Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-28

who frequent the river in pursuit Of the
sport year after year and season after
season have noted as remarkable feature
OF this year the large number of small
bass they have seen.
There have been such quantities Of them
that they have caused anglers who were
out for the bigger game Of their species
much annoyance by their persistence in
thinking themselves big, and tackling live
bait nearly as big as themselves. and ac-
cordingly making the man who was ma
nipulating the tackle think he was going
to strike a two-pounder in fifty. Their
presence therefore led to remark, as 1t is
known that matured bass are fonder Of
their little brothers and sisters-and sons
and daughters, for the matter of that
when it comes to satisfying their carni-
balistic appetites than of any other species
Of the fish family. The inference was nat
urally drawn by observers Of the numer-
Gus tiny bass that the big ones must be
eating something else. and further investi-
cation proved that young carp were being
devoured by the old bass.
A Practical Test Shown.
Two well-known gentlemen, whose mod
esty forbids their appearance in print,
were up near Edwards Ferry some weeks
ago, fishing out of the same boat. Their
bait bucket contained some club and pike
smelt, which have heretofore been re-
sarded as the very best live bait one could
procure for attracting bass. There We're
The fishermen found that while the bass
would not rise to the club or pike smelt,
they did so with avidity when carp was
put on the hook. and that the quick attack
and strike which followed showed a vora-
cious desire for such a morsel. The dis
cussion which this discovery led to, coupled
with the prevalence Of small bass in such
unusual quantity, led 20 the belief that the
lass, either from reasons of astronomical
preference or from the instinct of revenge.
which the other instinct OF self-preserva-
ton inspires in all animals who have rec
ognized enemies, had forsaken their own
progeny for prey and food and turned
their attention to the offspring Of the carp.
Further Investigation Probable.
Whether this is true or not the writer
does not pretend to say. Such are the facts
in the case and there seems to be no rea
son why the bass, after several seasons of
depreciation upon their dearest possessions
by the big unwieidy carp, should not have
pursued the same course that nature in
variably points out to all her children. and
commenced a crusade of retaliation against
the unprotected youngsters Of Their eueDiys
species The subject is worthy of further
and more complete investigat ton, however,
and will doubtless receive it.
The next five weeks will bring the bass
season to close, and it promises to be a
period of uneXcelled sport If the weather
keeps anything like fair. The water IS so
lew now, however. and the soil is so dry,
eTu has Det! 50 SStitFdily lOoSeHSd up pN
the fail blowing that it wouldn't take much
of rain either up the Potomac or Shenan-
dcah valleys TO make the waite: as yellow
as mud. However, It would clear all the
quicker, and any one who makes his way
to any of the nearby up-river resorts be-
tween Great Falls and Harper's Ferry can
be pretty nearly guaranteed splendid ana
plentiful sport.
The wise fisherman who knows how to
cast 4 fly will find this suggestion one that
may be followed with much value and sat
isfact;on. When you go out fishing with
live bait always take your book of flies
with you. Sometimes the bass are COM
pletely gorged with food, and a mnnow
m ght be placed in their mouths without
inspiring a movement of the jaws. bright
fly, however. lowering near them will
awaken instant animation, and nine times
out of ten there will be a CLEAN of silver.
a pause an electric streak of fright and
muscle. and a Convusive leap into the air.
So carry your flies with you. and when live
bait prove unavailing replace the mnnow
hook with fly. If neither gets you a
strike pole for the shore and try 'em again
next day.