rHE OUANANICHE 



tire from playing the rod with the butt presented, 

 so much so that, when the fish is netted, a rest be- 

 fore again casting is absolutely necessary. 



Many fish will be lost, and this must be ex- 

 pected. Loss from being poorly hooked or from 

 broken tackle cannot be avoided ; but when caused 

 by sharp checking of runs, improper tackle, and 

 especially impatience, it can be. Those who 

 have caught black bass have laid the founda- 

 tion for the art of taking ouananiche. That, 

 however, is to have but the alphabet of this 

 fishing learned, the advanced education being 

 secured only through much experience. Written 

 description and rules may give hints, but prac- 

 tice alone can bring success. Were all these 

 fish to fight in a similar manner, specific advice 

 could be given ; but as they do not, actual practice, 

 alone, enables one to learn their manifold vagaries 

 of action, and to be prepared for the same. 



Consultation with a score or more of anglers 

 who have sought the Lake St. John fish, not once 

 but many times, demonstrates fully the unanimity 

 of opinion that they are the greatest fighting fresh- 

 water fish, pound for pound, extant. Investigation 

 shows the few who may hold opposite opinions — 

 possibly two or three — to have been the victims 

 of adverse circumstances. Either the fish did not 



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