The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-08-04
TIE MOST DELICIOUS FISH
KNOWN,

THE MOST DELICIOUS FISH
KNOWN.
In a delightful letter written from
Waynesville Capt. Ashe discusses a ques-
ton upon which there Will be diverse opin-
ions by fishermen and epicures. II seems
Ashe had an impression that mountain
trout We're a myth. Having dined on
eighty dd-We beg pardon, having seen
eighty odd which his boys caught, and par
taken of a fair portion-he no longer re-
CARDS them as a myth but says certainly
they Justify their reputation, for they
are the most delicately Favored of the
fnny tribe. In that respect they surpass
any other fish l have eaten"
We are not going to take issue with
Capt. Ashe on a question upon which he
is more competent to speak, seeing that
he wrote Immediately after enjoying q
ty years ago at Waynesville this scribe
first sat down to a dish of toothsome
mountain trout, and, like John Ridd, felt
to thank God for the room he had inside
OF him" But may not Capt. Ashes judg-
ment be somewhat biased by the good
taste Of the trout that still fingered on
his palate as he wrote?
Henry Grady, a few years before his
p+i,,a1x- 5aoth yicito5 4hn Atlanta IJo+al
at Morehead, and with a party of friends
sat down to a supper of brolled Spanish
mackerel. He was as enthusiastic over the
Spanish mackerel as Capt. Ashe now is
over mountain trout and declared that
nothing so succulent, SO delicious, SO pala-
table could be found on lard or sea.
In support of his position, Mr.. Grady told
a story, as we'll as it can now be re-
called, like this: When Howell Cobb was
Secretary of the Treasury he was called
to New York on business. He was de-
tanned long after his usual hour for din
ing and went into Delmonlcos very hun
cry. As he took his seat, lie took a five
dollar gold piece out of his pocket, and,
handing IL TO the waiter, Sald BflnS me
the best thing you have IN the house
Without a word the waiter retired and
soon returned bearing a waiter and silently
placed before Georgla's great statesman
Spanish mackerel with slices of lemon. He
tasted it and it went to the right spot"
He devoured it with. zest, and ordered a
second dish. When he had finished, he rose
to go, and putting a ten dollar gold piece,
freshly minted, in the hands of the waiter
said: You are the wisest man In New
York because you know what is the best
thing in the world"
The difference of opinion between Capt
Ashe on the one hand and Henry Grady.
on the other, both accomplished journal
lists. IS not offered here to revive the
traditional contest between Eastern and
Western North Carolina which ragged most
disastrously for many years over political
questions. If, however, there should
arise a controversy between the Yves
and the East over the relative ex.
cellcnce OIL the mountain trout anC
the Spanish mackerel, the West has
scored first because it has secured
the good offices of Capt. Ashe, whose
people have always been down Casters
He will be a tower of strength in sup
port Of the mountain trout, and will call
in Attorney General Gilmer, Judge Fer
! guson, W. T. Crawford, w. 7. Lee, an(
\ host OF others who were brought up or
! mountain trout to confirm what he has
l written. Per contra Messrs. James A. Bry-
an, Winfield Chadwick. John K. Morris,
/ Will Arendell, Geo. N. Ives, and others
backed by Rev. N. NJ. Jurney, will come
Q UP strong IN undertaking to prove that
Y Howell Cobb and Henry Grady were bet
ter judges of the relative merits OF fish
than Capt. Ashe or Bob Gilmer. If tho
controversy wakes warm, this writer offer.
. himself as a competent arbitrator. but
: gives notice that he will rcnder no decis
/ ion until all the evidence is in, and tina
no evidence will be considered until he ha,
t been taken by the Westerners t.
e Waynesville to try the merits o
d mountain trout and to Morehead by tn
e Fasteners to try the Spanish mackerel
i It may take several trips and severa
samples of both before an expert opinion
t can be rendered, but if the partisans vii
r keep up the controversy and keep up thu
n supply Of fish the s~elf-suggested arbitra
tor, if selected, will be in no hurry t
n render his award.