106 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK 



leaping above the water ; but like all trolling from a boat, 

 one has little else to do than wind up his line. How different 

 from putting on a brace of light hackles, and going at sun- 

 down to try "a comfortable conclusion" with a Trout that 

 refused your fly at midday ! 



Before the introduction of the spoon, the best fish were 

 taken with the minnow, by still-fishing, from a boat anchored 

 in some favorable place, a long rod without a reel being used, 

 or a shorter one with the reel, and a good-sized float. This 

 we consider far preferable to trolling with that deadly and 

 unsportsmanlike implement, the spoon, as a fish will always 

 give more sport, and has a better opportunity of displaying 

 his pluck when he commences the fight at close quarters, and 

 increases the distance by bold dashes and desperate leaps, 

 obliging the angler to give and take line, and deal promptly 

 and coolly with his adversary ; while in trolling, you strike 

 him at a long distance, and though he veers from side to side, 

 leaps high, and fights hard, there is much of a dead pull in 

 winding in so long a line, while it strains your rod, and is 

 distressing to the works of a good reel. 



Black Bass were once abundant in Lake George, but the 

 steady demand for them at the watering-places has almost 

 depopulated that beautiful water, and those that remain are 

 mostly small fish, taken by deep still-fishing with a drop-line. 

 They are still plentiful at the northern end of Lake Cham- 

 plain. Alburg Springs is a favorite place for an angler's 

 sojourn. They are found in abundance at many places on 

 the shores of Lake Ontario, at Cape Vincent, and Alexandria 

 Bay, opposite the Thousand Islands ; also in the Niagara and 

 Detroit Rivers, and in Lake Erie. Squaw Island, near San- 

 dusky City, Ohio, is a noted place for them. They are found 

 likewise in Lake St. Clair and Lake Huron. 



The usual route for anglers of the Atlantic cities who visit 



