,libr>ies47        ,,black ,,bass4      
,,:]e ,,to ,,cat* ,,!m ,,9 ,,quantity   
,,)9 ,,an ,,h\r',s   ,,ride ,,( ,,new   
,,york4     ,be/ ,me?ods & ,baits fully 
treat$ ^u1 ) sali5t   ,practical ,h9ts  
^u *oice ( ,rods & ,tackle4     ,wea!r  
,progno/ications & ,atmosph]ic          
,influ5ces ,review$4     ,illu/ration   
7h&writ+73 ,*>les ,b>k] ,brad=d         
,,new ,,york3   ,,! ,w4 ,p4 ,,pond      
,,publi%+ ,,co41   #cg ,w4 #bd,,?       
,,/reet4   ,copyright1 #ahhh1 ,w4 ,p4   
,pond  ,co4         ,let me live        
h>mlessly1 & ne> ! br9k       ,( ,tr5t  
or ,avon h a dwell+-place3     ,:]e ,i  
may see my fly or cork d[n s9k1       ,)
 eag] bite ( pike1 or bass1 or dace1    
,& on ! _w & my ,creator ?9k3           
,:ile "s m5 /rive ill-gott5 goods       
t'embrace3     ,& o!rs sp5d _! "t 9 base
 excess       ,( w9e1 or worse1 9 w> or 
wantonness4     ,let !m t w1 ^! pa/imes 
/ill pursue1       ,& on su* pleas+     
fancies fe$ _! fill1     ,s ,i ! fields 
& mead[s gre5 may view1       ,& daily  

by fre% riv]s walk at w4      --,anci5t 
,angl]4     ,illu/ration3 ,black ,bass  
,fi%+   ,!re is probably no m welcome   
news = "o fond ( black bass fi%+ ?an a  
description & g5]al details ( :]e good  
sport may be _h2 & :5 ! individual is a 
unit 9 ! population ( a l>ge city &     
sudd5ly le>ns t ?is is obta9able )9 an  
easy di/ance1 ! in=mation is wor? its   
weight 9 gold1 9 8 e/imation1 if 9 no "o
 else's4 ,! ma9 object ( ?is pap] on    
black bass fi%+ is to supply t k to a   
l>ge cont+5t1 & also to give a few h9ts 
to ^?1 :o1 fond ( fi%+1 may /ill be op5 
to a few practical h9ts4 ,!re are       
possibly _m fi%]m5 l myself1 :o1 :ile n 
unfamili> ) salt-wat] sport ) rod & l9e1
 /ill "k & fully appreciate ! pleasure (
 fi%+ = ! fre%-wat] black bass4         
,salt-wat] fi%+ is gr& sport1 b !re are 
_m d5iz5s ( a city :o h be5 re>$ 9 !    
di/ricts ( fre%-wat] /reams1 lakes &    
ponds1 :o h n _h ! opportunities (      
cultivat+ salt-wat] sport1 & :o ev5 :5  
surr\nd$ ) e facility = its pursuit1    

w\ld /ill be elat$ at f9d+ "s well-/ock$
 /ream ne> at h&4 ,angl]s1 z a rule1 are
 unable to g f> a-field 9 se>* (        
fre%-wat] fi%+1 & = six ye>s pa/ x 0 a  
cont9ual ?orn 9 my fle%1 mortify+ me    
consid]ably1 t no in=mation c\ld be     
obta9$ ( any good fi%+ t did n          
necessitate an abs5ce ( sev]al days4    
,la/ season1 entirely by accid5t1 ,i ran
 ^u a magnific5t place )9 n9ete5 miles (
 ,new ,york ,city4 ,x is a beautiful    
spot1 easily rea*$ )\t mu* exp5se or    
tr\ble & )9 an h\r's ride by rail4 ,9   
all my se>*1 ?is is ! "o spot ,i c>e to 
recomm5d to my read]s4 ,take ! c>s f    
,j]sey ,city to ,rahway1 ,n4 ,j41 & ^u  
arriv+ !re walk to a small village call$
 ,milton1 half a mile we/ ( ,rahway2    
pass ?r\gh ?is1 cont9ue half a mile     
fur!r we/1 & y w rea* ,milton ,lake4 ,an
 h\r & a half's "t cov]s ! di/ance4 ,i  
g5]ally take ! "o-?irty p4 m4 tra91 &   
return 9 ! ev5+2 b tra9s run almo/ e h\r
 to & f ,rahway4  ,milton ,lake is a    
body ( wat] ab\t a mile squ>e1 ) two    

outlets1 "o fall+ ov] a picturesque /one
 dam tw5ty feet high into a /ream ab\t  
t5 feet wide2 & ! o!r outlet1 a small   
/ream fl[+ ?r\gh a mill-gate to !       
,milton ,mills4 ,9 ea* ( ^! /reams !re  
are pl5ty ( bass1 b 9 ! lake prop] & 9 !
 little brook t fl[s into ! upp] end ( !
 lake1 !y are 9 abundance4 ,i pass !    
lake itself & foll[ ! little /ream =    
ab\t half a mile until ,i come to       
,:ite's ,f>m4 ,?is ,i h f\nd to be !    
f9e/ fi%+ gr\nd4 ,! /ream is ab\t       
eighte5 feet wide at ! n>r[e/ "p & f    
fifty to sixty at its wide/4 ,x rises   
miles ^u miles back 9 ! c\ntry some:]e1 
& runs rippl+ & *att]+ ov] ! %all[s1    
surg+ sil5tly ov] ! pools until x       
empties into ! lake4 ,i h nev] fi%$     
high] ?an ,:ite's ,f>m1 be+ well        
satisfi$ ) ! sport obta9$ !re1 b !      
resid5t f>m]s tell me t !re is ev5 f9]  
fi%+ up /ream4  ,l ! av]age fi%]man1 ,i 
am m or less sup]/iti\s1 & hav+ always  
_h good luck at my favorite place 7!    
edge ( a f9e piece ( wood1 :i*1 by !    

way1 conta9 a few woodcock71 ,i d n c>e 
to seek fur!r1 &1 p]haps1 f>e worse4    
,"h1 :]e ! /ream bran*es (f f a wide    
pond-l section1 & sl[ly fl[s pa/ two    
doz5 or s f9e will[s on ei!r bank1 ,i h 
made a rude seat 9 "o ( ! trees1 & us+ a
 coat = a cu%ion1 h sp5t _m pleasant    
h\rs2 n always fi%+1 b on hot summ]     
aft]noons1 %ad$ f ! sun1 j lett+ my l9e 
run out 9 ! wat]1 c>eless ab\t ei!r rise
 or cat*1 9 quiet repose1 look+ at !    
beautiful natural l&scape ar\nd me1     
fairly en*ant$ ) its rural spl5dor4 ,!n 
,i feel t = a %ort space1 at lea/1 ,i h 
?r[n (f ! burd5 ( a busy life1 & c      
quietly absorb all t ,dame ,nature ?us  
g5]\sly af=ds4 ,i see ! silv]y          
sky-reflect+ /ream w9d+ its peaceful way
 ?r\gh ! ri* pa/urage1 "u ! ru/ic       
bridge1 pa/ ! l9e ( undulat+ will[s1 t1 
mov+ ) ! fa9te/ brea? ( air1 seem ev]   
b5d+ d[n to kiss its ripples2 pa/ ! gre5
 banks & or*>ds1 on ?r\gh clov] pat*es1 
& s$ge-l9$ promontories1 fla%+ l burni%$
 metal at ! rifts1 black z night 9 !    

pools1 dappl$ & fleck$ by ! mirror$     
cl\ds1 kiss$ into cat's paws by ! fa9t  
breeze2 on x goes until its f>!r c\rse  
is lo/ 9 ! %ad[ ( ! olive-gre5 woods t  
t[] 9 massive d>kness aga9/ ! s(t       
amb]-color$ cl\ds & pale blue sky4 ,!   
wat*ful k+fi%]1 p]*$ on ! o!r side ( !  
/ream1 eyes me askance b has no great   
fe> at my pres5ce1 ! spla% ( a di/urb$  
turtle or ! heavi] fall ( a div+ frog   
call+ = 8 m e>ne/ att5tion4 ,bass are   
leap+ 9 e direction2 f> up on ! hillside
 s\nds ! bell ( a c[2 ne>] /ill calls   
,bob ,:ite2 rob9s are pip+2 ! wr5s are  
*irp+2 a hungry cr[ dismally cawks1 &   
all ^! s\nds m+le ) ! music ( ! millions
 ( trill+ nameless t9y insects conceal$ 
9 ! deep grasses bel[ me & 9 ! flutt]+  
leaves ov]-head4  ,:at great] pleasure c
 a busy man wi% = ?an to n[ & aga9 leave
 life & ! _w beh9d = a few h\rs & amid  
surr\nd+s l ^! smoke & *at ) a cong5ial 
fri5d1 9 pleasant %ade1 until ! sun s9ks
 t[>ds ! ,we/1 & ! "w ( fi%+ beg9s4  ,"o
 c fi% equally well f bank or boat4 ,!  

/ream sides are grass-b\nd & fl[]-deck$ 
to ! v wat] edge1 af=d+ dry & safe      
foot+1 ) "h & !re a f5ce to lean aga9/1 
or hang y\r imp$im5ta ^u4 ,a little to !
 left ( ! f>mh\se is ! or*>d1 succe$$ by
 a wood ( nut & oak trees1 :i* slope to 
! banks ( ! lake1 & "u ^: %ade bass may 
be caught at any h\r ( ! day1 be ! sun  
ev] s hot4 ,! wat] "h is deep & cool1 & 
,i use x z a swimm+ gr\nd4 ,x is also a 
f9e place to cool dr9ks 94 ,a bottle (  
,pip] ,heidsieck or a bottle or two (   
be] slung into ! dep?s ( ! pool ) a /\t 
cord1 c be drawn up an h\r lat] cool z a
 sn[ /ream 9 ! m\nta9s4 ,a little       
di/ance above a ru/ic bridge spans !    
/ream1 "u & on ei!r side ( :i*1 j 9 !   
%ad[ l9e1 a doz5 or m f9e bass1 weigh+  
up to f\r p\nds ea*1 may be se5 at any  
"t4 ,z "o crosses ! bridge !y raise _!  
wea!r-eye & look up1 b d n move1 :il/   
hundr$s ( "y bass1 an in* or two 9 l5g?1
 %oot f ! innum]able crevices l s _m    
fre%-wat] %9]s4 ,! v f\ndation ( !      
bridge seems to be alive ) !m4 ,!re are 

also a numb] ( giant sun-fi% "h :i*     
seldom refuse a bait4 ,at daybreak on   
f9e morn+s1 :5 camp+ !re = a day or two1
 ,i h caught 9 less ?an an h\r half a   
doz5 two-p\nd bass1 n c\nt+ o!r fi% &   
small bass :i* ,i toss$ back4 ,i us$ "o 
( ,*ubb's ord9>y silk troll+ l9es & "o (
 ,abbey's spoons1 :i*1 by ! way1 to my  
fancy sp9 m freely & bett] ?an any o!rs 
,i h us$4 ,?is ,i work$ sometimes f a   
small b>k canoe & sometimes f a wood5   
"o1 :i* ,i keep at ! f>m1 & use to      
paddle up & d[n ! /ream betwe5 ! will[s 
& ! bridge1 or ^u ! lake itself4  ,_m m5
 pref] a boat & o>s1 b ,i f9d a light   
canoe inf9itely pref]able4 ,! d\ble     
paddle makes less spla% ?an ! o>s1 & if 
"o c use ! ,canadian s+le blade1 x does 
n make any noise at all4 ,add$ to ?is x 
is easi] manag$1 "o sees :]e "o is go+1 
& x c be lift$ ) "o h& f /ream to lake1 
& lake to /ream4  ,! fi% "u ! bridge are
 v tempt+1 b also v w>y1 & ! resid5ts   
say !y are b seldom caught f ! bridge   
itself4 ,"o day ,i ca/ a yell[-body fly1

 7a clumsy affair1 b ! be/ ,i _h1 hav+  
lo/ my fly book on ! c>s7 & z x fell on 
! wat] ,i let x drift "u ! bridge1 m 9  
c>elessness ?an by int5t1 & z x rea*$ ! 
ri* bank ( gre5 we$s out ( my sight1 ,i 
felt ! tug & magnetic vibration t e     
angl] kn[s s well4 ,quick z a fla% ,i   
dropp$ f ! bridge to ! bank1 ran knee   
deep into ! /ream1 & fight+ ! fi% cle> (
 ! /ructure & re$s1 l&$ a ?ree-p\nd     
five-ounce beauty at my side on ! bank4 
,t's ! fir/ fi% ,i've se5 caught f !    
bridge1 said an admir+ native1 & x 0 !  
only "o ,i ev] caught1 al?\gh my l9e has
 dropp$ !re _m times be=e & s9ce4  ,n[  
,i "k ! trick4 ,i made a /\t cord fa/ to
 a /ump above ! bridge1 & let my canoe  
float d[n "u & ?r\gh ! bridge1 !n ,i ca/
 my fly1 & a boy sitt+ 9 ! b[s sl[ly    
pull$ me ?r\gh aga9 up to ! /ump4 ,! fi%
 see+ no spla%1 only ! pass+ %ad[ ( !   
sil5t canoe1 took my fly readily1 & 9 ! 
e>ly morn+ ,i 0 sure ( a fairly good    
cat*4 ,if fi%$ = f ! bridge1 !y w lie   
!re1 & nev] move a f92 ! curr5t is weak1

 & if sc>$ away by a /one or twig1 !y w 
return 9 a second or two1 almo/ to !    
same spot4 ,i fancy ! fir/ "o ,i caught 
0 n a regul> bridge bass1 b 0 "o swimm+ 
up /ream at ! edge ( ! we$s 9 se>* ( 8  
breakfa/4 ,n[ if any ( my fi%+ fri5ds   
?9k !y c cat* ^! bridge bass1 ,i w      
gu>antee to %[ !m 7or !y c g & see =    
!mselves7 f six to a doz5 ( ! beauties  
ly+ !re at any "t4  ,:5 ,i d n succe$ ) 
!m to my satisfaction1 ,i get "s "o to  
sy/ematically drop /ones & drive !m up  
/ream1 :]e1 p]haps out ( pure           
unadult]at$ cuss$ness1 !y seem to       
readily take a fly4 ,a great advantage (
 ?is spot up /ream is t ! baby bass &   
sun fi% give b little tr\ble4 ,!        
pr9cipal nuisances are ! l>ge eels4 ,if 
! l9e t\*es ! bottom = an in/ant an eel 
seems c]ta9 to be wait+ = x1 & ,i w\ld z
 readily h&le a squid z an eel4  ,my    
bro!r1 :o frequ5tly accompanies me1 is n
 a fi%]man & pref]s fi%+ = eels1 & by a 
rule ( contr>9ess ! bass bo!r him q z   
mu* z ! fre%-wat] snakes1 z ,i call !m1 

bo!r me4  ,among my tr\bles ,i mu/ n    
=get ! mud turtles & snapp]s4 ,!y1 too1 
are a nuisance :5 bait+ ) worms1 &      
anyone :o desires a few ( ! %ell-backs c
 be abundantly accommodat$4  ,= m ?an   
two miles ( ?is lovely /ream any man :o 
kn[s h[ to h&le a rod or ?r[ a fly c l&1
 or at lea/ hook1 "s ( ! livelie/ two to
 ?ree p\nd]s he c\ld wi% =1 & al?\gh    
bass v>y 9 _! ta/es at diff]5t p]iods ( 
! day1 ,i "k no?+ bett] ?an ! common    
troll+ spoon z a regul> ?+4 ,!re is "o  
pool :]e ,i w\ld almo/ be incl9$ to wag]
 t ,i c\ld get a /rike ) ei!r spoon or  
fly e t5 m9utes dur+ ! fir/ two h\rs (  
daylight1 or f five to eight 9 ! ev5+4  
,t is say+ a good deal1 b x is a fact4  
,! be/ fi% ,i caught la/ season 0 :5 ,i 
0 go+ up /ream 9 ! canoe ne> ! m\? ( !  
lake & close to ! "r side4 ,by a sudd5  
movem5t ,i %ot "u "s will[ bran*es4 ,i 0
 j lett+ my l9e run out aft] a we$ /rike
 & 0 hold+ ! paddle 9 my left h&1 ) !   
l9e betwe5 my tee?1 us+ my "r h& to give
 a good pu% to cle> ! b\ghs1 :5 zip1    

zip6 a beauty seiz$ my bait z ,i float$ 
out4 ,i got n]v\s1 upset my canoe &     
roll$ into ! wat]1 b wad$ on %ore & l&$ 
my fi%4 ,he weigh$ f\r p\nds1 sev5      
ounces1 live weight1 & ,i h 8 head &    
tail & a cle> consci5ce to prove x4  ,! 
la/ half day ( ! season ,i 0 fi%+ at    
,milton ,lake1 & ,i caught eighte5 f9e  
bass1 & two eels1 ! latt] z l>ge r\nd z 
a policeman's club & z dirty & slimy z  
usual4 ,eels always rem9d me ( a sk9ny  
circus contortioni/4 ,:5 ,i am un=tunate
 en\gh to hook "o1 ,i g5]ally make a    
clean cut ( two y>ds ( silk l9e1 hook & 
all1 & tie him up to ! f5ce1 or b[ /ay (
 my canoe4 ,i w\ld will+ly let all ( !m 
g aga9 only f a l+]+ remnant ( a boyi%  
sup]/ition t !y w\ld g & tell all ! bass
 h[ horribly indige/ible my bait 04  ,i 
rememb] cat*+ a big snapp+ turtle1      
weigh+ ab\t twelve p\nds1 9 ! lake "o   
day4 ,:5 ,i pull$ x up1 my companion    
grabb$ x1 & ,i really ?9k ,i w\ld h     
jump$ ov]bo>d b = ! fe> t o!rs might be 
ar\nd to make ?+s m pleasant = me =     

jump+ f ! fry+ pan into ! fire4 ,i      
suppose a salt-wat] fi%]man w\ld h yell$
 & danc$ = joy2 ,i am n built t way4 ,:5
 ,i fi% = bass1 ,i want bass1 & :5 ,i   
fi% = turtles--,no6 ,i w\ld n want !m   
ev5 !n4 ,! next "o t takes my bait c h  
pole1 l9e1 hook & all4  ,! bass 9 ! lake
 are innum]able1 b !y are m difficult to
 cat* ?an ^? 9 ! /ream1 a fact :i*      
pleases ! true fi%]man1 :o fi%es to mat*
 8 skill & sci5ce aga9/ ! in/9ct & cunn+
 ( ! fi%1 r ?an ) ! "o sole int5tion (  
mak+ 8 bag l>g] ?an t ( any prec$+      
angl]4  ,rememb] ! lake bass want sport 
m ?an food1 & ! bait mu/ be h&l$ 9 a    
lively mann] to br+ success4 ,"s fifte5 
ye>s ago ?is wat] 0 /ock$ by "s weal?y  
,j]sey m51 &1 f :at ,i c le>n1 n half a 
doz5 exp]t angl]s h visit$ its wat]s 9 !
 pa/ t5 ye>s1 & !re is no record (      
anybody ev] hav+ fi%$ ! /ream ,i "h     
describe4  ,la/ season ,i only met ?ree 
/rang]s at ! lake1 b !y nev] seem$ to   
cat* any?+ beyond eels1 turtles1        
sun-fi%1 & a few two in* bass1 ! "n (   

:i* !y did n ev5 "k1 & ,i got into _!   
bad graces by tell+ !m !y ought to      
return ! bass into ! lake4 ,!y ?\ght ,i 
0 a crank1 9 fact "o ( !m told me s4 ,^!
 m5 7 salt-wat] sports1 & "o man :o came
 !re f ,new>k1 ,n4 ,j41 0 actually bait+
 ) %rimps = fre%-wat] bass & _h no less 
?an eight hooks ^u 8 l9e1 all bait$ )   
%rimps4 ,?is man also told me t !re 7 no
 dec5t fi% 9 ! lake1 & /range to say1   
?is appe>s to be ! g5]al op9ion ( ! few 
visitors4  ,i met "o good fly fi%]man a 
ye> ago1 :o _h sev]al f9e beauties on ! 
bank4 ,he _h tak5 8 /& beh9d my tree    
be=e ,i arriv$1 & he 0 an arti/4 ,we    
became good fri5ds & promis$ to meet    
aga91 b h n done s z yet4 ,he agre$ ) me
 t ! lake 0 full ( beautiful fi%1 & t !y
 7 a trifle h>d to cat*1 :i* fact we bo?
 agre$ 0 v good = ! int]e/s ( ! true    
lov]s ( ! art ( angl+4  ,ano!r f9e place
 = bass )9 an easy di/ance ( ,new ,york 
is ,gre5wood ,lake1 :i* lies half 9 ,new
 ,york & half 9 ,new ,j]sey4 ,x is on ! 
,erie railroad & has sev]al good hotels 

& a club h\se op5 dur+ ! summ]4 ,guides 
are to be _h at a mod]ate figure1 & !   
fi%+ dur+ ! la/ ?ree seasons has be5    
good4  ,lake ,ronkonkoma1 ,long ,isl&1  
is ano!r good fi%+ gr\nd4 ,take ! ,long 
,isl& railroad to ! depot at            
,ronkonkoma2 f !re /ages run to ! lake  
dur+ ! season4 ,di/ance1 ab\t two miles4
  ,tux$o ,p>k is conf9$ to memb]s ( !   
,tux$o ,p>k ,club1 & has a f9e supply ( 
l>ge & lively bass1 :i* take a fly      
rem>kably well4  ,at ,lake ,hopatcong1  
,n4 ,y41 bass are pl5tiful1 b )\t a     
guide little good is to be done4 ,x lies
 on ! ,morris & ,essex railroad1 two    
h\rs ride f ,hobok54 ,dur+ ! summ] a v  
good h\se1 ! ,hotel ,bresl91 is op54    
,?is hotel 0 fir/ op5$ la/ ye>1 is      
exce$+ly mod]ate 9 its *>ges1 is well   
fitt$ ?r\gh\t1 & is by f> ! be/ h\se (  
!m all4 ,!re are sev]al guides at !     
,lake1 ! be/ av]age ( !m be+ ,morris    
,deck]1 :o has an isl& 9 ! lake on :i*  
he lets out t5ts to camp+ p>ties1       
supply+ !m ) all necess>ies at          

reasonable t]ms4 ,he is well po/$ 9 !   
v>i\s fe$+ gr\nds1 & ) him good sport is
 a c]ta9ty1 if ! wea!r is "r4 ,!re are  
"s v l>ge bass "h4 ,mr4 ,eug5e ,c4      
,black=d has caught sev]al at f\r & a   
half p\nds1 & five & a qu>t] p\nds4 ,"o 
0 caught ?ree ye>s ago weigh+ eight     
p\nds two ounces4 ,!re are pl5ty ( good 
pick]el1 & angl]s are b little annoy$ by
 sun-fi% or eels4 ,!re is a f9e fi%+    
club-h\se on ,b]tr& ,isl&1 :i* is v     
exclusive4 ,! be/ bait "h has prov$ to  
be live bait1 m9n[s1 or frogs4 ,n[ z    
reg>ds bait = /ill-fi%+1 ,i h tri$ almo/
 ev]y?+ at odd times4  ,bass are v      
peculi> fi% z reg>ds fe$+4 ,sometimes !y
 take "o bait "r along all day1 & at o!r
 times w *ange morn+1 noon1 & night1    
also f sun%9e to cl\d4 ,i g5]ally />t 9 
! e>ly morn+ ) gras%opp]s1 & if t does n
 suit !m1 ,i v>y x to ! helgramite--kn[n
 to naturali/s z ! l>v ( ! horn$        
corydalis1 locally call$ dobsons1       
dobsell1 hellion1 crawl]1 kill-devil1   
etc4--a live m9n[1 small gre5 frog1     

small bull-head1 or a lamp]--local "n = 
small lamprey eel4  ,! dobson is ! mo/  
/able bait = /ill fi%+1 & a good plan is
 to pass a piece ( silk "u ! %ield 9 !  
back & !n pass ! hook ?r\gh t2 ! same   
s*eme is equally good ) gras%opp]s4     
,t[>ds ev5+1 ,i f\nd worms a v good     
bait1 except :5 ra9 ?reat5$4  ,9 us+ a  
m9n[1 ,i pass ! hook up ?r\gh ! l[] lip 
& out ! no/ril2 x !n lives a long "t4   
,"s angl]s hook ?r\gh bo? lips1 ! l[] "o
 fir/4 ,hook$ ei!r way1 a dead m9n[     
moves l a live "o4 ,i always treat a    
m9n[ z ,izaak ,walton spoke ( a frog1 z 
if ,i lov$ him4  ,! angl] _c be too     
c>eful ( 8 m9n[s4 ,i *ange ! wat]       
frequ5tly1 n wait+ = !m to come up to   
brea!2 x is !n too late1 & !y _c be     
resuscitat$4 ,9 hot wea!r ,i place a    
piece ( ice 9 flannel on ! top ( ! pail4
 ,a little salt add$ to ! wat] is a     
great improvem5t1 ab\t z mu* z w lie on 
a silv] qu>t]1 to two gallons ( wat]4   
,fifty m9n[s to a five gallon pail ) a  
h&ful ( we$s to keep ! fi% f bruis+     

!mselves1 is ab\t ! "r proportion ( fi% 
to space4  ,( all baits ! old ,florida  
bob1 ,i ?9k1 is /ill ! mo/ effective4 ,x
 0 m5tion$ by ,b]tram1 9 #agfd1 & is    
/ill us$4 ,x is made by ty+ ?ree hooks  
back to back1 inve/$ ) a piece ( de]'s  
tail some:at 9 ! mann] ( a l>ge hackle1 
/udd$ ) sc>let fea!rs1 =m+ a tassel or  
tuft simil> to t us$ on ! troll+ spoon4 
,if ?is be ?r[n ) a sweep+ surface draw 
"u trees or bu%es1 x is almo/           
irresi/ible4  ,on ! spoon ,i always run 
a lamp] or a m9n[1 & = sl[ wat]1 l !    
/ream at ,milton1 or = lake fi%+1 ,i    
manufacture "o z foll[s3 ,a spoon n m   
?an ?ree qu>t]s ( an in* 9 l5g?4 ,if y  
_c buy "o s small1 get "o made by "s    
work+ jewell] or metalli/4 ,!n slide a  
r\nd black bead z l>ge z a pea on y\r   
l9e j above y\r hook1 lett+ ! spoon be  
above x4 ,?is w be f\nd to sp9 9 ! sl[e/
 wat]1 &1 z e bass fi%] kn[s1 ! sl[] !  
rate ( progression1 ! bett]1 s long z ! 
spoon is sp9n+4 ,i seldom use any s9k]  
at ,milton ,lake1 !re be+ little or no  

curr5t1 & ! trees z a rule keep (f any  
w9d4 ,9 ! /ream ,i g5]ally drift d[n1   
lett+ my l9e float 9 front ( ! boat1 &  
gett+ well d[n /ream troll back up      
/ream1 to drift d[n aga94 ,= ! b5efit ( 
! tyros ,i may "h rem>k1 t success 9    
troll+ = bass1 ,i ?9k1 dep5ds l>gely ^u 
a p]fect k ( ! dep? ( wat]1 & t ! bait  
%\ld be kept ab\t eighte5 in*es f !     
bottom all ! way4 ,i /udy ! pools 9 my  
favorite /reams1 locat+ !m by trees1    
etc41 on ! bank1 & !n judge ! dep? my   
bait lies at by ! angle at :i* my l9e   
runs f my m\? or pole to ! wat]4 ,?is w1
 ) a little practice1 tell me at :at    
dep? my bait is swimm+4 ,dobsons & small
 bull-heads ,i obta9 by /rik+ ! l>ge    
rocks 9 ! rifts & %all[s ) ano!r l>ge   
/one1 & sett+ a net fix$ ^u a b[$ /ick  
beh9d x4 ,! bull-heads & dobsons w      
float1 /unn$1 into its me%es4 ,i h also 
f\nd !m cl++ to old spiles support+ a   
dam1 or subm]g$ /onework4 ,!y may be    
kept alive any l5g? ( "t if plac$ 9 a c 
conta9+ rott5 wood4 ,!y are ! be/ %all[ 

wat] bait = /ill fi%+4 ,my exp]i5ce is t
 x pays bett] to buy bait ?an hunt = x1 
:i* takes up "t & tires "o4  ,an all    
important po9t is ! be/ day = fi%+ f a  
wea!r po9t ( view4 ,we all "k ! v>i$    
ideas & sup]/itions ( fi%]m51 & truly   
!re is a great deal to be said 9 favor (
 _m ( ! !ories :5 back$ by actual       
obs]vation4  ,bass are f\nd 9 diff]5t   
localities at diff]5t times2 9 ! e>ly "p
 ( ! season !y w be f\nd on ! rifts :]e1
 ( c\rse1 ! wat] is w>me/2 ! be/ bait at
 ?is "t is ! helgramite & l>v2 z !      
season advances !y w move to ! deep]    
/ill wat] t lies "u ! bu%es & trees1    
tak+ insects & flies2 & lat] /ill1 !y w 
be f\nd 9 ! deep holes1 ly+ "u rocky    
l$ges1 or :]e gravel has fall5 f ! banks
 & be5 wa%$ away by ! spr+ fre%ets4 ,at 
?is p]iod ! be/ bait is small m9n[s1    
crayfi%1 molluscs1 etc4 ,yet )\t rhyme &
 reason1 ,i f9d !y may at any "t be f\nd
 9 deep wat] "o day & 9 ! %all[s ! next4
  ,z a rule ,i fi% ! %all[s until !     
re$s1 ru%es1 & o!r aquatic plants fr++ !

 deep] wat]s are well gr[n2 !n ,i try   
among !m1 f9d+ flies give ! be/ sport4  
,= bait fi%+1 x really does n appe> to  
make mu* diff]5ce :at wea!r is ar\nd1 s 
t ! w9d is n a cold or *illy "o4 ,! fi% 
9 deep wat] are n s easily affect$ z ^? 
9 ! %all[s1 & v good sport may be _h ev5
 9 a /iff breeze1 if mod]ately w>m &    
f9e4 ,9 fact "s w9d is necess>y = black 
bass fi%+1 & x is bett] to h too mu* ?an
 none at all4 ,"o reason = ?is is1 t w9d
 ruffles ! surface ( ! wat] & r5d]s x m 
difficult = ! fi% to see ! angl]4  ,?is 
is a po9t ( great] importance ?an is    
commonly suppos$4 ,fi% bo? see & he>    
well1 & ! idea t !y _c see is bas$ ^u ! 
great diff]5ce visible betwe5 an        
artificial fly & a real "o4 ,z a matt] (
 fact few m5 c\ld tell ! diff]5ce betwe5
 !m :5 9 ! wat]1 ! surface be+ cov]$ )  
fro? & suds f an eddy or foam & bubbles 
f a rapid1 ! surface ruffl$ by a fre%   
breeze1 & %ad[$ by drift+ cl\ds4 ,i h   
frequ5tly se5 bass d>t l an arr[ & seize
 ! bait f a di/ance ( ?irty feet4 ,a    

sombre suit ( clo!s1 ! hue ( :i* m+les )
 ! foliage or v]dure1 is a wise         
precaution1 = fi% und\bt$ly see1 & see  
rem>kably well4  ,h[ (t5 h we se5 a     
bright gli/5+ sub/ance l a sleeve button
 or a co91 dropp$ into wat] & swall[$   
imm$iately8 ,i h kn[n bass to be caught 
on a b>e bright hook1 & ! funny /ories  
"o laughs at ab\t w9t]gre5 b]ries & fi% 
scales prov+ attractive bait are n s mu*
 out ( probability4  ,9 ! ,s\!rn ,/ates 
a belief exi/s t bass are always on !   
fe$ :5 ! moon is above ! horizon1       
p>ticul>ly at rise & set2 _m old        
exp]i5c$ fi%]m5 w only fi% dur+ ! la/   
qu>t] until ! new moon4 ,! same v>iety (
 ideas exi/ reg>d+ ra92 "o angl]        
believes t bass w n bite be=e a ra91    
ano!r dur+ a ra91 & /ill ano!r aft] a   
ra94 ,z a matt] ( fact !y fe$           
irrespective ( ra91 b ( c\rse we h all  
f\nd ! be/ "t is und\bt$ly j aft] a ra91
 because ( ! great numb] ( insects & l>v
 t are wa%$ or %ak5 into ! wat] f !     
ov]hang+ bran*es ( trees & bu%es4  ,"o  

reason :y !y d n take ! bait s well j   
be=e ! ra9 is because ( ! lull t takes  
place1 caus+ ! wat] to become flat &    
/ill1 s r5d]+ objects1 especially !     
angl]1 m di/9ct4 ,! bass is a v w>y fi%1
 & requires b little to make !m uneasy &
 %y4 ,night & morn+ is ! be/ "t = bait  
fi%+1 unless ! wea!r be cold2 !n f ab\t 
#c to #f p4 m4 ,= fly fi%+1 two h\rs    
aft] sunrise & "o h\r or two be=e d>k w 
be f\nd ! mo/ tempt+ "t4  ,9 lake fi%+ x
 is always be/ to run out to ! deep wat]
 & fi% 9 t[>ds ! %all[s or fe$+ gr\nds1 
z ! boat be+ 9 ! deep] wat] is n s      
conspicu\s to ! fi% 9 ! %all[s4 ,:5 a   
bass is hook$1 ,i always "w t[>d deep   
wat]1 s z to play ! fi% freely & avoid  
snags1 rocks1 we$s1 etc4  ,if fi%+ f a  
bank1 ,i get z ne> ! level ( ! wat] z   
possible1 & :5 a fi% is hook$1 ,i head  
at once to ! deepe/ wat] practicable4   
,i f9d x a good plan to let ! bass h !  
bait f two to t5 seconds1 accord+ to !  
way he takes x2 !n /rike at once1 giv+  
him l9e freely1 b keep+ ! ?umb on ! reel

 z a drag4 ,click reels are an          
abom9ation4 ,i nev] j]k ! rod1 b hook ) 
a twi/ ( ! wri/1 rememb]+ ! gold5 rule t
 f ! mom5t a bass takes ! bait until he 
is l&$ ! l9e mu/ be kept tight1 z "o    
second ( slack l9e w lose him4 ,! po9t (
 ! rod ,i keep b5t by ! pull ( ! fi%1   
:i* is made to fight = e in* ( l9e4 ,i  
reel 9 :5ev] practicable & kill ! fi% on
 ! l9e4  ,i nev] let a fi% get among !  
we$s2 ,i coax him (f if possible1 b if  
?is is n practicable1 ,i give him !     
butt1 & ei!r get him away or break !    
pole1 :i* is pref]able to los+ ! fi% by 
we$s or snags4 ,:5 ?or\ghly exhau/$1 ,i 
l& him1 ( c\rse1 b am nev] 9 a hurry4   
,if a pole net be us$ ,i s9k x "u him & 
g5tly lift x until ! fi% falls into x4  
,9 ord] to appreciate black bass fi%+ to
 ! full1 consid]able att5tion mo/       
assur$ly mu/ be paid to suitable tackle4
 ,any boy may cat* sun-fi%1 suck]s1 or  
tr\t ) a bean pole1 a piece ( cord = a  
l9e & a rude nondescript bait4 ,black   
bass are a fi% ( an entirely diff]5t    

type1 & ! day :5 a black bass rod 0     
consid]$ to mean "o weigh+ two p\nds &  
measur+ sixte5 feet1 ) a *alk l9e1 & a  
reel l a small clock1 is delegat$ to !  
f> (f pa/ ( t5 ye>s ago4 ,"s few ( ! old
 angl]s made _! own rods1 & scor$       
heavily 9 _! takes ( fi%1 to ! wond] &  
amazem5t ( ! o!r fi%]m5 :o /ill adh]$ to
 ! old heavy patt]n4  ,my idea ( ! be/  
rod = black bass fi%+ is ! happy m$ium  
betwe5 ! tr\t fly rod1 & ! tr\t bait    
rod4 ,! "o ,i g5]ally use is eight feet 
?ree in*es long1 weighs n9e ounces1 is  
?ree-jo9t$1 ! balance p]fect1 & ! b5d   
true f tip to butt4 ,x 0 made by ,h4 ,h4
 ,kiffe1 #cah ,fulton /reet1 ,brooklyn4 
,i h kill$ _m bass ) ?is rod dur+ ! pa/ 
two seasons1 "s weigh+ z high z f\r     
p\nds1 & h also caught pick]el weigh+   
eight p\nds ) ! same pole4 ,! butt is   
:ite a%1 & ! second jo9t & tip f9ely    
select$ lancewood4 ,! butt has a w\nd   
grip1 & ! metal tip is ( ! f\r-r+       
patt]n1 ! /ronge/ & lighte/ made4 ,i    
pref] /&+ guides4 ,"s p pref] ,gre5he>t 

or ,wasahba = tips1 b lancewood or r$   
c$> is ! be/1 ,i ?9k4  ,! great fault 9 
_m rods is want ( back1 :i* results f a 
too sl5d] butt4 ,?is produces a d\ble   
action 9 ! rod1 & prev5ts a cle>        
satisfactory ca/4 ,9 ,engl& ?is quality 
0 made a specialty = salmon rods "s ye>s
 ago1 x be+ suppos$ t x increas$ ! l5g? 
( ! ca/4 ,rec5t exp]i5ces prov$ ?is to  
be a fallaci\s idea1 & su* a rod requir$
 q an education to use ) any degree (   
accuracy4  ,if a man c ?r[ a m9n[ ?irty 
y>ds ) any degree ( accuracy1 he %\ld be
 well satisfi$1 z t is m ?an suffici5t =
 av]age bass fi%+4  ,a peculi>1 b1 ,i   
?9k1 mi/ak5 idea is t a rod %\ld be 9   
proportion to a man's size4 ,"o c und]/&
 ?is idea 9 reg>d to a gun = :i* a man  
%\ld be measur$ z = a coat1 b ) a rod x 
is diff]5t1 & %\ld be made to v>y ) !   
type ( fi%+ practis$4 ,! diff]5ce 9     
weight be+ only a few ounces exposes !  
fooli%ness ( ?is !ory4 ,all t matt]s is 
! "q ( balance2 if t is all "r1 ! size  
or weight matt]s v little4  ,a m        

important po9t is1 t a *eap rod is      
always a de> rod1 9 price alone4 ,z 9   
any?+ else1 "w & quality ( mat]ial g =  
ev]y?+1 & if a good s\nd rod is requir$1
 a fair price mu/ be paid to "s good    
mak] = x4  ,! l9e is a mo/ important    
item1 & x is always be/ to give a good  
price = a h& made l9e turn$ out by a    
good firm4 ,! braid$ l9e to me is !     
p]fection ( excell5ce4 ,i d n l a tap]$ 
l9e at any price4 ,next to ! silk l9e ,i
 pref] ! silk grass l9es ( ! ,japanese4 
,! f9e/ hooks 9 ! trade are made 9      
,engl&1 :]e special att5tion has be5    
paid to ?is indu/ry = ov] two hundr$    
ye>s1 ! t[n ( ,r$dit* be+ support$ almo/
 exclusively by ! hook factories4 ,! be/
 are ! ,sproat1 ,cork-%ap$ ,lim]ick1    
,r\nd ,b5d ,c>lisle1 & ,holl[ ,po9t     
,ab]de54 ,! hook is ( ! mo/ vital       
importance to ! fi%]man1 & ! be/ %ape is
 t :]e ! po9t ( ! b>b is turn$ r\nd     
t[>ds ! %ank4 ,fir/ class hooks are     
always japann$ or black2 ! inf]ior ones 
are blu$1 & ^!1 if subject$ to a heavy  

/ra9 w /raight5 "r out4 ,! black bass is
 extremely liable to cause ?is1 z x     
always /ruggles h>d bo? 9 & out ! wat] f
 ! mom5t ( hook+ to ! f9al gasp4 ,a hook
 ) ! prop] b5d w nev] pi]ce f\l1 b w    
/rike "r ?r\gh ! m\?1 nev] spr++ out4   
,reg>d+ flies1 e man has 8 own op9ions &
 fancies4 ,my own favorites are !       
,m>/on1 ,w4 ,h4 ,hammett1 ,kead]1 ,silv]
 ,ibis1 ,v]mont1 ,imp]ial1 ,la ,belle1  
,royal ,coa*man1 ,blue ,jay & ,cl>et1   
made by ,c4 ,f4 ,orvis1 ( ,man*e/]1 ,vt4
  ,z to spoons1 mo/ p use f> too l>ge a 
spoon = bass1 ,i am sure2 ev5 ! deal]s d
 n recognize ?is fact1 & are cont9ually 
press+ pick]el spoons ^u _! cu/om]s :o d
 n happ5 to "k bett]4 ,my idea ( a bass 
spoon is "o no l>g] ?an "o-?ird ( an    
ord9>y teaspoon = ! h&-l9e1 & = rod use 
"o ev5 /ill small]4  ,artificial insects
 may be us$ 9 surface fi%+1 b only ! mo/
 skillful angl]s %\ld expect success1 z 
! manipulation ( !m requires exce$+ly   
delicate s]vice4  ,i believe t ! black  
bass w ev5tually become ! game fi% ( !  

c\ntry4 ,tr\t /reams are dry+ up by     
reason ( trees be+ cut d[n2 mills &     
factories be+ erect$1 & dams hold+ !    
wat] half /agnant dur+ half ! ye>4 ,?is 
mu/ ev5tually deal a dea? bl[ to ! tr\t1
 & ev5 n[ ! vot>ies ( black bass fi%+   
outnumb] ^? ( ! tr\t t5 to "o4  ,"o la/ 
piece ( advice ,i (f] y1 is to always   
reel ! l9e c>efully aft] fi%+1 z a man  
w\ld clean 8 gun aft] %oot+4 ,guide x to
 its place ) ! ?umb1 & run x f side to  
side ( ! reel l cotton on a spool4 ,?is 
w let x dry ev5ly & prev5t all bun*+ &  
sn>l+4 ,x is j z easy to d ?is z n1 & ! 
habit once ga9$ w become a me*anical    
act1 & save y lots ( tr\ble & "t be=e & 
af=d y good pleasure aft] y beg9 fi%+4  
,illu/ration 7decoration7