CHAPTER IV 



FISHING A RIVER FROM A BOAT 



That there are many varieties of bass fishing every 

 devotee of the short rod and multiplying reel knows 

 right well. Sometimes I find myself thinking that 

 fishing from the shore to be described in a follow- 

 ing chapter is the most enjoyable; then, when I 

 feel the snarling current gnawing at my waders, I 

 think wading is far and away the most enjoyable. 

 The truth of the matter is, there is no best method ; 

 all are good. In this chapter I am to talk of that 

 time-worn, though never out-worn method, floating 

 with the current. 



It is exceedingly difficult to imagine anything more 

 satisfactory from the view-point of the nature lover, 

 or successful from that of the angler. Always the 

 scene changes, every bend of the river disclosing 

 new beauties and wonders to exclaim over; even a 

 perfectly familiar stream, whose banks an angler 

 has tramped for years, becomes surpassingly lovely 

 when viewed from the coigne of an open boat. The 

 method appeals to the rodster because every cast is 

 into undisturbed new water; if he wills it so, every 

 bend, snag and leaning tree offering uncaught fish. 



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