Milt Smelt, Chronicler of the American Huntsman

Originally Milt Smelt did his own research, but today of course he has squadrons of research assistants doing the pavement pounding for him, lucky guy. When it comes to smelt fishing, he knows everything his pal Ed Curtis taught him. Ed went on to become a name at The Library of Congress. Here's some of Ed's work:

CREATOR
Curtis, Edward S., 1868-1952.

SUMMARY
Description by Edward S. Curtis: The surf-net used in smelt-fishing is a bag suspended on two diverging poles. At the bottom of the net proper is a restricted opening into a long net-bag, which is held in the fisherman's hand. Dipping and raising his net, he allows the imprisoned smelts to fall down into the bag, where they are securely held until he has enough to justify him in going ashore to empty it.

from The Library of Congress