314 GAME FISH OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Still-fishing is generally done from an anchored boat. It is a 

 very popular method, and is the one generally practiced by the 

 average angler of the Northwest. The finer and more delicate the 

 tackle employed, the greater will be the sport experienced ; but as 

 a rule still-fishers use clumsy tackle. The angler should provide 

 himself with a suitable rod and reel, and fifty yards of approved 

 line, together with hooks, swivels, sinkers, landing net and bait ; 

 the latter should be minnows or crayfish. Minnows are far the 

 best, and if shiners, are the very be.st bait that can be used. Chub 

 come next, and small yellow perch are also good, especially if the 

 dorsal fins are clipped off with a strong pair of scissors. If the 

 minnows are lively and strong, and there is a sufficient depth of 

 water, a float is not necessary ; but if the ground is weedy, and the 

 water rather shallow, or if crayfish are used for bait, a cork float 

 must be used. If the minnows are large, insert the hook through 

 the lower lip and out at the nostril ; if small, hook them under the 

 dorsal fin. 



Our still-fisher being fully equipped proceeds to the fishing 

 ground, anchors his boat, and prepares for the fray. Having 

 baited his hook and cast his line, his thumb must be kept upon 

 the coil of line upon the reel ; as the line slackens he must reel it 

 in. When a bass takes the bait let him have it for a short time, 

 say from five to ten seconds, according to the mood of the fish, 

 whether they are on or off their feed, whether eager or shy ; and 

 by using the thumb as a drag, give him line as he needs it, but not 

 too freely, always keeping it taut enough to give a slight bend 

 to the rod, so as to be able to feel every motion of the fish. At 

 the proper time our angler must check him by pressing the thumb 

 a little harder upon the reel, and if he gives a succession of short 

 tugs or slight jerks, let him go for a few moments ; but if he seems 

 to feel the steel, or if he pulls steadily and strongly, hook him by a 

 slight " twist of the wrist " — not by jerking or " yanking " the rod, 

 for in the latter case there is a stronger probability of breaking the 

 rod, or at least of tearing out the hook, than of hooking the fish. 

 When the bass is hooked the angler must never, under any cir- 

 cumstances, give him slack liae. If he breaks water, merely let 

 the rod straighten as he falls back ; and never, under any circum- 

 stances, must he grasp his rod above the reel^at most not more 



