Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-06-23

AL l want to show is, that fighting dogs
May tackle the wrong Tom Cat!
Elk.
distractions In Bass Fishing.
Wheeling. W. Va. June II, 1901.
Dear Editor:
This warm spring day the spirit of
the fisherman is up me, and, forgetting
the cares OF life, | have sat by my table
tor an hour. dreaming over and we
again my last seasons sport with my
friend O. at the Lakes. | now propose
to talk to you about Bass fishing. Do
You know how to take black bass?
NOW, Mr.. Editor, this question is not
addressed to you. because you are sup
posed to know everything, especially
everything pertaining to the arts of fish
ing and hunting. This question is adj
dressed to your readers, especially the
young beginners In angling. Now | do
not propose to know all about it., but
something. Bass fishing means to take
hsh with rod, hook and line. This is
n manly sport, and every angler who
loves the sport will agree with me on
this point. A true angler will not
c~ountenance the use of seines, set nets,
eledging and shooting, which is a bar
barous way of destroying fish. Dyna-
hitting in this State is made a felony,
and should be death with accordingly.
These so-called anglers who use seines
In creeks should never receive the Ben
eft of Clergy" at their funeral. They
should bear that in mind.
First, the rod should be light, about
eight or ten ounces, short, about seven
and one-half~ or eight feet, nor over
three joints, two is better, about Is or
is inch butt, with a light elastic tip. 1
prefer the steel rod. The reel should
be placed about eight or nine inches
from the end, in order that the butt
may be held against the body when ne
ccssary, and at the same time the reel
is easily managed. Join the rod so that
the line guides will be on the lower
side, as the line then runs more readily
and is not liable to stick or be caught
on the rod or rings; by the way, have
large ring guides, | prefer the standing
guides, and have the first ring at least
IL inches from the reel. Have the line
pass from the reel to the rings under
the rod by the right hand side. The
best reel by all odds, in my opinion, is
the Meek manufactured at Frankfort,
Ky. No doubt it requires more care to
cast with the Meek reel than with the
other reels; it pays out the line Just
twice az fast, and if the bait does not
carry it of far enough the line is apt to
overrun n foul badly on the reel, and
unless checked promptly when the bait
strikes the water, it will then overrun
also; hut by a little care in the use OF
this reel. you will soon readily over
come this disadvantage unless you are
very impatient a On the other
hand the powers of this reel are so vast
" superior to all others, after you nave
hooked your fish as to greatly counter
balance its disadvantages, in making
the cast. The great rapidity with
which the line can be taken up or let
out renders it the prince of reels. as
with n turn 1t does the work Of two.
! have three reels of this make, differ
eut sizes. for large and small fish.
The line should be a cable laid. silk
or linen, hard twisted. for casting.
For creek fishing about fifty yards is
sufficient. The Sproat No. 8, extra
quality, hollow point, with double gut,
IN my judgment is the best hook for
bass fishing. A great many anglers
use entirely too large a hook for bass
fishing. Take a landing net and have
about fifty good sized live minnows
In your bucket. Sinners are the most
attractive. but the club will stand the
racket better. Have your lunch bas-
ket and rubber bag with ice, also rub
Der bucket and a few bottles of beer.
You are now we'll fixed for the DAYS
sport; but before you start consult
the weather: select a cloudy day, if
possible, but not a rainy one. Howev-
er, q sunny day is just as good. If
the wind is high, or If there is no wind
a the water is CLASSY, pack away
your tackle and stay at home and play
with the babies. Third observation:
Upon starting from home be very mod
est In your promises and also in your
expectations. Tell your wife it is a
very bad day for fishing, that the wind
is not in the right quarter, bass seldom
bite unless the sun shines. and vice YER
ga. II 1t is cloudy tell her that if the
weather changes you may get a few,
but don't expect to; that you only go
tor q days rest, or to try a new rod;
that you have business up Wheeling
creek. and shall make a few casts be-
fore you come home. The beauty OF
this course is inestimable. If YOU
don't bring home any fish, you are all
f3Eht, AZ she had no expectation that
you would. When you arrive at the
dshlnx ground. put your tackle together
md place you minnow upon the hook
BY running It upwards through hofh