This book is included in the Self Reliance Hunting, Skinning & Tanning section.
Preface
THE author of the following pages having been situated
for a number of years where the necessity of some general information on the subject of the art of Angling was daily seen, at first conceived the idea of publishing an American edition
of Walton's Complete Angler; but on a later and more careful perusal of its pages, and that of other writers, it was found that but little, comparatively, real practical knowledge could be given of the large variety of the fishes of our own country; he therefore concluded to publish, in a small form, the opinions and practice of the various English authors, with remarks,
thereon, and such information as could be gathered from American books and American sportsmen. Of the former, very few could be obtained: magazines and philosophical works were searched with but little success; the sportsmen were consulted, and much valuable information obtained;
Still there was a general lack of proper knowledge of the nature and habits of the great body of our northern and western fishes, and it was found a much more difficult matter than was at first imagined; yet the necessity of the case seemed to invite a continuation of the task. With the object in view of a small pocket edition, of 150 pages, the work was commenced and prosecuted under many difficulties; but it was found that the field was vast and almost unlimited; that compared with England, a work to embrace all the varieties of the subject in the United States, would require the labor of many years, and almost countless pages. The work therefore has been restricted to the description of fishes most generally angled for in the United States. The writer has endeavored to give in plain language, and as far as could be ascertained, the modes adopted by the anglers and experienced authors of both hemispheres, leaving the amateur, in many cases, a selection of all, according to his own views, as occasion may require.
To the friends who have assisted him, and to the authors consulted, he considers himself under many obligations for the favors bestowed and the benefits derived. To those into whose hands the work may fall, he submits it as an humble attempt to impart practical information on an interesting subject.
Introduction
IN every library of any magnitude, there are well written histories of the tenants of the air, from the smallest insect to the "feathered King" that sits on the rocky tops of our majestic hills, and emblems our glory to the world: and of that class, also, which walk the earth, from those that minister to or oppose our comfort and happiness, to the "gigantic unknown," whose ante-deluvian origin appears almost fabulous. Man has analyzed man; and it has been supposed that the intricate machinery of the greatest work of the Maker, was well understood, yet every day seems to give new and convincing
proofs that our knowledge is yet but limited.
The sciences of Phrenology, Electricity, Magnetism, and, more latterly, Mesmerism, are daily opening new fields to
the learned and curious; and regions which have formerly been considered as explored to their utmost depths, now prove
mines of inexhaustible inquiry. Europe has furnished a GOLDSMITH, a BUFFON, a LINN^US, and a CUVIER, and our own country has not been backward in scientific researches. Mr. AUDTTBON, so well known to every American, has explored the air, and opened to the world an enlarged and faithful picture of the feathered songsters of the Western Hemisphere. His History of Quadrupeds, also, promises for him a fame equal to that accorded any who have preceded him in this department.
But amidst all these researches, but little, comparatively speaking, has been done in the Natural History of Fishes.
The boundless ocean, with its vast waters, and numberless tributaries, remains unexplored: and the fact, that scientific inquirers of all ages, have neglected to penetrate so far into the philosophy of this branch of Nature's productions as into
many other departments of her wonderful and deep-hidden mysteries, is certainly a source both of surprise and regret.
The objects that continually present themselves in our every day relations, naturally invite the attention and awaken
an interest for the wonderful creations of Nature. Hence we have a history of Birds, Beasts, Insects; works on Botany, Geology, and Astronomy; but as yet no standard treatise on Ichthyology. The dangers attending navigation, are by the aid of steam power becoming daily less formidable; and where but few could formerly be tempted, thousands now are induced to view the sublimity of Nature on the great deep, and will consequently be led to study the natural history of its inhabitants.
Linnaeus has defined nearly 400 species of fishes in the Old World, while our own country, possessing as it does great
advantages over any other, cannot boast of a single treatise on a subject so fraught with interest to the admirer of Nature. The late Dr. Mitchell, of New-York, together with Governor De Witt Clinton, have furnished to the Literary and Philosophical Society of this city, a great amount of valuable scientific information on the natural history of the Fishes of the State of New-York. Dr. Smith, of Massachusetts, has written a very able work on the Fishes of his own State. But of the history of the fishes of our boundless western rivers and lakes, but little is known. The celebrated Buffon has said, "that in America animated nature is weaker, less active, and more circumscribed in the variety of its productions, than in the old world: that there is some combination of elements, and other physical causes, something that opposes its amplification; that there are obstacles to their development, and perhaps to the formation of large germs ; and that even those which, from the kindly influences of another climate, have acquired their complete form and expansion, shrink and diminish under a niggardly air and unprolific land!!" How absurd and foolish a remark from a person whom knowledge, and that too of a great general character, should have taught better! One is almost tempted to believe that it is tinged with envy. It is true, that at the time it was uttered, our resources were comparatively small, our institutions weak and enfeebled, and in fact our country itself but little known abroad; yet the reproach, even were the facts as stated, was ill-timed, and not in taste: its falsity is too plain to need comment.
The plan adopted by many of our State Legislatures, of ordering geological surveys, bringing to its aid some of the best talent of the country, is well calculated to advance this science. As our country gradually progresses in wealth and prosperity, let us also advance in the culture of the sciences and arts; and although its age as a nation, will not admit of as great perfection in literary or scientific attainments as those of the old world, let there be no obstacles to the full development of its prolific power; and we may then hop* that that day is not far distant, when the Natural History of America
shall be as thoroughly explored as that of the mother country, giving valuable and important scientific information to the inquirer after knowledge as well as to the lover of aquatic sports.
Contents PREFACE INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ON ANGLING CHAPTER I On the Materials used in Angling CHAPTER II On Baits used in Angling CHAPTER III Observations on the Practice of Angling CHAPTER IV The Salmon CHAPTER V Of the Salmon Trout, Lake Trout, or Lake Salmon CHAPTER VI Of the Trout CHAPTER VII Of the Pike, Jack, or Muscalinga CHAPTER VIII Of the Perch Sun-Fish CHAPTER IX Of the Carp or Tench CHAPTER X Of the Striped Basse, or Rock-Fish CHAPTER XI Of the Weak-Fish, Wheat-Fish, or Squeteague CHAPTER XII Of the King-Fish, or Barb CHAPTER XIII Of the Black-Fish, or Tautog CHAPTER XIV Of the Drum CHAPTER XV Of the Black, or Oswego Basse CHAPTER XVI Of the Sheepshead CHAPTER XVII Of the Cod and Tom-Cod CHAPTER XVIII Of the Flounder CHAPTER XIX Of the Blue-Fish CHAPTER XX Of the Sea-Basse, Porgee, etc. CHAPTER XXI Of some of the other Inhabitants of the Waters The Eel The Chub The Bull-Head, Sucker, Bream, Roach, Dace, Bleak, Gudgeon and Herring The White-Fish and Cat-Fish CHAPTER XXII Concluding Remarks
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