The Black Bass as a Game Fish. 341 



ditions and the operation of immutable natural laws, such 

 as the gradual drying up, and dwindling away of the small 

 trout streams, and the consequent decrease in brook trout, 

 both in quality and quantity; and by the introduction of 

 predatory fish in waters where the trout still exists. 



Another prominent cause of the decline and fall of the 

 brook trout, is the erection of dams, saw-mills and fac- 

 tories upon trout streams,, which, though to be deplored, 

 can not be prevented ; the march of empire and the progress 

 of civilization can not be stayed by the honest, though 

 powerleps, protests of anglers. 



But, while the ultimate fate of the brook trout is sealed 

 beyond peradventure, in open, public waters, we have the 

 satisfaction of knowing that in the black bass We have a fish 

 equally worthy, both as to game and edible qualities, and 

 which at the same time is able to withstand, and defy, 

 many of the causes that will, in the end, efEect the annihila- 

 tion and extinction of the brook trout. 



As to a comparison of game qualities as between the 

 small-month bass and the large-mouth bass, I hold that, 

 other things being equal, and where the two species inhabit 

 the same waters, there is no difference in game qualities; 

 for, while the small-mouth is probably more active in its 

 movements, the large mouth bass is more powerful; and 

 no angler can tell from its manner of resistance whether 

 he is fast to one or the other. 



But what are the game qualities of a fish? As I under- 

 stand it, they are: its aptitude to rise to the artificial fly, 

 its readiness to take a natural bait, its exhibition of strength 

 and cunning, persistence and activity, in its efforts to break 

 away after being hooked, and its excellence as a food-fish. 



Both species of black bass rise equally well to the arti- 

 ficial fly ; though, if there be any difference in this respect. 



