120 SUMMER ANGLING 



CHAPTER VI 



FLY-FISHING FOR BASS, PERCH, STJNFISH, 

 ETC. 



In summer, especially during the early part of 

 July, the bass (both " large " and " small " mouth) 

 ,will take the fly with avidity. A rather more 

 powerful rod is necessary to completely enjoy bass 

 fly-fishing ; but the one made for trout will do if a 

 tip be fashioned rather shorter — say six inches — 

 than the one you use for tro.ut. The reason for 

 this requirement is the heavier and larger fly in 

 use. It is usually twice as large as the ordinary 

 ones employed for trout ; and for the large-mouth 

 bass of the South, I have made flies nearly three 

 inches long, but these are very exceptional. A 

 No. 3 or 4 hook (see Fig. 33) is ordinarily large 

 enough for the black basses of the generality of 

 our streams and lakes. 



The reel need not be changed, and that em- 

 ployed for trout can be used without difficulty. 

 The line may be a little thicker, but the point is 



