The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-04-06
BY JIMMY DONAHUE NEA Service Sports Writer

The greatest bass fisherman in the world? He's said to be Jack Lamb, of Fort Worth, Tex. who has matched wits with black bass from Canada to Mexico since 1910, and who has fooled more than 35,- % of these wary fish, probably the snartest of the finny tribe. You avid disciples of old Ike walton who are busy oiling up reels, sharpening hooks, testing leaders and trying flies probably will be surprised to know that Lamb, in his extensive experience, has ideas quite contrary to popular supposition concerning catching bass.
 For instance, Lamb never uses but three flies ont of a collection of 800 in bass fly casting. These are the whiskerable, devil bug and bass hound type of hair flies, and
 fished strictly as dry flies on the surface oil being used consinually
 to keep them afloat. He never uses
 8 spinner ahead of them. His casting lures are all built along the same line-single-hooke metal wigglers, to which a two- inch pork rind is attached. In
 warm weather he reels them fast,
 and in cold weather slow. | Both Good
 Probably his most sensational contention concerns the reaction of
 bass to hot and cold weather. | Lamb, now in his forties, started
 out some year ago to determine
 the best method of catching the bronco -back-with fly or bait cast
 rod. After using each rod exclusive | ly for a. period of three years, he finally arrived at the conclusion that they are about equal in fish getting qualities, and that an ang-- Ter should have both with him at all times-and that a bass, contrary to most authorities, will hang himself more readily on a surface lure in the hot summer months thon he wil on an underwater lure!
 Heretofore all experts have arr gued along opposite lines, stating that bass seek the cool of the deepa
 in the summer and shun the hat surface waters entirely, necessitat- ing the use of deep travelling lines. Lamb, however, says:
 Tt should be remembered that
 bass rarely rise to surface lures | except during warm weather, and for that reason dry fly fishing Is | recommended only for summer days when the temperature is 80
 degrees and above.
 | Quite contrary to general opin. ion, fish stay near the surface dur ing hot weather and in the depths
 during cold weather"
 Tip Offs
 | In 34 years of seeking and study ing old MT Bass, Lamb has made many observations that he passes on with the belief they will be I helpful to other anglers.
 One of these concerns the wealth CT. He contends that violent wealth.
 CT changes have a tremendous ef- feet upon bass, and that they can
 foretell weather changes from six to 20 hours before they come,
 and will cease striking without
 a moments notice.
 "The angler need not wait un- till he reaches the fishing grounds to determine whether the bass are likely to hit that day." he advises.
 "Cattle and sheep are true proph- cts of impounding changes In at mospheric conditions. When 1t IS
 going to be fair for Q few days and the fishing good, cattle will scatter
 out and graze in the highlands. If they are in the draws and wind
 breaks, and sheep are gathered in
 huddles, rough weather is ahead" Some of Lambs other deduc- tions are: Southwest, west ana south winds are best for fishing,
 while northwest, east and southeast are bad; a lot of leaping bass gen. orally means no strikes, but a few ieapers may mean a few strikes; hard finished American lines are much better than soft, sticky lines
 of English finish in fly castinFi
 speed up your casting lure as you reel 1t in until 1t is nearly riding
 out of the water by the time 1t reaches the boat; every stream
 and lake has some water suitable for fly casting and some for bait casting--take both rods along with Iyou.
 Lamb Is a self-taught fisherman. He never saw fly rod handled be- fore he mastered the intricate art. He spends many hours of hiS time teaching others how to cast. He I fishes cOnstantly-and generally NL Ia l l. Na