34 THE BLACK TROUT. 



the Southern states. One peculiarity of this fish, en- 

 tirely different from the black bass, is that they medi- 

 tate, at times, near the surface of the water, getting 

 near logs or lilly-pads, so they can dive out of the 

 way at the least alarm. In this position they are 

 baited with success with a small fish called the horny 

 head. The ordinary tackle used for the black trout 

 is similar to bass tackle, viz. : a pliable rod eight or 

 ten feet long, with a silk, grass or flax line, and reel 

 Kirby hook No. 2, or Limerick No. 1, attached to 

 strong gut leaders. For bait, the minnow, and the 

 Killey fish, or the roach is better when you can get it. 

 He will not bite at all unless the water is clear. 

 Artificial bait is often used in taking the black trout, 

 as follows a fancy fly made in red and white colors, 

 either feathers or flannel, and fixed on a Limerick 

 salmon hook No. 3 or 4. This should be attached 

 to a long line ; and with a light reed pole, the sports- 

 man should whip it along on the water, when the 

 fish will dart at it and get hooked. The time for 

 fishing the black trout is from April until June, and 

 from September down to winter weather. They 

 spawn in July and August, and do not bite at all in 

 those months. 



The Cat-fish. 



This is a fresh water bottom fish found in streams 

 and ponds all over the United States. There are 

 several kinds of them, which vary in size from a 

 couple of inches in length up to those monsters of 



