STRIPED BASS. 143 



good a lure as though composed of the rarest mate- 

 rials ; in fact the bass exhibit none of that daintiness 

 of choice that is universal with salmon. So long as 

 the fly is large and showy they seem to be satisfied, 

 and their immense mouths can readily grasp a No. 

 7 hook, such as the natives occasionally use. One 

 of half that size is abundantly large, however, and 

 the clearer the water the finer should be the tackle. 

 The rod, reel, and line are those appropriate to sal- 

 mon fishing, although the line, if it is wet by salt- 

 water, should be afterwards rinsed in fresh to pre- 

 vent rotting. Some fishermen fasten a float above 

 the fly, and paying out line let it run down stream 

 into distant eddies ; but this is not so orthodox a 

 mode of proceeding, and does not require equal skill 

 nor as delicate tackle. 



After a fish is struck, the same care has to be ex- 

 ercised if he is heavy that is necessary with the sal- 

 mon, and he will often compel the angler to follow 

 him a long distance ere the gaff terminates the strug- 

 gle. Bass make very determined but not such rapid 

 runs as their fellow-denizen of the flood, the salmo 

 salar, but rarely retain that reserved force which 

 makes his last dash so often fatal ; nevertheless they 

 are resolute and powerful, and have to be handled 

 with care. 



Another mode of taking bass, which is strongly 

 recommended, even for the open bays of the north, 

 by one of our best fishermen, but which I have only 

 tried in the narrow coves, inlets, and streams, where 

 the tide-way can be covered by a good cast, is to 



