216 



other streams of Oregon and California, is due to the fact 

 that the falls are so far from the ocean, and they might 

 possibly be made to rise by an artificial obstruction. 



The ordinary fly used in fishing for shad is one that is 

 a dull yellow throughout, the color of the sandhoppers 

 that are found on the sandy shores of salt water. It is 

 trolled more generally than cast, and has been used suc- 

 cessfully in the Connecticut and Hudson rivers. The 

 sport, "however, is not such as to attract the thorough 

 fisherman, and has been pursued rather from curiosity 

 than for amusement. Shad have been taken in fresh 

 water with the minnow. 



STRIPED BASS. The fishing for striped bass is al- 

 together different from anything that has heretofore been 

 described. It requires a different rod, reel, line and bait. 

 It is true that at certain places bass may be taken with 

 a large coarse fly either cast or used in trolling, but 

 these spots are so rare that but few anglers have ever 

 enjoyed the sport of fly fishing for striped bass. The 

 best place for this is at the Little Falls of the Potomac, 

 and the sportsmen of Washington are favored in having 

 the privilege. But in general the fishing for striped bass 

 is done with bait and a rod that is short, strong but 

 springy, not over nine feet in length but very stiff by 

 comparison with any thing used for salmon or trout. The 

 finest rods are made with the second joint and tip there 

 are only three joints of bamboo, and the butt of some 

 heavier wood. A single piece of Japanese bamboo 

 makes an excellent rod and may be had at a cheap price 

 but it is awkward to carry. The guides which are used 

 in place of rings, and tip point or "funnel top," should 

 be lined with agate in order that the line may run through 

 them with the utmost freedom, this being the great 

 desideratum in the more difficult kinds of bass fishing. 



