THE BLACK BASSE. 193 



and do not return immediately to their harboring spot, which 

 is one reason why those who do not use the reel are not as 

 successful as those who employ it. After a few moments 

 they glide back to their favorite spot, and as the fly comes 

 along, dart at and seize it. A strong tug is felt by the angler, 

 who has only to draw gently, and his prey is fastened. The 

 oarsman rests on his oars, to give the angler full command 

 of his line. The noble fish, after one or two runs to right arid 

 left, suddenly rises and makes his splendid leap, and plung- 

 ing, again seeks the bottom, again rises, and then tries his 

 last experiment of dashing right towards the boat. He strug- 

 gles long and vigorously, but his strength is at last exhausted, 

 and you trail your unresisting captive to the landing net. I 

 have taken them of various weights, the largest weighing five 

 pounds nine ounces : this was done last summer ( 1844 ) in Lake 

 George. I believe they are sometimes taken much larger 

 in the St. Lawrence river, and upper lakes, but my acquaint- 

 ance with them is limited to the beautiful lake just mentioned. 



" At Sherrill's capital hotel at Caldwell, every facility for 

 enjoying this delightful sport can be had, though the best 

 fishing grounds are down the lake. 



"An excellent house is kept by Mr. Garfield, twenty-two 

 miles down the lake, where the best fishing stations for the 

 salmon trout are situated. There is a great deal of fine 

 ground for the basse in the neighborhood. 



"About ten miles from Caldwell, there is a place called 

 the Narrows, where there are numerous small islands with 

 shelving rocky shores, and fine trolling ground. 



"Anglers will find good plain accommodation at a house 

 kept by Mr. Lyman, who is very kind and attentive to his 

 guests, and furnishes baits, guides, &c. 



" In trolling for the black basse in Lake George, you will 

 frequently strike those of one-half to three-fourths pound 

 weight, even with the very large fly which I have described. 





