CHAPTER XXIY. 

 TROLLING. 



THREE or four years ago I was attracted to Gogebic lake 

 and Eagle waters in Northern Wisconsin to investigate the 

 so-called " razor-back " Black Bass of Gogebic, and the 

 mascalonge of Eagle waters. I found the former to be 

 only small-mouthed Bass infected with tape worm, and the 

 latter to be a true mascalonge. 



At that time Gogebic lake was somewhat famous on ac- 

 count of its great numbers of Black Bass, and the ease with 

 which they could be caught. While there I witnessed scenes 

 and heard of acts (that may serve to point a moral) that 

 should bring the blush of shame to the cheek of the most 

 hardened ; and yet they were perpetrated by men calling 

 themselves anglers, or at least fishermen, for there is a dif- 

 ference in degree as well as in kind of those claiming alle- 

 giance to the " gentle " art. 



On the first evening of my arrival I saw two large piles 

 of Black Bass, enough to fill several barrels, burnt by the 

 guides at the edge of the lake. Nine-tenths of them were 

 caught with the hand-line and trolling-spoon by anglers 

 Heaven, save the mark ! who were fishing for count, or 

 vying with each other as to who should bring in the greatest 

 number. 



It is no excuse to say that the Bass were there to be 

 caught,- or that the parties knew no better. They would 

 have resented warmly any imputation that they were other 

 (190) 



