174 SUPPLEMENT TO THE BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



and under overhanging bushes and hollow banks, and over 

 the shallow pools above and below rapids and riffles. 



After casting, the flies should be roved, skittered or 

 danced over the surface by jerky or tremulous movements, 

 to imitate, as nearly as may be, a living fly, and then be 

 allowed to sink several inches below the surface and float 

 away like a drowned insect to the extreme length of the 

 line. 



On lakes, where there is no current, the flies should also 

 be permitted to sink over likely spots at almost every cast. 

 Lakes or deep ponds should be fished from a boat, keeping 

 in the deeper water and casting inshore on the bars, shoals, 

 reefs or ledges, or along the edges of rushes or weed patches. 

 Sometimes rushes or tall weeds grow in pretty deep water, 

 but nevertheless the Bass will usually be found near or 

 among them, and sometimes near or under floating logs or 

 drift ; it is well to try all such places. 



It will be found that Bass rise to the fly more freely when 

 the water is stirred or ruffled by a brisk breeze, and during 

 the early morning hours and late in the evening ; about sun- 

 set, or a little after, being the very best time on bright 

 days. On cloudy days there is not much choice, as one 

 hour is no more favorable than another, sunny days being 

 always the best. 



The old rule of light-colored flies for dark days and to- 

 ward evening, and dark flies for bright days, is a safe one 

 to follow, the exceptions rather tending to prove the rule, 

 which usually happen when the fish are well on the feed, 

 and will take almost any fly offered ; thus it is frequently 

 the case that dark flies will kill in the dusk of evening as 

 well as the " Miller " or " Coachman/' 



It only remains now to say to the reader, as I have often 



