Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18
FISHING FOR BASS

e z e 4 z z ~ e z e ~
With the opening of the season for bass
fishing much interest attaches to this fnny
king of the Potomac river. In the District
the closed season ends on May 80. and 1t
is then the sportsman forsakes all other
forms of recreation and betakes himself to
the dark pools and whirling rapids in pur-
suit of the bronze back" From now I'M
til cold Gather puts an end to the pleas
ures Of the angler this wary deniZen of the
deep will be sought relentlessly by fisher
men of this corner of the world
Among fresh-water game fish the small
mouthed black bass ranks pre-eminent, and
deservedly So. He is as Skittish as a colt,
and infinite tact and patience are required
TO catch the bass. He is one of the hard
est to entice from his favorite haunts to
the hook and a practiced hand Is needed
to land him when hooked Experienced
anglers prefer bass fishing to any other,
the excitement of the sport equaling or ex-
ceiling the capture Of the shad, trout, rock
or herring.
Habits of the Bass.
Black bass pair off in April or May, and
make a circular nest in moderately shallow
water, securing away the sand by the
action of their fins and tails. The parent
Matching and the young fish until they are
large enough to take care of themselves
In this respect the bass resembles the barn
yard fa~l, and the testiness with which the
old fish attack any and all intruders remind
one of the setting hen.
In the early spring months bass are
found in still pools and eddies, where the
water is moderately deep. Later on they
summer they usually remain in deep
water only going to the shallow places in
search of food. The best time to catch bass
IS early in the morning or late in the even
ing. As the cold weather approaches they
seek the still water again, where they re
main during the winter. If the cold
weather is severe they lie in dormant
state under rocks. logs and other projec-
tons, and even conceal themselves within
hollow logs.
Introduction of Bass.
Prior to the early sixties black bass were
unknown in the Potomac. Indeed up to
that time they were known in few streams
on the eastern slopes of the Allegheny
mountains, and 1t is said to be due to the
enterprise of an angler of Cumberland,
Nd. that the Potomac was first stocked.
He made a study of the fish, and had be-
come convinced that they would live and
thrive in the Potomac. He made several
trips TO the streams on the western slopes
of the mountains and returned each time
with several specimens of the bronze
hackers" They were brought over the
mountains in the water tanks of the loco
motives of the B. and Q. railroad and
placed in the canal basin at Cumberland,
where they multiplied rapidly. They soon
made their way into the river and tributary
streams. and became one of the principal
game fish of the Potomac.
The supply was later improved and en-
larged' by the operations of the fish COM
mission.
How to Catch Bass.
The most approved method of angling for
bass is with the artificial fly, during the |
warmer months. or casting with minnows
at any time. Success is had with other |
bait, especially frogs, cray fish and even |
angle worms. The bass is a hungry fell |
low, and will bite almost anything that |
looks tempting when conditions are right |
and the bass is in the mood for biting. The |
proper tackle consists of a rod ten to !
twelve feet long; narrow click reel, hold |
ing thirty to forty yards of strong line. |
Bass flies are tied on hooks ranging from |
4 TO 20 There are many good flies, each
fisherman having his favorite. such as the !
Polka, - Seth Green Professor, Lord |
on the surface or a few inches beneath 1t |
by a quick and powerful strike Conse- !
quently it is well for the novice to use a |
float on his line until he has acquired ex- |
perence in handling the rod and reel
Minnow casting is art in which fisher |
men of the District excel. 1t is commonly |
done from boat the angler acquiring skill |
with experience until he is able TO entice |
from his hiding place even the most indlf- |
fereut old bass and impalng him on the |
hook. The best minnows are perhaps the !
mud dabblers and small fresh water cat !
fish four to six inches long. They should |
be hooked through the lips. When bite |
is felt or a strike as it is called, |
slack line should be given for a few sec
onds before hooking the fish, in order TO
allow the bass 10 turn the minnow in his
mouth as when grabbing it he usually
takes it by the tail. When hooked the
angler needs all his skill to tire out and
bring his prey to cover
Still fishing is practiced good deal in