The "Sport" of Flounder Fishing in Pelham in 1889

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Most Pelhamites know that during much of the 19th century, parts of the Town of Pelham were a sportsman's paradise.  Fowlers, fishermen, and outdoorsmen flocked to the shores of Pelham and adjacent waters.  Hunters and fishermen considered the area to be among the finest in the northeast.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog article transcribes the text of an article that describes what it was like to go on a fishing expedition on the opening day of flounder season off the waters of City Island in 1889.  The article provides an interesting glimpse of a time when New York City sportsmen made their way to Pelham for its excellent fishing.  

On March 31, 1889, a "blinding snowstorm" gripped the Pelham region.  According to one account, "flakes flew around in the nastiest kind of wet flurries."  

That day, flounder season opened in the waters off Pelham.  About 150 fishermen were ready with their equipment, despite the brutal weather.

At 6:50 a.m. that day, the fishermen gathered at the Harlem River station of the Branch Line railroad, just as the snowstorm began.  The fishermen crowded onto the tiny little train pulled by a steam engine.  The train clickety-clacked up the rails for thirty minutes until it reached Bartow Station.  There horse cars accepted as many passengers as they could carry and started for City Island.

According to one account, it was "during the horse-car trip that the 'sport' commenced."  Though the snowstorm swirled, each fisherman carried in a basket "a panacea for all such little grievances, which panacea could be and frequently was taken from the neck of a bottle."  

By the time the fishermen reached the boathouses on City Island, their panacea had "had a most cheering effect" so that "few seemed to mind the storm."  The fishermen rented boats and headed out into the storm on Long Island Sound to their favorite fishing spots.  

How did the fishermen do in Pelham waters that day?  According to the account:

"How they all fared cannot be definitely stated.  One boatload, which was out just three-quarters of an hour, got wet to the skin, and caught 24 fish, the aggregate weight of which was 11 pounds.  Then they were satisfied to return to shore.  The sport was not attractive enough to court a longer stay.  Many others got all the sport they desired in an hour and returned to shore.  Some staid [sic] out much longer for the reason that their bottled spirits held out longer.  By noon everybody had had enough fishing.  The snow was falling, with a rain accompaniment.  The enthusiasts found shelter in the most convenient places and wished they could get home, but they could not.  There was no train until 3 o'clock.  Consequently they related the most remarkable stories of previous 'floundering' expeditions.  This was kept up until it was time to take the horse car to Bartow Station and there board the New-York train.  At 4 o'clock the fishermen crossed the Harlem Bridge, so weary, so wet, and so bedraggled as to be objects of sympathy to the general public."

Detail from Engraving Published in 1884 Entitled

"BLACK BASS FISHING OFF PELHAM BRIDGE, NEW YORK."

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"AT CITY ISLAND.

The flounder fishing season at City Island was formally opened yesterday by 150 or more piscatorial enthusiasts from this city.  The affair, professionally termed a 'day's sport,' was characterized by all the personal discomfiture and ludicrous hardships that render such occasions enjoyable to some people.

The festivities opened at 6:50 A.M. at the Harlem River station of the Consolidated Railroad's Harlem Branch.  At that hour the sky was leaden and gave every promise of the storm which came shortly after.  The trip to Bartow station only consumed a half hour.  At Bartow Station horse cars were taken for City Island.  

It was during the horse-car trip that the 'sport' commenced.  Its first evidence was a blinding snowstorm.  The flakes flew around in the nastiest kind of wet flurries, but even this did not seem to affect the spirits of the fishermen.  Each carried in a basket a panacea for all such little grievances, which panacea could be and frequently was taken from the neck of a bottle.  These applications had a most cheering effect, and by the time the boathouses were reached few seemed to mind the storm.  Boats were procured and the fishermen started for their favorite spots.  

How they all fared cannot be definitely stated.  One boatload, which was out just three-quarters of an hour, got wet to the skin, and caught 24 fish, the aggregate weight of which was 11 pounds.  Then they were satisfied to return to shore.  The sport was not attractive enough to court a longer stay.  Many others got all the sport they desired in an hour and returned to shore.  Some staid [sic] out much longer for the reason that their bottled spirits held out longer.

By noon everybody had had enough fishing.  The snow was falling, with a rain accompaniment.  The enthusiasts found shelter in the most convenient places and wished they could get home, but they could not.  There was no train until 3 o'clock.  Consequently they related the most remarkable stories of previous 'floundering' expeditions.  This was kept up until it was time to take the horse car to Bartow Station and there board the New-York train.  At 4 o'clock the fishermen crossed the Harlem Bridge, so weary, so wet, and so bedraggled as to be objects of sympathy to the general public.  Doubtless that mattered little to them, however.  They had had a day's sport and opened the 'flounder season.'  That season will remain open for many weeks to come, and the special Sunday morning train will continue to accommodate those looking for sports. . . ."

Source:  ARDENT ANGLERS AT WORK -- THE FISHING SEASON OPENED ON A COLD DAY.  FISHERMEN AT THE FISHERIES AND WHAT THEY CAUGHT -- POINTS ABOUT FLOUNDERS -- NOTES, N.Y. Times, Apr. 1, 1889, p. 8, cols. 1-2.

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