SKITTERING AND HOI'.IJING. 441 



causing it to spin and glance close up to the edges of the 

 weeds, where it is viciously seized by the Bass, who has 

 been lying in wait among the water lettuce, or under the 

 broad pads of the water-lily, for just such an opportu- 

 nity. 



The angler has now no time to loose, but must rapidly 

 draw the Bass along the surface of the water to th(! boat, 

 into which he must be lifted at once, for he is as good as 

 gone if he gets below the surface, among the weeds ; nor 

 must the Bass be allowed to leap into the air with so short 

 a line, but he must be dragged quickly along the surface, 

 with his head above the the water, until the line can be 

 taken hold of close to the hook, or the finger hooked in 

 the gill-opening, and the fish dextrously lifted over the 

 side of the boat. 



In such situations, skittering is exciting sport, and is 

 not without its attractions. The bright glancing spoon, 

 the expert and skillful management of the rod, the mighty 

 rush and splash of the Bass as he snaps up the shining 

 bauble, and his subsequent lashing and floundering as he 

 is irresistibly drawn toward the boat, vainly endeavoring 

 to get either in or out of the water, and the final adroit 

 manner of landing him, go far toward making this a legiti- 

 mate sport, as it undoubtedly is, in the localities mentioned, 

 inasmuch as reel-fishing can not be practiced for reasons 

 before given. 



Bobbing. 



"Bobbing" is another style of angling peculiar to the 

 section of country just mentioned, and though it can not 

 be regarded as so artistic or legitimate, it is far more kill- 



