CHAPTER III 



FISHING A WADEABLE STREAM 



No water is quite so rare, especially in the North, 

 as a wadeable bass stream; yet it can be found, 

 often in unexpected localities. To illustrate without 

 being too particular: A few years ago I lived near a 

 little, unimportant Wisconsin stream, too large to be 

 called a creek and too small to be termed a river, 

 though it was so denominated on many maps. In 

 early days the stream was a somewhat noted trout 

 water, but through clearing of the land and extensive 

 agricultural operations, the temperature of the water 

 was raised to such an extent as to make it untenable 

 for the aristocratic lover of cold water. As a result 

 the small boy fished its quiet pools for "shiners," 

 beyond which its ichthyic possibilities were unex- 

 plored. It remained for me to discover that small 

 mouth bass had made their way into the stream and 

 were gradually working up to its source. And why 

 not bass? That river, like many another, emptied 

 into a lake well stocked with the bronze-back war- 

 riors, and it was to be expected, character of the 

 water permitting, that they would habitat themselves 

 in all in-flowing streams. I kept the secret close for 



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