FROM STRIKE TO GAFF 181 



JIM DANDY FOR HOT WEATHER 



;< Who said that the bass would not bite in July? 

 It was the morning of July 7 when I looked from my 

 window on to Long Lake, a small quiet lake in Wis- 

 consin. Quiet because it was low and surrounded 

 by wooded banks which keep the wind from disturb- 

 ing its mirror-like surface. The water was reflect- 

 ing the hot sun heat waves, but it was not too hot 

 for me, as I knew it was the day I would make good. 

 It was a shame to push the boat into the water to 

 disturb its quietude, but it was fish I was after, not 

 scenery. The once-over of the tackle and I was on 

 my way casting here and there looking for likely 

 spots where I thought Mr. Bass would be lurking. 

 Giving my boat a push I saw a lonely rush protrud- 

 ing a few inches above the surface. I had a hunch 

 that Mr. Bass was fanning himself with his nose up 

 against this rush. Dropping my Jim Dandy bait 

 alongside, the rush moved, the water opened,' and 

 Mr. Bass was hooked. Up in the air he went shak- 

 ing himself to break loose and I shaking myself to- 

 gether for the one play of my life. Down he goes 

 to the bottom, then for a long run; then up in the 

 air again. The combination of tackle and muscle 

 was too much for him, and alongside he came. A 

 quick movement of the hand and he was mine. 

 There he lay quivering from exhaustion and I shak- 

 ing from excitement. A whopping big bass was all 

 my own." 



