Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-27
POINTS ON BASS FISHING.
As Suggested I'm a Letter TO a Young
Lady.

Extract from letter received by WASH
ington girl from her brother in West Vir-
ginia, giving Instructions on fishing:
so you are going to be a Mrs. Isaac
Walton on the Fourth Of July. are you.
and want a few 'pint-rs.' 1t is not often
that 1 expose the secrets Of successful
bass fishing. but here goes.
First, last and alwa-s, good bait.
Second. last and always, good tackle.
Third, last and always, good looks.
Fourth, last and always, good place.
Fifth, last and always. good luck.
"Result-Tackle busted; face and hands
sunburnt: minnow bucket sunk: four small
bass, that small boy stole: boat upset; re-
grets when you fell in that you had not
fished in your bathing suit, SIS it would
have been more appropriate. 50 paid to
boy for fish to take home, and lie re-
corded against you in heaven when you
said, oh. We had such a lovely time
''Ah! experience teaches us that in going
fishing, 1t is always best to take twenty
three hooks along, SO that IL you lose twen-
ty-two you will still have one left to fish
With. 1t also teaches that over one billion
fish are lost every year by pulling too soon.
1t is a well-known fact among fishermen
that you can't run a bass until he breaks
into sweat and then get him to bite. Bass
are so social, that you can drop your min
now bucket into the water with a splash.
stamp your feet on the bottom of the boat,
hang your tootsie- wooties out in the water
and carry a white parasol and wear bloom
ers, and they just think 1T is for their
amusement and gather around the boat in
large numbers. Then the sport begins
trying to get them to bite.
Now, in case you are apprehensive that
you Will fall I'm, 1 will advise you as fol-
lows: Buy a Wheeling stogie cigar and
smoke it. Your head will swim and as
long as it does your body will be in no i'm
mediate danger of drowning.
IF your neighbors are catching moro
fish than you are. go over to them and
throw your line as close to theirs as you
can. and if the lines become tangled to-
gether, holler-first get your knife and cut
thunder out of their line. Don't admire
any catch made by others, as il shows fg-
norance on your part, but offer them 10
cents more for them than they paid AMI
one thing more; If your neghbor tries to
crowd you and gets too familiar, Just slam
your line in the water and make as much
fuss as possible. SO that a double number
of fish will come around and you can catch
as many as you had previously. and still
give your neishbor some pleasure too
Don't tell of the big 'un' you lost as that
story is getting old and stale
THE anticipation is always greater than
the realization. so get all of the first part
you can, and then the last will be accord
irgly.
IF you fish In a small stream select a
group of logs where there is good deep
! water. six feet or more: use minnows. three
inches long, or any live bait that is good
but don't fail to Try other bait II the kind
you are using does not take. Around rocks
II there are any, is also good place es-
pecially IL the water is swift above them
and eddies below them. bass on taking a
bait always catches it cross-ways and runs
a short distance, say five six feet. ana
stops. munches IT and then swallows it,
and starts OF; then allow him to go
few feet and pull or rather give It a quick
1crk. just enough to hook him, and then
hold stiff line and fight II out: but don't
try to pull 1t right in until II is worn out
and gives up. Bring II to the side of the
boat or bank. and allow az II is large one)
some one else to get a hold of the fish mot
the line, as the chances are that il will
break its hold and get away and drag
him in. tAin't he a beauty, thoughO
Twenty-Five yards of line will make two
good lines for you. This is lesson No. i.
/ wish you good luck