ANGLING FOR BASS 137 



the nature and habits of the bass family to afford a 

 good understanding of those points. Now the varied 

 methods of catching them are to be explained. The 

 most approved as well as the most skillful manner 

 of taking black bass is with the fly, but that is not 

 always possible, for very often they will not rise to 

 one can not be tempted with any kind. They may 

 be too deep down, or the water may be roily, necessi- 

 tating other methods of fishing that will place the 

 bait near to them. As the methods are numerous, 

 each will be explained in turn. 



As fly fishing for various fish has been fully 

 explained a number of times thus far, it is not neces- 

 sary to go into the matter in detail here. The same 

 rods, reels, lines, flies, and leaders are used as for 

 trout. Nos. 4 and 5 flies are advocated by most 

 fishermen, although a few prefer larger sizes. That 

 is a matter of choice, but the decision of the majority 

 seems best. 



Black bass should always be fished for on stone 

 or gravel bars, whether in lakes or rivers that is, 

 the small-mouth variety. The large mouth are found, 

 as previously described, in the vicinity of grass, flags, 

 and weeds, and over muddy bottoms. They do not 

 take the fly as readily as the small mouth, being 

 more frequently taken on bait. Fishing for this 

 variety will be described later. When the water is 



