The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-08-11
ROCKY MOUNT FISHERMEN.

To the Editor: Mr.. Elias Carr. Jr..
who has possibly lone as much fishing a.
any man in the State, and knows what he
j. talking about. says that the finest fish
ing in the world can be had one New
River. in OnSIoW county. He says he mas
caught eleven sleep-heads there IN ten
minutes, some of them weighing seventeen
pounds. He says the most dellcately fav-
ored. and best table fish to be found n
our waters Is the blue fish when perfectly
fresh. No fish. he says, are good unless
cooked Immediately upon being taken from
the water.
Mr.. L. +. Tillery, cashier Of the Bank OF
Rocky Mount. says that he has fshed Tor
several years at several seaside resorts,
and has come to the conclusion that Ocra-
coke is the best place to go fishing. lie
considers the Spanish mackerel' the best
Favored and finest table fish that we have.
He also gives high praise to the sheep
head" "Flounder," Trout and Rock
fish.
The genial and jolly Captain John N.
Horn, says: oh, yes, ] like to fish very
much, but don't have the time. | think
, the Robin perch" the best fish that
swims and the next best he says, IS the
blue brim." We asked the captain If he
could give us a good fish story. Oh, yes,
he says. I could tell you lots of good
stories, but it would take too long, and
off he went. But he hadn't gone ten steps
before he turned back and SAID: by the
way, speaking of fish stories. | remember
once Of seeing a cat fish caught from the
Mississippi River 50 large that you could
place a whole barrel of pork in his mouth
at one time. And the captain hurried on
without answering further questions.
Col. j. r. Sorsby, proprietor of the
Standard Hardware Company, and also
commander-in-chief of the Brookside Sport
ing and Camping Club, saws he considers
no fish good to eat. but if a person must
eat fish there is nothing any better than
a fresh corned mullet. The colonel is very
fond of catching the finny tribe, but the
sport ends there with him. He says the
best fishing for fresh water fish is to be
found on '.SWeetened Water Creek, IN
Martin county.
Having fishing on my mind this morn.
ing and happening to see Aunt julia AT
rington, with her/tackle vending her way
towards the river, l thought | would ask
her a few questions about fish and fishing.
aunt Julie" as she IS called by every
BODY. is one of the 'old time, befo' de
war. niggers,'' and is highly respected by
both old and young. She is a great fisher
man, and sets on the bank of the historic
old Tar morning, noon and night, both
winter and summer, and her catch gen
orally consists of a few eats and eels.
The following conversation will give aunt
jules idea of fish and fishing:
Good mornin, Aunt Julie, are you
having much luck fishing these days?'
well Sar, | kant persachly say dat ]
does. but h~owamnever, l kotches a few
now and den
Tell US, Aunt Julie what you consider
the best fish to eat
well, now, Boss, dat am a right-smart
question you done axed me, ease dey am
all powerful good, but to git right down
to de sweetness orb hit, Sar, | SUDDENLY Is
sho' dat de ole catfish an eel am hard TO
beat, yas. sar, dey am good all de time"
well, Aunt Julie, where do you have
the best luck. In the creek or river?
4 is been, havin' mighty good luck
lately sar, right down here at de ribber.
whar dat sewer pipe comes II. Vas, sar,
| hab kOtch some fine ones dar.'
And with this the old lady went off to-
wards the river, with her mind bent on
the good things oming.
Rocky Mount, n. c., August 8.