OLLA PODRIDA 263 



of fish, but they are exceptionally gamey. Their 

 vigour and eagerness to be caught is illustrated 

 by the member of this tribe that jumped into our 

 boat. Every one has heard of the Florida mullet 

 that, attracted by the light in a boat at night, came 

 jumping over the sides in such numbers that they 

 sank the boat and imperilled the lives of those on 

 board. But a bass is no such fool fish as a mullet. 

 If they do any jumping it is usually away from 

 the boat, not towards it. The bass under consid- 

 eration was hooked in some twenty feet of water, 

 and put up a vigorous fight. The fisherman was 

 compelled to give out line in considerable quanti- 

 ties, but when the fish ran under the boat it was 

 evidently time to " snub " him. No sooner was 

 this done than he gave a leap and landed in the 

 boat from the opposite side. 



As a rule, ladies are not enthusiastic devotees of 

 the " gentle art." One, however, whom we knew 

 somewhat well, became, under the tutelage of her 

 husband, more than a little expert in fishing for 

 bass. She had grown familiar with all their ordi- 

 nary tricks and knew how to drop the point of 

 the rod to prevent an impending leap, and just 

 when to give out line and when to reel in. Fish- 

 ing one day on Round Lake, she hooked a bass and 

 proceeded to play it according to the most ap- 

 proved rules. She met every rush and antici- 

 pated every jump. Then the line became limp and 



