CHAPTER XX. 



THE BLACK BASS AS A GAME FISH. 



OWING to my admiration for the Black Bass as a game 

 fish, and my championship of its cause for many years, and 

 my efforts to place it in the front rank of game fishes, and 

 my desire to have it placed in new waters, I am sometimes, 

 thoughtlessly and unjustly, accused of being opposed to the 

 brook-trout, and of advising the stocking of trout-streams 

 with my " favorite " fish. Nothing can be further from the 

 truth. 



I am utterly opposed to the introduction of Black Bass 

 into waters in which there is the remotest chance for the 

 brook-trout or rainbow-trout to thrive. I yield to no one 

 in love and admiration for the brook-trout. I was perfectly 

 familiar with it before I ever" saw a Black Bass ; but I 

 am not so blinded by prejudice but that I can share that 

 love with the Black Bass, which for several reasons is des- 

 tined to become the favorite game-fish of America. " My 

 offending hath this extent, no more." 



Let us look this thing squarely in the face. I do not 

 wish to disturb any one's preference, but I do want to dis- 

 abuse the minds of anglers of all prejudice in the matter. 

 The brook-trout must go. It has .already gone from many 

 streams, and is fast disappearing from others. It is sad to 

 contemplate the extinction of the " angler's pride " in pub- 

 lic waters, but the stern fact remains that in this utilitarian 

 age its days are numbered and its fate irrevocably sealed. 



(165) 



