THE basses: fres h-w ater and marine 



has a shining metallic body, either of silver or of 

 gold, the former preferred; and that this is the 

 explanation why the silver doctor is so universally 

 pronounced a favorite fly. My choice would be, out 

 of a dozen flies, ten with silver or gold bodies and 

 a varied assortment of wings and hackles, no matter 

 what fish be the quarry. In fresh or salt water the 

 same rule would apply, and size is more important 

 than color. It is only in the latter part of the sea- 

 son that large-sized natural flies are on the wing. 

 In swift-running water the bass is harder to land 

 and has in his favor all the chances of getting away. 

 With movements so quick, he is gone in a flash. 

 Many times, like lightning, he rises to meet the fly, 

 even before it touches the water, so that the angler 

 must be very alert to get ahead, if the bass is to 

 be hooked at all. To the fly-flsherman there is no 

 more inspiring sight than a fair-sized bass, leaping 

 out of the foaming, rapid water; in a second, head 

 up, with fly in his lips, shaking his whole body in 

 anger and fright; slipping down again, to tear 

 off up stream; the reel singing a lively tune. We 

 ask ourselves every time: " Will he get away? " 



142 



