150 THE FINE ART OF FISHING 



trees had tipped over into the water affording ideal bass 

 shelters. We knew that our time was limited and that 

 much depended upon how and where we decided to 

 fish. However, it all looked so favorable that we de- 

 cided that if we fished around the south shore we would 

 have all the bass we could carry on the long tramp 

 home. 



So, until dewy eve, we fished around the south shore 

 without even a strike. A few days thereafter we 

 learned that on the next day two anglers fished the 

 north shore, using bait-casting tackle quite similar to 

 our own, and had the finest kind of luck. This shows 

 the seamy side of bass prospecting. 



If it is impracticable to summon the aid of a local 

 angler or guide and time is no object, as when, for 

 instance, you are going into camp on the lake, it is a 

 very good plan to do your first fishing by prospecting 

 with a trolling line. Trolling from the rod is always 

 an effective method for taking bass and in this way, 

 working slowly around the shores on the lookout for 

 bars and other bass habitats, you soon learn the lay of 

 the water. The places where you have a strike or 

 catch a bass should be carefully noted by reference to 

 some landmark on the lake shore. Then when you get 

 out the casting tackle and are ready for the real busi- 

 ness of the trip, you will know pretty nearly where to 

 fish. 



The most propitious places for bass vary considerably 

 with the time of year and even with the time of day. 

 Thus the wise prospector early in the season will look 

 for the fish well in-shore among the weeds and rushes 



