HOW TO USE NATURE LURES 149 



for these lures, and, assuming the angler to be one 

 famiHar with fly fishing, the regulation trout-fly 

 rod, reel, and line, is best to cast these light, float- 

 ing lures for bass, trout, salmon, or pike — both near 

 the surface or on the bottom. For the heavier and 

 larger lake-shiner, with five-inch hook, a well-built 

 rod is more safe when fishing in deep water for 

 muskellunge or large lake-trout. What I consider of 

 the greatest importance is the leader and the way 

 lures are attached to it. Each and every lure must 

 have a gut leader, six feet long, more or less — not 

 less than three feet. These light lures will not 

 work or float attached to the line only; gut leaders 

 are most necessary. I don't think anything is 

 gained by having more than one lure on the leader, 

 though I have often used two, or even three, in 

 order to test which would first attract trout. 



My favorite testing water is a river with chances 

 of a mixed bag. I frequently capture during one 

 day specimens of brown, native, and rainbow 

 trout. Later, in the same water, I get small-mouth 

 bass, all four species being found in different situa- 

 tions of the river. Rainbows occupy the most 

 turbulent, bass the quietest and deepest parts; 

 the browns generally in fairly deep pools, and the 

 natives in the ripply shallows. I know, more or 



