ii6 PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



waters, especially in mid-summer, he is apt to have a 

 slighty " muddy " flavor which can best be remedied 

 by skinning the fish. 



ROCK BASS 



(Ambloplites rupestris) 



I include this little cousin of the black basses merely 

 because he is so often found in good bass streams, be- 

 ing something of a nuisance when the bass are rising 

 well but welcome enough when the larger, better fish 

 register indifference to our masterful casting! 



In appearance the rock bass is a sort of connecting 

 link between the common sunfishes and the black bass. 

 His color tends towards mottled, olive green and he 

 has a large mouth and a large red eye. He is often 

 called " goggle-eye." In size he seldom exceeds a 

 pound, more often half that weight, but is a willing 

 riser to the fly, strikes viciously and, for a short time at 

 least, puts up a good fight for his ounces. 



The rock bass frequents the same places as his 

 larger cousin, lives on the same food and his breeding 

 habits are similar. They often travel in small schools 

 and are very fond of underwater rock piles, stone abut- 

 ments and such places where they find food and cover. 

 When taken from cold water they are good pan fishes 

 and for this reason are great favorites with young 

 anglers. 



The other sunfishes crappies, blue gills, pumpkin 

 seeds, etc.,' all rise to the fly under favorable condi- 



