496 Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



Bait and Flies. — Many interesting things may be learned about 

 the habits of fishes by a little careful study of natural and artificial 

 lures. 



1. Note whether insects are being carried by the stream. Try to 

 see what insects are abundant on the shore and use some of these 

 for bait. 



2. When hooking an insect, hook it in the axis of the body through 

 the top of the thorax. The hook should enter behind the thorax and 

 come out in front behind the head. In this way the destruction of 

 the insect's brain and nervous system is avoided and the bait will 

 struggle when striking the water, — hence an additional element to 

 deceive the fish. Do not pierce the head, or hook through the under 

 side; for the brain of an insect lies near the top of the head and two 

 connections go to the nerve cord, which lies in the thorax and abdo- 

 men, on the " belly " or ventral side. If you hook the brain or cord, 

 death or paralysis will result and the bait will not be so attractive. 

 Hooking through the thorax is best, because that part of an insect is 

 firmest, since its strong plates are needed for the attachment of the 

 leg' and wing muscles. 



3. When you have caught yoiu- first fish, kill it by striking it 

 sharply on the front of the head, or by thrusting a knife blade 

 through the neck to sever the spinal cord. Examine the stomach con- 

 tents and note whether it comprises a general mixture or if some 

 particular insect is more abundant. Then select that type for bait. 

 Or if you prefer an artificial fly, try one which seems to bear some 

 resemblance to the bait eaten. 



4. A hungry fish will accept almost anything in the line of bait. 

 After mid-forenoon, however, greater care must be used in choosing 

 baits or flies. 



5. A satiated fish will refuse the regular diet, but, like human 

 beings, he does not despise something choice in the way of dessert. 

 Some lure that seems strange and looks palatable may often entice 

 a surfeited fish to bite. 



6. \\dien you have caught sufficient fish for a meal, and are still 

 keen for the sport, try for some situation that requires special skill. 

 Try for some old Methuselah and see if you can outwit him. Since 

 he is too wise to be lured by ordinary methods, you may have to 

 resort to unusual tactics. All animals, like men, have their trait of 

 curiosity, and an old and wary trout is not exempt. In such cases, 

 do not make your approach too obvious. Bait or flies that appear 

 easy to capture will not tempt him. Try an unusual bait, and make 

 it require some effort on the part of Methuselah to get it. 



