176 SCIENCE OF FISHING. 



or leader will not be so likely to break. It is well also to 

 have a landing net or a gaff hook. 



And now we come to the catfish, the homeliest fish that 

 inhabits our fresh waters, but highly esteemed by many 

 anglers nevertheless, and generally regarded as a good food 

 fish if we forget out prejudice and let some other person 

 dress and cook him. 



The common bullhead or horned pout has a wide distri- 

 bution, being found over all parts of the eastern half of the 

 United States, and I understand also in parts of the West. 

 It sometimes, though rarely, reaches a length of eighteen 

 inches and a weight of four pounds. The usual length is 

 from ten to fourteen inches. It is an ugly fish, having a 

 very large flat head, a large mouth, with long streamers or 

 barbels hanging from the jaws. It has no scales, but a 

 tough, shiny skin like an eel. The anal fin is very large, and 

 the pectoral fins (behind the gills) have stout, sharp spines, 

 which make ugly wounds, and the "cat" can use them much 

 as a boxer uses his fists. The color is brown on the back, 

 shading to yellow on the sides and light beneath. 



The bullhead loves quiet, deep water, where the bottom 

 is muddy and he thrives best there. He seems to be more at 

 home in warm water than in cool, and you will find him 

 active and enjoying life when all of the other fishes are seek- 

 ing the cool waters and will not take a bait. But your cat- 

 fish is ever eager to take any bait that is offered to him, pro- 

 viding that you put it down where he can get it without 

 rising, for though he is not particular what he eats he does 

 not like any unnecessary exertion on his part. 



To catch bullheads, all you need is a long cane rod; a 

 line about the same length, and a light linen line will answer 

 as well as any other; a No. 4 hook, preferably one with a 

 long shank, as it renders extraction easier; and a small lead 

 sinker about ten inches above the hook. If you like you may 

 also use a cork float to tell you when the fish is biting. You 



