Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-10-27
HARD FIGHT FOR A TROUT
North Carolina Educator Had the
Fish Hooked Four Times, But
Caught It the Fifth.

In this season Of fishing stories there
comes from western North Carolina
a well-authenticated tale that can rival
any OF them for novelty. II Is about
q rainbow trout. says the New YORK
Times, which was caught only after its
captor had hooked 1t four separate
times, on four successive days. and aft
err he had once 'dived to the bottom OF
the deep pool to extricate the tangle
into which the willy fish had mixed
the line.
About go miles southwest OF Ashe-
vile, as the crow flies, is great tract
of mountainous land known as the
Sapphire country, taking its name
from Sapphire lake. The native hsh
of the region is the speckled trout, but
there have been imported many OF the
rainbow variety. better known in Cali
fornia and Whereabouts. The speckled
trout is considered far more game as
a rule, and so the adventure with this
particular rainbow is especially re-
markable.
Unlike his speckled brother, the
rainbow trout darts for the bottom of
the pool the moment he feels the hook.
Unless the angler is very alert the
prey escapes by lodging under a root
or stone far beneath the surface and
entangling the line SO that 1t has TO
be cut.
The fisherman in this case, profes-
sor of the North Carolina university,
had been patrolling the Horse Pas,
ture river, which rs outlet of Sapphire
lake, for several weeks, when one day
he cast his fly upon a pool that looked
very deep and very 'fishy." No soon
err had the fly touched the water than
a big rainbow trout struck. took the
hook and made for the bottom Of the
pool.
The professor could see that the
fish was q huge one for those parts.
but seeing was all the satisfaction he
got. The fish tangled itself In the
rocks, and a broken line was the re-
suit. That night the professor told
his friends at the hotel that he in
tended to fish in no other pool until he
had caught this fish, and the next
morning found him on the spot. Again
the rainbow struck, dived, and es-
capped. The fisherman was beside him
self with rage, and the third day he
was on hand bright and early. Once
more the trout took the hook.
Instead Of tearing loose or cutting
his line, the professor laid down his
rod, disrobed himself, and dived after
the fish. Being an expert swimmer and
diver, he managed to explore the bot
tom of the pool, which was some Is
feet in depth, but no matter how hard
he tried. he failed to dislodge his VIC
tim, and for the third time he reached
the hotel unsuccessful.
To-day" he announced, on the
fourth morning, 81 shall give him no
leeway at all. I'll use a strong line,
and try to pull him straight out, as
though l were handling a sucker"
Catching a trout without playing
1t is not deemed good sport by the
enthusiast, but the professor explained
that he was ready to sacrifice art or
commit any crime against etiquette in
order to conquer his new foe. And he
succeeded ut last. for the line was too
strong and the jerk too quick for the
trout AS usual, the fish struck greed
lily, but when he tried to dive there
was nothing doing" The professor
bore him away in triumph. The scales
recorded him as q two-pounder.