counted from sixty-five to seventy scales along the 

 lateral line between head and tail, while from seventy 

 to eighty are inclined in the same distance on the 

 smaller subject. Between the dorsal fin and lateral 

 line but eight horizontal lines of scales are included in 

 the larger fish, eleven in the other. The scales on 

 the breast of the upper river fish are smaller than those 

 of the lower, and the rays of the spinous portion of 

 the dorsal are higher and more even than on the 

 large-mouthed. The small-mouthed bass is not always 

 black, but the color changes according to the shade 

 of the water, condition of the weather and extent of 

 the field wherein the fish may domicile. I gave it to 

 my son as a fact that while these things were known, 

 the more the small-mouthed bass was studied the less 

 was known about it, for no rules laid down for finding 

 the fish, how and when it will take a bait, what 

 will be its color and appearance, have, as a general 

 proposition, held good. Here is where one may exert 

 his patience, science and skill to ascertain a knowledge 

 that no other fellow possesses. Every boy and man 

 will have his own distinct experiences, and yet 

 Benjamin Franklin is attributed with having said that 

 fishing consists of a rod and line with a bait on one 

 end and a fool on the other. 



THE FIRST LESSON. 



The rising sun was just breaking the outlines of 

 Maryland Heights, a moderate mountain breeze fanned 

 the leaves of the trees and the blades of grass glistened 

 with the early morning dew. The hammock I occupied 

 was actively manipulated by my ten year old son, 

 who was equally brisk and energetic with his tongue 



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