FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



affairs might exist in the case of very shallow and 

 clear ponds, for no game fish will respond to the 

 wiles of the angler so long as he is in plain sight. 

 If the black bass is fished for more cautiously and 

 intelligently, the results, I am sure, will be more 

 satisfactory. Such waters should only be fished 

 when the surface is ruffled by a brisk breeze, or 

 about sundown, or at dusk. Or suitable blinds 

 should be constructed near the feeding grounds to 

 shield the angler from view. If fishing from a boat, 

 it should be kept in the deepest water, and long 

 casts made toward the shallows. Or they may be 

 trolled for with bait, fly, or spoon, with a very long 

 line. 



I cannot believe that black bass, whatever their 

 environment, can lose their game instincts in half 

 a century or many centuries. I am inclined to the 

 opinion, moreover, that this opposition to the black 

 bass is merely bias or prejudice, for it has been 

 repeatedly asserted by some that the New England 

 " pickerel " is superior, both as a game fish and food 

 fish, to the black bass. 



When it is considered that the German carp is 

 declared by some to be an excellent food fish, and 

 when it is remembered that it brings a better price 

 in New York markets than fresh cod, hake, or had- 

 dock, one can readily understand why a soft, bony, 

 130 



