Fishing Eods. 147 



from experience that there was a want not supplied in 

 black bass rods, as ofEered by the trade, and who possessed 

 sufficient mechanical skill, constructed their own rods and 

 fished in their own way; and as these worthy souls were 

 generally regarded as authority in their respective localities 

 on the subject of black bass fishing, and not without reason, 

 their particular style of rod was adopted in their particular 

 locality as the " perfect bass rod." This will account for 

 the marked difference of opinion upon this subject in dif- 

 ferent sections of the country, for each such rod was made 

 in accordance with the style of fishing, and the character of 

 the waters to be fished. 



Many years ago, while residing in Wisconsin, I con- 

 ceived the idea of writing a book on the black bass, in order 

 to do justice to a fish that seemed to be but little under- 

 stood, and likewise to divest the sport of black bass angling, 

 as it then existed, of some of its primitive and disagreeable 

 features, and give it a higher place in the catalogue of noble 

 sports. 



I was convinced that it was only necessary to present 

 the claims of the black bass in a proper light, and to give 

 a description of the most suitable tackle for its capture, 

 to induce the angling fraternity to accord full justice 

 to a noble fish, which I felt satisfied was, for several 

 reasons, destined to become the leading game-fish of 

 America. 



Accordingly, I began making notes of my observations 

 of the habits of the black bass, and was collecting data 

 for the intended treatise, when, fortunately and oppor- 

 tunely, Mr. Charles Hallock founded and established that' 

 excellent journal, " Forest and Stream," which came just 

 when it was most needed. Here then was my opportunity 

 t6 reach the anglers of the country, and I was not slow to 



