THE RE SO URGES OF FL Y-FISHING. 237 



would like to pursue this subject further, but in so brief 

 an article as this, only the most general and important 

 features can be noticed. 



Any good trout fly-rod, from ten to eleven feet long, 

 and from eight to nine ounces in weight, will answer for 

 black bass fishing ; the heavier rod to be used only where 

 the bass run quite large, averaging three pounds or 

 more. The best line is one of braided silk, tapered, 

 waterproof, and polished. The leader should be six feet 

 of strong single gut, and but two flies should be used in 

 the cast. As to flies, the angler must take his choice. 

 My experience has led me to confine myself to a dozen 

 varieties for black bass fishing, and they are usually, 

 though not always, best in the order named : Polka, 

 King of the Waters, Professor, Oriole, Grizzly King, 

 Coachman, Henshall, Oconomowoc, Red Ibis, Lord 

 Baltimore, White and Ibis, and the various hackles 

 (palmers), the best being the brown. The Abbey, or 

 Soldier, may often be substituted for the King of the 

 Waters, being similar in appearance, and others may 

 be substituted in like manner for several in the 

 above list. 



The Polka, Oriole, Oconomowoc and Henshall, are 

 flies of my own designing, and are usually very killing, 

 especially the Polka. Their construction is as follows : 



Polka. — Body, scarlet, gold twist ; hackle, red ; 

 wings black with white spots (guinea fowl) ; tail, 

 brown and white, mixed. 



Oriole. — Body, black, gold tinsel ; hackle, black ; 



