Evening star., 1937-07-10
Bv William S. Odlin.

Americans, vacation time
means just one thing-fShing
Il 1t is within the memory of the
present generation that this delight
full form of recreation was confined
largely to just two classes widely
separated on the social scale They
were the barefoot boy of the back
country, with his bent pin fish-hook,
and the city man prosperous enough
to afford up-to-the-m minute fishing
equipment and freedom to desert his
ordinary pursuits when the urge to
60 fishing came over him.
Today, however, the ranks of these
two kindred souls are swelled by the
recruitment of many thousands of
other American types and fishing has
become major Summer sport. This
is attributable mainly to increased
leisure for large sections of the popu-
lation and such universal ownership
of automobiles. 1t is this instrument
Of civilization that has made fishing
grounds accessible to many for the
first time.
AZ PlOlliotC lIlUlC Sdu lilltl
est In fishing by making it more pro-
ductive and worthwhile, the Federal
Government has exhibited through its
Bureau of Fisheries, growing con-
Germ in this recreation. Through its
efforts, lakes and streams of the United
States are more plentifully stocked
than ever before. Today not less
than $50 species of fish may be pulled
out of American inland and costal
waters.
Fishings widespread and increasing
popularity is also influenced by other
factors. Living in the remoter places,
far from the beaten paths of man,
fish take men out of a too often drab
and humdrum existence into the most
glorious of natural surroundings.
Mans acceptance of the invitation
guarantees him sport in which his
wits and skill will be tested to the
utmost. He encounters in his pastime
. species which shows fighting spirit,
courage, resourcefulness, beauty and
other qualities he finds admirable in
his own kind.
The aristotcracy of the fish king
dom is bound up in game fish, and
characteristics found in any one kind
are common to all The bass, per-
haps the most popular, is an illustra-
ton. Various members of the bass
family are to be found in most parts
Of the United States and Canada.
The disposition of the bass is strikingly
Illustrated by the black variety found
In cool waters. Audacity and courage,
wariness and intelligence have made
him favorite quarry of anglers. The
bass is not beaten when hooked, but
nights with almost unbelievable energy
and cunning to the end.
EGAL protection of black bass has
been greatly extended in the last
few years. according to the Bureau
OF Fisheries. Thirty-eight States now
prohibit its sale. In many cases the
minimum size limit has been increased,
While the legal daily catch has been
reduced. The average catch allowed
Is 10. The Federal Government helps
perpetuate this popular fish through
the HaWes law prohibiting interstate
shipments of black bass caught or
sold in violation of State laws.
Small crawflsh, silver minnows or
frogs are excellent bait for bass, which
will also respond to pearlspoons. Troll
ling for bass fascinates many, MANY
thousands.
Somewhat less adaptable than bass
trout is preferred by many. It is
found all over the country, the most
common variety being the brook trout
speckled or brown and having small
scales The trout is not only one of
the gamest and most graceful of fish.
but one Of the most brilliantly marked.
The rainbow trout is particularly
beautiful, with reddish stripes ap-
pearing on its silver and black.
The largest of the trout family is
the salmon or Great Lakes trout, or
namaycush. sometimes attaining a
weight of 80 pounds. One trolls for
namaycush far down in cool waters
and is rewarded by thrilling en-
counters. This fish has tremendous
strength. speed and resourcefulness,
and an hours battle often leaves the
captor as exhausted as his prize.
The trout provides one of the most
artistic forms of distinguishing for
the brook variety in forest or noun
tain stream. One must choose the
right kind of fly, the most likely pool,
suitable time with regard to wind and
light and the best angle of cast
Fishermen casting lines in shallow,
weedy bottomed bodies of water may
encounter another fish aristocrat, the
pike. This family includes the pick
eral, the pike perch and the giant
muskellunge, which sometimes attains
Z length Of feet and weight Of 100