180 FISHERMAN'S LURES 



norant men and boys; they seldom deceive the 

 fish, but are more likely to scare them off. The 

 expert knows it and avoids them. On present-day 

 plugs and bugs, of which there are legion that 

 claim to be effective for bass and a few for trout, 

 I think it best to refrain from comment out of 

 politeness to their inventors, who frankly state 

 they are not intended to imitate any kind of fish 

 food. They are offered to the discerning angler 

 with the sole object of attracting and capturing 

 fish. If such be really accomplished, all is well. 

 If the angler chooses to have the same ideas, all 

 that is well too for him. Manufacturers will con- 

 tinue to make, and dealers will continue to sell, 

 anything, effective or not, so long as there are 

 people ignorant enough to buy them. 



It has been my privilege to correspond with a 

 very large number of anglers all over the United 

 States and Canada, and I have been much im- 

 pressed how many of them want changes for the 

 better; want to study, to learn more, not only of 

 the craft, but of habits and habitats of fish, and 

 the food they take. The present methods and the 

 present lures do not satisfy them, as men who 

 think discerning anglers. Of course there are some 

 people who are so complacent of their ability that 



