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The American Fly Fisher

F'ol. 3. 30. 1 Winter 1976

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WINTER 1976 Vol. 3., No. 1

ADVISORY. BOARD

Arnold Gingrich New York, N. Y.

Dr. Alvin Grove State College, Pa.

Baird Hall Hyde Park, Vt.

Dr. David B. Ledlie Middlebury, Vt.

John T. Orrelle Sherwood, Oregon

Leigh H. Perkins Manchester, Vt.

Steve Raymond Seattle, Washington

Mrs. Anne Secor Arlington, Vt.

Donald Zahner Dorset, Vt.

Austin S. Hogan Cambridge, Mass. Research & Liaison

TABLE O F CONTENTS

ARTICLE The Landlocked Salmon of Maine

b y Augustus C. Hamlin, M. D. P- 2 RESEARCH

Dean Sage - Part I - Family Portrait by David B. Ledlie P- 6

BOOK REVIEW A New Review of a n Old Book

b y Richard H. Woods p. 10

ARTICLE Well 1'11 Be Damned

by Dana S. Lamb p. 13

ARTICLE Angling in Canada p. 14

ANNUAL MEETING p. 17

RESEARCH The Origins of Angling

by Austin S. Hogan p. 18

THE ART O F THE FLY FISHER Henry Sandham p. 2 2

MUSEUM INFORMATION p. 2 4

THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER, the magazine of THE MUSEUM O F AMERICAN FLY FISHING, is published quarterly by the MUSEUM a t Manchester, Vermont 05254. Subscription is free with payment of membership dues. All correspondence, letters, manuscripts, photographs and materials should be forwarded care of the Curator. The MUSEUM and MAGAZINE are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, drawings, photographs, materials o r memorabilia. The Museum cannot accept responsibility for statements and interpretations which are wholly the author's. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless postage is provided. Contributions t o THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER are t o be considered gratuitous and become the property of the Museum unless otherwise requested by the contributor. Publication dates are January, April, July and October. Entered as Second Class matter a t the U. S. Post Office, hlanchester, Vermont.

@ Copyright 1976, THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER, Manchester, Vermont 05254. Original material ap- pearing may not be reprinted without prior permission.

CREDITS: Museum photos by David B. Ledlie. Drawings by Austin S. Hogan, Curator. Printing by Thompson, Inc., Manchester Center, Vermont

The Landlocked Salmon of Maine by

Augustus C. Hamlin, M. D.

The famed Dr. William Converse Kendall and a 16 Ib. landlocked salmon caught August 1, 1907 in Sebago Lake, Maine. The record is a fish of 22% Ibs. caught the same day by Robert Blakely.

-- Photo, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game

In the early part of the last century, the fish that we now speak of as landlocked salmon was no t known as such, but was termed the "Sebago trout," being most generally known in connection with Sebago lake, which has always been the home of this fish in Maine, in connection with one o r two other bod- ies of Maine waters.

Among those who loved frequently to fish in Sebago for these "trout" were Fessenden and Deblois, two attorneys of Portland, who jealously guarded the secret of the splendid fishing possible a t Sebago, and but few outside a select cir- cle of friends knew of the sport there, o r of the fish that was so markedly different from the brook o r red spotted trout of other waters in this state. As a boy a t Yarmouth Academy I had for a classmate a brother of the Fessenden \ tho was so fond of the fishing, and through him 1 learned of the Sebago trout. Deblois was the principal fishcr- man of the firm, and caught some handsome fish thcre during his residence in Portland.

Taking advantagc of the opportunity, I once visited Sebago to see for myself these wonderful fish, and caught one that weighed about two pounds. We had h a r d of these fish weighing 1 2 and 1 4 pounds, but never had seen one, and as the fish were rarely caught at any time, only a few being taken in the course of \pring, 1 considered myself extremely fortunate to have landed so large a fish. Since then the lake has yielded fish t o the weight of 1 7 pounds and even larg-

Among the ardent fishermen of Ban- gor was the late Joseph Carr, who with one or, perhaps, two congenial spirits, was wont to slip o u t to Green lake and catch splendid specimens of what were locally regarded as the true salmon, one as heavy as 12 or 1 4 pounds being reported on one occasion in the spring, hy trolling.

General A. B. Farnham of this city and I, determined when boys one spring or late winter, to try the fun for ourselves, and went together to Green lake and cut several holes through the ice, through which we fished. Not a fish came to reward our efforts until we were about leaving for home, when I called Farnham's attention t o a niove- rnent of the stick a t one of thc holes.

"Go pull him in," was his rather skeptical observation when I called his attention.

I did so, and landed, t o my delight and astonishment, a five pound salmon.

About that time Farnham saw another signal calling for attention, and this timc he hurried off t o see what luck he would have, catching in this turn a five pound pickerel, an cxact riiatch in weight to 111y fish. These were the only fish we caught, and the fish 1 caught was

generally spoken of and known, locally, as a salmon, the term "landlocked" not having then been applied t o these fish. A t this early date, the only two places known where this fish could be caught were Sebago lake and Green lake, then called Reed's pond.

A few years later, while a student a t Bowdoin college in the late 40's, I went down t o Calais t o fish in the famous Pennamaquan meadow, which a t that time was one of the most famous t rout fishing waters in Maine. I had just landed a two pound trout when a fellow fisherman called out :

"If you want sport, you ought t o go u p to Grand Lake stream and catch shiners. Why! the skill you have wasted o n that fish would have caught a hundred shiners o n the Grand Lake stream."

"Pray, where is that, sir?" I asked, scarcely believing for an instant that the man was in his right mind.

And he then went o n t o tell me, that "Grand Lake stream is about 4 0 miles north from here; and if you will go up to the Indian Town and find Peol Toma, he will take you t o the stream, where you will soon get enough of fishing. I have caught many shiners there with an old alder pole, and a piece of pork and red flannel tied to my hook. And I think that your golden bugs, bright butterflies and other queer fixings, would set them all crazy."

The man was so enthusiastic in his description of the grand fishing that I was half-convinced of the truth of his stories, and started off a t once for Calais to see if I could get the stories verified. To my surprise, I found several fishermen who told thc same marveUous tale concerning the stream and its silvery fish that leaped into the air when hooked by the sportsman.

My enthusiasni was now aroused t o the highest pitch. For many years I had thought myself a successful disciple of Walton; but , in comparison with these new piscators, I was nobody. I had done nothing t o boast of. I turned t o m y rod, which had safely landed for me, during the past ten years more than a thousand trout: "My trusty friend, before you are forty-eight hours older you shall make some of those shiners leap into the air."

It was late in the afternoon; it was raining and every horse in the stables was engaged; but my enthusiasm would brook no delay. My plan of campaign was soon made up, and the sunset hour saw me, with m y fishing rod and basket strapped t o my back and with gun in hand, trudging along toward the North, unmindful of the mire and rain.

Twenty miles distant was Rolfe's tavern, a t the foot of the lower lakes; and here I could obtain information of the Indian hunter Toma and the fishing grounds. Throughout the long, dark night I breasted the storm, unconscious

of fatigue and fearless of the strange sounds and shadows of the great forests through which I passed. Never shall I forget this lonely midnight tramp, nor t h e determination which warmed m y blood, urged m e o n and sustained my strength.

Shortly after daylight I espied a t a distance the friendly tavern, and half an hour afterwards was cordially greeted by the generous landlord, who evidently wondered in his mind where 1 could have come from a t this early hour. But 1 carefully evaded all questions and asked for a hearty breakfast. While a t the table I could not refrain from asking Mr. Rolfe if there was any good t rout fishing in the vicinity.

"Yes," he replied, "there is good fishing for shiners and t rout a t the bridge, a few rods distant; but a t Grand Lake stream the fishing is magnificent."

"Do you know Peol Toma," I further inquired, "and is he a safe man t o trust myself with, if I conclude to go t o the Grand Lake?"

"Yes." said Mr. Rolfe. "Toma is a fine man, always truthful and honest; and you will be as safe with him as with me."

"Here he comes now down the lake with his brother," said one of the family on looking ou t of the window.

The landlord went out , and in a few moments returned with the Indian. Toma answered my salutation in excell- en t English and, o n my invitation, sat down with me t o take breakfast. A single glance a t his noble features ban- ished all feelings of distrust; and I a t once told him that I had come t o go a- fishing with him a t the Grand Lake stream.

Toma said he would be very happy t o go with me, and that he was very fond of fishing himself, but that he would leave his pcle and flies behind and assist me. He also assured me, after looking my fishing tackle over, that 1 should catch several salmon, and be satisfied with my fishing tour. And let me, right here, say that this suggestion from Toma that these fish were salmon, was the first that anyone had made, as my original informant, m y friends a t Calais and Landlord Rolfe, had all referred t o them as "shiners."

"Very well," I said, "let us be off." "Why, i t rains hard," replied the In-

dian, "and you had better wait until to- morrow."

"No," said I, "if we go in the storm, we shall be more sure of fair weather when we arrive there."

"All right," replied Toma, "we will go now; my canoe is a t the shore."

We obtained some provision from Mr. Rolfe and started u p the lake for the fishing ground, which was about fif- teen miles distant. We soon arrived a t Pedenis Point, where there is a large In-

dian town, and where Toma resided. We rested here for several hours, arranging our camping outfit and repairing the canoe. In the meantime, I furnished coprers for the lndian boys t o get up a shootir~g match, and strolled among the wigwams, making the acquaintance of the bright eyed squaws and the stout hardy h;nters of the tribe.

At length the canoe was ready and we started again up the lake. It rained in torrents, the wind was ahead, and we made so little progress that we decided to stop with some friends of Toma's a t White's island for the night. After a hearty supper of dried moose meat, the first, by the way, that 1 ever ate and it was delicious, we rolled ourselves in our blankets, lay down before the fire and were soon asleep.

At daybreak Toma woke me with the joyful news that the sky was clear and the lake calm. We quickly launched our canoe and made all haste t o the mouth of the stream, which we reached soon after sunrise. Landing a t an old camping ground, we concealed the canoe, should- ered our packs and started afoot over a trail to the foot of the lower falls, half a mile distant. Rod, reel and line were soon together and ready for business, and Toma selected from my stock of flies a bright colored salmon fly, which he said would make the fish open their eyes and their mouths too.

The falls were quite precipitous, and the lowness of the water a t this time prevented the fish from passing from the lower lakes t o the upper and larger lakes, which, however, they could d o in the freshets of spring. It was now late in the summer, and we expected to find in the deep pools below these impassable rapids some of the salmon that had been prevented from passing up into the Grand lake.

As soon as I had arranged my fishing tackle to my satisfaction, I crept o u t t o the extremity of one of the ledges of slate that projected from the shore, while Toma lay down o n the bank to enjoy the scene. Half-way across the stream, between two huge boulders of granite whose tops just peered above the surface of the water, there seemed to be a deep pool; and there I resolved t o make my first cast.

With feet firmly braced, I lifted the end of my rod and swung the gaudy fly ou t into the air. It was falling gracefully but had not touched the water, when four or five large fish leaped into the air to seize it. Instinctively, I snatched it a- way, and the bright silvery fish darted back to their retreats disappointed. Toma yelled with delight a t my nervous- ness and vexation:

"Try it again," he shouted; "let your fly float down the current; let the fish have it."

I flung my fly boldly o u t into the

stream, and before it fairly touched the water, a dozen silvery forms sprang a t it and concealed it in foam. A strong pull on my line and the hum of the reel, ou t of which the line sped like lightning, filled my heart with joy. Dashing across the stream, the fish leaped into the air and then started off down the current like mad.

"Hold him in!" shouted Toma. "oull , a

him in a t once; your tackle is strong." Thereupon 1 shortened my rod,

grasped the line, and pulled in steadily the unwilling fish. A few seconds more

'3

and it was close a t hand, and Toma dashed in the landing net and pulled the salmon ashore. After striking it a light blow with a stone which killed it instantly, the lndian stretched the fish o u t on the rock and triumphantly displayed it t o my view.

"There," said he, "that is a salmon, and would weigh four pounds if he was fat; but his is long and lank, and is what we call a racer. Throw again; perhaps you will get a better one next time."

I made another cast, and a dozen fish sprang for the fly; one was hooked, landed, and proved t o be still another racer, and further attempts resulted the same, so that Toma commanded me t o stop, as all the fish in that pool were poor and unfit t o eat. "We will," he said "go up two miles t o the Grand lake dam where the salmon are fat and plenty."

Reluctantly I would up my line; bu t the prospect bf better spirt cheered me, and we soon arrived at the dam which was a rude structure of logs built by the lumbermen t o raise the waters of Grand lake. Below the dam, which was a half dozen rods long, the stream was broad and deew. the current swift and the wat- . , ers pure and as clear as the air itself.

"Throw your line into the eddies there below, and let us see what will ap- wear." said Toma. L .

I climbed upon one of the piers, which gave me command of the waters below. Tossing my fly into the air, the breeze bore it along down the stream, and gently and gracefully lowered it toward the surface of the water. I t had settled to within a foot o r two of the stream, when a half a dozen salmon, whose bright sides glistened in the sun- light like silver, sprang into the air after it. The hum of the reel as the line sped o u t made me tremble with joy. Across the stream the noble fish dashed and sprang into the air, shaking himself to get rid of the fatal hook. Another dash and convulsive leap, and he plunged sul- lenly t o the bot tom of the river.

"Pull him out,"whispered the Indian. The game little salmon was soon a t

my feet, and a more beautiful fish I nev- e r saw. Twentv-four more casts I made. and each time safely landed my fish.

"Stop," said Toma; "you must not catch any more; you have as many now

as we can carry." Toma's explanation was, as we con-

sidered the beautiful fish that I had caught:

"He sea salmon; b u t he in fresh water he forgot t o go t o sea. Big lake his sea, he live in lake."

A year later, with a party of Calais friends, some five o r six of us, drawn together with the common love of the sport, I made another trip to Grand Lake stream, and had such sport as sel- dom falls to sportsmen. We did not count our catch, but estimated that we had about 300 fish, enough in fact to supply the tables of every friend we had in Calais. The largest fish caught was taken by one of our guides, Attean Lewy, and weighed four pounds. Lewy said that of thousands of salmon which he had seen caught in that river, he had never seen oni over four pounds in weight.

This Attean Lewy, o r Etien Louis, as some spelled his name, was a most pow- erful Indian, and a man of splendid phy- sique. At one time I saw him and ~ e ; ) l Toma fishing, and Toma had hooked and was playing, very carefully, a large trout of four o r five pounds. "Let me get him for you," said Lewy, and lifting his fish spear he threw the weapon with such accuracy that he caught the fish fairly, although he must have thrown it 40 or 5 0 feet. I rather think it was a piece of good luck, and so did Lewy, but it was a great throw.

Afterward I called the attention of Professor Louis Agassiz t o the salmon of Sebago, Green, and Grand lakes, and I think that his attention was first called to the species b y Dr. Hethune of New York and me. Dr. Bethune was a famous angler and student of fish, and had visited the Sebago lake. Agassiz recognized the fish as the t rue salmon, sa lmo salar. How it came t o be called "landlocked" or who first so called it I d o not know unless from Peol Toma's expression; "He forgot t o go t o sea."

Dr. Jerome V. C. Smith of Boston, a t one time mayor of that city, was a widely quoted authority o n fishes in the early part of t h e last century. In 1833, he published a treatise on fresh water game fish and speaks therein of the Se- bago salmon which he recognizes as a trout, and declares emphatically that it is not a salmon. He says:

"Not less erroneous than that which respects their weight, is the opinion entertained by some that these fish were originally salmon; bu t being pent up and confined t o the pond, by the various ob- structions in the river which forms its outlet to the sea, they have changed their form, assumed spots and become trout."

In another place he says: "Since they possess neither the form, the fat, the flavor nor the projecting excrescence of

the under jaw peculiar t o the male salmon." Had Dr. Smith ever taken an old male salmon, as I have many times, he would have seen that the landlocked variety does have the same hooked jaw as the sea salmon. They d o have the form, but they don't have t h e fat o r the flavor. They fail t o find in fresh water the peculiar foods that give the celebrated sea salmon its valuable characteristics.

As t o the question of the landlocked salmon seeking the sea as soon as it is a mature fish, which many consider when it is about four pounds weight, I am inclined to doubt the fact that they stay in the lakes until then and afterward go t o sea at the first opportunity. In the first place, they spawn long before reaching that size, and when smaller certainly have as much opportunity to seek salt water as when they attain the larger size. The young of sea salmon, o r parr, have been carefully observed under excellent conditions in England, where they go t o sea during the first year o r very early in the second. Salmon in Grand lake, which might go t o sea if they so desired, were never caught coming back, as for many years the salmon fishing o n the St. Croix was absolutely fruitless, except a t the lakes as 1 have described, and which is now so widely known to anglers all over the world. But that both are salmon is unquestionable, a further proof being in the fact that the young fish of both have, until six months o r a year old, bright vermillion spots o n their sides.

At the time of my visit Grand Lake stream was in a wilderness of the pri- meval forest, with no habitations in the forest west of Princeton, except Indian huts. I was there a number of times. summer and winter both, and found that in the summer I could catch fish a t almost any time, while in the winter the catch was almost invariably very light, salmon being in fact rarely caught through the ice. Toma's explanation of t h e poor winter fishing was that the fish hid in the mud, and I am inclined t o believe this t o be the case, as salmon caught in the very earliest of the spring fishing have at times a decidedly earthy taste.

Up t o 1866 these three waters, Se- bago, Green lake (Reed's pond) and Grand lake, were the only places known where the fresh water salmon was originally found. In the fall of that year I learned from the late Capt. Farrar, wide- known as a pioneer sportsman and the author of books on Northern Maine, and H. L. Leonard, the hunter and fish- in2 rod manufacturer. that there were sarmon in the tributary waters of Sebec lake. So, with them and Frank Hinckley of this city I made a late fall trip t o Ship pond (Lake Onawa) to investigate the matter. We caught a number of the fish a t Shiu vond outlet. It must have been

1 1

in November that we were there, and as the fish were o u t of season, I tried to dissuade Farrar and Leonard from eat- ing them; but they were sure they were all right, so all hands ate a hearty supper of salmon that night, and before nine

o'clock each man wished he hadn't - i t all came up.

The following spring I got up a party t o go t o Sebec for the salmon fishing, including my uncle, Hannibal Hamlin and his guest, Maj. Gen. Carleton, who was here from Texas. We caught 98 salmon, and I remember distinctly that I took 2 4 of the number. Before starting I had urged that the smelt was the proper food of the salmon, and would be the best bait but they all disagreed with me. In spite of that I took a minnow net with me, caught some smelts, and the result justified my course. None of the salmon caught a t Sebec would weigh over 4 pounds, and none had ever been heard of in that lake that weighed more than that.

Thus, u p t o that time, there were bu t four known waters in Maine where the landlocked salmon could be found in its natural waters. Since that time the fish has been introduced into a great many lakes in the state. They were put into the Fish River chain of lakes about nine years ago, and have grown remarkably, some having been caught there that weighed more than 18 pounds, surpass- ing every record of these fish in the state.

And this fish is destined to be a vast source of income t o the State if proper- ly cared for and protected.

from the Maine Sportsman, June 1903

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Illustrations b y Eldridge Hardie Manchester, Vermont 05254

Dean Sage Part 1 - Family Portrait

Led

Dean and Sarah Sage, photos taken at the time of their wedding.

Clothed in only a night shut and sporting both a loaded revolver and an enormous shot gun, a smallish, wiry figure squinted one of his steel blue eyes and peered through a peep hole cut into the bedroom door. The back stairs and hall were faintly visible. It was after midnight, quiet, and the family was a- sleep. The figure remained in position for several minutes, and satisfied that no scalawags were about and that nothing was amiss, slowly closed the hinged door of the peep hole and bolted it shut. The shot gun was placed within easy reach and the revolver returned to its hiding place beneath his pillow. The covers were adjusted and in a few moments, Dean Sage was again asleep. Ac- cording to a short biography written by Sage's youngest daughter, Elizabeth (My Father Dean Sage, nd, hereafter referred to as MFDS) , this was not an unusual occurrence at Hillside, the family's country residence in Menands, New York. For Dean Sage, America's most literate salmon fisherman of the day, amateur pugilist, breeder of trotting

horses, sporting dogs, and fighting cocks and a man who placed a premium on all things courageous, was himself in great and constant fear of the common house breaker.

Fierce Dean, as he was affectionately known by many of his friends and relations, was born of Henry Williams and Susan Linn Sage on June 6, 1841 in Ith- aca, New York. At the time of Dean's birth, Henry Williams was engaged with several partners in a merchandising business located on Cayuga inlet in Ithaca. The business was purchased in 1837 from Henry's uncles, the Williams broth- ers. In addition to the sale of general merchandise, Sage and his partners operated canal boats from New York City, Albany, and Buffalo. This was the beginning of a successful business career that was to bring great wealth to the Sage family and ultimately allow Dean the ample time necessary to pursue his varied sporting interests. Sage, in fact, dedicated The Ristigouche and its Salnv o n Fishing:

"To my father to whom I owe the

leisure that enabled me to write it , * . . . . . . The Sage family made its first ap-

pearance in Ithaca in 1827 in the person of Charles Sage (Dean's grandfather who had emigrated with his family from Bris- tol, Connecticut). Charles was remarkable in that he was woefully inept as a businessman and was a failure in all of his commercial endeavors. His son, Henry, loathed his father's ineptitude and vowed at an early age that he would concentrate his energies and acumen on achieving both economic and social status through a successful business career. The funds provided by his merchandising business allowed Henry in 1847 to invest in timberlands and a saw mill in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. In 185 3, he erected a small steam powered saw mill in Ithaca. The following year, another mill was built at Bell Ewart on the shores of Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada (Dean Sage was sold a one quarter interest in this mill in 1861). Business was brisk; and in order to be closer to the main sales office in New

York City, Henry moved his family t o Brooklyn in 1857.

Henry's niost profitable lumber manufacturing venturc began in 1864 with the construction of one of the largest steam powered saw mills in the country a t Wenona (West Bay City), Michigan. The mill was eighty b y one hundred and forty feet and had a peak production year in 1870 of 34,450,972 board feet. It was nourished o n white pine logs whose slaughter contributed t o the de- mise of the famed Michigan Grayling. Henry's success as a lumberman is illustrated by comments in the Ashland Press of Wisconsin in 1872:

"(He) is a clear-headed, accomplished businessman, and knows as well as any man in America what a pine tree is worth. He has made several million dollars, manufacturing and selling lumber. and is said t o have handled more lumber than any man in this country . . . . " However, by 1892, profit margins in

the milling and manufacture of lumber had sharply decreased due t o the deplet- ion of prime stumpage. The mill a t wenona was thus sold in 1893 and the H. W. Sage Co. was superceded by the Sage Land and Improvement Co. which spec- ulated in timberlands. The partners were Henry Williams, William Henry (Dean's brother), Dean, and Henry Manning Sage (Dean's oldest son). The firm had extensive holdings in Alabama, Missis- sippi, Wisconsin, Michigan, California, and Washington Territory. Profits were invested in timberlands, securities and mortgages. Between the years of 1881 and 1897 nearly six million dollars in securities were purchased by the Sage family.

The Sage's were early benefactors of Cornell University. Henry Williams contributed more than one million dollars during his lifetime. He was elected t o the Board of Trustees of the University in 1870, and was made its chairman in 1875. He held this position until his death in 1897.

The schools in Ithaca, New York were judged t o be of inferior quality by Henry Williams; thus, both Dean and his younger brother William Henry were af- forded the services of a private tutor. The Reverend Doctor William Walker, an Oxford graduate and rector of St. John's Church in Ithaca functioned in this capacity and gave the boys a thor- ough grounding in the classics as well as grammatical French. An amusing inci- dent concerning. Dean's e x ~ e r t i s e in this

C

latter area of study has been recorded (Elizabeth Sage, M1;DS):

"In Paris where he had first gone with my Mother, he had looked forward to using his grammatical French

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acquired long ago in Ithaca. He was grammar perfect bu t perhaps t h e tut- or had never heard the language spo-

ken, for when Father tried it o n a clerk in one of the shops he and mother visited, the result was unex- pected. The clerk, with all the will in the world, could not keep from laughing. In fact, he was in scarcely concealed hysterics a t my Father's strange and extraordinary accent. In a fury, Father leaped over the count- er and after the exchange of a few blows, Mother, always the pacifier, got him o u t of the shop before the astonished young man could collect himself. For years Father had been waiting t o use his French. He wanted Mother t o be impressed and his pride was hurt." One of our only glimpses of Dean as

a child comes from his daughter's biography 0MI;DS).

"That Father's temperament was dif- ficult from the start is suggested by his entry in an early note book o r child's diary, 'I bit little Willie today' Willie being his younger brother by two years, and again in the legend that Aunt Kate, my Grandmother's maiden sister, defensively maintained when his temper was under criticism, that his disposition during his early years had been ruined by unwise dos- ages of calomel . . . . ." Apparently, Walker's tutoring was

the only preparation Dean received prior to entering Albany Law School in 1859. Several sources have stated that Dean attended Adclphi Academy in Brooklyn, New York. This, however, seems unlikely, as Adelphi Academy was no t founded until 1863. (Sage was a trustee of Adelphi Academy between

Henry Williams Sage

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1882 and 1888. Perhaps this is the source of the confusion.) According t o the records of the Albany Law School, Dean was listed as a student for the 1859-60 academic year graduating in 1860.

Dean married Sarah Augustus Man- ning, the daughter of Richard Henry Manning, a Brooklyn merchant on June 13, 1865. She was a thoughtful, intelli- gent, young woman who had been educated a t a private school operated by Louis Agassiz's wife in Cambridge, Mass- achusetts. They had five children: Susan Linn, Henry Manning, Sarah Porter, Dean, and Elizabeth Manning.

In 1867, the H. W. Sage and Co. established a lumber yard in Albany, New York with Dean as the manager. Wheth- er Dean and his young bride resided in Albany a t this time we are not sure. We d o know that he built a home a t 779 St. Marks Ave., Brooklyn, which he occu- pied between October 1874 and March 1880. (The home is presently the residence of the St. Louis Convent.) During this period i t was his custom to spend the winter months in Brooklyn and the summers in Menands a t Hillside (near Albany). We assume that prior t o 1874 t h e same pattern was followed - the Dean Sage's living with his father in Brooklyn during the winter.

Life a t 779 St. Marks Place was quite a trial fo r t h e Sage children. The regime included calisthenics, riding, violin les- sons fo r the girls, and frequent tests of courage.

"Courage of all kinds was a t a high premium with him. We were injudici- ously trained not t o be afraid of things that were really unimportant, and one test was not t o b e frightened if Father held a lighted cigar close t o the back of our hand. Of course, he never touched us and it was the sus- pense which made it a test; the child who could let i t come nearest with- o u t withdrawing his hand, always got a word of praise. We were encourag- ed t o hold firecrackers in our hands while they went off, to jump from high places, and t o take chances which were terrifying t o timid children; and yet t h e fear of other things was suggested t o us by Father's own behavior, particularly in relation to burglers." (Elizabeth Sage, MFDS)

and "He (Father) was particularly impa- tient of any pretense o r affection in us o r in our friends; harmless foibles were never let pass and he was irated by stupidity. He disliked untidyness (sic) and a certain standard of cleanli- ness was demanded of us, clean nails especially. Cutting things were said and we were no t infrequently sent from t h e table t o rectify some omis- sion of our toilets and there were oc- casional tears . . . He was always real-

The Dean Sage Residence at 779 St. Marks Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.

A corner of the famous Dean Sage Library at Menands, New York. The Library was sold at auction shortly after the passing of Sage's son Dean, Jr.

- 8 -

ly sorry when he had been severe, and I sensed this even when I was quite young." (Elizabeth Sage, MFDS). We can document Dean Sage's pisca-

torial interests to a date sometime prior to his wedding in 1865 ; for his daughter Elizabeth, comments that his wedding trip was also a fishing trip on which he was accompanied by a Dr. Watkins -- a long time friend and fishing crony. It is not unreasonable to assume that Dean's interest in the gentle art was developed at an early age on the streams in and around Ithaca, New York. Opportuni- ties to fish the waters of the Sage timberlands were, no doubt, also available to him.

The burgeonings of his famous collection of angling titles began when the family lived in Brooklyn.

"Father in (no date given) bought a small library of about three hundred volumes o f sport and travel in order to secure certain piscatorial items a- mong them . . . This was the beginning of the fishing collection. Origi- nally, the fishing library was kept in a little corner book case, in the cent-

er of which was a small door to a cupboard on which was carved the fish, rod, and reel that also was Fath- er's bookplate. The case stood first in the parlor in Brooklyn, later in the downstairs guest room at Hillside." Dean Sage was also a proficient fly

tier. "The finest salmon flies I ever saw were made by our recent townsman, Dean Sage -- an expert in all the in- tricacies of the art, and the possessor of all the high qualities and gentle virtues of the noble guild of anglers." (G. Dawson, The Pleasures of Ang- ling, (1876), p. 193.)

and "The tin box in the sitting room closet, filled with all sizes of hooks and bright tiny feathers and spools of colored silk for fly tying, was a fascinating object to us children." (Eliza- beth Sage, MFDS) Sage's first encounter with the

mighty salmo salar occurred in 1875 when he cast his flies on the waters of the Restigouche and Upsalquitch Rivers. He vividly recounted these angling ex- periences in an article entitled Ten

Days' Sport on Salmon Rivers which appeared in the Atlantic Monthly, August 1875, and for which he received a fee of fifty dollars. This was his first published literary endeavor. His friend Samuel Clemens, wrote Sage prior to acceptance of the piece:

"Howells (then editor of The Atlan- tic) has not yet read your manuscript but was enjoying a lively hope that it would fill an aching void in The A t - lantic which he has long been praying might be supplied by someone who could write about wood and water sports without being dreary." The piece was far from dreary; and

to Howells' delight was well received by all. But more importantly, it was for the smallish, wiry figure with the steel blue eyes (whose revolver peaked from beneath his pillow) the beginning of a warm and enduring affair between a man and a river -- the Restigouche, and its salmon fishing.

Part 11 of our story will deal primarily with the "first trip" and the early days at Camp Harmony.

Vacation time sparked the migration of thousands of Americans to the north woods for rest and recreation. Northville, New York was a jumping off place where the visitor left the comfort of the railroad car for the horse drawn vehicle which carried them to camps and hotels.

A New

u im x rwrruarioncr ana ynarntlttans Review

Book bv

Richard H . Woods (Copyright by the Author)

! l A ( b ! V D t B ? The Fly-Fisher's Entomology by Alfred i Ronalds . . . Longman, Rees, Orme, f . O - * i v ? ~ \ . W E # * % ebtt%f&' , I i ~ ? @ t f ~ % i;fti?r\, Brown, Green and Longman . . . Lon-

$ % I t 1 don 1836 . . . 115 pp. and 19 full copper plates. . . 14 shillings.

C

From Staffordshire and the Kivers Klythe and Dove, so beloved t o lzaak Walton and Charles Cotton, came a treatise on fly-fishing which upset many traditional modes of practicing the sport and introduced a new, definitive concept. Alfred Konalds entreats his readers in his preface to accept his work as the amusement of an amateur. Considering his sophistication, his clean and concise use of the language, his use of scientific terms and approaches, his meticulous and graceful copper plate sketches, he is anything but a n amateur. Indeed, it is fortunate for the fraternity of anglers that such an ingenious man, reared in a scientific family, should turn his pen and brush to the sport.

In past years others have written books about the study of insects which are food for the trout and techniques by which the quarry is taken, but all in the

vein of the countryman in the language of the locality. Perhaps Mr. Ronalds was inspired b y the inadequacy of these well meaning works to apply a scientific approach t o what was as much an art as a sport.

Alfred Ronalds' treatise departs from the angling literature of the times in many and significant ways. He ap- proached his subject with a scientific, as well as practical, manner. The scientific names of the insects which comprise the trout's food are set o u t as well as their local, country names.

He was an innovater in the field of fishing technique. He preferred rods of 12% feet t o the popular 18 and 20 foot weapons of the day and metal reels (even multiplying) to the popular wooden winch. For his tip section he required bamboo and the reel attached where it counterbalanced the rod. His leaders

were of silkworm gut rather than the customary horse hair.

Ronalds concerned himself with the trout's habits and condition. His tests with shotgun discharges proved that the noises of the countryside d o not affect the fish, and his experiments with sense of taste proved that the appearance of the fly is more important. The development of the "fish's window," the ability of fish t o see objects above the surface of the water, was authoritatively developed here with diagrams bolstered by logarithmic theorem.

Half of the book and most of the plates are devoted to the forty-seven insects and their imitations. Each insect is illustrated as well as the fly designed t o imitate it. Instructions are given for the tying of each fly as well as the selection of flies t o be used each month from March through September. The insects

Top: Marlow Buzz or coch-a-bonddu (coleoptera), right Clockwise from t o p : Red Fly (perlidae), Red Spinner and left both Dark Mackeral (ephemera) and below, imi- (ephemeridae imago), Blue Dun (ephemeridae Pseudi- tations. mago), and corresponding imitations.

and flies, sketched and colored by the author, are accurate and exquisite, each one a tiny work of art.

All in all, the "Entomology" is a treasure-trove for the serious angler. It is concise enough t o be convenient and handy (though one could wish t o hear of some of the personal angling exper- iences enjoyed by the author). His scientific approach has universal appeal and application, and his ingenious innova- tions have become part of modern technique and lore.

Alfred Ronalds was born in 1802, the sixth son of the eleven children of Francis Ronalds, a London merchant of Scottish descent who lived in Brentford near London. His brother Edmund, like his father, became a London merchant. His son, also named Edmund, received a Ph.D. degree after study in German uni- versities and returned to England t o become one of its leading chemists. An- other brother, Sir Francis, FRS, was born in 1788 and became interested in electricity and meteorology. He was the inventor of the electrical telegraph and director of the Government's meteoro- logical installations. He died without

marrying in 1873. A sister married Sam- uel Carter, a solicitor, of Birmingham. Thus it appears that Alfred came of a well-to-do family, well educated and or- iented towards science.

He appeared t o have independent means and in 1831 married Margaret Bond of Draycott, Staffordshire. Seven children were born of this union.

When the Entomology was first published Ronalds lived a t Lea Fields, Ruge- ley, Staffordshire, just a few miles from the Blythe and Dove Rivers, the haunts of Charles Cotton and his guest Izaak Walton. In 1843, he moved t o live in North Wales a t Dolfanog, near Dolgelly. In his preface t o the third edition (1844) he wrote that the demands for flies created by his book had caused him t o take up the occupation of "supplying flies for anglers." These plus a wallet container could be obtained with this and a later edition (sixth, 1862).

He wrote t o his publisher in 1843 as- signing his royalties t o John Rogers of Stafford (near Rugeley, and coincident- ally the birthplace of Izaak Walton), t o satisfy a loan of 50 pounds. In 1845 Rogers himself wrote to the publisher

about this account expressing some an- noyance as he said he was induced by his brother-in-law, "who is fond of angling and a great admirer of Mr. Ronalds," to lend the money. However, the obliga- tion was paid off, and acquitted by Rogers, in 1847.

Sometime before 1848 Ronalds' wife died.

In 1848 a Mr. Hamilton of Liverpool takes Rogers' place as the assignee of royalties and was paid 32 odd pounds. At this time, Ronalds was a t Builth, Breconshire, Wales. The same year he wrote from Plymouth instructing the publisher to pay the royalties t o Samuel Carter, his brother-in-law, who held his power of attorney, o r t o his sister Emily o n his behalf, and he sailed for Australia.

Besides his residence when he wrote the Entomology Ronalds' travels seem always t o take him t o t h e good angling waters, Draycott o n the Derwent, Dol- gelly o n the Welsh Dee, and Builth o n the Wye.

1848 finds him in Ballarat, Victoria, where he started a nurseryman's business. He married Mary Anne Hurlow and had four children by her. He died of

apoplexy on April 2 3, 1860. In 1836 a copy of the book cost 14

shillings o r $1.75 at today's rate of exchange. Considering the monetary infla- tion occurring in the intervening 137 years, the book must have been very ex- pensive according t o our lights. Yet we must appreciate that population and the literate reading public were smaller then. In 1836 only 155 copies were printed of which 96 were sold and 59 carried over in stock. I t appears from the publisher's accounts that less than 400 copies of the first edition were printed by 1839 when the second edition came out. Fortunate indeed is the collector who possesses a first edition. Britain's foremost dealers of old sporting books, John and Judith Head, of Salisbury, list i t a t 58 pounds ($145.00), and Colonel Henry A. Siegel, of Angler's and Shoot- er's Bookshelf. Goshen. Connecticut, values it a t from $150.00 t o $200.00.

In 1855 Longmans, the publisher, purchased the copper plates, the copyright, and his interest in stock o n hand from Ronalds for 68 pounds. Thereafter the publisher owned the whole transact- ion. Four editions were published prior t o this event and eight editions thereafter, the most recent being in 1921. Perhaps the most valuable is that published in Liverpool in 191 3, limited t o 250 copies each with sample artificial flies in sunken mounts. The Heads list this edition a t 225 pounds ($562.50). It is most curious that someone has not

brought ou t a new edition considering the present popularity of reprints of angling classics.

Arnold Gingrich, writing in The Well Tempered Angler (1965), says Ronalds' book "started not only a whole school of writers bu t a whole school of thought and gave fishing a new dimension as a science." He includes it in his list of 30 great books that cover 500 years of angling.

In 1928 Gerald G. P. Heywood wrote of the life of Walton's pupil in Charles Cot ton and His River analyzing all as- pects of his works and activities. In the introduction, the author gives credit t o the early writers, Konalds among them, in his attempts t o trace the connection between Cotton's flies and those of the present day. He then states: "On all questions of angling entomology, Ron- alds and Halford have been my author- ities."

John Waller Hills in A History o f Fly Fishing for Trout (1821) writes that Ronalds' book is "the textbook and in a sense the creator of the race of angler naturalists." He notes Ronalds' scientific approach and his accurate and exquisite illustrations. He traces the flies of Cotton, with considerable help from Ronalds, t o modern flies. He appreciated the indelible stamp left on the angling world by Ronalds' solitary book.

While one must agree with these en- comiums, as such they are somewhat bloodless and cold where Ronalds is

concerned. He did more than create lovely pictures o r apply the world of science to the t rout stream. He was an adventurous spirit. He conceived and anal- yzed the "trout's window." He studied and illustrated the trout's lie in the current. He used tackle which was nearly modern b y present day standards at a time when the accouterments of angling had remained unchanged for a century. He was an inquiring mind who conduct- ed his own experiments o n the senses of his quarry. His entomological researches and fly-tying were labors of personal hard work, not plagiarism from some earlier amateur writer, and his results were correct and accurate. Though his prose is no t deathlessly lyrical it is none- theless readable, clear, and concise. He was a whole man, like the rest of us, pursuing an idyll.

I gratefully acknowledge the kind- ness of Mr. R. M. Cooper of Longman Group Ltd., London, for making available to me such books of account and correspondence of the publisher as were not destroyed by the bombings in 1940; and the booksellers John and Judith Head, Salisbury, England, and Colonel Henry A. Siegel, Angler's and Shooter's Bookshelf, Goshen, Connecticut, for sharing their knowledge.

R. H. W.

Diagrams illustrating the "fish's window," or, what the trout sees.

- 1 2 -

Well 1'11 Be Damned

I t seemed to me that, in looking o u t of the window, St. Peter was seeking an excuse t o avoid meeting my glance of sincere good fellowship, We had been waiting rather a long time for the report to come through on my assignment. Ob- viously there had been a slip-up somewhere since I was confident that , upon reaching the pearly gates, there would be not the slightest question as to my definite and well-earned reward. But, obviously, in Heaven as o n earth, the computer and the business machine (and having been born in t h e Good Old Days of kerosene lamps and buggy whips, I was rather delighted about this) were sometimes guilty of errors.

In what was now rather quaintly called "My Lifetime" I had rather prided myself on my efficiency and I saw no reason t o shed any of my earthly virtues now that I had, so t o speak, "gradu- ated." I asked whether we couldn't save a t least a little time by having me outline my preferences while we waited for that report (I was about t o say "infern- al" report bu t obviously the adjective would have been misplaced in my present situation). "On the assumption that there is n o opposition t o m y election," I said, and I was rather surprised that he gave me no comprehending smile, "I think I'd like a moderate size cabin o n the banks of some stream closely resembling the Ausable. Since obviously pestiferous insects would create no problem here," I chuckled a t this, "I think the most suitable permanent season would be, let us say, the first two weeks in June.

"As for company, I wouldn't want too much of it, bu t o n the other hand, in a place where I was pretty certain of taking any number of two and three- pounders on, say, a Number 16 Variant, in order t o completely enjoy my triumphs there ought to be an audience consisting of a dozen or two of knowl- edgeable-anglers. In other words, when

by Dana S. Lamb

o u t on the stream, I'd want t o figure o n running across a good listener every hour o r two. It would be all right if perhaps two or three quaint and amusing characters frequented the stream even if they fished bait, and I wouldn't mind a couple of really deft wet fly fishermen, provided that the rest stuck rather rigid- ly to the classical presentation of the d ry fly. Quite understandably, I would not want any of these people t o be too successful o r t o catch any of the 'Old Busters'. For variation and novelty," I continued, "I think it would be a nice thing if once in a while I could come - across a really big taking rainbow and ogcasionally I'd enjoy creeling a good, solid highly colored brook t rout along with the brownies, which ought t o average somewhere between 14 and 16 inches."

As I talked on , I saw that St. Peter was becoming really interested; there was a shine t o his eyes and every now and then he nodded his head in understanding and apparent acquiescence. Quite carried away, I galloped in imagin- ation through a devine day on my heav- enly stream. Out loud, I outlined that ideal day's catch; I described the gorg- eous sunset and the appearance of the stars in the moist, glad air of evening over the snowcapped mountains. I felt the warmth of a crackling fire on the cabin's generous hearth and I became a- gain, as on earth, the gracious and punctilious host. "I'd have m y 'gentleman's gentleman'," I said, "ease me into a well-fitted dinner jacket; I'd see that the martini glasses were well iced and that the vermouth was deftly and deli- cately added to the English gin."

So vivid was the picture that I was somewhat put ou t when St. Peter was seized with a violent fit of coughing. But at its termination I went on t o de- scribe the outfits I'd like to have the ladies wear.

Just this moment, an Angel entered

with a written note fo r St. Peter's scrutiny. He read it , frowned, and in some seeming embarrassment, left the room. His secretary told me he might b e gone for some length of time and so I settled back and dozed. I dozed and slept, and dreamed that I was untangling a leader hip-deep among a shoal of carp in the warm and roily waters of the Wallkill. I dreamed I held a spinning rod (I'd always said I wouldn't be found dead with one); my wader leaked, and one brogue sank in oozy mud while the other was enmeshed in the wires of a discarded bedspring. I dreamed my creel was full of fallfish and now, dreaming n o longer, I felt t h e sting and agony of bites by black flies, deer flies and mos- quitoes. And then I heard the fellow laugh; florid he was as though from a long holiday a t Jekyl o r Hobe Sound: in fact, as my eyes opened wider and m y vision cleared, I saw that he was red . . . red as the very Devil.

SPLIT ROCK

The Indian birch bark canoe took the American fly fisher into a roman- tic past. This scene was typical of the Canadian experience enjoyed by the sportsmen of the 1870's and still possible in some areas of Quebec.

Angling in Canada The story that I have t o tell treats of

the grounds of the Tourilli Fish and Game Club of Canada. This club is the immediate result of the association of Commodore J . U. Gregory and Mr. George Van Felson, of Quebec, and of Mr. E. A. Panet, M. P. for St. Raymond, of the Province of Quebec. These gentlemen secured certain grounds, including lakes and rivers, teeming with brook trout and wininish, and abounding with moose, caribou, ruffed grouse and ducks. The charter members included the following gentlemen: President, J . U. Greg- ory, Quebec; Vice-President, E. A. Panet St. Raymond; Secretary, Geo. Van. Fel- son, Quebec ; Treasurer, Alex Lauin, Quebec. Committee of Management: Dr. E. A. Lewis, Brooklyn; Hon. Smith P. Glover, Sandy Hook, Conn.; Richard S. Harvey, New York, N. Y. The remain- ing members being: J . H. Botterill, Que- bec; A. G . Demers, Quebec; C. H. Car- rier, Levis; James H. Work, New York; W. S. Downs, Birmingham, Conn.; John W. Masson, New York; Dr. W. H. Thom- son, New Haven, Conn.; W. L. Bennett, New Haven, Conn. Last season I made a trip t o these grounds in company with my friend the Commodore, and our journey began in the parlor car of the Quebec & Lake St. John express train. We were soon on our way to St. Ray- mond, our destination, thirty-six miles from Quebec. We passed the foaming waters of the famed Jacques Cartier Riv- er and beautiful Lake St. Joseph, twenty-one miles in circumference, and bordered b y the Laurentian Range. It is a favorite summer resort. "Very fine black bass are found there," said the Commodore, as we passed a pretty sheet of water called Lake Sergeant. It was a vision only, and soon ou t of sight. The Commodore having collected his traps now seemed to await some important event, and it came, as a most pictures- que spot suddenly attracted our attention; two beautiful streams meander

through a pretty mountain village with its neat and cosy cottages and handsome Norman church, all uniting t o form a picture never to be forgotten; it was St. kaymond.

We no sooner reach the platform than the sun-bronzed features of our friend Edward greet us, and after vigorous shaking of hands and much talk, we find ourselves perched o n the seat of a Canadian buckboard. A pleasant drive over 15 miles of good carriage road is greatly enjoyed and then the last house, that of Ferdinand Godin, is reached. He is the Tourilli F. and G. Club guardian, and having presented our permits, he welcomes us to the limits. At our feet rush the waters of the St. Anne, and a beautiful pool is a t a distance of 5 0 ft . from the house. It is well stocked with speckled beauties, they rise frequently, making desperate leaps a t some insect which tempts their ravenous appetites. The club is t o build its club house a t this spot. The next morning our pro- visions, tents, etc. having been stowed away in the Gaspe canoes, we set out for the Upper St. Anne. Paddles are soon discarded and poling is the order of the day, as the river is a succession of rapids and short pools. A whoop from the Commodore announces the fact that these pools contain numbers of fine trout. His flies have barely touched the water when a splash tells us that a con- test with a plucky fish has begun. The gamy victim fights desperately, bu t in such hands is sure to be landed a prize, the excitement runs high, as a t each pool we have a repetition of the scene.

The best pools we fished to the mouth of the Tourilli River were "God- ins," the "Leaning Birch," the "Island," the "Big Rock," the "Spring," the "Grande" and "Carriers." The latter is certainly one of the most remarkable in Canada and has a record of a 6% Ib. Sal- m o fontinalis. Our catch here was most satisfactory, as may be imagined when I

say that our catch consisted of 2 fish of 5 Ibs., 5 of 4 % Ibs., 2 of 3% Ibs., and a number from 3 Ibs. down, all with a clean fly, no bait being needed on any of these waters of the St. Anne.

Our next move was t o the forks of juncture of the St. Anne and Tourilli. From the latter the club takes its name, it being an Indian name meaning rushing waters.

Our guides dashed the canoes boldly through the turbulent waters, and our rods were laid aside, for we were kept busy helping the canoemen in their efforts t o mount the rapids. One mile of the exciting work and we reach the Tourilli Falls, one of the prettiest sights imaginable. The falls consist of a succession of cascades, a t the bot tom of which lies a most tempting pool. Our success here was most satisfactory, and though we did not break its record of a 7 Ib. Salnzo fontinalis, we touched the scale a t 4% Ibs., and friend Edward lost his enameled silk line. Above the falls we did no t go, bu t 1 know the sport t o be good, for some 2 0 lakes are tributary to this river, and when we make a trail they will be quite accessible. A contin- uous shooting of rapids brought us once more t o the St. Anne. The most tempting boulders and each of the 5 or 6 pools have increased our stock of fish considerably, and like t rue sportsmen, we resign our rods and contemplate the scenery as we travel up stream and soon enter the discharge of Lake Cimon. A good trail here brought us t o lakes Evan- geline and Cimon. We found them t o be swarming with t rout averaging % of a Ib. weight, and my advice t o members is to visit these lakes b y all means, as every good cast tempts a victim. A chain of lakes known t o be excellent are further on , bu t not yet open.

Returning t o the main river we take the trail t o the head of the big rapid, the canoe making good headway b y the river with baggage only. As the rise is al-

most imperceptible the talk is a pleasant one, and one h o u r brings us to the Mau- vaise Riviere. Being well fitted with suitable wading shoes, we tried a little wading, refresh ourselves and while away time, awaiting the arrival o f our canoe; the stream is 25 ft. broad and affords good fishing. We soon came t o a halt, however, as we reached the foot of the mountain, 1,100 feet high, down the side of which dashes the stream in a number of falls and cascades. The head- waters of this stream is a chain of five lakes, better reached by Lake Cimon.

Walking back we were greeted b y our guides, who took us across to the Lake Jambon trail. A stiff walk of three- quarters of a mile brings us 1,000 feet a- bove the St. Anne; 100 feet below us lies a lovely sheet of water, Lake Jam- bon, six miles in circumference; the water is of a greenish hue and so remarkably clear as t o enable us t o see the bot- tom a t a depth of 30 to 40 ft . ; the lake is very deep and cold.

We found good boats awaiting us, and soon were skimming over its waters. One can well imagine the quality of fish we got, and certainly they are not t o be sur~assed on this continent. as in all these waters nothing bu t brook t rout are found. What sport we enjoyed when alluring these beauties, bu t on account of the remarkable clearness of the water most careful and artistic castine is re- = quired; when a flash of silver was t o be seen darting toward the tempting fly, it was visible a t 30 ft . distant. The cast is not in vain, and quicker than lightning your line is spinning off your reel, the sport has begun, and you imagine a monster has hold of your line, so vigorous is a 2 pound fish in this water. The average for Lake Jambon on this trip was 1% Ibs. Thev are known to run as large as 4 Ibs., bu t none larger have been captured here.

Our next move was toward Little Jambon, a lake as large b u t not so deep as the big lake. It is swarming with fish averaging % Ib. in weight. It was here that the crowning event of our journey took place when Edward and I, having imprudently stood up in our birch bark canoe, upset, were immersed rather suddenly and had t o swim for our lives. We lost $50 worth of tackle, bu t did not leave our carcasses for the fish t o feed upon. The good old Commodore gave us a jovial lecture that evening about fishing on Sundays. At the head of this lake is a trail leading t o seven other lakes running toward the head of the Tourilli. Going back to the St. Anne, with rods mounted, we head up stream. A lovely pool is before us, and I captured a 5 lb. trout by casting under the low over- hanging boughs which line its banks. Several pools are crossed, when a mountain of great height looms up in the distance. It is the Fale Tourte - Pigeon's

Breast - 2,500 ft . above the river, and much resembling Cape Trinity of the Saguenay, its perpendicular side of rock overlooking Markham's Pool, which is soon reached, and the most celebrated t rout pool in Canada is before us. An in- scription on a tree informed us that it had been visited for the first time on July 3, 1859, by Captain Markham, Royal Artillery. His wonderful catch was described, and many other records were there. Though we got nothing that day, our average for twenty-four fish next day was over 3 Ibs. and might have continued bu t we were satisfied.

Three miles further up the river we come t o the St. Anne, o r Seven Falls. A sudden bend of the river and they are before you, the stream tumbling down 2,500 feet of almost perpendicular mountain in a succession of falls, vary- ing from 70 t o 120 feet in height and about 30 feet wide. A wall of rock, void of all vegetation, rises on either side and a pool 5 feet in diameter ends these falls . . . i t is almost round and is the work of centuries; two enormous pillars of rock 200 feet high and barely 6 feet apart form the entrance, and are called the "Gates." Between them is an enormous boulder, against which the water dashes with tremendous force.

Under the ledges of rock in the small pool we caught five fish, one, weighing 7 Ibs., was the prize of friend Edward, and on account of the tremendous current, i t required careful handling and took ou t 75 yards of line before it was landed in a small pool outside the Gates. Col. John Panet, my friend's father, has a record of a 9 pound Salmo fontinalis taken here.

A short distance below we found the trail t o the head of the falls, here a chain of 15 lakes were crossed in birch bark canoes. All these lakes were full of t rout , giving us much sport. The largest of these lakes, St. Anne, is 3% miles long, the carries between them being short.

This being the height of land, it is level for several miles. It is a good hunting ground and abounds in large game. It is the watershed from which flow the Chicoutimi, Metabetchouan, Batiscan, Jacques Cartier, Little Saguenay, Tour- illi and St. Anne rivers, each running in a different direction. It is the feeding ground of moose, caribou and other game, the bush being low and marshy. Game was seen all over the limits that we crossed and we ascertained that manv a fine buck has ended his davs quite close t o the guardian's house.

Our return trip now commenced in earnest. Our destination was Lake St. John, the home of the winninish, the king of the game fish, a fresh water sal-

mon that yields not t o his saltwater brother in his fierceness of play. The train speeds o n towards t h e Peribonca. At Lake Edward a long s top is called. A pleasant time may be had here by a fisherman who does not care fo r hardships, as the lake is not 20 feet from the hotel, and good sport is generally t o be had with the fly, and always with bait o r troll. At Lake St. John, we make prep- arations t o cross the lake t o the mouth of the Grand Peribonca. It , as well as the Little Peribonca, have become Tour- illi Club's limits, and so we have made up our minds t o go over them and find what we have and what we have not. As we expect t o have some grand sport with the landlocked salmon, the Com- modore good-naturedly entertains us with his experience a t the Grande De- charge, of which he was formerly a part owner.

The mouth of the Grand Peribonca being entered, a short sail of one mile distance brings us t o the mouth of the Little Peribonca, a stream a half mile wide a t this point. To give an idea of the extent of this Peribonca 1 will merely state that it is nearly two miles broad a t its mouth, 50 miles up it is fully one mile wide, and continues so for over 150 miles, the entire length being about 300 miles. We found these rivers to be very grand as far as sight-seeing is concerned, and as for fly-fishing, why we got enough of it t o satisfy the most ardent angler. Our guides informed us that fly-fishing is good o n t h e river's whole length, as well as all its tributaries and lakes. This fact leads me t o believe the Peribonca t o b e the feeder of Lake St. John's enormous supply of winninish. A hatching station is t o be placed at the mouth of the river.

Fontinalis Quebec April 20

FOREST AND STREAM May 15, 1890

Annual Meeting The fifth Annual Meeting of the Museum of American Fly

Fishing was held a t Kandahar Lodge, Manchester, Vermont, on November 1, 1975. Approximately 100 Officers, Trustees, members and guests attended the business meeting and banquet, an excellent showing, with some members travelling from as far away as Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Reelected t o office were Arnold Gingrich, President; Austin S. Hogan, Vice President; Leigh H Perkins, Treasurer and David B. Ledlie, Registrar. Mrs. Laura Towslee continues as Assistant Treasurer and Secretary. Charles Olin, first Conservator of the Museum resigned his official office and will continue as a con- sultant.

Trustees nominated and elected: A. I. Alexander, Roy Chap- in, Carroll Curtice, Julia Fairchild, William Glassford, George Harvey, David B. Ledlie, Dudley Mills, Carl Navarre, Rick Rob- bins, Willard Rockwell, Ben Upson, Col. Henry Siegel and Shirley Woods.

During 1975, the third room added t o the exhibit space by the Orvis Co. was put t o good use featuring exhibits of paintings by the late Trustee and internationally known sporting artist, Milton Weiler, and photographs by Trustee Ralph Wahl famed for his action pictures of northwest fly fishing. An estimated 20,000 viewers enjoyed the showings during the course of the year. Registrar Ledlie reported that for the first time all major holdings of the Museum were now recorded and on file. The collections include 382 fly rods, 277 reels, and 111 fly collections. The library has catalogued 923 publications. In addition, holdings of miscellaneous articles such as incomplete fly rods, reels with parts missing or in bad condition, publications and other miscellany have been placed in storage after having been evaluated for future use. During 1975 additional space was acquired for the library, and those rare books needing repair and rebinding have been listed. For additional security the Museum's most valuable tackle and literary publications are on exhibit in locked showcases.

During 1975 the ten panel brochure was replaced with a four panel brochure. 3,000 were distributed by Col. Henry Siegel of

the Angler's and Shooter's Bookshelf and this contribution will be repeated in 1976.

President Gingrich, Leigh Perkins and the Executive Com- mittee reported that although the Museum was operating on a minimal budget a number of large contributions had been received which enabled the Museum magazine to continue and maintain its standards in spite of inflationary printing costs. The American Fly Fisher is now entering its third year. Photographs of the Museum exhibits were c o m ~ l e t e d in S e ~ t e m b e r and the Museum slide show is now expected t o be ready for distribution shortly. In addition t o color shots b y Boyd Pfeiffer and Lefty Kreh, black and white photos were taken for publicity and for magazine purposes.

The Museum has n o outstanding debts and through the guid- ance of President Gingrich and Treasurer Perkins has achieved a modest growth and is continuing to fulfill its basic objectives.

The evening's entertainment began with one of those very pleasant cocktail parties which brought the old friends together and welcomed new faces. Dinner was excellent.

Master of Ceremonies, Arnold Gingrich, began the festivities with one of his well researched talks about classic angling literature taking as his theme the recently discovered A r t e of Angl- ing and its author. He next introduced Dana S. Lamb, long time friend of the Museum who entertained with a reading especially written for the dinner, the text of which is printed in this issue of the magazine for the enjoyment of all the membership. Der- mot Wilson capped the entertainment with a slide show and lecture relating t o his private waters in England. Prior t o the entertainment, Dermot had presented the Museum with a rarity of rarities in the form of an antique horsehair line.

Mrs. Leigh Perkins, Library, reported a fine sale of autho- graphed books. Profits and royalties have been contributed to the Museum by the authors, Arnold Gingrich and Dana S. Lamb and a number are still available t o the membership.

The Officers and Trustees express their thanks to those who made the Annual Meeting such a n enjoyable affair and t o those who throughout the year have contributed so generously.

7

Arnold Gingrich Receives Federation Award Due t o a delay in delivery, the "Order of the Lapis and Lee Wulff are the only other previous recipients.

Lazuli" ring was not presented t o Arnold Gingrich a t the The highest award of the Federation was given t o Arnold time he received that great honor a t the Federation of fo r his many years as a dedicated conservationist, and his Fly Fisherman's conclave a t West Yellowstone in August contributions as a Director of R.A.S.A., Theodore Gor- of 1975. The ring was presented a t the Museum's Annual don Fly Fishers and the Federation. Dinner. The Lapis ring with the F. F. F. logo is the symbol

The "Order of the Lapis Lazuli" is given infre- of this award. I t was handcrafted by Dr. Charles F. Nels- quently to an individual and only to those whose dedica- on, Jr., F F F Secretary, with great respect and affection tion has been exceptional. Ed Strickland, Gene Anderegg for his old friend and coworker.

RESEARCH

F!y rod fishing is based on the theory a game fish will respond to an imitation of its natural food such as an insect or a minnow. The concept had to have a beginning sometime, somewhere, (during the ascent of man1 the subject of the ac- companying article.

The American Indians used the dark hut, decoy {artificial minnow} and spear in their battle to survive, a szarting point for the author's research.

The Origins of Angling Austin S. Hogan

The discovery that stone age man had a complete understanding of the efficiency of the imitative lure has its historic value. The knowledge that aboriginals had evolved a theory o f imitation, and also used it as a guide for the designing o f fishing implements, widens our perspective sufficiently to encourage further research in a field which pre- viously has only been o f interest to the archaeologist. Eventually, we ma y learn much more about ourselves and the origins of angling, including the emergence o f f ly fishing and the making of the artificial f ly through a closer scrutiny o f aboriginal fishing practices and prehistoric tackle making.

My researches into the development of fishing tackle by the American In- dian and Eskimo would have been much easier if some archaeologist, who obviously would have t o be an angler, had neatly arranged the refinement of the various fish spears, leisters, bone and stone hooks, fish traps, poisons and other devices used t o catch game fish, into nicely ordered classifications and categories. Neither Indian or Eskimo had one unified culture pattern extend- ing from the Northern Arctic t o the tip of South America. The hundreds of tribes that depended on fish fo r a liveli- hood were scattered geographically and their cultural characteristics so diversi- fied that it was impossible t o establish chronological advancements. Yet the study was fascinating and the fact the massive library of Harvard University's department of Ethnology was available for my use, made my research far easier than expected. Evaluating the progress of the American aboriginal as a fisherman had its exciting moments bu t it soon became apparent that even though their survival proved the efficiency of their tackle, and that the Eskimo was a superb craftsman, neither Indian nor Es- kimo were innovators. All the basic forms of hooks, lines, spears and harp- oons came from a diffusion of knowledges originating in Asia. I could find traces of the beginning of the fishing rod, which is a lever, in the long salmon harpoon with its detachable head used by the Indians of the northwest coast, and I could appreciate the engineering behind the leister, the fish spear that used the principle of the grasp of a man's hand for insuring the catch, bu t in general, I was learning that it would take many more years than 1 had available to completely cover aboriginal tackle making in America sufficient t o prove any contributing influences to modern sport.

The American aboriginal was not a fly fisherman. Re-examining one of the techniques used to ca tch trout and northern pike through the ice, I suddenly realized that if the main body of Indian thought was turned to catching fish wholesale, with spears and fish traps still, within that body of knowledge there was an unusual understanding of the theory of imitation. This was evi- denced b y the use of what archaeolo- gists term the "dark hut, decoy and spear." Essentially the method was the only one that I could link t o modern sporting techniques and it revolved a- round the fact a fish could be lured to spear point b y the movement of a carved wooden fish figure drawn through the water in a life-like manner. This way of ice fishing is still practiced in the Great Lakes region and quite popular. Here I felt was a new direction for my research which might prove profitable.

The new direction suggested that (if my original objectives were impractical), 1 might, b y a concentration on one technique bring one aspect of aboriginal tackle making into a sharper historical focus. Also, one of the phases of my re- orientation suggested that by dating a n early birth of one concept (the imitative minnow) there might be the possibility of a parallel relative t o another development and concept; (the imitative fly).

The movement backward in time seemed t o demand a beginning where the historic touched the edge of the prehistoric. A scanning of frontier narra- tives ultimately produced Alexander Henry, fur trader, whose book Travels and Adventures in Canada and the In- dian Territories, between the Years 1760 and 1766, N. Y . 1809, described in detail the use of the artificial minnow (decoy) for the t rout of Lake Superior.

"lh order t o spear trout under the ice holes being first cut, of two yards in circumference, cabins of about two

feet in height are built over them of small branches of trees, and these are fully covered with skins t o exclude the light. The result of this contriv- ance is to render it practicable t o dis- cern objects in the water a t a very considerable d e ~ t h . A soear head of iron is fastened on a pole about ten feet in length. This instrument is lowered into the water; and the fisherman, lying on his belly, with his head under the cabin, lets down the figure of a fish, in wood and filled with lead. Round the middle of the fish is a small pack thread, and when at the depth of ten fathoms, it is made, by drawing the string, t o move forward after the manner of a real fish. Trout and other large fish, deceived by the resemblance spring toward it t o seize i t ; bu t by the dextrous jerk of the string, it is instantly taken ou t of their reach. The decoy is drawn near t o the surface and the fish renews its attack. The spear is made ready for striking and on the return of the fish, the spear is plunged into its back, and the spear being barbed, it is easily drawn o u t of the water." The pathway then led t o the historic

Eskimos of the Bering Strait who used a sinker made of old ivory carved in the shape of a fish. ~ t t a c h e d were blue beads, a yellow Auk's bill, and more pieces of ivory and blue beads which served to delineate the eyes, fins and tail. The hook was lashed to the assemb- ly. Very definitely this was a jigging device, designed t o attract fish by its errat- ic motion and color rather than t o lure b y the imitative deception. Jigging devices during the research presented a continuing problem as I soon discovered because they existed side by side with the fish figure used as a lure.

After referring t o several hundred books, reports and studies relative to the Aleuts, Greenland, Dorset and Polar

peoples, I found the little carved decoy, as opposed to the jigging device, was described in nearly all of the archaeologi- cal literature available. One interesting side light concerned the Polar Eskimos who by consent of the tribe gave fishing rights to individual families, a custom unknown among neighboring tribes o r for that matter in either prehistoric North America o r Asia.

Eventually I learned the fish decoy common to the Eskimo extended in its use far back in time and had been exca- vated from sites along the Pacific coast line, in the Aleutians, near Point Barrow and apparently was of great value because of its efficiency. There is the thought that because the Eskimo came across the Bering Straits less than 2,000 years ago, the Indian decoy may be even older in relation t o its time in North America.

Eventually the farthest step back in time, and into Asia, revealed a common knowledge of the fish figure as an imitation in Kamchatka and the islands con- nected with Japan. Many of these Asian aborigines appear t o have been very sophisticated fishers. One fishing rod part- icular to the northern Japanese was in- tricately carved and decorated and sometimes inlaid with bone or ivory.

Although my research had taken only several months, the time span covered thousands of years. The search finally ended with the discovery of Henry H. Michael's The Neolithic Age in Rustern Siberia in the Transactions of the Amer- ican Philosophical Society, 1958.

The Michael study concentrates on the artifacts discovered along the shores of Siberia's Lake Baikal. A listing of all the artifacts pictured or discussed would serve little purpose if included in this article bu t it should be mentioned that the prehistoric peoples who lived in the region apparently were dependent o n the resources of the lake for their survival. The collection of fishing implements is astonishing and the studies over the years b y various Soviet archaeolo- gists, and others, have been in sufficient depth to offer a reasonably accurate dating of the many devices. The periods have been established as "Early Serovo" 3rd millenium B. C. with an unusual bone, barbed, straight shank, rounded to point hook dated in this period which seemed almost contemporary; and "Early Glazkovo" 1700 - 1300 B.C.

The simple lead filled pine minnow with i t s pack thread suspension used by Alexander Henry. Pioneer white settlers quickly adopted this method of taking trout and pike through the ice along the northern frontiers.

which notes a bone fish hook with a knobbed shank and a bronze hook also with a knobbed shank. Most important, during the Serovo period polished stone effigies in the shapes of bait fishes were found in all their sophisticated artistry.

Quoting from Michael's study: "Without exception all of the stone fish were provided with bilaterally drilled holes for suspension. Most often the hole was drilled through the upper spinal part of the fish and so located that when suspended o n a string, the fish remained balanced. Less often holes were found on the sides, a t the tail and rarely o n the abdominal aspect. The spinal hole was most carefully drilled."

The stone effigies, (Michael is convinced they are lures) were carved and highly polished in the form of a small Lake Salmon, the eel pout (bullhead) a very favorite food of the pike, and the sturgeon.

It might be mentioned that Michael notes a continuing development beyond the Neolithic and into modern times b y Essei Yakuts, (Asia), the Ker- eks (Asia) and the Aleuts (North Ameri- ca), who used "realistically prepared fish representations t o the point of stretching real fish skin over the original artifact and providing it with artificial eyes."

The coastal Evenki of northeast Asia

made fish figures with the hole drilled for the suspension cord and also added two holes a t the gill and vent through which feathers were pulled and fastened. This type of tackle may have been primarily a jigging device and forecasts the modern streamer.

My researches ended with the Lake Baikal aboriginals and their polished stone fish figures. Being somewhat of a slow thinker it took a number of years t o evaluate my findings and check the various dates and developments with both aboriginal and civilized fishing practices in other parts of the world. Apparently the stone Baikal lures were unique - the only other primitive lures being the various types of trolling devices used by the early peoples of the south seas. These essentiallv were composite hooks t o which feathers or hair was attached. The range of use extended from Micronesia t o Easter Island. There is no evidence the American Indian or Eskimo ever trolled.

I t is reasonable t o assume then, that the principals of construction and the invention of imitative lures are not the development of a highly civilized soci- e ty but the product of the thinking of stone age man. He is also responsible for the discovery of the levering action of the fishing rod, the functional design of the barbed fish hook and that fish will react t o light reflections and the wiggle of a feather.

With the knowledge that imitative principals are a t t h e minimum over 4,000 years old, the search for the be- ginnings of fly fishing and the artificial insect can be bracketed within a time span measured b y the emergence of a re- latively small metal fish hook, during the age of iron or bronze; and the rise of a Greek civilization that has provided us with our f i s t written records pertaining t o fly fishing. Geographical areas seem- ingly offering the most promise for continued in-depth searching are those bounded b y the countries of Scandin- avia and th; Balkans.

The projection in the preceding para- graph is based on the thought the diffusion of knowledges relating t o fishing techniques followed the waterways during aboriginal developments. Most prob- ably the use of the imitative lure origi- nated in the colder environments where fishing through the ice was necessary for survival, moving o n a nexus easterly and

Silhouette in outline of the Lake Baikal polished stone imitative minnow. These sophisticated lures were made an estimated 4,000 years ago.

Feathered trolling device common to the South Sea fishing cultures. Feathers were bound to a bone shanked composite hook. The prehistory is undated. ---

westerly across the Arctic borders of As- turn eventually give us our first witness diet. It is not unreasonable to suggest ia and Europe. In general, the rivers to the artificial fly and fly fishing. the surface feeding of trouts and other flow northerly or southerly and so the It should not be forgotten that dur- fishes would eventually sponsor the im- diffusion over 3,000 years would make ing prehistory and at any time during itative insect, however crude, dependent the imitative concept common to most the development of fishing tackle a- on the emergence of a suitable hook. fishing cultures and place the concept in mong primitive peoples, the small fish A check list of references used by the proximity to the early Greeks who in could be and was an important article of author can be provided individuals ser-

iously interested.

A Bicentennial Offer Impossible to Resist FREE. . .

An AUTOGRAPHED copy of Arnold Gingrich's THE FISHING IN PRINT.

FREE. . . A handsome Museum TIE TAC.

FREE. . . A year's subscription to the Museum Magazine THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER.

All this is yours for becoming a new Sustaining Mem- ber ($25.00), a Patron ($100.00 and over) or a Life Mem- ber ($250.00). Why are we celebrating the Bicentennial in this way? Because we believe every American takes pride in the historic past and as a participating member sustains the

Destined to become Museum's educational objectives. a classic.

Send checks to: THE TREASURER

THE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FLY FISHING

Members may purchase autographed copies of THE MANCHESTER, VERMONT 05254

FISHING IN PRINT at the regular price of $12.95, from the Museum only. Profit and royalties are for the Museum's benefit. All contributions to the Museum of American Fly

Fishing are tax deductible within the regulations established by the U. S. Internal Revenue Service.

THE ART OF THE FLYFISHER

Henry Sandham Henry Sandham was born in Canada in 1842. Little more was

given in the dictionary of American artists that was consulted except that he had worked in England and Boston, belonged to the Boston Art Club and specialized in portraits. It might have been added he was a superlative etcher, draughtsman, engraver and certainly a fly fisher as the reproductions on these pages attest. These drawings were selected from illustrations in Maurice Thomspon's, Boys Book o f Outdoor Sports and Outdoor Life, 1886. His work may-also be sein in Dean Sage's Ristigouche. Conspicuous by its absence from the hunting and fishing magazines of his day, an unfortunate loss as Sandham had a great talent, he apparently was a frequent visitor to Canada's Maritime provinces and their salmon rivers.

Sandham had a good eye for detail. The canoes he depicted are in proper proportion and those illustrated are Algonquin. His leaping salmon is poised beautifully at the top of its trajectory and people, are people set in a fisherman's landscape. His comtemporaries were Wins- low Homer, Dan Beard, Frost, Watson, and Walter Brackett, also a member of the Boston Art Club.

In so far as the fly fisher is concerned, the angling art of the nine- teenth century is in many respects the most interesting in history. Much like the American sportsman of the time, the artist was also an explorer and a discoverer. It was during this period that many of the themes so characteristic of today's fishing attitudes and behaviorisms began to emerge. Artists with Homer's and Sandham's creative abilities have become historians with brush and pencil.

So little is known of Sandham and many of his contemporaries, the Museum would sincerely appreciate further information.

Special Mention Museum members Natalie and David Slohm of Battenkill Product-

ions, Shushan, New York, are introducing something new t o the arts of the fly fisher. Tapes and records are not new t o these last few generations, but tapes and LP records that concern sport fishing have been too long in coming. Cased in a sturdy plastic binding, six tapes bring the voices of Arnold Gingrich, Ernie Schweibert, Dana Lamb, Art Flick, Ed Zern and Nick Lyons into your living room. Entitled Come Fish with Me, the selection reflects the love of sport common t o all fly fishers. Natalie and David are professionals and the recordings are as perfect as can be imagined. Four of the recordings are of members and officers of MAFF.

For further information write Battenkill Productions, Dept. FFlO Hickory Hill Road, Shushan, New York 12873.

First editions have been presented t o the Museum Library.

ANGLING AND OLD AGE (continued from back cover)

Rainl>ow trout.

THE MUSEUM EXHIBITS O F RARITIES

Since the Museum's inception, an exceptional number of rarities have been given the Museum. The very finest have been placed o n exhibit in showcases guarded by heavy plate glass and modern locking systems.

We consider our exhibits t o be a precious heritage and d o everything possible to let our many visitors examine them, yet, make a s certain as possible there is n o chance for theft or damage. In this way, visitors may see rods built long before there was any recognition that our waters could be polluted or the abundance of game fish seriously depleted. Here in our Museum are yesterdays remembered, a history of fly fishing in America that is real, informative and enter- taining. You will see the finest in craftsmanship, and the many steps in a developing technology that has made Ameri- can tackle the finest in the world whatever its age.

You as a member on your first o r on one of many visits will be proud of what has been accomplished and most certainly be proud that you are a member. Your continued contributions will be appreciated. Please give your friends the opportunity t o experience the same glow of satisfaction by soliciting their help through a financial contribution that in turn will provide better exhibitsand a better Museum.

MAGAZINE

The pages of THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER are open t o all those who have a healthy interest in the promotion of the Museum. Constructive criticisnl is welcome as are sug- gestions which you feel will make for better reading. If you know of individuals performing research relating t o the history of fly fishing we would like t o make their acquaintance and if you have a question about the Museum, o r historic fly patterns, o r literature, o r tackle development, it's almost a sure bet the staff will be able to provide just the right ans- wer. Extra copies of the magazine are available with the exception of Vol. 1, No's 1 and 2 which are ou t of print.

PERIODICALS

A limited number of the Museum's "A Check List of American Sporting Periodicals" by Austin S. Hogan, who researched the subject for over a decade, are available. Two hundred and more miscellanies were published before 1900. The most useful, to those interested in the history of angling in America have been selected. In addition the work book contains an historical introduction, the public libraries where the periodicalsare on the shelves and excerpts which example the period literature. Soft cover, complete references and easily readable, the listing is the only guide of its kind in the field of anglingreferences. $5.00 postpaid, from the Museum only.

Sir Henry Wotton was beyond seventy years of age when, as he sat quietly o n a summer's evening, on a bank a-fishing, he wrote that delightful poem of which the following are the first lines:

This day dame nature seem'ed in love; The lusty sap began t o move; Fresh juice did stir th' embracing vines And birds had drawn their valentines. The jealous t rout that low did lie Rose a t a well-dissembled flie There stood m y friend with patient skill, Attending of his trembling quill.

The instances 1 have given of old men anglers, from Izaak Walton and men of his day, may be easily multiplied by men of today, who attribute their good health and long life to their love of the river side.

Among living anglers, I know of no one whose name could be mentioned with more distinction than the inventor of the celebrated salmon and t rout fly called Greenwell's Glory, nor, as an example of the healthful longevity which angling promotes, than that of Canon Greenwell himself, who, now in his eighty- seventh year, goes o u t fishing regularly, and regularly performs his d u t y in Durham Cathedral. He is regarded with great venera- tion and affection b y all the people of the city. One of those characters whose life a t some future date should be written by another lzaak Walton, t o rank with those other "lives" of Donne, Hooker, Wotton, and others written b y the "Iz. Wa." of the seventeenth century.

I have just been told of an old gentleman still living in Wales. He married when he was thirty-seven, and he has a daughter who is sixty-seven. She therefore claims that he must be a t least one hundred and four, bu t he himself says he is a hundred. His only occupations in life are fishing and chewing tobacco. He makes his own flies, and is as enthusiastic and as successful now as ever he was. Where would he have been b y now if he hadn't fished and chewed tobacco? These are his only comforts.

I have been an angler myself for many years, and even yet I am never so happy as when the opportunity arises of a ramble "in green pastures," and "beside the still waters" -- always, of course, with a fly rod in my hand and a creel o n m y back. This is why I mention angling in connection with old age. 1 d o not wish it t o be inferred that I am such a crank upon angling as t o imagine that because all anglers are strong, robust, vigorous, cheerful, generous-minded men (and these are the elements ou t of which long life springs), that, therefore, all men who wish t o become long-lived should become anglers! nothing of the kind. Anglers, like poets, are born, not made! I d o not want t o make converts, I only state facts.

Since writing the foregoing, I have been reminded of another ancient angler, compared with whom I myself am but a boy. H E N R Y JENKINS t o whose portrait I give the place of honour, was born at Bolton-on-Swale in the year 1500; followed the employment of fishing one hundred and for ty years. When about twelve years old was sent t o Northallerton with a load of arrows for the army of the Earl of Surrey. Was buried in BoIton-on- Swale churchyard, 6th December, 1670, aged one hundred and sixty-nine. He made artificial flies, without spectacles, the year before he died -- and he himself said that he could "dub a hook" with any man in Yorkshire.

L. OF C. From, Edward Marston. How Does It Feel t o Be Old?

the Monthly Review, London, 1907.

Prcsidcnt Arnold Girigrich Vicc Prcsidcnts

Austin S. t l o ~ i n (Curator) Steve Kay~nond

'Treasurer Leigh 11. Perkins

Secrcti~ry Mrs. 1,;tura 'l'owslce

% strar Rtj,i David K. 1,edlic

Conservator (Consulting) Charles Olin

MEMORIAL CI'TA'I'ION Joseph W. Brooks, Jr.

1 9 0 1 - 1 9 7 2

HONORARY TRUSTEES D. C. Corkran Harry Darbee

Herman Kessler

TRUSTEES

A. I . (Pal) Alexander Kohert Karrett loscph Sl~car Ikck St;rrllcy Kogdan iMs. Kay Krotlncy Koy Chapin Philip K. Cro\cc (Iarroll C. (:urtice 1)onald DuKois Julia 1;airchild Arnold Gingrich William A. Glassford Willard Godfrey Gardner 1,. <;rant Ilr. Alvin Grove, J r . George W. Ilarvcy Austin S. Hogan Ch;lrles E. Jones Poul Jorgensen Martin Kcanc Kay~nond A. Kotrla Kcrn;lrtl ( 13cfty) Krch

Dana S. Lamb David B. Ledlie

Leon Martuch Dudley Mills Carl Navarre Charles Olin John Orrelle

Leigh H. Perkins Mrs. Leigh Perkins

G. Boyd Pfeiffer Steve Raymond

Rick Kobbins Willard F. Kockwell, Jr.

'Theodore Rogowski Ben Schley

Berni Schoenfield Ernest G. Schwiebert

Col. Henry Siege1 Prescott A. Tolman

Bennett Upson Ralph Wahl

Shirley Woods

S'TAI;F AND CONSULTANTS

1,ibrary Mrs. Leigh Perkins, Librarian

Llavid K. Ledlie, Assistant Librarian Joseph Spear Beck

Stanley Kitchell Ms. Kay F. Brodney

Henry Bruns Mark Kcrridge

Public Relations Donald Owens

Dan Reid Tony Skilton

Ken Upson

'Technology G. Dick Finlay

George t'. Grant Poul J orgensen Martin Kcane John Orrelle

'I'he Rluseu~n of America11 Fly Fishing ~Manchester, Vermont 0 5 2 5 4

The Museum is a non-profit institution, chartered under the laws of the State of Ver~nont . As an educational organization it is directed to the preservation and keeping of the traditions that bond the past with the present. The Museum offers a pernlanent public repository where the historic fly rod, reel, book, art work and fly pattern may be expertly guarded against the destructive- ness of time. Contributions are tax deductible as established by the U. S. Revenue Service.

A descriptive brochure is available.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

THE AMERICAN FLY FISHER is but one of the many benefits received by participating in the Museum affairs. Also included with your membership are the irlforniation publications, free research services, a direct line of communication to experts in history, literature and technology, free appraisals for donors of materials and an opportunity to individually promote a new movement in the field of fly fishing that is con~pletely unique. Your dollar support becornes far more than finiancial help. It is the keeping of an unspoken promise to future generations. A brochure will be forwarded on requests.

A tie tac is presented with each membership of $ 2 5 . 0 0 or more.

Associate $ 1 0 . 0 0 Sustaining $ 2 5 . 0 0 Patron $1 00.00 and over Life $ 2 50.00

All membership dues, contributions and donations are tax deductible.

Please forward checks to THE TREASURER, The Museum of American Fly Fishing, Manchester, Vermont 0 5 2 5 4 with your NAME, ADIIIIESS and ZIP COIIE; type of membership desired and a statement of the amount enclosed. Upon receipt, a ~nagazine and membership card will be mailed i~n~nediately.

7'11(, /~eriiririi~iit cxhihits at tbc h?uscriilr ~ii.s,t,lrx,)/ the worl~i's /ill- cst i.ollcctio~~.s o f f l y f?.shiiii: t'rcklc.

Angling and Old Age God never did make a more calm, quiet, inno- cent recreation than angling.

The Complete Angler

That angling is a pursuit conducive to old age is proved by the length o f life of many who have devoted themselves to it. Of these, lzaak Walton himself rnay be taken as an excellent example. He was born 9th August, 1593, and he died 15th December, 1683.

Whose well-spent life did last Full ninety years and past.

He was called "the common father of all anglers," and he tells of other celebrities who were lovers of the angle, and who lived to great age. "lz. Wa.," as he signed himself on the title-page of his first edition of 7'hc ( :on~plete Angler, was a happy man. "Let mc tell you, sir," says he,

"thcrc be many men that are by others taken t o be serious and grave men, whom we condemn and pity. Men that are taken to be grave, because nature hath made them of a sour complexion; money-getting men, men that spend all their time, first in getting, and next in anxious care t o keep it; men that arc condemned t o be rich, and then always busy or discontented: for these poor rich men, we anglers pity them perfectly, and stand in no need to bor- row their thoughts to think ourselves so happy." Among others, he mentions that most learned physician, Dr.

Wharton, who had the courage t o practice in London during the great plague, when most of his contemporaries fled. "A dear friend," says he, "that lovcs both me and my art of angling."

"But," he goes on, "I will content myself with two memorable men, whom I take also to have been ornaments t o the art of angling. The first is Dr. Nowel, sometime Dean of St. Paul's. This good man was a dear lover and constant practicer of angling as any age can produce. His custom was to spend . . . a tenth of his time in angling: and also t o bestowing a tenth part of his revenue, and usually all his fish amongst the poor that inhabited near to those rivers in which it was caught, say- ing often 'that charity gave life to religion' . . . He died at the age of nincty-five, 13th February, 1601, forty-four years of which he had been Dean of St. Paul's. His age neither impaired his hearing, nor dim- med his eyes, nor weakened his memory, nor made any of the faculties of his mind weak or uselcss. It is said that angling and temperance were great causes of these blessings."

The other example given by lzaak Walton is that of "that under- valuer of money" the late provost o f Eton College, Sir. Henry Wotton:

"A man with whom I have often fished and conversed . . . this man was a most dear love and a frequent practicer of the art of angling: of which he would say: 'It was an employment for his idle time, which was not then idly spent: for angling was,' after tedious study, 'a rest to his mind, a cheerer of his spirits, a di- verter of sadness, a calmer of unquiet thoughts, a moderatore of passions, a procurer of contentedness' and that it 'begat habits of peace and patience in those that professed and practiced it'."

(continued on page 24)

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