CREATURES THAT GAME-FISH EAT 39 



baits for several game-fishes in the shallow weedy 

 waters where they breed and live. I have made 

 artificials of both suitable for casting on the sur- 

 face, dry-fly fashion, to float indefinitely. There 

 is no reason why they should not be most effec- 

 tive lures in marshy, weedy parts of ponds and 

 lakes where pickerel, perch, bass, and even trout 

 love to abide. All fishes feed on the dragon-fly in 

 both its creeper and its pupa state, and, as in the 

 case of the hellgrainmite, feed on it in its winged 

 state. Though its service is not in much demand, 

 I think it will grow in favor, and prove after trials 

 to be a useful lure to use on suitable occasions. 



THE MOUSE BAIT 



Up to the present time I have not yet attempted 

 to make an artificial mouse, though I feel sure a 

 good one will be found of great service to use in 

 larger rivers and the edge of lakes. I have on 

 several occasions taken the very young of musk- 

 rats and water-rats in fresh condition from the 

 stomachs of brown trout, bass, and chub. In some 

 localities the natural mouse or young rat is a 

 favorite bait for pike, also muskellunge will take 

 them of larger size. Many young musk-rats are 

 doubtless taken by fish while the young creatures 



