210 BOOK OF THE BLAf'K BASS. 



upon tliis subject in dilferent sections of tlie country, 

 for each siu'li rod was made in accordance Avith the style 

 of fishing, and the character of the waters to be fished. 



Some years ago, while residing in A\'isconsin, I con- 

 ceived the idea of writing a book on the Black Bass, in 

 order to do justice to a fish that seemed to be but little 

 understood; and likewise to divest the sport of Black 

 Bass angling — as it then existed — of some of its primi- 

 tive and disagreeable features, and give it a higher place 

 in the catalogue of noble sjiorts. 



I was convinced that it was only necessary to present 

 the claims of the Black Bass in a proper light, and to 

 give a description of the most suitable tackle for its 

 capture, to induce the angling fraternity to accord full 

 justice to a noble fish, which I was satisfied was, for 

 many reasons, destined to become the leading game fish 

 of America. 



Accordingly, I began making notes of my observations 

 of the habits of the Black Bass, and was collecting data 

 for the intended treatise, when, fortunately and opportunely, 

 Mr. Charles Hallock founded and established that excel- 

 lent journal Forest and Stream, which came just when it 

 was most needed. Here then was my opportunity to reach 

 the anglers of the country, and I was not slow to embrace 

 it, and at once began to champion the cause of the Black 

 Bass. 



I prepared a series of articles on the Black Bass and 

 Black Bass angling, and described at some length the 

 proper rod, reel, line, hook, etc., and mode of using them, 

 to render it not oidy feasible, but practicable, to convince 

 tlie angler of the high order of game qualities inherent to 

 the Black Bass ; and that bv the use of suitable tackle it 



