As to dry-fly fishing, while it has been an art long practiced in Europe it is a sad commentary on our angling progress when we say that until recently dry-fly fishing in this country had not found popular favor. This is said to have been due to the fact that wet-fly fishing in our turbulent streams had met with so much success that new methods and new tackle were not needed or desired. your dry-fly in exact imitation of the winged insects.

A Day With The Wily Black Bass:

Tie

Memory harks back to a day in early springtime when we journeyed forth in quest of the sport royal. With · well-filled fly-book, as well as a few nice live minnows in our minnow-bucket, we stealthily crept to the old mill-dam before the rising sun had dared show golden rays over the eastern hilltops.

Oh, how bracing was the early morning air on the river! Put new life into a fellow. Made one's blood fairly tingle.

Soon, we were casting right and left, first trying the minnows. After thirty minutes casting with live bait without a strike, we decided to get out our brand-new fly-book and make an offering of choice specimens thereof to the old wily fighter of the mill-pond. Perhaps, if he was not really hungry, he would strike at an attractive lure through pure viciousness, for which he is noted in the realm of things aquatic.

Our surmise did not work out, at least not at first. The old stand-by, "Jock Scott," utterly failed in its mission; "Lord Baltimore" was also completely ignored by the sulking bass. We then tied on a "Royal Coachman" and awaited anxiously for results. Nothing doing. We were dismayed, but still determined-so we tried a "Grizzly King", and, casting well out, let it light gently upon the water with a slight jerk, reeling in rather hurriedly and

impatiently, (we had about lost all the patience we ever possessed), but it was just then we got a strike, a strike that indicated to us, as we gripped the rod, that the bass was trying (in baseball vernacular) to knock a "homerun." It was a regular Hans Wagner strike! Zip! went the line, or maybe it was the reel, maybe both-first thing we knew Mr. Bass was heading for midstream and he was one of those headstrong fellows that are not so easily turned. Presently, however, we did manage to start him on the return trip, and then he came on so fast it was a perfect job for us to keep him from getting slack line, which would have been fatal and would have assured his escape. On he came! Wind as hard as we could he did manage to get a little slack-he then came to the top and leaped clear of the water, shaking with all his might, trying to dislodge the hook. With a sharp jerk we took up the slack and brought him back into the water, reeling like mad. The moment he slid back into his element, he took another spell, this time going straight to bottom and there sulking. Nothing could seem to dislodge him. Seemed certain he had gone under a rock TO STAY. We felt our hopes sink. We were going to lose our prize-beauty. Not only that, but we'd probably lose our fly and a good leader, not to mention our temper.

After a lapse of several minutes, that seemed to lengthen into weeks of anguish, he came to life with a suddeness that fairly startled us. With a mighty surge he made for the bank on which we stood, and again we became intensely occupied with the reel. It seemed not to work nearly fast enough. That bass was sure speedy.

Approaching the bank, he must have spied his archenemy-man-for he gave a haughty swish of his tail and was gone again-to deep water.

We struggled again to turn him and for a time it seemed uncertain who would be the vanquished and victor. At last, we brought him to a halt and after a painful inter

val his halt was turned into a retreat-once more he came toward land.

But he came leisurely. No slashing and slathering waters were kicked up by terrific swishes of his tail. Boys, he was tired out. He had fought the good fight-and lost.

Lures for The Black Bass:

It has become a proven fact that no one lure or set of lures can be depended upon to catch fish at any time in all weathers. Especially is this true of the wily black bass, which is a fish of moods. At certain times of the day a particular lure will prove to be a bass getter, and at the very same time on other days that particular lure will be of no avail; on certain days one lure will appeal, whereas on other days that lure will fail to attract. In cloudy weather a certain lure may be used to advantage, whereas on a sunshiny day it would not draw fish. So again at certain seasons of the year a particular lure gets bass, being no good at other times. Hence, it is but a short step to the conclusion that the bass is a fish of moods. Some days the black bass will feed right under your lure, while on other occasions he will savagely strike at anything you have to offer. We come to the conclusion, after giving the matter much thought, that there are several elements that enter into the problem. They are: The seasons, weather, (which controls the mood of the bass); the time of day; and the lure. This accounts for having good luck on a certain day with a certain lure, while the same lure the next day proves entirely inefficient.

A good many anglers object to the use of the treble hooks on baits, their opinion being that their use is inhumane and unsportsmanlike, while others prefer to fish with the fly, which has but one single hook. In some states the law prohibits the use of more than three hooks on one bait or one treble hook.

When one pauses to consider the cruelty of angling with live bait, the angler will then look with some degree of disfavor toward the method of casting or using live bait. On the other hand, live bait casting has charms all its own, and a great army of anglers swear by their live bait.

For those, however, that do not prefer live bait, there is to be found on the market lures of all kinds.

One writer remarks that the best thing about top water lures, especially the ones modelled after the minnows, is that they will not sink. If the angler or uninitiated fisherman gets a snarl or back lash he may take his own time in undoing it without fear of his bait sinking and finding a permanent (perhaps) resting place in a weed bed or among deep crevices or rocks. These lures (undoubtedly) that are classed as top water lures save the angler "gobs" of money in this respect.

They are adapt

With sinking baits it is the reverse. ed to deep water trolling, but are cast also.

The best results are obtained by trolling in deep water. Slow trolling allows the bait a chance to sink deep besides giving the bass a better chance to strike at it.

Another favorite bait with the average angler is the plug. However, it is condemned by many men because of its nine hooks (three sets of trebles), but for those that are after results (bother the method) the plug is right there with the goods. It is best to troll it.

Finally, in fishing with artificial baits, one must realize that he is only using imitations of the real thing, and accordingly not place too great confidence in them, as their successful use depends largely on season, weather, the mood of the fish, skill of the angler, and the waters he is fishing.

Hints on Fly-Fishing for Trout:

First, secure a rod that "fits" you, that is, one that you can handle conveniently, either steel or split bamboo, as

you prefer, one not too supple and with plenty of power and resiliency. You don't have to have the highest-priced rod on the market, neither is it advisable to buy the cheapest. Buy one commensurate with your ability. Of course generally the higher priced rods are of better material and, therefore, last longer and give better service. It pays to buy good stuff, when it can be afforded. Try out the rod before you purchase it; see if you like it in every particular.

Next comes the reel. The same doctrine applies to the purchase of this important item as applies to the rod. Get as good quality as your purse permits. A cheap one will maybe be all right for a while but in the long run it pays to purchase good tackle.

Then comes the line, which should be silk, of sufficient weight to cast well in the wind and to fit the rod, one that will not strain the rod and yet not so light that it will fail to get the action out of the rod required. For a rod 9 1-2 feet long, weight 5 to 6 ounces, size E line is commonly used.

The selection of the leaders is of next importance. For rough streams use a heavy 3-foot leader, but on calm, shallow streams this will not do. A fine gut is an important part of the tackle, and the leader should be at least six feet in length if obtainable. Fine gut is sometimes hard to obtain, but should be used whenever procurable.

The kind of fly you use, while important, is not nearly so important as the manner of fishing it.

Sometimes, when trout are real hungry they will take most anything in the lure of dry flies, but at other times they appear to sulk and will bite at nothing, while sometimes a particularly fascinating lure will get their goat, and at still other times a dull drabby color will appeal to their taste. They seem to have moods, as well as fixed habits, and we have to study their moods as well as their set characteristics.