The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-20

stomach of a two-pound bass caught in
water that was almost teemng with min
nows. This he believes 20 be ample evidence
that the bass prefers flies to miunows. and
he advances it an argument in favor Of
fly-castinS against the tortuTiag of min
nows.
Indianapolis fshermon-those who merely
FISH for sport and recreation-are as skill
ful casters as any in the country. Indian
apolis was the second city in the country
to hold a fy-casting tournament and the
casts then made by "Cedar-rod" Butler the
late Isnatius Brown. General McGianis and
others were almost record breakers.
Several women. too modest to have their
names in print. also cast the fly gracefully
and sSillfully. Last summer an ardent fair
disciple of Izaak Walton marooned herself
on a bowldeT in White river and cast in all
directions until she was rewarded with
strike. She had no landing net, but she
played" the fish until it gave up the strug-
gle. 1t was a lass and weighed two ana a
quarter pounds. No camera was in sight,
but an Illustration in a recent number of
Recreation is surprisingly like the fair fish
erman and her catch.
Some wives accompany their husbands on
fishing trips, don long rubber boots Cor
wading pants. the macintosh fishing
suits are called, and brave the swift waters
of river or creek. While wading there is
more freedom in casting than in fishing
from a boat
Every local fisherman has his outfit ready
for the coming season. New flies have been
tied. rods and lines examined and leaders
tested. 1t is not the purpose of this article
TO describe the outfit of a fiy-fisherman or
give the cost of rods, lines. etc. Every man
has his own views as to what is necessary,
and the cost is generally limited only by the
size of the bank account. One man may
spend $40 for outfit, while another may
invest $500. Fly-rods range in price from
50 to 800
NJ. d. Butler makes his own rods out of
cedar, and they good and serviceable
as the $50 rods in the East. julius Walk
uses the best rod obtainable. Horace Com
stock has what he calls his ''old reliable"
for a favorite. Francis 7. Holiday likes a
split bamboo, while Messrs. Williams,
Douglas, Stephenson and others say they
can cast and catch with any good rod that
is springy and light. John T. Brushs ia
vorite used to be a split bamboo, and DR..
Waterman uses the same kind. Mr. and
Mrs. Harry S. New have a collection to
choose from, but the split bamboo is their
choice.
Probably the most successful fishermen in
the city are Messrs. Butler and Comstock.
The black bucktail is their favorite fly. but
the Lord Baltimore is frequently tried
early in the season. Last fall while float
ing down White river from Noblesville, Mr..
Comstock made a marvellous catch with a
six-ounce rod. When near Ellers bridge
at the head of ripple. in deep water. a
four-and-a half pound small-mouth bass
took his fly. 1t was not landed for twenty
five minutes. Immediately afterward, in
quick succession. two three-and-a-half
Founders were hooked. One struck so hard
and quick that the fly was thrown out of
the water two or three feet and the fish
struck a second time by leaping after the
falling fly.
THAT is true" said Mr.. Butler, "for 1
was in the boat with Horace. and / put
the landing net under the fish,
Last October" said Mr. Comstock, az
caught a plymouth bass with a fly. 1t
weighed three and one-quarter pounds.
Just below Noblesville Mr.. Butler and my
self got two three-pounders in a few min
utes. 1 do not believe there is bowlder or
ripple between Noblesville and Indianapolis
that has not yielded one or more bass to
Mr.. Butler and myself. and all have been
taken with artificial flies
Mr.. Comstock camped for five months last
year on the high ground above Broad
Ripple near the island and this year, he
says. he will camp for six months.
VIM. H. KAYLOR.