THE BLACK BASS. 29 



almost as lively as ever. In some parts of Michigan 

 small sun-fish are used as follows : After running the 

 hook through the end of the nose of the small fish, 

 sonceal its point with an angle-worm. On being 

 thrown into the water, other sun-fish will throng 

 round the captive, being attracted by the worm. 

 The bass darts suddenly among them, and while 

 those that are free escape to shallow water, the bait 

 is seized by the head, and the bass is thus easily 

 hooked. After hooking your bass, it is not always 

 that you catch him. Indeed he is the most uneasy 

 fish imaginable to be hauled out of the water, and 

 his vigorous and pertinacious struggles for liberty 

 make the sport of fishing him excellent. After being 

 hooked, the bass will often rise to the surface and leap 

 into the air, shaking himself violently to dislodge the 

 hook. At other times he will turn suddenly towards 

 the angler, slacking the line, and in this way detach- 

 ing himself from the hook by floundering about. It 

 is, therefore, necessary to be careful to keep your 

 line taut by means of the reel ; and with proper care 

 and expertness in this respect you will land your 

 fish. A large artificial fly of gay appearance, is also 

 an excellent bait, and next to the live minnow. You 

 can usually get the fly at a fishing-tackle store, or 

 if you make it yourself, the body should be of pea- 

 cock feather, and scarlet wings tipped with white 

 pigeon feathers. The scarlet is what attracts the 

 fish, and be sure to put that on your fly. Small 

 frogs and craw-fish are sometimes used for bait ; and 



