Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-11-28
LANDING A BIG FISH.
AN EXCITING ENCOUNTER WITH A
LIVELY MuSKelLUNGe.

LIVELY MuSKsLLUNGE.
For Awhile After the Firty-foar
Founder Had Been Hooked II Was
a Question Whether the Fish or
the Boat Would he Captured.
1t was my good fortune in company
with an eastern dry goods salesman 10
visit the lakes OF northern Wisconsin
on a fishing trip.
After procuring all the maps and In
formation we could find we decided TO
go to a certain region which we will
call y.
We had two weeks for the trip; but,
after spending the greater part or the
nret week In visiting different lakes,
We began TO think we should have TO
return without the big fish we started
after.
The last lake we camped on proved
to be an excellent one for wall eyed
pike and muskellunge.
well. John" said my companion,
whose name was Frank Smith, we've
been travelling and fishing almost
every day since we started, and what
do you say TO staying around camp to-
morrow and spending the day in rest
ing up?"
IAN right" replied. I'm catch a
few fish for breakfast: so wake me ear
iy, and we won't fish for the rest OF the
day"
4 Ia .NF tynapninO | L.
ed at my watch and found that 1t was
but d quarter after : and Frank was
sound asleep.
quietly dressed and went down to
the boat There were indications Of an
approaching storm, and quite a sea
was running, which made 1t difficult
for me to manage the boat and trolling
line. Placing ballast In the fore part
OF the boat, started to cross the lake.
but had gone only few rods when
felt a sudden jerk on my line. Then
an unusually large fish leaped above the
water about fifty feet from my boat.
had hooked q muSkellunge. | stop
ped rowing and tried TO pull him In,
but. alas, he would not come. Think
ing that 1t would be useless to try
more, l gave my fish more line and
rowed for deeper water.
After racing him about for fifteen or
twenty minutes, | succeeded In getting
my game alongside the boat. Surely, /
thought, he must be played out by this
time. Taking firm hold Of the line,
tried TO lift him into the boat, when
there was n quick pull on the line, and,
losing my balance, fell overheard.
soon reappeared and saw that my
boat was at least thirty feet from me,
in an upright position, and was under
motion.
Was IL drifting, or was IL that the
moDs.yous fish had II In tow? These
thoughts flashed through my mind. and
soon realized that was being left be
hind. / had fastened my line TO the In
side OF the boat, making 1t easier to
handle the boat,
The distance between me and the
boat began 10 widen, and, as was III
leost thrcn-fourths Of mile from
shore, my only hope seemed 10 De III
reaching the boat. which immediate
ly started after. | had begun Il race
for life. The boat would stop and then
suddenly go forward. Once / almos'
reached it, only to see II move away
Would ever reach it?
had been swimming some nfteeh o
twenty minutes. which seemed u
many hours, and / began 10 lose hop'
OF ever reaching the boat or slbt,
when called TO Frank, who, Pnndine
was fast asleep in the tent remaining
this would exhaustsr on my back
strength. | turneest. When l again
and foated frmmlng position, ! was
assumed o find the boat quite near
surorl,T moments 1t was within my
Ipn, and after several unsuccessful
attempts | succeeded In getting inside.
A strong pull on the line, which was
still fast 70 the boat, convinced me that
Il would be useless to try 10 bring the
fish inside the boat. | looked for my
gan hook. but 1t was nowhere TO be
seen. l then rowed in the direction OF
camp. Again calling Frank, he soon
appeared from the tent. He must have
been dressing for he had neither hat,
coat nor shoes on.
Throw out the gaff! Throw out the
gaY"' cried at the top of my voice,
He understood. and was soon back
from the tent with the hook.
BY we'll directed throw the hook
landed but u short distance from my
boat. and. Its wooden handle prevent.
ing II from sinking, 1t was soon In my
possession.
/ was now sure or landing my fish.
Drawing him alongside the boat,
reached over the gunwhale and hooked
him.
Zip! The handle went through my
fingers, and the line In my other hand
snapped In two.
The muskellunge now had the gafI
hook and short piece Of line and
No. 10 spoon.
lost all until heard FRANKS voice
from shoreI
The gaff! Don't you see the gaff?"
j heard him say, and, looking In his
direction, | saw the wooden handle
dancing on the waves about three rods
from the boat
"Hurrah"' | cried, as rowed In the
direction of the gan.
Ny antagonist was played out, and
all had 10 do was 10 lift him into the
boat.
Frank took photograph of the mus
Gellunge soon after we finished eating
dinner, An enlarged phot .raph has
conspicuous place In my bedroom,
where my eyes, on awakening. can be.
hold the fish that gave me the fight OF
my life He tipped the scales Mt fifty
-FOUR and halr pounds.
We broke camp next morning and re.
turned nome 20 resume the arduou,
duties OF selling dry gOods-Field and |
Stream.
len cents will buy trial size of Ely's |
Cream Balm; enough TO convince vnu