The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-28
Bottom Lures for Trout-By Louis Rhead.


In concluding this third and last article on
the nymphs as a bottom bait perhaps trout
anglers will be interested to know OF several
other new trout bats that discovered ana
introduced which have already become ra-
vorite lures with a great many expert anglers
fishing far Western streams. also In CANADA
and Maine. alude to the little trout helgra-
mite the caddis creeper, a tiny crawfish ana
cricket. With the exception of the cricket all
are fished at the bottom, where the natural
creatures they correctly initiate abide.
Only within the last few weeks | came
across an extremely interesting article printed
In the first report OF the Fish and Game
Commission Of New York State, written by
my old friend. the late Nelson a. Cheney, on
Natural Food OF Trout"
Every angler should read II. and II the
editor of Rod and Gun Will print II I'm sure
anglers will have great benefit from its
perusal Among other things he mentions
while expert fishers have for centuries been
devotins all their energies TO the fly alone as
lure Tor trout. they forgot, or perhaps
were not aware OF the many bottom crea-
lures serving as food for trout that could be
made OF practical use either as natural baits
or fair limitations of them" Strangely
enough, he mentions two crcepers that have
since made artificial imitators Of that have
proved effective lures. without my knowing
OF his suggestions. The most popular of these
trout lures In tho little trout helgramite, the
creeper OF species of stone fly. II fur
nishes considerable food for brook trout In
the arly spring while creeping along over the
pebbles from mldstream to the shore, where
II crawls UP stones or vegetation 70 change
into the winged insect. Not o1ly have ]
caught on II the three trout species. rain
bows, browns ana natives, but many otier
fish take II. club, dace. perch. bass, picSerel
and even cells.
combining our efforts to the surface. or near
to II. with files, minnows and worms. we
missed, we entirely ignored. the very situa-
ton where trout habitually lie, viz, the bot
tom. only at times darting upward for sur
face food and Immediately returning to the
bottom. IL u therefore apparent that we
~H.N
dividusl angler should endeavor to develop
methods to place before the trout a lure.
natural or artificial. like that upon which II
Is then feeding. ~ you play the lure with n
fair degree Of skill where trout lie you are
bound 10 capture II. especially so at easons
whom trout won't take flies.
Personally much prefer fly fishing, dry
and wet, and N I cannot do that most GER
tlinly won't dig worms. Such business can
be left for the young Riddles, who are aware
OF nothing better. In past years I have lost n
good deal OF sport. many a time when trout
werc amiably inclined. ! have forced myself
from the FUN Of catching them to at by the
riverside 10 make rawlings OF the particular
food they were eating. am now and shall
In the future get the reward for my patience
IN the extra pleasure Of fishing new and
better style, and much better results also
erdently desire that other anglers shall sim re
IN it-by making and using their own lures
and bats IN sane and rational manner.
rms August was fishing with n young
friend in rather Wild water in the lower
Beaverkill for bass with very poor luck.
Whether the bass had gone back 20 the
Delaware or whatever the cause, we got no
fish. In casting out TO q swift runway my
friend hooked nice large fish. After CON
siderable play, both in and out OF the water.
he shouted across, TITS rainbow." what
lureT' ! asked. He replied, "A little artifl-
clal crawfish" was sure he would land
tho trout because the bait mad n good, stout
sncck hook 10 hold
This success gave mo considerable niea al RI
because the lure was made for bass, and
inc capture OF q good sized rainbow was n
feat OF additional satisfaction, having previ-
ously captured bass on the same little bait.
The crawfish was allowed 20 20 anywhere
With the water flow and. passing over the
fish, possibly near the bottom. Il succeeded
where a cast Of flies would have surely
failed. mention this as one OF many in
stances to prove how important bottom fish
Ing II to furnish sport when results are poor
under ordinary fishing methods.
Fishing conditions IN England are so diff
ferent from our own cannot always adapt
their new Ideas and suggestions as to meth
DDS. although am conscious OF the fact
they have always been ahead OF other coun-
tries IN che fine art Of flshins-indeed, almost
every outdoor sport. In the problem Of SCI