Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-10-06

hooks. and when fish strikes It be-
comes merely matter of hauling 1t
in. hand over hand.
There are others, though, who have
the right sporting blood and believe In
equaiizing matters so that skill will
have to be brought into play. They
use light rather than stiff poles.
preferably of split bamboo. and bass
lines.
The Blacklist, being a bottom fish.
1t Is necessary to anchor the line.
This is done by securing a small sink
er to the end. Above II are spliced two
leaders foot or so apart, each bear
ing a hook, the size Of which depends
on the individuals idea Of what is
proper. These ideas evidently vary
greatly. for a wide range is seen. To
the writer 20 has seemed to best fill
requirements. The double leader has
been universally adopted owing to the
changeable moods OF the blackfish.
They will often refuse absolutely to
even look at iddlers and pounce
greedily on clans, only to reverse a
few hours later. II has therefore been
found wisdom tc offer them both bats
at once.
Landing a BLACKLIST with rod and
reel is an Interesting and exciting pas
time. His dash for the bait is so sud-
den and his retreat so swift that one
is often taken unawares. There are
no warning nibbles, no quiet swim
ming on with the line. It is a case
Of grab and run for cover. Therefore
must one be ever alert and stop him
as soon as he bites. Luckily, there Is
no fear OF his splitting out the bait:
he seizes boldly and generally hooks
himself fast. The danger lies in an
other direction-in his great strength
and wonderful cunning. He has you
both ways. II you stop him too sud
denly he will throw all his weight on
the line and snap 1t on before you
know It; II you try to play him loose
~ he will dart behind some rock. snarl
the line. and 1t viii either snap or
saw off when you try to free 1t. One
must know ones business thoroughly
to be successful and also be con-
stantly on the qui vive. And even then
accidents will occur. The wise fish
erman always has extra tackle with
him
Weather conditions are said to In
fiuence the biting of blackfish. A well
known writer on game fish gives It as
his opinion that ideal conditions are
clouded skies and sufficient breeze to
just ruffie the water without stirring
It. The writer's experience and that
Of several of his angler friends has
been that weather makes very little
difference.
A common belief, In no way sub
Stimulated. is that BLACKLIST have
keen sense of hearing. Novices are
always cautioned to make as little
noise as possible. II Is also said that
thunder so frightens the blackfish
that they will cease from biting at
the first peal; and to this is added the
legend that after sharp crashes of
lightning a number are to be found
floating around on the surface dying
or dead.
NOt the icdSl 6OoO punt VI tue
BLACKLIST Is his toothsomeness. Fresh
caught and cooked on the embers, he
offers a morsel At for the gods. The
flesh is firm, sayory and possessed Of
a delicious flavor. But to the writer.
the greatest charm In blackfishing
lies in the beautiful hooks and en-
chanting little islands about his
haunts where one can go ashore
either for few hours or, II the spirit !
moves. for several days of camping.
Nothing is more delightful than to
idle away the time In such pleasant !
surroundings. fishing. bathing and |
boating. And the catch will not be |
wasted, for the BLACKLIST is strong and |
hardy and viii suffer no III effects
from being confined alive to a tank
or small pool for few days.
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