300 BLACK BASSE ANGLING IN MICHIGAN. 



It is said that at this time they will greedily take the 

 grasshopper and artificial fly, but the fish are not generally 

 good ; in this season you will rarely succeed in inducing them 

 to rise to the simulated insect. The proper months, then, for 

 black basse fishing, are June and July, and from the beginning 

 of September to the middle and last of October. Basse seldom 

 take the bait during the prevalence of a north-east or east wind. 

 In the latter part of September or during the month of October, 

 basse may be taken at almost any time of day, bu* they bite 

 better mornings and afternoons, even in that season. 



The modes of taking this delicious fish, are by trolling, and 

 still fishing with the rod and reel. 



In trolling, the spoon may be used with success, or a few 

 white feathers fastened around the shank of the hook with a 

 bit of red woollen yarn or red flannel. White deer hair 

 adorned with bright red, is said to be a killing trolling bait ; a 

 tuft of hair, two and a half inches in length, and nearly the 

 thickness of one's finger, is laid along the shank of the hook 

 and securely fastened in the middle by binding on sewing silk, 

 which is covered by red yarn or flannel. As it is drawn 

 through the water, the ends of the hairs above the yarn spread 

 out and turn back ; this bait is showy and said to be very 

 effective. It is used in the rapids of rivers, and for trolling in 

 the small inland lakes. The baits used with the rod and reel 

 are minnows, small frogs, and the common craw fish, or little 

 fresh water lobster. The live minnow is the best, though 

 there are times when their voracity will prompt them to take 

 almost any bait. The bait, whatever it may be, except the 

 angle worm, should be kept in motion, by drawing it through 

 the water a yard or two at a tune ; this seems to act as a 

 provocation, and they will dart at it, when, if the bait be dead 

 and stationary, they will not touch it. A strong, live minnow 

 of three inches in length is a very killing bait. Use a gut 



