402 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



or leader. When a Bass is hooked, he must be killed on 

 the rod; the rod must stand the brunt of the contest; the 

 more pliable and springy the rod, the less likelihood of its 

 breaking, for a stiff rod is more easily fractured than a 

 flexible one. Give the Bass more line only when he takes 

 it ; make him fight for every inch, and take it back when 

 you can; hold him by the spring of the rod, and do not 

 hesitate to turn the butt toward him to keej) him away from 

 weeds, rocks, snags, or other dangerous places; this will 

 bring him up with a round turn, and is called " giving 

 the butt." 



Do n't be in a hurry to land him ; the longer he resists, 

 the better for your sport; take your time and only land 

 him when he is completely exhausted ; for if he is well 

 hooked, and the proper tension of rod and line maintained, 

 he can not get away ; on the other hand, if he is tenderly 

 hooked, the more gingerly he is handled the better. 

 Therefore, never be in a hurry, and never attempt to force 

 matters ; always keep a bent rod and taut line ; if the Bass 

 breaks water, the best plan is to lower the tip, so as to 

 slack the line, and immediately raise the rod and tighten 

 the line when he strikes the water again, for if he falls on 

 the tightened. line he is most sure to escape; this is one 

 of his most wily tricks. 



Remarks, Hints, and Advice. 



It has been doubted by some that the Black Bass will 

 rise to the fly, or at best that they arc uncertain in their 

 modes and times of doing so, as compared with the Brook 

 Trout. These doubts are mostly raised by those who an- 

 gle for the Black Bass in precisely the same way as for the 



