Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-08-26
Romance Of The Golden Bass,
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THROUGHOUT the Thousand lakes
region of northern Wisconsin Dave

llhy lSlanQ seas nave been WreSteu 1ron
their pellucid depths by this remark
able native of the great pine belt.
If there be shaded pool in all this re-
gion where dwells the mighty muskel-
lunge or the fighting bass, hidden bar
where turks the green-coatcd' wall
eyed pike, or a he'd of reeds from
whence the voracious pickerel darts at
spoon or minnow, to which Dave Gal
lup cannot pull his client, no man has
discovered it. In his day he has con-
Quoted many famous men to such royal
sport that falsehood fell into disgrace
and truthful yarns of rod and reel are
bitter fruit and held up their REALTORS
to ccorn and contumely.
Men of well-known varacity like w.
S. Forrest, Jacob Newman, Moritz Ros-
cntbal. A. II. barrow and Tom Prior,
when telling of catches made in waters
to which Dave Gallup had led them
have been outrageously derided, and
friends of ancient standing have gazed
with stern reproach ere they fled from
the presence of the returned pilgrims
IN the north woods. But the fame OF
Dave Gallup did not rest entirely upon
his abilities as a guide. In the region
round about his proves as slayer
of muskellunge or bass or as the sue
cessful caster for speckled trout was
subject of familiar gossip, and over
the camp fire in the black depth OF the
wilderness or in the rudy glow OF the
barroom CRATE such tales of finny bat
Ties and victories were recounted that
would have driven the late Mr.. Walton
into retirement or a madhouse.
More than all, Dave Gallup was a
specialist in the art of angling. From
distant lakes frequently came stories
Of 80 .kes," of "muskies" of prodigious
size, or of mammoth bass that gave the
merry laugh to the cleverest OF fisher
nen and swan away, carrying. in
their noses adornments of pretty
spoons with triple hooks and
gaudy feathers. Northumberland
stories of this character coming to
Dave Gallup's ears were but signals for
immediate preparation on his part for
Journey Then his acquaintances
would lay bets, even to the extent OF
all their possessions, as to the size OF
the fish Dave would bring back with
him. So great was the mans success
that the fortunate outcome OF his VEN
lures carried heavy odds.
Ii was IN the spring of 1890 that the
golden bass" of Clear lake was first
heard of in the TomaLawk region. Ac-
cording to the story Chicago man OF
the name of Finnegan, while trolling
along the west bank of the southern
bay had received strike that set his
sporting blood On fire, The whizzing
reel, the tremendous pull that Met his
attempt at snubbing, as well as the
mighty dQshes made by the fish, told
him that he had battle before him en-
tirely beyond anything his had ever en-
perienced. Finnegan was sportsman
OF rGre accomplishment. The fight was
magnificent, Twice the great hsn
leapcd in the ais, but the silken thread
like line, reeled by master hand, re-
maircd taut and the battle went on
A half hour passed. The great bass
eight-pounder al leaste-was the fresh
or Of the two. At last, while f1nnegan
was reeling home his catch his tired
thumb momentarily relaxed its pres
sure on the shining spool and in that
instant the great bass leapcd three feet
above the surface of the water, shook
himself clear of the spoon and darted
into the depths.
While the monster bass was in the air
O. ribbon of sunlightfell upon his shin
ing sides. Finnegan was astounded to
notice that his body back OF the gllIs
for at least three inches and extending
in a band across the belly was bril-,
iiant gold color, while the middle and
tail OF the fish were of the dark green
which distinguishes the full grown
black bass.
The story of Finnegan's lost Strike
was received by Dan Gallup with con
tempt. That part Of it concerning the
golden band was what preJudiced MIN.
In all his experience he had never met
with such freak of nature. The 1ol-
lowing fall two men came to Gallup's
camp and told a story almost identical
with the one that concerned Finnegans
experience. This set Dan to thinking
but the band Of gold caused doubt.
Next year the golden bass" as It bad
now come to be known, was heard OF
five times, always in the southern bay
of Clear lake. BY this time the bass
was declared to weigh at least u
bounds and 10 measure three feet. But
Gallup made no move, much to the wpn-
Gerlnent of his friends.
The autgmn tints gave way to winter
and the spring came again ere Gallup
emerged from the logging camp to ac-
cept the position of head guide at Oar,
rows, on Kewauquesaga lake. And
here something happened that brought
disaster to the golden bass and wrought
great change in the life of the famous
guide With the opening of the resort
came on the last day of May quar-
tejte of Chicago men anxious to take
advantage of the first days legal fish
ing. Gallup was busily engaged in
looking over the tackle to be used on
the morrow when the train from the
north rolled up to little station and
paused long enough to PERMIT one pas
senger to alight.
1t was woman-more, it was cock
AID anybody who knows about these
things knows that cook in the Wis
lQpsip woods is mighty important
parsonage. The entire population Of
Darrows turned out to welcome .''sr
Gallup with the resi-. The lady looked
over tho group and then, raising Pc:
hand as if to request-or command
silence, gave speech in these werdsi
"My name is Matilda Jones. car
cook anything and cook it well. car
catch fish with any man that lives, car
IL! l..,.s nd con Sc