The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-10-31
PRAISES FoR ELK CITY.
ELK CRY, Or, October 81, 1895.

ELK ClTY, Ok., OctoDer Il. 1oSo.z
EDITOR GAzkTTE:-
After waiting, lo! these many years, i
seems that the praises of this delightful little
mountain village are to be left nnsang un
less some poet, yet unknown, tunes his harp
Located at the junction Of the Big Elk ard
Yaquina rivers on the line OF the y. g. & f.
r. R., the lofty mountains of the Coast
range rising to dizzy height on every side,
it is one of the most picturesque OF noun
tain hamlets. Upon geltlng OF the train
and walking across the bridge over the 1a-
quina, the man, fresh from the caro. an.
| trials incidental to a life in the city, stops
and gazes around him as in dream. Hav-
ing filled his lungs with the pure mountain
air, his pulse quickens and new man walks
up the steps of the Hotel Deyoe. The true
sportsman from the city is soon recognized
and is gladly admitted to the camp FIRE Of
the hardy mountain man.
There is probably no place in the state of
Oregon, whence the sportsman may spend
few days with such complete satisfaction TO
himself, as at Elk City. Commencing about
May lst, and continuing throughout the
summer, the waters of the Yaquna and
Big Elk above tde-water are seldom eaualetl
for fly fishing; and at the same time large
numbers of tlout may be taken On tide
water with bait and the TROLL. During At
lat the rivers are teenlng With th.. iordly
sea trout, and the most ardent fisherman can
not fail to be satisfied arter atroil over two Or
three miles OF the Yaquina waters.
During the year there are several thous-
ands Of dollars worth of trout shipped from
Elk City to the different valley cities, all
,aken with the rod and line. In the hills
surrounding. are tp be 10 md the noble blac. :
tail buck, and black and brown lear; and
hut iif.ecn miles away the huhLcr Is oitrn
rswai ded for his hard days hunt, by mag
niiicrnt pair of antlers belonging to that kin .
OF all game, The elk. Surrounded by all
these, natures gralIdest creations, is it to be
wondered at, that the mountain man shouiu
be- happy and content.,d?
At This season of the year, each morning,
half a dozen anAlou' men meet the train,
and eagerly div into small box sent by the
salmon fishermen from Toledo, and each,
taking what salmon eggs he nes Is for the
days tishiag, hastens home where they are
quickly prepared for Use. Half All hour la
| ter, SIX little boats are cast loose from their
| moorfngs and the fleet is under weigh for tn e
| fishing grounds. One by one the boats drop
out, until six boats Ar. made fast along the
| banks OF the river, the occupants OF e. ch
patiently waiting for ''bite." Three OF
| four hours later, the boats containing six
| hungry nien are again seen coming in uu the
/ hood tide, ana after short stop for lunch,
are out again until night, when the trout
are carefully dressed, counted and assorted
for shipment. The low boat" scarcely fail.
to have his dollars worth Of trout, andc''h
boat' from 50 10 % on good days.
| l dare<ay, Mr.. Editor, the charms of tl,i-
! ''neck OF tho woods" have been sufficiently
introduced in the foregoing, and should ac
> ei lent betall any one of the six boats above
/ mentioned, shall take great pleasure il
com,nun cating to you the fact. x