In Good Company
"neither this fish nor the salmon are caught with the hook, nor do I know on what they feed."
-Meriwether Lewis, Journal March 16, 1806
When you're shivering thigh deep and you've tied on your hundredth fly, there's satisfaction knowing that Lewis got frustrated with steelhead. It's also helpful to know he was obsessed.
posted by The Mad Fishicist | 1:47 PM
11 Comments:
I hope the steelhead does not cause you the same fate.
It's an endlessly spinning wheel, but I think I have better gear than he did.
Interesting insight into the mind of a fellow fisherman.
From our most notorious pioneer to the modern sportsman, the legacy continues!
all he needed was a handful of fresh salmon eggs to scatter in their watery path.
oh, and provasec
interesting history!!!
well, i wonder how hard silas goodrich actually tried to catch them with a line. remember, while at clatsop, the corps more than likely missed most of the v. large salmon runs. steelies, as we all know, are not nearly as abundant, so p'haps they figured, "eh... what's the use". also, the natives were netting and gigging their fish, so it's more than likely that's what the crew did as well.
thee
Hey Thee
Thanks for the clarity.
I was under the impression that the hook comment was aimed directly at angling friends back home. If the point was just catching them, then a gigging description would have been sufficient. We seldom describe a fish by how NOT to catch it.
Whatcha think?
MAD
TMF: There is a game of blog-tag going on. Your it!
One must remember that L&C were keeping military journals, not private diaries. They (or even the other journalists on board) very rarely lapsed into personal feelings other than something like "the most handsome prospect i ever saw". So, all that in mind, I doubt that the hook comment was directed to friends back home. All that being said, L&C (as well as a number of the corpsmen) did indeed enjoy fishing as a hobby/diversion, one removed from simple meat gathering.
I've just read your entire web page. What an incredible love song to the world, and your family! Thank you!
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