158 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



times when it does not occur unless the angler does 

 his part; and always, unless the line be kept taut as 

 a fiddle string, there is a chance that the lure may be 

 ejected. By striking, I do not mean a tremendous 

 jerk, that is never necessary and always destructive 

 of light tackle; simply a sharp swing sidewise, a 

 movement comparable to that of the fly-fisherman 

 when he sees the swirl of the rising fish. Personally 

 I think a taut line immediately after the fish reaches 

 the hook is of greater importance than the strike. 

 But the angler has met the rise with the strike, and 

 hooked the fish, now what shall he do? Play his 

 capture, of course, the most interesting and fascinat- 

 ing portion of the game. Many times I have hooked 

 and played fish, only to release them after they had 

 given up and surrendered. Throughout the battle 

 the rod should be held at about an angle of 45 

 degrees, with tension enough upon the fish to bend 

 the rod, so that the spring of the latter will be 

 brought to bear upon the capture. We play the fish 

 from the reel it is true, but it is the back-bone of the 

 rod that should weary the antagonist, and not the 

 reeling in and paying out the. line. Remember to 

 play the fish with the rod. Again if the angler's rod 

 is bending he will know that he has sufficient strain 

 upon the bass to prevent disaster; disaster is more 

 than apt to come if he for a single moment forgets 

 to do the fighting. Seldom do angling writers men- 

 tion the spring of the rod in connection with the 



