New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-12

@AoWSG TO speak 41gnCIy OF Sucn
sources Of revenue as the haddock
and the cod. Even the mackerel,
whose name might indicate Scotch
descent, has had Its American ances-
try traced back as far as the May
| flower, from which all history dates.
Our views on fish and fishing,
therefore, produced immediate re-
suits. We were challenged, taunted
we might even say baited-to try
our luck in the ocean, where fishing
was really fishing. AT first we said
No, and How do you get that way?
Hadn't we taken a solemn oath that
we would never, never fool away
our time in any such senseless pro-
cedure again as long rs we should
live? We were not to be swayed by
ridicule, insults or entreaties.
Marvellous Fish Stories
The pressure increased. So did
our stubbornness. We thought we
had heard fish stories before, but we
hadn't. Tales of how So-and-so
hooked 600-pound swordfsh the
first time he went out and how
What's-his-name got cod that long
poured in upon US. We were inn
pressed.
After all, it seemed reasonable to
suppose that if one were going to
catch any fish the Atlantic Ocean
was the logical place to 60 to do it.
Certainly there were fish there, as
eye and nose could testify after q
walk along the wharves at Boston,
and another thing, some fellow
wouldn't be sitting alongside on the
bank to pull in all the big ones.
There wouldn't be any banks, ex-
cept the fishing banks, which are
no good for sitting purposes.
About this time we heard of q
boat that went out to the fishing
grounds every day and gave prizes
for the biggest fish caught. Here
was an opportunity. No weary
waiting, we were told in response to
cautious inquiries, no sitting on a
mud bank with eyes riveted on q
'bobber" that didn't bob. Deep sea
fishing was different. You dropped
your line overheard and a school of
fish was there waiting for the oppor-
tunity Of being first at the bait.
Big fellows! Cod, haddock, sword
fish--whales, maybe!
A Wonderful Chance
What chance to slip away for a
day and bring back a string that
would forever silence the unfeeling
wretches who inferred that our
scornful attitude was due to the fact
that we never had caught 8 Ash,
didn't know how to catch fish and
never would catch one! What a
chance to prove to our owm satisfac-
ton that there was not some inher-
ent flaw in our makeup that made
such a simple matter as fish catching
an impossibility.
We found it necessary to run into
Boston next day. For one thing, we
wanted to make our reservations for
the trip home in plenty OF time, and
Tor another, it was as good time an
any to visit the museum. We must
not miss the museum. No, indeed.
It was long walk down the wind
ing road to the station. We wondered
idly II 1t would be possible to carry
a s00-pound swordfish by ones self
all that distance. IL not, one could cut
off the sword and bring 1t along and
let the rest follow by motor truck.
And then, anyway, perhaps not
every one caught them that big the
hrst time out.
The boat was Che King Philip and
the Admission was Sits, not exorbi-
tant when you consider the amount
of fish you caught. We noted, too,
with satisfaction, thst the amuse.
ment tax was included. ct would be
the first time that any Of our fish
ling experiences had come under that
head.
The man at the gangplank said
that lines and bait were furnished
free. We wero going to ask about
THE size Of the swordfish, but he
Twas pretty busy and we didn't like
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