THE BLACK BASS. 



BY DR. JAMES A. HEXSHALL. 



SIXTEEN years ago I penned the following prediction in 

 regard to the Black Bass: "That it will eventually be- 

 come the leading game-fish of America is my oft-ex- 

 pressed opinion and firm belief." Also: "That by the use of 

 suitable tackle it would not suffer by a comparison with other 

 game fishes." 



That my opinion was correct and my belief well-founded 

 is proved by the complete verification of this prediction; 

 for at the present day no fish is more constantly and 

 more eagerly sought for by bait-fisher and fly-fisher than the 

 Black Bass. And if further proof were necessary to estab- 

 lish the claim that the Black Bass is now the leading game 

 fish of America, it is only necessary to refer to the fact that 

 follows: 



When the above prediction was made there was not a sin- 

 gle tool or article of tackle made expressly for Black Bass 

 fishing, and advertised as such, except the trolling-spoon. 

 True, the "Kentucky reel" had been manufactured by Meek 

 and Milam for a number of years, but it had never been 

 advertised, and was comparatively unknown, except to a 

 few western anglers. 



How is it now.^ Every manufacturer of fishing-tackle is 

 making articbs especially for Black Bass fishing — rods, reels, 

 lines, flies, leaders, etc. — and it is only necessary to refer to 

 the advertising columns of our sportsmen's journals to make 

 this fact apparent. 



149 



