MUSKELLUNGE AND ARTIFICIAL LURES 



darker cross-bars which separate into diffuse spots 

 (Esox ohiensis) ; the fish of the Wisconsin and Minne- 

 sota lakes and rivers, with bodies unspotted or at most 

 with indistinct dark cross-shades {Esox immaculatus) . 

 So, whether the angler fish in the muskellunge dis- 

 tricts of Wisconsin and Minnesota, take fish from the 

 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, or must needs be con- 

 tent with an Esox from the Ohio watershed, he is 

 taking muskellunge, if the proper squamation appear 

 upon cheek and gill-cover. Scientifically speaking, 

 those fortunate anglers who dwell in the Badger or 

 Gopher States have no real right to the airs they some- 

 times assume. Hold that one fact of cheek and gill- 

 cover scaling in mind, and let the colorists rave and 

 quarrel among themselves. A man's connection with 

 the aristocracy, nor yet his fighting ability, depends 

 not upon whether or no dame Nature has embellished 

 his cheeks with freckles. 



Undoubtedly, more muskellunge have been taken at 

 the end of a hand-line trailed behind a boat than by 

 any other method, which, however, is not saying that 

 such is the best and most enjoyable way of taking 

 them. Even when trolling, I always use and advocate 

 a rod and reel. The hand-line on fresh water should 

 be relegated to the museum cabinet, along with the 

 spear and jack. Not that the hand-line is essentially 

 unsportsmanlike, but because there is infinitely more 

 pleasure in handling lures with the short rod and 

 multiplying reel. Then, too, unless the tackle be 

 handled with skill and circumspection, the quarry is 

 bound to escape. I hold that the angler acquainted 

 with the habits of muskellunge can take more fish 

 with rod, reel, and artificial lures handled exactly as 



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