FOREST, LAKE, AND RIVER 



sixty to one hundred and fifty feet, or even more. 

 The running of the reel must be controlled by the 

 thumb, which should exert a light but uniform 

 pressure on the spool to prevent over-running of 

 the line or backlashing of the reel, which is very 

 apt to occur with the most rapid reels before their 

 management is fully learned. When the bait 

 reaches the desired spot, an increased pressure of 

 the thumb is applied to stop the reel. 



The bait is permitted to swim about, if lively, 

 at its own sweet will, and is then reeled in slowly 

 in order to give a natural motion to the minnow, 

 when another cast is to be made in the same man- 

 ner, or until a bass is hooked, when he is handled 

 in the same way as just described in fly fishing. 



Still fishing is practised 



STILL FISHING from the bank or from a 

 boat, and is so well under- 

 stood that a detailed description is not necessary. 

 Almost any style of rod or tackle may be used 

 at the pleasure of the angler, but that named 

 for casting the minnow is the most elegant and 

 suitable. If strong live minnows are used for 

 bait, a float is not necessary, otherwise, one should 

 be used, especially where crawfish or worms are 

 employed for bait. As still fishing is usually prac- 

 tised in comparatively deep water, the time of 

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