The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-25

or more would a sportsman care for? This boat load" business is neither fair nor scientific. It carries little skill. as a rule. Time and again I have caught bass and other game fish In such numbers as to make the pro- cess monotonous. Some times it be- comes purely mechanical Then one loses interest. Give the fish a chance. IT you put in your boat every fish that strikes, you may as well use a net, trap, a trot-line and become a pot-hunter
 Three Days Catch
 During those three days we caught all the four of us hungry campers could eat and carried back to Camp Walton our last mornings catch. which consisted of some 60 pounds.
 Included in our catch were dozen bass weighing over four pounds and six that tipped the scales at five pounds and two ounces to a little less than six pounds. The largest bass taken weighed just six pounds and nine ounces. He struck at dark gray "three-gang" bucktail with single trout reel and nine foot five ounce fly rod.
 Let me tell you about It. My skill as barely moving toward camp just at sunset. Skulling was so skilfully done that there was practically no commotion behind the boat. Seldom could the oar be heard. The boat approached an old tree that had fal- len from the bank. There was a density of brush around the trunk. Approaching the place some 50 feet out I whipped the bucktail and spin Ter within. two feet of the brush and drew it slowly back. The spinner was all the time in full view and working perfectly. Something semed to say there was a big bass waiting around the place for a spir- ited minnow And there was.
 Scarcely had the bucktail qulv- cred six feet before there was ter rife splash followed by a strong dart toward the brush. The problem was to keep the fish from tan&ling my line. It was no easy task, for 1t was apparent from the outset 1 had hooked some" fish.
 Away from Distractions r. frightened on my reel a bit and got the bass away from the obstruc- tions some distance in the open. With 70 feet of line for play and fig uring from the power of the original strike that more than one hook had "set," I reasoned that my "big boy" had little chance for escape so long as I could keep him in the open.
 The lad in the boat with me saw what l was up against" He had gotten glimpse of the fish as the latter came up and "churned' the surface.
 By golly, you've got the daddy of all of 'em" he yelled. Watch your staD he's coming out"
 And he did in a series of three leaps and violent shakes several feet up. It semed possibleSto put both fists into his mouth. He was "whopper." And how he did lunse, plunge, dart and leap! I've witnessed few more fascinating scenes.
 For nine minutes the fight con tinued Every conceivable trick was resorted to by that bass to disgorge tho hooks. He stirred up the waters for 50 around and carried our skiff 100 yards down stream. His endur- ance was wonderful. With no net we had to fall back on the total wear ing out process, especially with light fly rod and line none too strong. not to speak of leader in which had no great confidence.
 Finally the fish was brought near the surface within 10 feet of the boat Then he went under, as I sus- pected he would, but giving him req sonable slack and chucking half the rod under water. proved success full maneuver. Everything stood the test. Then shifting to the opposit. side, the fish was kept in the open within 20 feet or more "soundings-"
 With half dozen more strons pulls and another effort to leap the great bass flopped over on his side.
 Quick" I shouted to the skuller, who put both arms under the fish and threw him in the boat. l was little less exhausted than my catch I dare say; but that was matter or no consideration. I had the prize fish of the camping trip. He tipped the scales at six pounds and nine ounces.
 If some boaster tells you: That's nothing; I caught an etght-pouno bass on a four -and-a half ounce rod and No. 'Beaverskill-Weli il eres no use starting disputes about numbers, sizes, etc. I'm satis- fled with that camping trip, and shall take another like 1t near the same place early next spring.