THE BLACK BASS. 



BY DR. JAMES A. HENSHALL. 



SIXTEEN years ago I penned the following prediction in 

 regard to the Black Bass: "That it will eventually be- 

 come the leading game-fish of America is my oft-ex- 

 pressed opinion and firm belief." Also: "That by the use of 

 suitable tackle it would not suffer by a comparison with other 

 game fishes." 



That my opinion was correct and my belief well-founded 

 is proved by the complete verification of this prediction; 

 for at the present day no fish is more constantly and 

 more eagerly sought for by bait-fisher and fly-fisher than the 

 Black Bass. And if further proof were necessary to estab- 

 lish the claim that the Black Bass is now the leading game 

 fish of America, it is only necessary to refer to the fact that 

 follows: 



When the above prediction was made there was not a sin- 

 gle tool or article of tackle made expressly for Black Bass 

 fishing, and advertised as such, except the trolling-spoon. 

 True, the "Kentucky reel" had been manufactured by Meek 

 and Milam for a number of years, but it had never been 

 advertised, and was comparatively unknown, except to a 

 few western anglers. 



How is it now? Every manufacturer of fishing-tackle is 



making articles especially for Black Bass fishing rods, reels, 



lines, flies, leaders, etc. and it is only necessary to refer to 



the advertising columns of our sportsmen's journals to make 



this fact apparent. 



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