The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-26
THE WALL-EYED PIKE.
A Fish Whose Delaware River Possibilities
Were discovered by Ono Barnea.

were DlbcOvered DIV ono Barnes.
PoRr JEpvis. Nov. 26.-Georgo Armour OF
Narrowsburg caught a wall-eyed pike In tho
Delaware River last week that tipped the scales
at 81, pounds and measured 81 inches in length
The fish was landed with S.ouncc rod. Ar
mour sent the Ash 10 New York friend, who
mounted II upon piece OF polished mahogany
and placed II on exhibition. Its size and beauty
attracted much attention.
The wall-eye u not pike at all. although II IL
somewhat OF the shape aud has the markings
OF the pike Freshly caught. II Is one Of the most
beautiful fish imaginable. OF dull silver and opal
coloring. II IL somewhat lighter in hue but more
nearly resembles the bluefsh than any other fresh
water fish. II Is somewhat more retiring in dis
position than most fresh water fish, seeking the
cddies where the waters lie deep and still II does
not chase Its prey with the courage Of tho trou,
or the ferocity OF the black bass bu, IL IL game
fish Of no mean abilities, and will put up a good
fight when struck, II will not thrive except in
clean running water with rock bottom and its
flesh Is fine and delicate as food.
just when tho FIRST wall. eye came TO the Della
ware and decided TO stay and rear its family il
not known. Attention was first called 10 tho
subject by genius named Barnes who lived In
BinghamtonL Mr. Barnes OF Binrhamton was
at various times observed at various points aIonp,
the river padding his own canoe and generally
minding his own business At nightiall be
would come ashore at some unircducntcd spot
aud sit ON the bank until picked up bv an Enc
freight train. lie made It all right with the train
crews, who dined On wallcyrs iried, baked and
broiled These men spend much 81 their time
whilo OF duty with rod gun bu, none II
them had ever taken wall eye As n matter
OF fact they did not know dat there were wall
eyes When interviewed on the subject Mt
Ilarf ~ ltpFr 1 -.
lie and his tactics remained a solid mystery until
the gentleman In duo time dTiitcd down 10 Mar
rowsburg. People who saw him there mildly
wondered what he was dtclgiug Tor III H.. r,idy
and, wholly undtsiurbed 10 him, continued 10
occupy tie most likely spots for bass Toward
evening he brought his boat ashore HIS catch
for the day numbered about twcnty.fv wall
eyes. averaging five pounds apiece. aud packed
side by side ON the ground the row measured
si ten feet across TO put It mildly the no
Murray and Jake Gcbhardt. who could enticc
bass from the river when everybody else failed,
had not even suspected the presence Of the fish
week or two later the residents Of Nnrows,
burg sauntcrcd out of doors after breakfast and
the broad eddy They returnod 10 their homes
in haste, sought their fishing tackle and inn
m nss,ss ss' I2,,h Ihe ordinary pursuits and
tina, day, and every craft that would float wss in
commssion barnes SIN padding his own
only get near enough 10 see him occasionally
draw flashing Ash from the water Barnes
was hard pressed, but that day his catch num-
bered thirty Ave wall eyes ranging in weight
from three To nine pounds NarruwShurg sur.
rounded him at once on his ARRIVAL at the shore
put to all inquiries barnes merely gave another
discourse on prevailing climatic conditions, Tho
next time that the gentleman WAS discovered on
the smooth waters OF the eddy he was Observed
at long range ! telescopes and field glasses
came into play and scouts were stationed at all
points from the covered bridge To- the head Of
the Island Tho local SpnrtsnIen have since been
shsrers o. the piScatonal secrets n Barnes,
To troll successfully for wal'eyrs one mus:
have the line sunk To the bottom of the deepest
pools 4 spoon ~ attached n few fcct from tho
end ot the line, and thte" feet above the spoon
live lhmprey about six inches in length IL hooked
as 1t Is for still bass fishing To be sportsman
Ike one should use light rod and equally light
though strong tackle. II is no trouble at all to
know when the fish takes hold and as Mr. Mul-
yancy puts II, there's n fought bcchunc"
The other day {. Is layton caugh, a wnilcye
In the Delaware at Callicuun that weighed IL,
pounds and more Than covered yard stick So
FAR AZ In known this is the record fish in these
waters for the year A month ago two drum.
mcrs had three hours to wait for train at Cali.
coon. They borrowed some tackle from Charley
1horwce and returned in time for their train
with two fish that weighed together about thir.
teen pounds.