HOW DIFFERENT FOODS AFFECT GAME-FISHES 63 



nothing like the effect such a rise of insects would 

 have on river trout, though not trout in lakes. 

 This remarkable difference in the way trout may 

 be seen feeding at the surface on a glut of insects 

 in one water, and not in another, is entirely due 

 to the effect their natural food has upon them. 

 They don't rise when they have more than enough 

 food at the bottom; they are not looking up, but 

 down; enough to them is as good as a feast. 



It entirely rests with the angler to meet this 

 abnormal condition. The mountain and Mahomet 

 fable fits it, so that if trout or bass won't come to 

 us, we must go to them. Surely we have intel- 

 ligence equal to theirs. We must find more seduc- 

 tive lures to get the best of the situation. 



The question again arises: What are the most 

 seductive lures? Here again my theory must be 

 right, viz.: Give the fish what it most prefers, if 

 you can procure it; if not, an exact artificial imi- 

 tation of it. If its natural food is frogs, be oblig- 

 ing and give it frogs. Creepers, minnows, hell- 

 grammites, any and every thing is at the angler's 

 command to judiciously offer to the confiding 

 fish. If the fish is too smart, and I confess it is 

 so very often, and turns its nose up at our baits, 



