68 FISHERMAN'S LURES 



reason why one species of fish food is most abun- 

 dant is because the food-supply they exist upon 

 is very plentiful, except in case of cannibalism, 

 as in bullheads or catfish. After a time, both trout 

 and bass by feeding bring down overabundance 

 to reasonable limits. The young of perch, dace or 

 fall-fish, suckers, and many species of minnows 

 are preyed upon according to their numbers, and 

 it is natural that fish choose to abide near at hand 

 to get them. 



One lake I have often fished contains plenty of 

 large brook-trout which feed exclusively on young 

 sunfish. Local anglers have captured them only 

 on the bottom with worms, and have never been 

 known to take artificial flies or even the natural 

 insects which are at times quite plentiful at the 

 surface. After the first of May a host of large- 

 size sunfish take all the worm baits and no trout 

 are caught during the entire season. As yet I have 

 had no chance to test other baits than worm; when 

 I do, the result will no doubt be favorable. These 

 trout have no opportunity to get worms. It is 

 the kick and liveliness which is so attractive to 

 them, and any other active bait (not attractive 

 to sunfish) would, I am sure, suffice just as well. 

 From the stomach of one trout I have taken as 



