File:Annual report (1901) (14770074493).jpg

Identifier: annualreport891901021newy (find matches)
Title: Annual report
Year: 1902 (1900s)
Authors: New York (State). Forest, Fish and Game Commission
Subjects: Forests and forestry Fisheries Game and game-birds
Publisher: (Albany, N.Y. : The Commission)
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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out?Is it the heat and discomfort of the hot July days that drive us out of our homesinto the cool forest? Or, is there not something there that draws us thither? Isit the fishing alone; the fierce leap of the trout when the fly alights on thewater; the thrill of the strike; the joy of the fight and victory; visions of full baskets,and the memory of rich, unique feasts? These do, indeed, let us confess, draw us, and move us; but there is somethingstill stronger — a haunting memory of a subtle something one never can quitedefine even to his own consciousness. The solemn forest, all the mysteries ofsound, the low murmur of the pine leaves, the sweet odors of soil and vegetation,the silences, the glittering waters, the dark-hued pools, the hermit thrushs noteat evening — a hundred other things we can name and label; but beyond allthese there is something like the secret of what is life itself, which no mortalhas ever solved. The humblest blade of grass, the tiniest insect, hides this
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►j kJ <; P* m s p w ^ Piu o J S J o 5» Q H O Z o o J FISHES AND FISHING IN THE ADIRONDACK^. 287 sublime secret of life, and laughs at mans ineffectual effort to reach the mysteryby observation, analogy or analysis. So with this secret of the forests enchantment. Better thus. All unknown but not unfelt the charm and mystic influence.Let us not pick our flower in pieces to find how and of what it is made. Whilewe destroy the flower the secret escapes us — the life, the soul of this charm wewould hold in our hands vanishes, like the odor of the flower. Let us enjoythe great beauty of nature with thankfulness, but without searching too curiouslyto know what her winning power is which she will forever hide from us. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Adirondacks is the mountains,hidden among which are some of the best fishing ponds and streams. Some ofthem standing alone are majestic in themselves. Others, in huge masses andrugged, crowd tog

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