San Francisco, California, USA
1897 - Dead Fish Don't Grow

ROD AND CREEL.
Anglers Who Are Returning From Their Vacations.

Anglers are returning from their summer vacations with reports of excellent fishing enjoyed at some of the mountain resorts. Fish Commissioner Vogelsang, who had a very pleasant outing in the big meadow country, states that the rainbows take a large fly of rough pattern, and when hooked they make a game struggle for freedom. A majority of the anglers who visit the meadows catch their trout by either whipping or trolling a spoon.

Henry Skinner, a popular salesman of E. T. Allen & Co., is enjoying first-class trout-fishing on the Truckee near Boca. Mr. Skinner is a master of the rod, and there are few among the fraternity who can cast a fly as stylishly as Colonel Skinner and with such precision. It is no wonder, then, that his many friends in this City have been recipients of some nice boxes of Truckee River trout.

Anglers must not lose sight of the fact that thee best fishing on Truckee River is invariably to be had in September and October, when the water is low and the trout are greedy for something good. The sport at present is first class and good baskets can be relied upon by whipping (he stream on the stretches between Boca and Floriston. The only place on the river where anglers receive first-Class accommodations is Boca.

Black bass fishing on the Russian River still continues good, but anglers must not overtook the fact that the best fishing is to be had near Guerneville on the Donahue railroad.

The following very clever "dont's" for anglers recently appeared in an Eastern sporting paper and they will apply admirably to local talent:

Don't yank.
Don't get snagged.
Don't troll too fast.
Don't forget the bait.
Don't try fancy casts.
Don't step on your rod.
Don't try to cast too far.
Don't sit on your rod tips.
Don't buy "cheap" tackle.
Don't forget the back cast.
Don't let your reel overrun.
Don't strike on a alack line.
Don't lie; it's been overdone.
Don't fish with untried tackle.
Don't put your fish in the sun.
Don't neglect lo try your lines.
Don't carry your rod tip foremost.
Don't strike a fish with both hands.
Don't try to cover too much ground.
Don't put pickerel in trout streams.
Don't wear strange sporting clothes.
Don't try to land your fish too soon.
Don't cast across your neighbor's line.
Don't give slack line to a fighting fish.
Don't till your basket with fingerlings.
Don't fish next to a church on Sundays.
Don't let your shadow fall on the brook.
Don't keep too many lines going at once.
Don't drop a fish into your creel tail first. Don't strike a black bass at the first rush. Don't store your rods next to a steampipe.
Don't keep your lunch where It will get wet. Don't carry hooks in your trousers pockets.
Don't think that it is all fishing to catch fish. Don't fail to clean fish which are to be kept.
Don't let your fish get around the anchor line.
Don't strike a fish when the rod is perpendicular.
Don't leave oars sticking over the sides of the boat.
Don't yell "I've got one" until you've landed him.
Don't try to lift a big fish into the boat by the line.
Don't leave your rod tips in the bottom of the boat.
Don't anchor within casting distance of another boat.
Don't fail to make the end of your line fast to the reel.
Don't leave a baited hook where chickens can get at it.
Don't despise a faint nibble; it may be your biggest fish.
Don't pick out the best pools; give your friend a chance.
Don't race along the bank when a friend is following you.
Don't use a cod line for brook trout, or a trout line for cod.
Don't desecrate the gentle art by fishing on a spawning-bed.
Don't give an eel slack line so that he can tie It full of knots.
Don't, fish where the fish don't bite; move on to another spot.
Don't peep over the bank to see where fish are in the brook.
Don't— don't— don't ever call a brook trout a "speckled beauty."
Don't fail to commune with nature; that's half the fun of fishing.
Don't think that the best fishing tackle is made by saloon-keepers.
Don't forget to chance the water frequently in the minnow-bucket.
Don't boast that you can wind your brand new rod around a barrel.
Don't put bait in your pocket where it Is liable to gel into your pipe.
Don't hang dead fish over the side of the boat— water will spoil them.
Don't let your boatman stop rowing if you strike a fish when trolling.
Don't let a fish leap into the air and then fall back on a tautened line.
Don't use a two-pound sinker for brook fishing—half a pound will do.
Don't forget when you cast that your companions have feelings and ears.
Don't think that a four-ounce rod will work better in both hands at once.
Don't buy live bait too far ahead; it's liable to die and demand interment.
Don't lie about the size of fish; dead fish don't grow.

The San Franciso Call
San Francisco, California
Sat., August 7, 1897

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