The Sunfish Family 27 



must begin with short casts and increase their 

 length as he becomes more proficient in the man- 

 agement of the reel. Perfect casting from the 

 reel is more difficult than casting the fly, and more 

 artistic. 



In wading a stream the casts are directed to 

 the same likely places mentioned under the head 

 of fly-fishing. The minnow is allowed to sink to 

 half the depth of the water and reeled in slowly, 

 which gives a lifelike motion to the bait when 

 hooked through the lips. If there is no response, 

 the next cast should be made to another spot, as a 

 bass, if inclined to take the lure at all, will usually 

 do so upon its first presentation. 



In fly-fishing it is imperative to strike as soon 

 as the bass seizes the fly, otherwise he ejects it at 

 once, if not hooked by a taut line, for he is con- 

 scious of the deception as soon as the fly is taken 

 into his mouth. With natural bait it is different. 

 The bass first seizes the minnow crosswise or tail 

 first, turns it in his mouth, and swallows it head 

 first. This takes a little time. Usually he holds 

 it in his mouth and bolts away from other fish, or 

 rushes toward a secure hiding-place — hence the 

 vigorous initial dash and taking of line. If stopped 

 before being hooked, he gives several tugs in 



