THE SUCKER 



AS A ROD AND TABLE FISH 



WITH the exception of the common 

 sucker, the fish is inferior as food. 

 The young are useful for bait. 

 Some can be taken by hook and 

 earth-worms. A favorite and somewhat novel 

 method in use, when I was a beginner, was to 

 make a running loop of wire ; then, from the 

 planking of a low bridge that acted as a support 

 for the body, watch the fish as they slowly swam 

 about, quickly jerking the loop tight as it encircled 

 the head of a victim. 



The common " brook sucker " is the best 

 known and most abundant. It inhabits all bodies 

 of water, large and small, of New England. It 

 varies greatly in size, color, and form. It is a free 

 biter ; when taken from clear water, well cleaned 

 and washed, it is a good pan fish. 



The " hog sucker " prefers rapids and shoals, 



and cold, clear water ; as a rule, it rests quietly on 



the bottom, and, owing to its mottled coloring, it 



is hard to distinguish it from the small rocks 



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