Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-02

When State Game and Fish Commissioner
O'Brien was in the city to plant the $4,000
black bass fry in Cut-On lake he was the
center of interest to many of the Waltons
who are so enthusiastic over the installa-
tion OF fish into Cut-On lake and who are
banding themselves together as the Omaha
Rod and Gun club. Mr.. OBrien is quite
enthusiastic over the black bass fishing
and the future prospects of 1t in these
waters, OF black bass a writer in the Min
neapolis Tribune says:
Black bass are considered the gamiest
fish to be found on the American continent
though some anglers assert that their equal
Is to be found in the trout of the Nippegon
and streams of the Rocky mountains. The
large mouth black bass (micropterous sal
monide) and the small mouth black bass
(micropterous dolomieu) are the principal
bass fishes found in the middle west waters.
They are also found in all states west Of
the Mississippi river. Both these fish are
good fighters, and offer the best OF sport
to the angler on both lake and stream
Bait casting and fly casting are the prin-
cipal methods in vogue for hooking these
FISH. 1t is at least, the method followed by
experienced anglers Trolling is often prae-
The conditions for bass angling govern the
angler IN his search for this game fish,
and volumes might be written on this sub
would still have to learn by experience. The
season of the year, the time of day, the
the wind, the contour of the lake bed and
depth of the water, and many other things
are considered by the successful angler,
These things must be learned by expert
ence. 1t must also be understood that diff
fcrent baits are required at different times
and under varying conditions. The most
common live bait used in the western states
Is the frog, minnow or crawfish. Artificial
baits are often successful where live bait
will not tempt the bass to rise. The bass
fly is an artificial bait much used by old
anglers, and there are as many varieties
of this bait as there are bugs and flies In
the air. A good rod reel and line is essen
tial to successful angling and genuine sport
fish," but that is all 1t Will do. There is
something more than catching" fish in
Volved In angling.
A smooth running reel and a good silk
line attached to five to seven-foot rod,
an assortment of hooks and two or three
spoon hooks, couple of artificial bats and
half dozen bass flies, ought to repay any
one during season for the outlay. 1t will
prove cheaper to pay a good price for
tackle in the beginning than to take some
thing cheap.
A good reel and rod will last for years,
while some cheap ones will not survive a
one should have a landing net or gaff.
When casting for bass a strike is likely to
be made by a dog fish or pickerel, for they
are found much together. A big pickerel Is
an ugly thing to land and he makes con-
siderable fuss after he is in the boat, but a
dog fish is far worse.
One may keep a pickerel but anglers will
always XIII dog fish, for they are great
destroyers Of young bass. The automatic
gaff not only holds the fish fast, enabling
the fisherman to remove the hook without
getting his hands scratched and torn. but
II will kill 1t or iniure 1t so IT may be
thrown ashore with the assurance that 1t
Will not live or destroy other fish.