FISHES OF THE WEST. 315 



than several inches above — for by so doing he destroys the spring- 

 and balance of the rod, and it is liable to become broken by any 

 sudden movement of the fish. The bass must be killed " on the 

 rod," then reeled in and taken into the landing net. 



Trolling with the minnow is very popular with expert western 

 anglers, who regard the method as more en regie than still-fishing. 

 The same tackle can be used here as in the last mode described, 

 though almost without exception it will be found to be much 

 superior, many using trout fly rods. The oarsman rows the boat 

 quietly and slowly over the fishing grounds, just outside of the 

 bulrush patches, along the edges of bars and shoals, or between 

 deep and shallow water. The angler reels off from thirty to fifty 

 yards of line, and with his thumb upon the reel and rod slightly 

 bent, must be ever on the alert ; for in this style of fishing with 

 moving bait the bass bites very "wickedly," and with forty yards 

 of line out he must be kept well in hand and not given an inch 

 more than is necessaiy ; he must be reeled in at every opportunity 

 until he is within proper bounds, when the angler can take matters 

 more easily and kill him at his leisure. A heavy bass breaking 

 water and leaping three feet into the air at the end of fifty yards 

 of line and a light rod, is a sensation which once experienced will 

 not be soon forgotten. And herein lies the advantage of this 

 method over still-fishing. One can get out more line, even -though 

 indifferent at casting ; for as the boat moves along the line can be 

 pulled off the reel, yard by yard, with the hand, while the resist- 

 ance of the minnow in the water takes it from the rod. 



Casting with the minnow is another scientific method, and a 

 grade higher in the school of piscatorial acquirements. It com- 

 bines all the best features of still-fishing and trolling with the min- 

 now, besides possessing advantages which those methods do not. 

 The very best rods, reels, and lines must be used. The angler 

 proceeds in his boat on the outside, or deep water side, of the fish- 

 ing grounds, and casts in toward the feeding grounds, the oarsman 

 rowing along rapidly or slowly, or holding the boat stationary, as 

 circumstances demand. The boat being in deep water the fish are 

 not so apt to see it, which is a great advantage. The angler can 

 cast in any direction and to any distance, greater or lesser, within 

 the length of his line as he may desire. He can cast astern and 



