THE BLACK BASS. 1 59 



ity, and for either the Small-mouthed or Large-mouthed spe- 

 cies of Black Bass. 



There are many men, however, who, though good and 

 successful anglers — who possess great love for the sport, and 

 who have acquired a good knowledge of the haunts and habits 

 of the Black Bass — yet are not expert or skillful in the use 

 of light tackle, and require or employ heavier and stiffer rods 

 than those just mentioned. These anglers are mostly bait- 

 fishers, and are like another class of sportsmen, who, though 

 only ordinary shots, make the best bags on account of their 

 superior knowledge of the habits of the game they seek. 



For the sake of convenience, Black-Bass fishing may be 

 considered under two heads — "stream-fishing," and "lake- 

 iishing" — either with the artificial fiy or with natural bait; 

 accordingly, I will adapt that plan, for the purpose of show- 

 ing where a heavier or lighter rod than the standard rod of 

 eight ounces may be used. 



STREAM-FISHING. 



By stream-fishing I mean either bait or fly-fishing from the 

 bank or by wading the stream. This is my usual and favor- 

 ite way of angling, and I think surpasses lake or pond fish- 

 ing beyond the bounds of comparison. Light rods and tackle 

 can be employed, for the Bass in rocky, swift streams are 

 usually the small-mouthed species, and do not grow so heavy 

 as the big-mouthed Bass of lakes and ponds; and especially 

 is this true of ti3'-fishing, because the largest fish, as a rule, 

 do not take the artificial fly. Fly-rods, then, may be used 

 weighing from seven to seven and one-half ounces, and bait- 

 rods from seven and one-half to eight ounces for stream-fish- 

 ing. 



Boat-fishing on lakes, ponds, and broad, quiet streams is 

 unendurable without a companion, and the angler always has 

 at least his boatman for company; but in stream-fishing he 

 has the birds and flowers, the whispering leaves, the laugh- 



