266 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



shore or beach, where they might abide for days or months and 

 take into their souls all the beauties that vision had revealed to 

 them, and shortly after they became possessors of jutting points, 

 of stretches of beach, of tracts of wooded shores, of acres of the 

 shady bluffs, and there they built the row of artistic cottages that 

 now encircle the lake like rich tinted gems set around a luminous 

 pearl." 



And thus the angler has come more and more in evidence as the 

 years have passed. At first the fishing was done wholly with live 

 bait. The usual method still largely in vogue among the farm- 

 ers of the region was by means of the long cane pole and angle- 

 worms, grubs, grasshoppers, mussels, or cut fish for bait. Min- 

 nows and artificial lures were not popular nor much appreciated. 

 Later, a greater refinement of method gradually developed. 

 Jointed split bamboo, lancewood and Bristol steel rods came into 

 use, the lightness and cost of the rod varying with the experience, 

 skill and professional pride of the angler. The grasshopper has 

 continued a favorite for summer fishing and it is likely to ever so 

 remain. The live minnow has grown in use and is now indis- 

 pensible to fall fishing. Artificial lures of various kinds have come 

 into use, some to be discarded, others as the frog and the Dowagiac, 

 to remain in favor. 



A brief description of these various methods of angling will, it 

 is believed, prove of interest and value. 



The long cane pole: This primitive and very effective method 

 is still popular and will doubtless remain so. A good long stem 

 of the giant cane (Arundinaria macrosperma) is selected. The 

 length may vary from 10 to 25 feet. The longer the pole the bet- 

 ter, as the areas over which one may fish vary as the squares of 

 lengths of the poles. The devotees of this method of fishing usually 

 go out in pairs and each with two poles. One fishes from the bow 

 of the boat, the other from the stern. The line used is as long as 

 can be properly handled without the use of a reel, and thus the 

 fisherman is able to reach water 30 to 50 feet distant on either side, 

 in front, or behind. He whips first on one side and then on the 

 other until the fish are found when he anchors and settles down to 

 steady fishing. A cork or wooden float is almost invariably used 

 and it is adjusted from time to time to suit the depth of water. 

 The line is usually inexpensive. The bait used consists chiefly 

 of angleworms, cut bait and grasshoppers. Angleworms (and 

 grubs when they can be had) are always popular. From early 

 spring until midsummer they are the chief bait. In July, when 



