THE BASSES: FRES H-W ATER AND MARINE 



the black bass, pound, for pound, inch for inch, is 

 considered the superior on the rod of all fresh- 

 water fish, and when taken in running water on light 

 tackle and artificial flies its qualities of resistance 

 appear to gather strength and certainly add to its 

 chances of escape. Anglers who fish with light gear 

 which their quarry can break if a direct strain upon 

 it is obtained by the fish feel that they are giving to 

 their scaled prey the same chances for life as the 

 field sportsman gives to the quail or pheasant which 

 he disdains to shoot on the ground and will fire at 

 only when on the wing. 



The Angler's Outfit 



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The outfit for fly-fishing for black bass is very 

 similar to that used in trout-fishing; the flies are 

 often alike in name and dressings, but the feathers 

 are dressed on larger hooks, and the hackles are 

 generally tied well down to the bend of the hook, 

 in palmer or bunched fashion. Many anglers use 

 flies that are too large for fishing in running water ; 

 those dressed on Nos. 4 to 6 Sproat, and generally 

 called " large trout flies," will answer well, and the 

 use of the so-called big " lake flies " on running 

 water has been discontinued by experienced anglers. 



In these latter days, since angling tournaments 

 have been held, rods are built with more backbone, 

 but without increased weight; and a six-ounce split- 



