, having clambered
from the track down upon the draw
bridge pier, string their tackle, bait
hooks, and disposing themselves along
the stringpiece, drop hooks into the
channel midway between piers and
await results. The tide is coming in,
an hour perhaps since it's turn, and
there is two feet of water in the chan.
mel The advance guard of tomcods
has not arrived from the bay and you
have time to look about you. If it is
an Indian summer day with no wind,
it is pleasant merely to stand there
in the clear sunny air with the wooded
hills and fine villas upon three sides,
and three or four hundred yards away
to the north the blue ripple and bold
shore lines of Little Neck bay, opening
upon the waters of the sound with its
fleets of moving craft, and in the back
ground the high unpurpled 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 ar
row, borne onward by the inrushing
tide
From these scenes you are recalled
to your surroundings by little quick
yank of your line, and you pull up
Hopping tomcod, perhaps six inches
long, but a genuine Goldfish to all APP
pearance. Dropping him into your
basket and merely readjusting the bait
that caught your fish, you toss in again.
Now one of your companions and then
another lifts in a little Hopping fellow.
Clearly the fish have begun to run. As
the tide comes steadily in they are bit
ing faster; your line scarcely settles in
the water before the little yank comes,
and often you lift your rod to find
tomcod upon each of the three hooks.
The sport, as simple as minnow fishing,
is yet mildly exciting. Even il the
day, as IL is liable TO be at this season,
is cold and raw, you are still loath to
leave off fishing and go into the draw.
tenders little house to warm up.
So you fish while the tide rises to
full. and turns. and you still may catch
the tommies, which, having run up the
creek to its head. are now coming back
seward on the ebb. If you have timed
your coming well you should get your
last fishing at fall of darkness. when
the shadows are deep between the
piers, while behind you the splendid
tints of wintry red or yellow sunset
fill the western sky, throwing into
black silhouettes the trees and barns
and villas upon the long hill crest.
The fish, which for a while have been
biting languidlv. make fresh start as
the shadows deepen. But the air il