172 SUPPLEMENT TO THE BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



It is true that the Black Bass rises to the fly more freely 

 and uniformly in some waters than in others, but this fact 

 holds good also as to the brook-trout. And likewise is it a 

 truism, that the largest fish, trout or Bass, do not, as a rule, 

 take the artificial fly. Those Avho wish to lure the finny 

 giants must perforce use bait or the trolling-spoon. This 

 is a damaging admission to our piscatorial pride, but can- 

 dor compels us to acknowledge the correctness of it, though 

 we may find some guilty consolation or quasi-satisfaction in 

 exhibiting the huge piscine trophies to our admiring and 

 credulous friends with the usual remark : " Caught on the 



fly!" 



Seriously, it is entirely unnecessary, at this late day, to 

 argue that the Black Bass will or Avill not rise to the arti- 

 ficial fly. The fact is now known to many anglers, and con- 

 ceded by others, that the Black Bass is a game-fish of high 

 degree, and when of equal weight is the peer of the brook 

 trout or salmon in fighting qualities, when proper tackle is 

 employed, and will rise to the fly under the same favorable 



conditions. 



Practical Hints. 



In order to be successful in fly-fishing for Black Bass, 

 the angler must know the waters to be fished, or be pos- 

 sessed of that knowledge of the haunts and habits of the 

 Bass that is born only of much experience. He must 

 know when and where the fish are to be found at the difl"er- 

 ent seasons of the year ; when they frequent deep, and 

 when shallow water, for it is love's labor lost to cast the fly 

 on deep, still reaches of water. 



In stream-fisliing, which is by far more preferable and 

 enjoyable than lake or pond-fishing, it is only Avhen the 

 Bass are on the shallows or on the rifiles that the fly-fisher 



