Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-21
THE BLACK BASS.



Fish OF the Potomac
Written for THE EVENING STAR
The success that has followed the introduce
ton of this most excellent and gamey fish into
so many Of our inland lakes and streams the
facility with which it accommodates itself to
new varieties of food and water, its excellence
as food fish, and especially the sport IL affords
the angler in its capture with rod and line
these qualities have made it deservedy popN-
lar Ii has many names. but with the scientific
nomenclature it is not proposed now to NEEDLE,
leaving to the scientists the settlement Ct this
much be-devied question. l am content to
simply record protest against the absurdity of
calling 1t 'SalmOides" or trOut-like as being
applicable to this fish In no particular or char
acteristic whatever, either of form, color. hab-
ltat, or belonging. The bass is a member of
Percoid (perch) family, having the spine-rayed
dOrsal fin, coarse scales and distinctive form OF
that variety Of fishes, and 1t resembles a trout
IN about the degree that an OK resembles a
race horse.
The subject Of this paper is best known in
the north and west. at least, as the black bass,
and as such, unheeding the weighty and sonor-
GUS christening OF specialized savants,
we propose considering him. There are pecu-
liarties of color, due to differences Of location,
1ooo and water, not, however. of sufficient i'm
portance to constitute Claim for new variety,
to be met with in the north and south; but in all
these waters are to be found two separate and
distinct varieties, viz: the large and the small
mouth Both species are found in the Potomac:
and, although the difference between them is
marked. 1t Is not always noticed by the angler.
true, these differences. save so far as they tend
TO better comprehension and more intelligent
conception of the needs Of the sport followed,
are not important to the angler pure and sim
pie, but 1t is believed that the true sportsman
is, and should be, interested In the habits and
belongings of the game he follows, if for no
better reason than that it contributes not little
to his success and enjoyment.
THE DIFFERENCE.
The large mOuthed bass is thicker about the
head and shoulders, and is generally heavier
fish for its length than his small mouthed
brother. giving the idea of strength rather than
activity. and, as the name implies. has a much
larger mouth. vertical line drawn from the
center of the eye will strike forward of the angle
Of the mouth, while in the small mouthed 1t
passes quite behind it. l believe the large
mouthed bass, from its more powerful build
and consequent slower movement is oftener
the inhabitant Of deep still pools. and is there
the artificial fly, while his more active relative
sports amid the rapids, and ventures into shall
lower water In search Of food, where a surface
lure. like the fly, is more easily discerned and to
which he Is therefore more often the victim It
is fndisputable also that as rule the heaviest
fish are taken with bait, as they can rarely be
coaxed to the surface from the depths they in
habit by the artificial fly. This is much to be re-
GREETED, as the sport Of taking them is vastly
superior with the latter device. In fact believe
not be predlcated with any degree of Ger
tainty. BY this / mean with the certainty
with which: under certain conditions of weather
and water, successful sport may be expected
with fish in general. Furthermore both varie-
ties are more often in mood when no bait or
lure-be it ever so attractive-will tempt them
to bite. Beyond cayil-tchen so iac!ined-they
afford splendid sport with the rod and line but
even then tyro or novice in fly casting will not
be apt to carry home heavy creel, and none of
weight worthy OF record.
Both varieties are voracious feeders, and not
at all particular as to quality. When hard
pushed they will even eat their own young. and
they show no quarter to frogs. water snakes.
mlnnows, heidomites, craw-fsh. young eels,
grasshOpperS, insects Of all kinds. nor. in fact
to almost anything alive capable of being swal-
lowed and digested- Their powerful Jaws en-
able them readily to crush the protecting armor
OF any OF the fresh-water erustacie, and, from
their great strength, voracity and general pug
nacious disposition, they should never be intro
duced into streams where other fish are ex-
pected to prosper.
THE SPAWNING TINE
of the bass varies with different localities and
Is largely dependent upon the temperatures of
the water. 1t commences in May and extends
sometimes to July, and is delayed or fastened
by All early or late and cold spring. am con-
vinced that the law enacted for the protection
of this fish at this period fails almost entirely in
its purpose; nay, more, that it is absolutely
unnecessary. 1t Is apparent that any restriction
in their capture which applies to only q few
days before supposed time for spawning is of
very limited value, inasmuch as every fish of
mature size caught at any time in the spring re-
dqces the number Of spawners-no matter if
n fyr-n nNvfh hx,co
their beds. Therefore, to ''protect" them, as
designed, no fishing should be permitted until
July, by which time oil have completed this
task. But do not believe that any protection
of this nature Is needed, and for many reasons.
Bass are not readily taken In any number BY
legitimate angling. They suffer infinitely more
from netting, with its endless contrivances, and
the contemplate " set lines" or ''Out-lineS tn
which some pot fishermen resort, than by any
other means OF depopulation. The nearer
spawning time approaches. the less readily they
take either bait or fly: and, besides, the waters
are generally turbid and swollen by the frequent
rains or spring, and are, therefore only Occa-
siOnoHy in condition to be successfully flshed.
up to July, with road and line, while with the
iliegitimate contrivances above mentioned there
Is no hindrance to continued slaughter Enact
sharp penalty against wholesale murder by
net or trap and night lines, and compel civil
lied methods Of capture. and the bass will take
care OF himself without further protection" or
favor.
AS stated above, the haunts of the bass vary.
The large mouthed generally frequent the deeper
pools. edged with shadows and fringed with a
growth OF water grasses or ''splatter docks. -
beneath the shade Of which he loves to lie wait
ing for some yenturesome minnow or frog to
tempt his fate by an excursion to.
ward the deeper water, or lazly rest
ing in the cooler temperature of the
deepest part Of the water. His small-meuthed
brother, on the contrary, delights most in the
rapids-where the stream tumbles over and
foams amid rocks and bOulders-under the lee
of which he lies IN wait for such bill of fare as
may be borne to his vicinity by the swift cur
rent, venturing into the shadows toward sun
down in pursuit Of minnows and the MYRIAD
insects that hover near the surface
While the gameness and fighting Qualities of
the bass are generally admitted, / believe it
exists in the greatest perfection when they are
natives of the more rapid streams of the north.
and less in those sluggish lakes and rivers where
the finding Of their daily food necessitates little
activity or energy. Many experienced anglers
stOutly maintain that the smail-mouthed is the
most vigorous fighter, when hooked, but al
though their conformation and active habits
would seem to confirm the claim. my own expe-
rience is not conclusive, as l have never been
able to predict with certainty which variety was
at the end of my line before landing them.
While very cautious fish, the bass Is not
easily frightened-at least not sufficiently so to
t. ou-oV In r..in