138 FAMILIAR FISH, THEIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



favorable, clear, and not too deep, the fly should 

 always be used. Either on shore, or from a boat, 

 position should be taken above the bar, if in a river, 

 and the casts made down stream. Occasionally the 

 flies should be allowed to drift down across the bar 

 and to sway with the current, while lifting and drop- 

 ping the tip of the rod from time to time is advised. 



Next to the ouananiche, the black bass is the 

 hardest fighting fresh-water fish we have, not only in 

 mad rushes, but in jumping as well. When they rise 

 to the fly, a short, sharp strike is made with the rod 

 to set the hook securely, if possible. It is necessary 

 to know that the interior of a bass's mouth is almost 

 entirely bone, therefore it should be struck harder 

 than any other fish. "When once it is hooked, patience 

 must be practiced, as hurried effort to bring it to net 

 usually results in its loss. Always wait until it is 

 exhausted. With a good rod and the full strain put 

 on the fish by giving the butt, it does not require a 

 long time. Bass afford magnificent sport Enough to 

 satisfy the desires of any fisherman. 



When flies are not successful, there are several 

 other methods of taking bass that afford nearly equal 

 satisfaction, provided a light rod is used, preferably 

 a fly rod, except under certain conditions. One 

 should always be prepared with bait for such emer- 

 gencies, a variety being necessary to insure success. 



