20 



As a rule I fish the shallows until the reeds, 

 rushes, and other acquatic plants fringing the 

 deeper waters are well grown ; then I try among 

 them, finding flies give the best sport. 



For bait fishing, it really does not appear to make 

 much difference what weather is around, so that the 

 wind is not a cold or chilly one. The fish in deep 

 water are not so easily affected as those in the shal- 

 lows, and very good sport may be had even in a 

 stiff breeze, if moderately warm and fine. In fact 

 some wind is necessary for black bass fishing, and it 

 is better to have too much than none at all. One 

 reason for this is, that wind ruffles the surface of 

 the water and renders it more difficult for the fish 

 to see the-angler. 



This is a point of greater importance than is com- 

 monly supposed. Fish both see and hear well, and 

 the idea that they cannot see is based upon the 

 great difference visible between an artificial fly and 

 a real one. As a matter of fact few men could tell 

 the difference between them when in the water ^ 

 the surface being covered with froth and suds from 

 an eddy or foam and bubbles from a rapid, the sur- 

 face ruffled by a fresh breeze, and shadowed by drift- 

 ing clouds. I have frequently seen bass dart like 

 an arrow and seize the bait from a distance of thirty 

 feet. A sombre suit of clothes, the hue of which 

 mingles with the foliage or verdue, is a wise pre- 

 caution, for fish undoubtedly see, and see remark- 

 ably well. 



How often have we seen a bright glistening sub- 



