HOW DIFFERENT FOODS AFFECT GAME-FISHES 61 



going way as to make me exclaim: "Wake up, old 

 chap, and stir around, so that I can strike with 

 good effect." In the glassy water the whole pro- 

 ceedings were in full view. I was too wise to strike 

 before the bait was properly pouched, but when 

 it is and the strike done, the bass instantly shows 

 evidence of the fighter beyond compare he surely 

 is. 



Such observations give an opportunity to see 

 exactly how food is taken in the natural way where 

 there is plenty of it, in fairly deep pools several 

 hundred feet in extent. In such places bass don't 

 hunt; they simply take in from the abundant 

 supply that surrounds them. I have on several 

 occasions taken twelve or more nice bass from 

 this place within a radius of twenty feet. The 

 active rushes, and leaps above the surface, seem 

 to have no effect to frighten the other fish, who 

 would leave their particular abode beside a big 

 boulder and in the same deliberate manner calmly 

 take the bait, as if it were just the right thing 

 to do. 



Such fishing is quite simple, and it is bound to 

 succeed if you give the fish time to pouch. But 

 when I use artificial bait the procedure is reversed. 

 I strike the moment I feel the bait is touched. 



