THE BLACK BASS 



some of the monstrosities called artificial baits ; but I control 

 the desire, as I have never yet seen any of them. I am going 

 to think that the bogies are made only to figure in the catalogues, 

 to inspire horror in the rising generation, and like the tools of the 

 Inquisition, are to be seen only in the museums to show what 

 the heathen once did to the unoffending bass. I refer to the 

 torpedo-like wooden lures, lined and covered with hooks, from 

 which there is no escape, made for good, misguided, but 

 anarchistic anglers. 



The black bass is one of the royal game fishes. He is a hard 

 and desperate fighter, never knows that he is cornered ; hence 

 should be approached fairly and squarely Avith the disadvantages 

 on the side of the angler. In a word, while he will take anything 

 at times, from a mouse to a wooden hippopotamus wound with a 

 piece of a barbed-wire fence, merely because he is a rough-and- 

 tumble fighter, he should be angled for with flies or his natural 

 food — live minnows — and really only flies. 



Your tackle for this finest of game fishes, and I have in mind 

 Dr. HenshaU, the Dean of the Black Bass Corps, should be a 

 split cane, made by the best makers, nine or ten feet long, and 

 six inches longer would not do any harm. It should weigh six 

 and a half to eight ounces ; be perfectly balanced, and feel right 

 in your hand. Dr. HenshaU says seven ounces in split cane, 

 and eight if the rod is of ash and lancewood, or ash and bathabara. 

 It is in three pieces, and should, to quote HenshaU, lend ' just 

 the requisite amount of resUiency for casting, with sufficient 

 pUancy and elasticity for playing a fish, and embodying aU the 

 power and strength needed.' The mounting should be of German 

 sUver, and the line of the best braided sflk, enameUed. The reel 

 should be a single-action affair. I have found an BngUsh 

 Hardy most exceUent, and I have also used Edwin Vom Hofe's 

 trout reel, and there are many others. The only point I make is, 

 go to the best dealer in England or America and get the test ; and, 

 as a rule, ask the advice of some expert, as your rod must fit 

 you in weight, balance, resUiency and other things. Mnety or 



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