The Black Bass 



methods of angling that depend somewhat 

 on local conditions. Trolling with the min- 

 now or trolling-spoon is sometimes prac- 

 ticed on lakes, as in Michigan, Wisconsin 

 and Minnesota. There is no skill whatever 

 required for trolling with handline and 

 spoon, as the bass hooks himself, when 

 hooked at all, and is simply dragged into 

 the boat without ceremony. It is a method 

 of fishing that would better be " honored 

 in the breach, than the observance." And 

 as the rod generally used for trolling is 

 rather stiff and heavy, it does not require 

 the skill and cleverness to play and land the 

 fish that are demanded by the light and pli- 

 able rods employed in casting the fly or 

 minnow. 



Skittering with a pork-rind bait is prac- other Methods 

 ticed on some Eastern ponds, and casting 

 the frog overhead with a very short rod is 

 a method that originated with some Chicago 

 anglers. Fishing with one or a group of 

 hooks dressed with a portion of a deer's 

 tail and a strip of red flannel, forming a 

 kind of tassel and known as a "bob," is 

 37 



