672 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



In the month of May, fish of six or eight pounds show themselves, and 

 reappear towards the 1st of October, and are taken in nets and by rod 

 and line. The months of July and August are considered the best 

 time for the angler, as the run of fish is then much larger, the weather 

 pleasant, and the water so warm, that a ducking from a heavy sea, when 

 fishing from the rocks, not chilling enough to force one to abandon the 

 sport. The largest fish are generally taken in the latter part of August 

 and early in September. I saw two taken last August with the rod, which 

 weighed over sixty pounds each. A lively fish of eighteen or twenty 

 pounds, though, will try the tackle and the skill of the angler more than 

 one of fifty pounds — both, however, require nerve and readiness in playing 

 and landing them. 



Tackle. — As far as my own experience goes, I would advise the tyro at 

 first to vise a hand-line. He will find, however, after he gains confidence 

 in handling his fish, and before the summer is over, that the use of the 

 rod and reel is a much better and certainly a more artistic way of fishing. 

 The hand-line should be about two hundred feet in length, and not too 

 thick, or the wind will interfere with casting it. Have a thick woollen 

 finger and thumb stall, which should be fastened at the wrist, for the 

 friction of the line, when passing through the fingers, will soon disable 

 the fisher. 



Rod. — Let me give you a few hints how to select it. Most rods are 

 made in three pieces ; but in ordering or making one have it of two. 

 The length from butt to tip nine feet, not an inch more. The ferules of 

 German silver, as salt water corrodes brass, and the latter is difficult to 

 keep clean. Have one guide on each piece ; let them be large enough for 

 six times the size of the line to pass through, so as to prevent friction ; the 

 lower one should be placed eight inches below the ferule and another mid^^ay 

 of the tip. The end of the tip is frequentl}^ mouthed with agate, though 

 the free use of emery paper will keep the mouth perfectly smooth. The 

 distance from the butt end to the reel-keeper should be sixteen inches, and 

 the intervening space wrapped with fine twine, so as to give a good grasp 

 for the hand. Before casting, I would advise tying the shank of the 

 reel to the rod with thick ribbon, to prevent its becoming loose and flying 

 off when casting. 



The Reel, of course, should be an easy running multiplier, with a 

 balance handle, and large enough to hold four hundred feet of line. 



Lines. — Bass-fishers differ in the selection of their lines. Some have a 

 preference for silk, while others are satisfied with linen or India sea-grass, 



