Evening journal., 1889-06-03
RLAok BASS EIsHINe.
where to Find Him and How to Catch
Him Afterwards.

Where to Find Him and How to Catch
Him Afterwards.
The West Chester Local News printed
au interesting article on fishing on Fri.
day afternoon, of which the following
is full abstract:
With rod and line the black bass fish
erman may on next Saturday patrol the
Brsndywine, the Schuylkill or the Sus
quehanna and tempt the gamey fish with
frog or helgramite
Next to the trout the black bass is the
favorite Of Pennsylvania anglers gener-
ally, and for number OF reasons. among
which are the three following: 0) It's re-
markable gameness; (2) its omnivorous-
ness; (S) its adaptation to most of the
streams OF the state. In regard to its
gameness IL is to be said that there is not
in the whole range of luretaking fishes
any hercer fighter nor any possessed
of greater power of endurance
1t does not struggle for a brief
season and then surrender, but fights
to the very last. 1t has been matter of
dispute with some leading anglers which
OF the two, the black bass or the trout,
Is the gamest. Taking mountain trout
Of equal size IL is fair to them to say
that they contest supremacy with the
angler as fiercely and persistently as the
black bass, but, as between the latter
and the lake trout, the bass is fairly
entitled to the championship; indeed so
great a stickler for remaining in his
native element that II is safe to assert
that West Chester fishermen lose one
third Of the bass hooked on the Brandy
wine.
| Anotbar coynroandob1a otoro.t o.,4; -
the black bass is the readiness with
which it takes either fly or bait. Its ia
vorite and presumably principal foods
ere crawfish and minnows, with, of
course, flies thrown in as dessert. While
young, insects and larvae comprise it's al
most exclusive diet but the adult bass,
while greedily taking such small game,
depends mainly upon the more substan.
tial diet named, together with such
other aquatic creatures as helgramites.
tadpoles, young frogs, small catfish and,
when offered them as lures, crickets and
grasshoppers.
Where Is the best place to capture the
gamey fish, Is question that anglers
differ upon. In the Brandywine every
deap- hole from the Twin Bridges to
Downington on the east and Embreeville
on the west branch, has its devotees
Authorities differ but luck is about the
same Those who can afford it HE them
to Fite's Eddy Conewingo and Port
Deposit ON the Susquehanna, however
for the best sport and largest string.
The outfit for successful bass fishing is
an important item. The best outfit is an
eight or nine foot line TO twelve ounce
rod, moderately springy and made of
split bamboo. Competition has so reduced
the price OF these that fair rod can be
had at from 50 to $S-very little more
than the cost Of good wooden one. The
prices Of the finer qualities of split BAN
boo rods range from Sl5 TO $50, according
to the reputation Of the maker. Within a
recent period, the manufacture OF wooden
rode has been so improved as TO be re.
garded by many anglers as equal, al
least, TO the rent and glued. They ar,
less expensive and can be made of any
desirable length. The Bethabara Lance
wood, Greenheart and Dgami woods ar,
the kinds most used and most esteemed
for rods Hornbeam is tough but moi
springy. The reel should be multiplier
with check or drag, and large enough
to hold 90 or 60 yards Of G water proof
enameled line. A rubber reel Is prefer
able because of lightness.
III the fishing is done with a float, a
three inch cork, barrel shape is the best.
The leader should be about foul feet long
and of strong gut To one end of the
leader Pitchers swivel sinker No. OF
10 should be attached. Some anglers
fasten to this short leader two feet
long, TO which is attached the hook. A
No. ! or two Sproat hook is about the
size. The float can be dispensed with
when casting in rapid or shoal water.
landing net will be found useful, and
If the angler is desirous to carry his bait
with him, the Rudolph floating pail is the
best. 1t has depression at the top. in
which small piece Of ice wrapped in a
towel can be placed, the dripping from
which keeps the water cool 1t can be
attached to the boat or to bush along
thr shore, obviating the necessity Of
constantly changing the water. The
common tide.water minnow of the Della
ware is good bait, so is the small stone
catfish, the helgramites, crawfsh and
lamprey eels
With a good rod and tackle. plenty OF
bait, and a good day and place for fishing,
the result will depend upon the angler
himself