Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-05-28

readily as though not attached to the line, and
make very tempting and attractive bait.
have seen bass rush for a frog swimming In
this way, from distance Of 80 feet, a. ca.
gerly as trout darts at an attractive fly.
When using the frog, or other large bait be
patient, and do not strike your fish too quick
ly. He will often start away with the bait,
aud then stop In manner that will lead you
to believe he has dropped II but on drawing
up the line you will feel a succession Of slight
jerks II so, let him have II longer (for he
has the bait crosswise or reversed In his
MOUTH, keeping your thumb ON the reel so
as to feel his every motion, and when be
starts away after this short pause then strike
and you have him well hooked. Then, of all
times, the angler must keep cool. Don't hur.
ry the fish; the longer he plays the more sport
you have. Give him only as much line as be
takes in his rushes, and recover it as quickly
as possible, being sure to keep the line taut
at all times, unless after one Of his magnif-
cent bounds from the water you lower your
tip as he falls, TO recover the strain again as
soon as he is in the water.
When he is thoroughly exhausted, and not
before, take in your fish, being sure to bleed
him rs soon as he is in the boat. Then, il
you keep him in the shade, when dressed and
on your table you have a fish of which you
may we'll be proud
short, light rod is the better bass rod A
nine-foot lance wood rod with ash butt Is the
best ever used for bait fishing. rod Of
this length can be made light and easy to
handle, and yet as strong AZ desired. 1t is
elastic yet firm, and enables one to handle a
fish with more ease and security than when
longer, and as cons' qnence, heavier. Al
ways have woodworking reel with about a
hundred feet Of line and a good supply OF
leaders and hooks.
OF the great variety Of hooks have found
the sneck bend the most desirable although
the sproat bend aud O'Shaughnessy hook will
always be found reliable. will not discuss
the fish as tly-taking fish, since have never
learned that in fishing in this way any differ
ent rules should be laid down than those that
govern fly fishing for trout or salmon and for
the additional reason that have come to be
lieve that the larger fish are more likely to be
captured by bait fishing.
When well equipped, treating the fish as Ah
intelligent inhabitant of the water and prize
well worthy of capture, and in whose capture
you must use the best judgment and all your
cunning AZ a sportsman, one can find no bet
ter or more desirable sport than angling for
this fish, that pound for pound is the gamiest
fish in America He is eminently an Ameri
eau fish, with habits and characteristics pecu
liarly his own. With a hardness far sur
passing the trout, combined with all his dash
and vigor, the strength and leap Of q salmon,
to which he has joined system OF fighting
known to no other fish, the bass is, | believe
destined to take the place of our loved trout,
that are yearly becoming less by force of cir
cumstances occasioned by climatic changes,
the gradual drying up Of trout streams. and
the increasing number Of fishermen that from
all parts OF the Union crowd into our state
during the summer season.
In what have written l have not intended
to eulogze the bass, but simply to give him
the credit that believe belongs to him as an
excellent table fish, better suited to our wa
ters than any other, and in the future destin-
ed 10 be the fish Of our state and il by this
short essay some one who is now his oppo
nent shall be led TO fish more understanding
ly, and thus meet with success, shall be sat
ished