60 FISHERMAN'S LURES 



captured on any other lure while taking other 

 food. It is also the greater activity required in 

 getting their food in the swifter waters that makes 

 trout and bass more gamy in resistance, and their 

 activity is more prolonged. In such waters they 

 become more adroit and skilful in ejecting the 

 hook, at the same time in such situations they 

 are more bold and aggressive, taking the bait 

 or fly at top speed, just as they doubtless do for 

 their natural food. I have witnessed trout dart 

 upward to my minnow or fly, miss it, then turn- 

 ing down-stream, rushing along after it like a 

 flash, taking the lure with a smash most admir- 

 able to behold. No need of a strike of the wrist 

 no fear of their being unhooked; they take the 

 lure as if it were their natural food, without fear 

 or scruple. 



I have also seen a small-mouth bass of good size 

 in its lair of deep, though moving water, slyly 

 watch a kicking crawfish pass along overhead, 

 then in a leisurely way follow after, view it a 

 few seconds, and return to its lair. Again it would 

 swim down-stream, at a faster pace to reach the 

 crawfish just before it began to touch bottom, 

 when it would mouth but not swallow it, slowly 

 moving to its accustomed abode in such an easy- 



