362 Book of the Black Bass. 



On lakes, where there is no current, the flies should also 

 be permitted to sink over likely spots at almost every cast. 

 Lakes or deep ponds should be fished from a boat, keeping 

 in the deeper water and casting inshore on the bars, shoals, 

 reefs or ledges, or along the edges of rushes or weed patches. 

 Sometimes rushes or tall weeds grow in pretty deep water, 

 but nevertheless the bass will often be found near or 

 among them, and sometimes near or under floating logs or 

 drift; it is well to try all such places. 



It will be found that bass rise to the fly more freely when 

 the water is stirred or ruffled by a brisk breeze, and during 

 the early morning hours and late in the evening ; about sun- 

 set, or a little after, being the very best time on bright 

 days. On cloudy days there is not much choice, as one 

 hour is no more favorable than another, sunny days being 

 always the best. 



The old rule of light-colored flies for dark days and to- 

 ward evening, and dark flies for bright days, is a safe one 

 to follow, the exceptions rather tending to prove the rule^ 

 which usually happen when the fish are well on the feed 

 and will take almost any fly offered; thus it is frequently 

 the case that dark flies will kill in the dusk of evening as 

 well as the '' miller " or " coachman." 



It only remains now to say to the reader, cast as skill- 

 fully as you can, but always deliberately and carefully. 

 Always keep a taut line; strike quickly upon sight or 

 touch, and play and land your fish in your own way, but 

 get him in the creel as quickly as you can with safety to 

 j'our tackle; kill your fish outright before putting him in 

 your basket ; do not fish for count ; keep your temper ; and, 

 above all things, remember first, last and all the time the 

 most important rule in fly-fishing — keep out of sight of 

 the fish if vou would have him notice vour flies. 



