FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



It is my strong hope that many of my readers 

 who have never enjoyed sport under the condi- 

 tions I have vainly endeavored to depict, will, at 

 the first opportunity, seek to acquaint themselves 

 with this delightfully picturesque phase of bass 

 fishing. 



To my mind, fishing at any time and in various 

 ways for this species of game fish is always ex- 

 tremely satisfactory. One is never disappointed in 

 his strong, good, fighting qualities as we find him in 

 New England waters. His personal attributes are 

 striking, and his individuality dominant. His abil- 

 ity excites our admiration. Wherever he is found, 

 dependence can be placed upon him. Even the 

 tiniest chaps who rise and take the fly, strongly 

 resemble their elders in power of resistance and 

 obstinacy. Many and many a time have I care- 

 fully taken from the hook and gently returned to 

 their watery home scores of medium-sized fish, 

 with a blessing for their pluck, and a hope that 

 their lives would be spared until such time as they 

 might be fairly sacrificed on the Altar of Sport, 

 giving pleasure to other anglers. 



After all, it is the contest that is the source of 



real joy, rather than the unnecessary taking of 



large numbers of fish. Every black bass of the 



small-mouthed species is game to the bitter end, 



124 



