The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-05

AOA htCA tAd hGNlHb bOCh BhNch Ae OA account of its shape. and the latter by reason of the radiance of its colora- ton. This fish Is found in all of tho fresh water streams of Alabama.
 Crappie-white Perch.
 (Pomixis annularis)
 This fish is known as white perch. and in the southern portion of tlie state is called "chinauapin." This fish prefers muddy. sluggish waters and sometimes attains weight of three pounds. It will strike small min nows and Is sometimes taken with the fly and artificial bait. Many insist that it is an excellent pan-fish, while others contend that unless 1t Is cooked shortly after being taken, it's flesh be- comes soft. One pcculiarity of this fish is its protruding eyes, and 1t has been known to become totally blinded in clear water when exposed to the direct rays of the sun.
 Breeding Habits
 The breeding habits of the sunfish are similar in many respects to those of the black bass Sunfishes make their nests preferably in gravel or sand bottoms. usually in slight Impressions, fanniyng off the accumulated sediment with their fins. Large numbens oe sunfish usually make their nests close 
 over the eggs until they are matched and he also cares for the young. Dur ing the nesting season, the color of the male is particularly bright, thus mak- ing it possible to distinguish him read fly from his mate.
 The practice of locating a bream bed by bubbles which periodically come to the top of the water from such beds, and of subsequently, fishing on such bed until the nesting bream are cleaned out Is a method which, if per- sisted in, will speedily deplete the sup ply of sunfish in Alabama.
 Bream spawn usually during the months of April and May. The spawn ing season, however, is regulated largely by the temperature of the water.
 Fly Casting for Bream
 While the common method of taking bream is by the employment of a bait ed hook. yet in the southern portion of the state there are many scientific ang- lers who take breath by the use or a small fly. MT. E. J. NfcCreary of Ever green, Ala, has informed me that this is his favorite method of taking bream. and that in the streams near Ever green large numbers of bream are ire quently taken by himself and others with flies.
 I have been told by several who have witnessed her remarkable feats that few years ago there lived in tho western portion of Baldwin county 8 very large and very fat old colored nanny who became locally famous by reason of her expertness in "slashing" for bream.
 It was the custom of picnic parties dn h havo fiSh-frv to send word to this old woman that they were going to a certain spot on a particular day. whereupon she would have one of her grandchildren to paddle her small flatboat, she being too large to sit in an ordinary boat, and going into the lakes and lagoons nearby would "slash' for bream; that Is. use light rod, long line, a small hoox with guinea feather tied to 1t. After a couple of hours of 'slashing' she would return to the picnic grounds with several dozen bream which she would proceed to cook In true southern style and serve with hot cakes and great feast would follrr.
 This old nanny has long since passed to the Great Beyond, but h/r fame as a bream "slasher" still lives. and her achievements are often re- counted with pride by many citizens of Baldwin and Monroe counties.
 Why Do Fish Bites
 Why do fish bite. is a question which has never been satisfactorily answered.. It is recognized fact amongst fisher men that there are times when fish appear to be ravenous and then again, under the identical weather and water even the most expert fish, ermen can scarcely coax a nibble out of the most credulous fish. There is a large group of what is known as moon fishermcn;" that Is, they have no confidence in their ability to catch fish on days when there are moonlight nights, and yet there are those who do not believe 1t Is possible for them to catch fish except at the time when the moon is full.
 Dr. sibley Holmes of Foley, Ala, chairman of the committee on game, fish and forest preservation, House of Representatives, who is one of the finest anglers of my acquaintance and who has studied for years the condi- tions under which fish are likely to bite. advances the theory that during the first two weeks of the new moon fish will bite better than at any other time. This seems plausible, for the flow of the tide follows the moon. and since IL lS lnSiSteQ Dy many that 1lsn feed on the rising tide and 1t Is con- tended by many scientists that at one time all waters were tide waters. the instinct to feed at a particular time has come down to the fish of the tn- land waters, the same as to those of the tide waters.
 The best time to fish, according to Dr. Holmes. is one hour before and one hour after the moon rises. whether 1t be at o'clock in the morning or . o'clock In the evening, or at any other time of the day or night.
 In reference 10 my own experience, I have had phenomenal luck fishing when the moon and weather conditions were contrary to many ancient and re- spected traditions and have likewise failed to take fish when all signs were in my favor. No man can expect to he real fisherman who Is easily dis couraged or who leaves body of water in which he is angling merely becaus, the fish arc not striking to suit him.
 An experienced sportsman has we'll said that quail can be killed whether the bird desires to be killed or not, but no man can take a fish. leeitimAtely. unless the fish Is in a humor to strike