The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-28

twenty FISH like this back into the water
All as large as thaty asked. pointing
to the one he bad saved
No. Some were smaller, but most OF
them were about a foot long
II didn't ask any more questions. but
jointed my rod fastened a couple OF flies
on the leader and was soon casting. In a
couple OF hours 1 had dozen trout rang
Ing from nine TO twelve inches. They were
as pretty lot as 1 had ever creeled. and
rested for the remainder OF the day. In the
morning we had some OF the fish for break
fast and Mr.. Grass Piker was invited TO
sample them. He threw no more trout
away after that Before I returned I
caught forty-seven more good sized trout
besides number of fingerlings which put
back in the water. didn't see a grass pike
in the stream and 1 went away satisfied
none was there"
BASS THAT GOT AWAY.
Speaking OF the Shows said Ignatius
Brown, who formerly was one OF the most
industrious fishermen that ever wet a line.
recalls an incident that happened on one
of my last fishing trips. That was five or
six years ago. and have done little fish,
ing since. The Snow islands are partly in
the Straits of Mackinac. the most easterly
of the group being in Lake Huron. There
are dozens OF the islands and some are
separated by narrow channels. through
which the water rushes like a turbulent
river. The current is very strong when the
wind from the lakes piles up the water in
the straits. A few OF the channels are
shallow and filled with powders, under
which big black bass may occasionally be
found. One day I engaged 'gillie' to
work the oars and landing net while tried
to lure a bass from its hiding place L
hooked the bass all right. but the 'gillie'
blundered in his duty. 1t took me about
twenty minutes to tire out the fish suffi-
GENTLY to draw 1t close to the boat Once
the .gillie' dropped the oars and the bass
got under the boat. =
Turn the boat, quick~ i shouted.
In the meantime the bass showed fresh
signs of life and strength, and was forced
to give it more line. Finally IL was drawn
near the boat again.
Now, get the landing net under it,
called out, but the 'gillie' was so excited
he dropped the oars a second time, leaned
over the gunwale and grasped the bass by
the gills. AS he did so IL Topped it's tail
against the side Of the boat. threw the
hook out of its mouth and disappeared. I
won't repeat what i said. Sufficient to say.
1 was in a choleric mood. Were / a Chica-
goan 1 would swear the bass weighed eight
pounds. but, being an indianapolis fisher
man, estimated IT weighed five and one
half pounds
Mr.. Brown has reached that age when
fishermen do most Of their fishing In remin-
iscences, and he has fund Of them to
draw on.
HOMELESS BASS.
"Mr. Grass Piker, of whom Mr.. Fontin-
alis told, must be a relative of a man
once met" said Mr.. Rocus. 81 had just re-
turned from a fishing trip and was telling
a friend my experience. His companion.
who had been introduced to me. listened
with no apparent interest. When 1 con-
cluded my story he remarked that he never
went fishing. and that his knowledge OF
fish did not go beyond the dining table
There is one kind of fish that like
better than any other he said.
what varietyT I asked. thinking he
| would say brook trout
"'Boneless bass he replied, without q
smile.
"'Yes; I am fond OF them myself when
nicely boiled
Ever catch any?' he queried again.
"Plenty of them
| 'whereT
| "Tn White river. Fall creek and other
\ streams in Indiana
why, I thought only black bass were
| found hereabouts?
That's true said, when / saw my
| friends companion was short on ichthyo-
logical knowledge, but when they pass
| through the hands Of a skillful anatomist
| they are metamorphosed into the tooth
some delicacy you are familiar with. and
| by the time they reach the restauranteur
| they are known as homeless bass-that is,
| bass without bones
| when / concluded the homeless bass
man seemed to have permitted his thoughts
1 TO stray into another channel and I left
him."
| Mr.. Browns desire not TO overstate the
/ weight Of the fish he lost in the Straits OF
/ Mackinac recalls the case of a man from
either Kokomo or Peru who was fishing IN
| Bass lake, a small body of water in north
ern Indiana, this summer. 1 am not certain
of the city he lives in, for the incident was
related to me. but have great respect for
his truthfulness II is said that on his first
day at the lake he caught five-pound bass.
| and that when he sent the news home in n
| letter none Of his fishermen friends would
believe him. Mr.. Truthful Piscator-that
| will do for his name-eyidently expected
doubt would be cast on the accuracy OF his
statement. for he saved the fish alive. He
put in small pond OF clear water and kept
it well supplied with minnows until he was
ready TO start home. Then the fish was
killed and placed on the scales. IL weighed
five pounds and three ounces. 1 have not
heard what happened when Mr.. Truthful
Piscator reached home. but / am sure no
one will hereafter doubt his word"
| drills and saws. and is powdered and used
| TO polish diamonds and other precious
stones. There is a wide and growing de-
| mand for it,