154 PRACTICAL FLY FISHING 



cially as regards food, often influence the lurking places 

 of the fish. I know one stream where the most suc- 

 cess is had by casting in very shallow swift water in 

 mid-stream, but it is an exception. Where this con- 

 dition prevails the rapid is in a stream which for the 

 most part is slow and weedy. Small mouthed bass 

 don't like rapids but they like dead, dirty water less. 

 A village fool once found a lost horse for which 

 a large reward was offered. When asked how he 

 did it he replied : " Well I just thought where I 

 would go if I were a horse and I went there and 

 found him." Use the same " simp " sleuthing methods 

 when seeking bass: go where there is food and cover 

 and travel your flies where food would naturally drift. 



METHODS 



Much depends on the angler. If he rushes along 

 making a fitful cast here and there in what he believes 

 to be likely spots and tries to fish the whole river in 

 half a day he may catch fish ; usually he doesn't. But 

 look out for the " old hand " who casts with delibera- 

 tion and takes his time he always gets more fishing 

 and nearly always more fish than the " hustler " type 

 of angler. 



In casting for bass the experienced angler regulates 

 the length of his cast according to prevailing condi- 

 tions. On a darkish day or when there is a good riffle 

 on the water thirty feet or so is enough line but on 

 bright, still days or in very clear water forty or fifty or 

 even sixty feet will get the most rises. In any event 



