American Game-Fishes 



light tackle, suitable to his weight, he is 

 changed from an acquaintance of low es- 

 tate into a respected and admired antago- 

 nist. And it may in general be asserted 

 that any fish is most game when fished 

 for in that way which gives it the great- 

 est chance of resistance and of escape, and 

 which demands the greatest skill and deli- 

 cacy on the part of the fisherman. Deep 

 fishing, whether bottom fishing or deep 

 trolling, demands heavy tackle, if only to 

 carry the necessary weight of lead. Save 

 for the largest fish, such tackle at once 

 destroys any chance of finesse. The fish 

 being well hooked, any force which will 

 not mutilate it enough to loosen the hook 

 may be employed. For such fishing the 

 rod has little advantage over the hand- 

 line, as only the stoutest rods can stand 

 the strain. 



In shallow water, or where fish are 

 sought not far from the surface, more or 

 less delicacy of apparatus is practicable ; 

 and it would be hard to find a better 

 standard of the gameness of a fish (i.e., its 

 sport-giving power) than the degree of 

 delicacy that is permitted, and of skill de- 

 manded, in its capture. Yet not until rods 

 are constructed to register ergs or foot- 

 pounds will anglers agree as to the rela- 



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