The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-07
Seasonal bic Stories.

The opening of the fishing season in In
diana has been followed by unusual activity
among sportsmen and some interesting ex-
periences. If an election were pending this
year public attention would, of course, have
been wholly absorbed In politics but the
absence of political campaign and the re-
mOval of the legal prohibition since July /
have induced many persons to seek recrea-
ton in fishing. Fishermen are noted for
their strange adventures and for the graphic
and impressive manner in which they relate
them, and it is not surprising that the expe-
riences of the last few days have produced
some very interesting narratives. One or
these. from Bunker Hill. Miami county, tells
how men lined the banks Of a stream sew
eral rows deep waiting for a turn to fish,
while the fish, ravenous after the closed sea-
son. literally fought for a chance to get the
bait. While this was going on three persons
to be specific 1.-THE Tracey boys''-'stood
In the water and with their hands caught the
fish crowding about the bait, throwing them
in a pile on the Shore" In this way the
Tracey boys are said to have captured a
wagon load Of fish-"all that two oxen could
haul" AS Indiana oxen are very strong,
this means good many fish. still stranger
experience, according to another story, was
that Of a farmer in Shelby county who hav-
ing reason to believe that certain slough
or bayou on his place was full of fish, con-
ceived the idea of fishing by horse power.
Accordingly he attached several scores Of
baited hooks by short lines to the legs OF
one of his horses and had his ride him
across the pond. when the animal reached
the opposite bank says the relator. ''he
could hardly lift his feet on account OF the
weight of fish hanging" Evidently the mo-
ton of the horses legs had served to hook
the fish as soon as they seized the bait But
the strangest story of the open season thus
far comes from Cedar lake. AS 1t would be
unfair to mutilate so graphic a narrative.
it is given entire:
Jabez Perkins and Joel Hardness had one
of the most exciting experiences of their
lives while fishing in Cedar lake last Sunday
The fish were ravenous and seemed number
less. The sport was exciting and the bottom
or the BOAT was soon noundeT1hs' sPasn Ka
apparently the king of the tribe and des-
perate fight began. After a half hours work
a big five-pounder was hauled to the side OF
the boat and Hardness reached out with the
landing net to capture him. The bass made
a last furious struggle, and the men could
see the hook was nearly torn loose. Hark-
ness in his haste to get the bass, leaned out
too far and capsiZed the boat. In the mix
up the bag of frogs used as bait caught on
81 the belt kes d hqng There P he
tered cry of pain and dashed his hand into
the water toward his leg. They're biting
me-" he cried. Then the anglers discovered
they were surrounded by a tremendous
school of bass. attracted by the frogs that
were kicking and jumping in the bag. The
fish seemed to have not the slightest fear
of the men, and plunged and darted around
them, making efforts to climb on the boat
or right the vessel futile. Hundreds of bass,
big and little, cut the water around the
nearly submerged fishermen dashing against
them, biting and fighting. For fully fif-
teen minutes the men were in the water,
endeavoring to drive away their tormentors
and yelling Justify in the meantime An
other fishing party heard the cries and came
to the rescue just in time. Both Perkins
and Hardness were severely scratched and
lacerated. but were able to work the next
day.
These stories come from widely separated
localities and II similar incidents occur
ring throughout the State the present season
is likely to prove very prolific of strange
adventures.