The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-09-15

hooks, and when fish strikes 1t be-
comes merely matter of hauling 1t
in. hand over hand.
There are others, though, who have
the right sporting blood and believe in
equalizing 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 blackhsh, being bottom fish.
it is necessary to anchor the line.
This is done by securing small sink
er to the end Above it are spliced two
leaders a foot or so apart, each bear
ing 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 a 20 has seemed to best fill
requirements. The double leader has
been universally adopted owing to the
changeable moods of the blackish.
They will often refuse absolutely to
even look at fiddlers and pounce
greedily on clans, only to reverse a
few hours later. 1t has therefore been
found wisdom te offer them both bats
at once.
Landing a blackfish 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 of 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 It OF before you
know it: If you try to play him loose
ly he will dart behind some rock. snarl
the line, and 1t will either snap or
saw off when you try to free it. 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.
1uence the biting of blackfish. A we'll
known writer on game fish gives 1t as
his opinion that ideal conditions are
clouded skies and sufficient breeze to
just rufle 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.
stantiated, is that blackflsh have q
keen sense of hearing. Novices are
always cautioned to make as little
noise as possible. 1t is also said that
thunder so frightens the blackflsh
that they will cease from biting at
the first peal; and to this Is added the
legend that after sharp crashes of
lightning number are to be found
floating around on the surface dying
| or dead.
| Not the least good point Of the
blacklist Is his toothsomeness. Fresh
caught and cooked on the embers, he
offers morsel At for the gods. The
flesh is firm, savory 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 60 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 blackfish Is strong and
hardy and will suffer no Ill effects
from being confined alive to tank
or small pool for a few days.