24 THE STRIPED BASS. 



knot that holds the gimp, draw it out that way rather 

 than through the mouth. 



In the Mississippi and Ohio rivers there are several 

 species of this fish, but they all resemble the picke- 

 rel of other waters in a greater or less degree. They 

 are of all sizes from half a pound up to twenty 

 pounds weight. 



The Striped Bass. 



This excellent fish is found all along the Atlantic 

 coast, from Florida to Maine. It inhabits the rivers, 

 bays, inlets and creeks ; and is taken in great abun- 

 dance, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay and its 

 tributaries. There, it frequently grows to the length 

 of three, four, and even five .feet, and weighing, in 

 some instances, full one hundred pounds ! The 

 striped bass will run up some rivers a hundred miles 

 or more, and in Maine they are found quite plentiful 

 in the Penobscot. In the Connecticut, too, some 

 very fine ones are taken. In winter they still keep 

 their haunts, and do not go into deep water like other 

 fish of similar habits. The word (bass) is said to be 

 a Dutch name, signifying perch ; but it little resem- 

 bles the fish we know by that name. The bass is 

 one of the most beautiful fish in point of color and 

 perfect symetry that swims, and next to the salmon 

 is the most delicious for the table. 



In the spring of the year the striped bass runs up 

 the rivers and into other fresh water places to spawn 

 and then again late in the fall to shelter. The 



