Produced by Mark Young, Greg Bergquist and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by Biodiversity Heritage Library.) [Illustration front cover] _THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN'S LIBRARY_ _EDITED BY CASPAR WHITNEY_ BASS, PIKE, PERCH AND OTHERS [Illustration illo 003] [Illustration illo 005] BASS, PIKE, PERCH AND OTHERS BY JAMES A. HENSHALL, M.D. AUTHOR OF "BOOK OF THE BLACK-BASS," "MORE ABOUT THE BLACK-BASS." "CAMPING AND CRUISING IN FLORIDA," "YE GODS AND LITTLE FISHES," ETC. [Illustration illo 006] New York THE MACMILLAN COMPANY LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., LTD. 1903 _All rights reserved_ COPYRIGHT, 1903. BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. Set up and electrotyped April, 1903. Norwood Press J.S. Cushing & Co.--Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. INTRODUCTION In this volume are included all of the game-fishes of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, except the salmons and trouts, and the tarpon, jewfish, and other fishes of large size, which are described in other volumes of this series. As a matter of convenience I have grouped the fishes in families, whenever possible, but in their sequence I have been guided chiefly by their importance as game-fishes, and not in accordance with their natural order. The latter feature, however, has been provided for in a systematic list on a subsequent page. In order not to burden the text with matter that might not be of general interest, the technical descriptions of the fishes of each group are given in small type at the head of each chapter; and that they may be readily understood by the lay reader the following explanations seem necessary. The length of the head is from the point of the snout to the hindmost point or margin of the gill-cover. The length of the body is from the point of the snout to the base of the caudal fin, the fin itself not being included. The depth of the body is from the highest point of the dorsal line to the lowest point of the ventral line, usually from the base of the first dorsal fin to the base of the ventral fin. The expression "head 5" means that the length of the head is contained five times in the length of the body; the expression "depth 5" means that the depth of the body is contained five times in its length; "eye 5" means that the diameter of the eye is contained five times in the length of the head. In describing the fins the spiny rays are denoted by Roman numerals, and the soft rays by Arabic numerals, and the fins themselves by initials; thus "D. 9" means that the dorsal fin is single and composed of nine soft rays; "D. IX, 10" means that the single dorsal fin has nine spiny rays and ten soft rays; when separated by a hyphen, as "D. X-12," it means that there are two dorsal fins, the first composed of ten spiny rays and the second of twelve soft ones; "A. III, 11" means that the anal fin has three spines and eleven soft rays. The expression "scales 7-65-18" indicates that there are seven rows of scales between the dorsal fin and the lateral line, sixty-five scales along the lateral line, and eighteen oblique or horizontal rows between the lateral line and the ventral line. The number of rays in the fins and the number of scales along the lateral line, as given, represent the average number, and are subject to slight variation; thus in some localities the number of rays in a fin may be found to vary one or two, and the number of scales along the lateral line may vary from one to five, more or less, from the number given in the descriptions. I have adhered strictly to the nomenclature of the "Fishes of Middle and North America" (Bulletin, U.S. National Museum, No. 47), by Jordan and Evermann, and in the main I have followed the descriptions as recorded in that admirable work; but in many instances I have depended on my own notes. The suggestions as to angling and the tools and tackle recommended may be confidently relied on, as they are in conformity with my own practice and are based on my personal experience, covering a period of forty years, on many waters, from Canada to the West Indies, and from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains. JAMES A. HENSHALL. BOZEMAN, MONTANA. February 1, 1903. SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF THE FISHES DESCRIBED IN THIS VOLUME FAMILY =SILURIDÆ= =Ictalurus punctatus= (Rafinesque). =The Channel Catfish=. FAMILY =CYPRINIDÆ= =Cyprinus carpio=, Linnæus. =The German Carp=. FAMILY =ELOPIDÆ= =Elops saurus=, Linnæus. =The Ten-pounder=. FAMILY =ALBULIDÆ= =Albula vulpes= (Linnæus). =The Lady-Fish=. FAMILY =SALMONIDÆ= =Coregonus williamsoni=, Girard. =The Rocky Mountain Whitefish=. =Argyrosomus artedi sisco=, Jordan. =The Cisco=. FAMILY =THYMALLIDÆ= =Thymallus signifer= (Richardson). =The Arctic Grayling=. =Thymallus tricolor=, Cope. =The Michigan Grayling=. =Thymallus montanus=, Milner. =The Montana Grayling=. FAMILY =ARGENTINIDÆ= =Osmerus mordax= (Mitchill). =The Smelt=. FAMILY =ESOCIDÆ= =Esox americanus=, Gmelin. =The Banded Pickerel=. =Esox vermiculatus=, Le Sueur. =The Western Pickerel=. =Esox reticulatus=, Le Sueur. =The Eastern Pickerel=. =Esox lucius=, Linnæus. =The Pike=. =Esox nobilior=, Thompson. =The Mascalonge=. FAMILY =HOLOCENTRIDÆ= =Holocentrus ascensionis= (Osbeck). =The Squirrel Fish=. FAMILY =SCOMBRIDÆ= =Sarda sarda= (Bloch). =The Bonito=. =Scomberomorus maculatus= (Mitchill). =The Spanish Mackerel=. =Scomberomorus regalis= (Bloch). =The Cero=. FAMILY =CARANGIDÆ= =Carangus crysos= (Mitchill). =The Runner=. =Carangus latus= (Agassiz). =The Horse-eye Jack=. =Trachinotus glaucus= (Bloch). =The Gaff Top-sail Pompano=. =Trachinotus goodei=, Jordan & Evermann. =The Permit=. =Trachinotus carolinus= (Linnæus). =The Pompano=. FAMILY =RACHYCENTRIDÆ= =Rachycentron canadus= (Linnæus). =The Cobia=. FAMILY =CENTRARCHIDÆ= =Pomoxis annularis=, Rafinesque. =The Crappie=. =Pomoxis sparoides= (Lacépéde). =The Calico-bass=. =Ambloplites rupestris= (Rafinesque). =The Rock-bass=. =Archoplites interruptus= (Girard). =The Sacramento Perch=. =Chænobryttus gulosus= (Cuvier & Valenciennes). =The Warmouth Perch=. =Lepomis auritus= (Linnæus). =The Red-breast Sunfish=. =Lepomis megalotis= (Rafinesque). =The Long-eared Sunfish=. =Lepomis pallidus= (Mitchill). =The Blue Sunfish=. =Eupomotis gibbosus= (Linnæus). =The Common Sunfish=. =Micropterus dolomieu=, Lacépéde. =The Small-mouth Black-bass=. =Micropterus salmoides= (Lacépéde). =The Large-mouth Black-bass=. FAMILY =PERCIDÆ= =Stizostedion vitreum= (Mitchill). =The Pike-perch=. =Stizostedion canadense= (Smith). =The Sauger=. =Perca flavescens= (Mitchill). =The Yellow Perch=. FAMILY =CENTROPOMIDÆ= =Centropomus undecimalis= (Bloch). =The Snook, or Rovallia=. FAMILY =SERRANIDÆ= =Roccus chrysops= (Rafinesque). =The White-bass=. =Roccus lineatus= (Bloch). =The Striped-bass=. =Morone interrupta=, Gill. =The Yellow-bass=. =Morone americana= (Gmelin). =The White Perch=. =Petrometopon cruentatus= (Lacépéde). =The Coney=. =Bodianus fulvus= (Linnæus). =The Nigger Fish=. =Epinephelus adscensionis= (Osbeck). =The Rock Hind=. =Epinephelus guttatus= (Linnæus). =The Red Hind=. =Mycteroperca venenosa= (Linnæus). =The Yellow Fin Grouper=. =Mycteroperca microlepis= (Goode & Bean). =The Gag=. =Mycteroperca falcata phenax=, Jordan & Swain. =The Scamp=. =Centropristes striatas= (Linnæus). =The Sea-bass=. =Centropristes ocyurus= (Jordan & Evermann). =The Gulf Sea-bass=. =Centropristes philadelphicus= (Linnæus). =The Southern Sea-bass=. =Diplectrum formosum= (Linnæus). =The Sand-fish=. FAMILY =LOBOTIDÆ= =Lobotes surinamensis= (Bloch). =The Triple Tail=. FAMILY =LUTIANIDÆ= =Lutianus jocu= (Bloch & Schneider). =The Dog Snapper=. =Lutianus apodus= (Walbaum). =The Schoolmaster=. =Lutianus aya= (Bloch). =The Red Snapper=. =Lutianus synagri=s (Linnæus). =The Lane Snapper=. =Ocyurus chrysurus= (Bloch). =The Yellow-tail=. FAMILY =HÆMULIDÆ= =Hæmulon album=, Curvier & Valenciennes. =The Margate-fish=. =Hæmulon macrostomum=, Gunther. =The Gray Grunt=. =Hæmulon parra= (Desmarest). =The Sailor's Choice=. =Hæmulon sciurus= (Shaw). =The Yellow Grunt=. =Hæmulon plumieri= (Lacépéde). =The Black Grunt=. =Hæmulon flavolineatum= (Desmarest). =The French Grunt=. =Anisotremus virginicus= (Linnæus). =The Pork-fish=. =Orthopristis chrysopterus= (Linnæus). =The Pig-fish=. FAMILY =SPARIDÆ= =Stenotomus chrysops= (Linnæus). =The Scup=. =Stenotomus aculeatus= (Cuvier & Valenciennes). =The Southern Porgy=. =Calamus calamus= (Cuvier & Valenciennes). =The Saucer-eye Porgy=. =Calamus proridens=, Jordan & Gilbert. =The Little Head Porgy=. =Calamus bajonado= (Bloch & Schneider). =The Jolt Head Porgy=. =Calamus arctifrons=, Goode & Bean. =The Grass Porgy=. =Lagodon rhomboides= (Linnæus). =The Pin-fish=. =Archosargus probatocephalus= (Walbaum). =The Sheepshead=. FAMILY =KYPHOSIDÆ= =Kyphosus sectatrix= (Linnæus). =The Bermuda Chub=. FAMILY =SCIÆNIDÆ= =Cynoscion nothus= (Holbrook). =The Bastard Weakfish=. =Cynoscion regalis= (Bloch & Schneider). =The Weakfish=. =Cynoscion thalassinus= (Holbrook). =The Deep-water Weakfish=. =Cynoscion nebulosus= (Cuvier & Valenciennes). =The Spotted Weakfish=. =Leiostomus xanthurus=, Lacépéde. =The Lafayette, or Spot=. =Micropogon undulatus= (Linnæus). =The Croaker=. =Menticirrhus saxatilis= (Bloch & Schneider). =The Kingfish=. =Aplodinotus grunniens=, Rafinesque. =The Fresh-water Drumfish=. FAMILY =LABRIDÆ= =Tautogolabrus adspersus= (Walbaum). =The Cunner=. FAMILY =EPHIPPIDÆ= =Chætodipterus faber= (Broussonet). =The Angel-fish=. FAMILY =BALISTIDÆ= =Balistes carolinensis=, Gmelin. =The Turbot=. FAMILY =PLEURONECTIDÆ= =Pseudopleuronectes americanus= (Walbaum). =The Flounder=. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE THE SUNFISH FAMILY, _Centrarchidæ_ 1 The Small-mouth Black-bass, _Micropterus dolomieu_ 3 The Large-mouth Black-bass, _Micropterus salmoides_ 30 The Rock-bass, _Ambloplites rupestris_ 52 The Sacramento Perch, _Archoplites interruptus_ 57 The Warmouth Perch, _Chænobryttus gulosus_ 58 The Blue Sunfish, _Lepomis pallidus_ 62 The Long-eared Sunfish, _Lepomis megalotis_ 65 The Red-breast Sunfish, _Lepomis auritus_ 67 The Common Sunfish, _Eupomotis gibbosus_ 69 The Calico-bass, _Pomoxis sparoide_ 73 The Crappie, _Pomoxis annularis_ 79 CHAPTER II THE BASS FAMILY, _Serranidæ_ 85 The White-bass, _Roccus chrysops_ 86 The Yellow-bass, _Morone interrupta_ 90 CHAPTER III THE SEA-BASS FAMILY, _Serranidæ_ (continued) 95 The Striped-bass, _Roccus lineatus_ 96 The White-perch, _Morone americana_ 110 The Sea-bass, _Centropristes striatus_ 115 The Southern Sea-bass, _Centropristes philadelphicus_ 118 The Gulf Sea-bass, _Centropristes ocyuru_ 119 CHAPTER IV THE PIKE FAMILY, _Esocidæ_ 120 The Mascalonge, _Esox nobilior_ 122 The Pike, _Esox lucius_ 137 The Eastern Pickerel, _Esox reticulatus_ 149 The Western Pickerel, _Esox vermiculatus_ 153 The Banded Pickerel, _Esox americanus_ 154 CHAPTER V THE PERCH FAMILY, _Percidæ_ 156 The Pike-perch, _Stizostedion vitreum_ 157 The Sauger, _Stizostedion canadense_ 164 The Yellow-perch, _Perca flavescens_ 165 CHAPTER VI THE GRAYLING FAMILY, _Thymallidæ_ 173 The Arctic Grayling, _Thymallus signifer_ 176 The Michigan Grayling, _Thymallus tricolor_ 178 The Montana Grayling, _Thymallus montanus_ 181 CHAPTER VII THE SALMON FAMILY, _Salmonidæ_ 203 The Rocky Mountain Whitefish, _Coregonus williamsoni_ 204 The Cisco, _Argyrosomus artedi sisco_ 207 CHAPTER VIII THE DRUM FAMILY, _Sciænidæ_ 213 The Weakfish, _Cynoscion regalis_ 215 The Bastard Weakfish, _Cynoscion nothus_ 221 The Kingfish, _Menticirrhus saxatilis_ 221 The Croaker, _Micropogon undulatus_ 226 The Lafayette, _Leiostomus xanthurus_ 228 CHAPTER IX THE DRUM FAMILY, _Sciænidæ_ (continued) 232 The Fresh-water Drumfish, _Aplodinotus grunniens_ 232 CHAPTER X THE MINNOW FAMILY, _Cyprinidæ_ 236 The German Carp, _Cyprinus carpio_ 236 CHAPTER XI THE CATFISH FAMILY, _Siluridæ_ 244 The Channel-catfish, _Ictalurus punctatus_ 244 CHAPTER XII THE SHEEPSHEAD FAMILY, _Sparidæ_ 251 The Sheepshead, _Archosargus probatocephalus_ 252 The Scup, _Stenotomus chrysops_ 259 CHAPTER XIII MISCELLANEOUS FISHES The Cunner, _Tautogolabrus adspersus_ 264 The Flounder, _Pseudopleuronectes americanus_ 266 The Smelt, _Osmerus mordax_ 269 CHAPTER XIV THE MACKEREL FAMILY, _Scombridæ_ 272 The Spanish Mackerel, _Scomberomorus maculatus_ 273 The Cero, _Scomberomorus regalis_ 278 The Bonito, _Sarda sarda_ 282 CHAPTER XV THE GROUPER FAMILY, _Serranidæ_ 285 The Gag, _Mycteroperca microlepis_ 287 The Scamp, _Mycteroperca falcata phenax_ 291 The Yellow-finned Grouper, _Mycteroperca venenosa_ 294 The Rock Hind, _Epinephelus adscensionis_ 295 The Red Hind, _Epinephelus guttatus_ 297 The Coney, _Petrometopon cruentatus_ 299 The Nigger-fish, _Bodianus fulvus_ 300 The Sand-fish, _Diplectrum formosum_ 303 CHAPTER XVI THE CAVALLI FAMILY, _Carangidæ_ 306 The Runner, _Carangus chrysos_ 307 The Horse-eye Jack, _Carangus latus_ 310 The Pompano, _Trachinotus carolinus_ 311 CHAPTER XVII THE CHANNEL FISHES THE GRUNT FAMILY, _Hæmulidæ_ 321 The Black Grunt, _Hæmulon plumieri_ 323 The Yellow Grunt, _Hæmulon sciurus_ 326 The Margate-fish, _Hæmulon album_ 328 The Sailor's Choice, _Hæmulon parra_ 330 The Pig-fish, _Orthopristis chrysopterus_ 331 The Pork-fish, _Anisotremus virginicus_ 334 THE SNAPPER FAMILY, _Lutianidæ_ 336 The Yellow-tail, _Ocyurus chrysurus_ 338 The Lane Snapper, _Lutianus synagris_ 339 The Red Snapper, _Lutianus aya_ 342 The Dog Snapper, _Lutianus jocu_ 344 The Schoolmaster, _Lutianus apodus_ 345 THE PORGY FAMILY, _Sparidæ_ 347 The Jolt-head Porgy, _Calamus bajonado_ 348 The Saucer-eye Porgy, _Calamus calamus_ 350 The Little-head Porgy, _Calamus proridens_ 352 The Grass Porgy, _Calamus arctifrons_ 353 CHAPTER XVIII MISCELLANEOUS FISHES The Lady-fish, _Albula vulpes_ 355 The Ten-pounder, _Elops saurus_ 361 The Snook, _Centropomus undecimalis_ 366 The Triple-tail, _Lobotes surinamensis_ 370 The Cobia, _Rachycentron canadus_ 373 The Spotted Weakfish, _Cynoscion nebulosus_ 376 The Deep-sea Weakfish, _Cynoscion thalassinus_ 381 The Bermuda Chub, _Kyphosus sectatrix_ 382 The Angel-fish, _Chætodipterus faber_ 384 The Pinfish, _Lagodon rhomboides_ 386 The Squirrel-fish, _Holocentrus ascensionis_ 388 The Turbot, _Balistes carolinensis_ 390 INDEX 401 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE OSWEGO (LARGE-MOUTH) BASS 36 THE SMALL-MOUTH BLACK-BASS. THE LARGE-MOUTH BLACK-BASS. THE ROCK-BASS 62 SURF-FISHING FOR BASS 96 CATCHING SEA-BASS OFF NEWPORT 100 THE SEA-BASS. THE MASCALONGE. THE PIKE 114 THE MASCALONGE OF THE WEEDS. TROLLING WITH HANDLINE 120 THE EASTERN PICKEREL. THE WESTERN PICKEREL. THE PIKE-PERCH. THE YELLOW-PERCH 140 THE ARCTIC GRAYLING. THE MICHIGAN GRAYLING. THE MONTANA GRAYLING 174 THE MORE SPORTSMANLY WAY OF CATCHING MASCALONGE 200 THE WEAKFISH. THE KINGFISH. THE GERMAN CARP 226 THE CHANNEL-CATFISH. THE SHEEPSHEAD. THE CUNNER 244 FISHING FOR CUNNERS 250 THE FLOUNDER. THE SMELT. THE SPANISH MACKEREL 264 THE BONITO. THE NIGGER-FISH. THE POMPANO 280 CATCHING SPANISH MACKEREL ON THE EDGE OF THE GULF STREAM 300 THE BLACK GRUNT. THE RED SNAPPER 322 THE JOLT-HEAD PORGY. THE LADY-FISH. THE COBIA 348 TAKING BONITO BY TROLLING OFF BLOCK ISLAND 350 THE ANGEL-FISH. THE TURBOT 384 BASS, PIKE, AND PERCH CHAPTER I THE SUNFISH FAMILY (_Centrarchidæ_) The sunfish family is composed entirely of fresh-water fishes. They are characterized by a symmetrically-shaped body, rather short and compressed; mouth terminal; teeth small, without canines; scales rather large; cheeks and gill-covers scaly; scales mostly smooth; border of preopercle smooth, or but slightly serrated; opercle ending in two flat points, or in a black flap; a single dorsal fin, composed of both spiny and soft rays; anal fin also having both spines and soft rays; the dorsal spines varying from 6 to 13 in the different species, with from 3 to 9 in the anal fin; sexes similar; coloration mostly greenish. GENUS MICROPTERUS _Micropterus dolomieu._ Small-mouth Black-bass. Body ovate-oblong; head 3; depth 3; eye 6; D. X, 13; A. III, 10; scales 11-73-17; mouth large, the maxillary reaching front of eye; scales on cheek minute, in 17 rows; teeth villiform. _Micropterus salmoides._ Large-mouth Black-bass. Body ovate-oblong; head 3; depth 3; eye 5; D. X, 13; A. III, 11; scales 8-68-16; scales on cheek large, in 10 rows; mouth very large, maxillary extending beyond the eye; teeth villiform. GENUS AMBLOPLITES _Ambloplites rupestris._ Rock-bass. Body oblong, moderately compressed; head 2-3/4; depth 2-1/2; eye 4; D. XI, 10; A. VI, 10; scales 5-40-12, with 6 to 8 rows on cheeks; mouth large, maxillary extending to posterior part of pupil; teeth small, single patch on tongue; gill-rakers 7 to 10, on lower part of arch; preopercle serrate near its angle; opercle ends in 2 flat points. GENUS ARCHOPLITES _Archoplites interruptus._ Sacramento Perch. Body oblong-ovate, compressed; head 2-2/3; depth 2-1/2; eye 4; D. XII, 10; A. VI, 10; scales 7-45-14; 8 rows on cheeks; mouth very large, maxillary extending beyond pupil; teeth numerous and small, with 2 patches on tongue; gill-rakers 20; opercle emarginate; most of the membrane bones of head serrate. GENUS CHÆNOBRYTTUS _Chænobryttus gulosus._ Warmouth Perch. Body heavy and deep; head 2-1/2; depth 2-1/4; eye 4; D. X, 9; A. III, 8; scales 6-42-11; 6 to 8 rows on cheeks; teeth small and numerous; gill-rakers 9; preopercle entire; mouth very large; opercle ends in a black convex flap. GENUS LEPOMIS _Lepomis pallidus._ Blue Sunfish. Body short and deep, compressed; head 3; depth 2; eye 3-1/2; D. X, 12; A. III, 12; scales 7-46-16; 5 rows on cheeks; mouth small, maxillary barely reaching eye; teeth small and sharp; opercular flap without pale edge; gill-rakers x + 11 to 13. _Lepomis megalotis._ Long-eared Sunfish. Body short and deep, the back arched; head 3; depth 2; eye 4; D. X, 11; A. III, 9; scales 5-40-14; 5 rows on cheeks; mouth small and oblique; opercular flap long and broad, with red or blue margin; gill-rakers x + 8 or 9. _Lepomis auritus._ Red-breast Sunfish. Body elongate; head 3; depth 3; eye 4; D. X, 11; A. III, 9; scales 6-45-15; mouth large, oblique; palatine teeth present; gill-rakers _x_ + 8 or 9, quite short; opercular flap very long and narrow; scales on breast very small; 7 rows scales on cheeks. GENUS EUPOMOTIS _Eupomotis gibbosus._ Common Sunfish. Body short and deep, compressed; head 3; depth 2; eye 4; D. X, 11; A. III, 10; scales 6-45-13; 4 rows on cheeks; mouth small, oblique, maxillary scarcely reaching front of eye; pharyngeal teeth paved and rounded; gill-rakers soft and small, _x_ + 10; opercular flap rather small, the lower part bright scarlet. GENUS POMOXIS _Pomoxis sparoides._ Calico-bass. Body oblong, elevated, much compressed; head 3; depth 2; D. VII, 15; A. VI, 17; scales 40 to 45; 6 rows on cheeks; mouth large, maxillary reaching to posterior edge of pupil; snout projecting; fins very high, anal higher than dorsal. _Pomoxis annularis._ Crappie. Body rather elongate; head 3; depth 2-1/3; D. VI, 15; A. VI, 18; scales 36 to 48; 4 or 5 rows on cheek; mouth very wide; fins very high, but lower than _sparoides_. THE SMALL-MOUTH BLACK-BASS (_Micropterus dolomieu_) The generic name _Micropterus_ was given to the small-mouth black-bass by the French ichthyologist Lacépéde, in 1802, who was the first to describe it. The name _Micropterus_, which means "small fin," was bestowed on account of the mutilated condition of the dorsal fin of the specimen, a few of the posterior rays of the fin being detached and broken off, giving the appearance of a short and separate fin. The specimen was sent to Paris from an unknown locality in America, and is still preserved in the Museum of Natural History at Paris, where I personally examined it. It is a fine example, about a foot in length, and is remarkably well preserved. As there was no known genus to which the specimen with the curious dorsal fin could be referred, Lacépéde created the new genus _Micropterus_. He gave it the specific name _dolomieu_ as a compliment to his friend M. Dolomieu, a French mineralogist, for whom the mineral dolomite was also named. Originally, the small-mouth black-bass was restricted to the Great Lake region, parts of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, and along the upper reaches of streams flowing from the Alleghany Mountains in the Southern states. It has, however, been introduced into all of the New England and Middle states, and into many Western states. It has a compressed, rather elliptical body, the dorsal and ventral outlines being nearly equal; it becomes deeper with age. As its range, or distribution, is so great and extensive, and the waters it inhabits are so different in hue and character, the coloration of the small-mouth bass varies from almost black to the faintest tinge of green, in different sections of the country. The coloration is so variable that it differs even in fish in the same waters. It is influenced mostly by the hue of the water, character of the bottom, the presence or absence of weeds about the haunts of the bass, and, moreover, the changes in color may occur in a very short time when subject to these various conditions. The general color, however, is greenish of various shades, always darker on the back, and paling to white or whitish on the belly. When markings are present, they form vertical patches or bars, never horizontal. Three bronze streaks extend from the eye across the cheeks. All markings, however, may become obsolete with age. The natural food of both species is crawfish, which might be inferred from the character of their teeth and wide-opening mouth. There is a popular belief that they are essentially and habitually piscivorous; but this is an error; they are not so black as they are painted. They feed on minute crustaceans and larval forms of insects when young, and afterward on crawfish, minnows, frogs, insects, etc., as do most fishes that have teeth in the jaws. But the teeth of the black-bass are villiform and closely packed, presenting an even surface as uniform as the surface of a tooth-brush. Such teeth are incapable of wounding, and merely form a rough surface for holding their prey securely. All truly piscivorous fishes have fewer, but sharp, conical teeth, of unequal length, like the yellow-perch, pike-perch, mascalonge, and trout, or lancet-shaped teeth like the bluefish. The black-bass is far less destructive to fish life than any of the fishes mentioned; on the contrary, it suffers the most in a mixed community of fishes, and is the first to disappear. There are small lakes in Canada and Michigan where the brook-trout and black-bass have coexisted from time immemorial without jeopardy to the trout. There are small lakes in Wisconsin where black-bass and cisco, with other species, have coexisted for all time; and while the cisco is as numerous as ever, the black-bass has almost disappeared. It does not follow, however, that black-bass should be introduced in trout waters; far from it. Brook-trout are being exterminated fast enough, owing to the changed natural conditions of the streams and their surroundings, without adding another contestant for the limited supply of food in such waters. Both species of black-bass have been introduced into Germany, France, Russia, and the Netherlands. In Germany, especially, they have found a permanent home. It was my privilege materially to assist Herr Max von dem Borne, of Berneuchen, with such advice as enabled him to start on a sure footing in his enterprise, and with such subsequent success in its establishment that he published several brochures on the black-bass to meet the demand for information as to its habits and merits as a game and food-fish. An effort was made some years ago to introduce the black-bass into English waters, but without success, owing to a want of knowledge as to the proper species to experiment with. The small-mouth bass was placed in weedy ponds or small lakes in which only the large-mouth bass would live. The small-mouth bass thrives only in comparatively clear, cool, and rocky or gravelly streams, and in lakes and ponds supplied by such streams or having cold bottom springs. In lakes of the latter character, in northern sections, it coexists with large-mouth bass in many instances. In such cases, however, the small-mouth will be found usually at the inlet, or about the springs, and the large-mouth at the outlet or in sheltered, grassy situations. In winter it undergoes a state of partial or complete torpidity. In ponds that have been drained in the winter season it has been found snugly ensconced in the crevices of rocks, beneath shelving banks, logs, roots, or among masses of vegetation, undergoing its winter sleep. In the spring, when the temperature of the water rises above fifty degrees, the small-mouth bass emerges from its winter quarters, about which it lingers until the water becomes still warmer, when it departs in search of suitable locations for spawning. At this time, owing to a semi-migratory instinct, it ascends streams, and roams about in lakes or ponds, often ascending inlet streams, or in some instances descending outlet streams. When favorable situations are found, the male and female pair off and proceed to fulfil the reproductive instinct. The spawning period extends from May to July, according to the section of the country it inhabits, and when the temperature of the water is suitable. The nests are formed on a bottom of gravel or coarse sand, or on a flat rock in very rocky streams. The male fish does the work of preparation by scouring with fins and tail a space about twice his length in diameter, forming a shallow, saucer-shaped depression, in which the female deposits her eggs, which are fertilized by the male, who hovers near by. The eggs are heavy and adhesive, being invested with a glutinous matter that enables them to adhere to the pebbles on the bottom. The number of eggs varies from two thousand to twenty-five thousand, according to the size and weight of the female. The nest is carefully guarded by the parents until the eggs hatch, the period of incubation being from one to two weeks, according to the temperature of the water. The resultant fry are then watched and brooded by the male fish for several days or a week, when they seek the shelter of weeds and grasses in shallow water. The young fry feed on minute crustaceans and the larval forms of insects. When a month old they are about an inch long, and continue to grow, if food is plentiful, so that they reach a length of from three to six inches in the fall. Thereafter they increase a pound a year under the most favorable conditions, until the maximum weight is attained, which is about five pounds. In some instances, however, they have reached a weight of seven or even ten pounds, where the environment has been unusually favorable; notably in Glen Lake, near Glens Falls, New York, where a half-dozen or more have been taken weighing from eight to ten pounds. One of ten pounds was twenty-five and one-half inches long and nineteen inches in girth. As a game-fish the black-bass has come into his inheritance. As the French say, he has arrived. With the special tools and tackle now furnished for his capture, he has proved my aphorism. "Inch for inch, and pound for pound, he is the gamest fish that swims." When I ventured this opinion twenty-five years ago, there were no special articles made for his capture except the Kentucky reel and the McGinnis rod, twelve feet long and fifteen ounces in weight. In awarding the palm as a game-fish to the black-bass, I do so advisedly, in the light of ample experience with all other game-fishes, and without prejudice, for I have an innate love and admiration for all, from the lovely trout of the mountain brook to the giant tarpon of the sea. In the application of so broad and sweeping an assertion each and every attribute of a game-fish must be well considered: his habitat; his aptitude to rise to the fly; his struggle for freedom; his manner of resistance; his weight as compared with other game-fishes; and his excellence as a food-fish, must be separately and collectively considered and duly and impartially weighed. His haunts are amid most charming and varied scenes. Not in the silent and solemn solitudes of the primeval forests, where animated Nature is evidenced mainly in swarms of gnats, black-flies, and mosquitoes; nor under the shadows of grand and lofty mountains, guarded by serried ranks of pines and firs, but whose sombre depths are void of feathered songsters. However grand, sublime, and impressive such scenes truly are, they do not appeal profoundly to the angler. He must have life, motion, sound. He courts Nature in her more communicative moods, and in the haunts of the black-bass his desires are realized. Wading down the rippling stream, casting his flies hither and yon, alert for the responsive tug, the sunlight is filtered through overhanging trees, while the thrush, blackbird, and cardinal render the air vocal with sweet sounds, and his rival, the kingfisher, greets him with vibrant voice. The summer breeze, laden with the scent of woodland blossoms, whispers among the leaves, the wild bee flits by on droning wing, the squirrel barks defiantly, and the tinkle of the cow-bell is mellowed in the distance. I know of such streams in the mountain valleys of West Virginia, amid the green rolling hills of Kentucky and Tennessee, and in the hill country where Missouri and Arkansas meet. The aptitude of the black-bass to rise to the artificial fly is not questioned by the twentieth-century angler, though it was considered a matter of doubt by many anglers during the last quarter of the nineteenth. The doubt was mainly owing to a lack of experience, for fly-fishing for black-bass was successfully practised in Kentucky as early, certainly, as 1845. I have before me a click reel made in 1848 by the late Mr. J.L. Sage, of Lexington, Kentucky, especially for fly-fishing. I have also seen his fly-rod made by him about the same time, and used by him for many years on the famous bass streams of that state. And I might say, in passing, that blackbass bait-fishing, as an art, originated in Kentucky a century ago. George Snyder, of Paris, Kentucky, when president of the Bourbon County Angling Club, made the first multiplying reel for casting the minnow, in 1810, and as early as 1830 many such reels were used in that state. The rods employed by those pioneers of black-bass fishing were about ten feet long, weighing but several ounces, cut from the small end of a Mississippi cane, with the reel lashed to the butt. They used the smallest Chinese "sea-grass" lines, or home-made lines of three strands of black sewing-silk twisted together. Those old disciples of Walton would have been shocked, could they have seen the heavy rods and coarse lines that are still used in some sections, for their own tackle was as light, if not so elegant, as any made at the present day. Another quality in a game-fish is measured by his resistance when hooked and by his efforts to escape. I think no fish of equal weight exhibits so much finesse and stubborn resistance, under such conditions, as the black-bass. Most fishes when hooked attempt to escape by tugging and pulling in one direction, or by boring toward the bottom, and if not successful in breaking away soon give up the unequal contest. But the black-bass exhibits, if not intelligence, something akin to it, in his strategical manoeuvres. Sometimes his first effort is to bound into the air at once and attempt to shake out the hook, as if he knew his misfortune came from above. At other times he dashes furiously, first in one direction, then in another, pulling strongly meanwhile, then leaps into the air several times in quick succession, madly shaking himself with open jaws. I have seen him fall on a slack line, and again by using his tail as a lever and the water as a fulcrum, throw himself over a taut line, evidently with the intent to break it or tear out the hook. Another clever ruse is to wind the line around a root or rock, and still another is to embed himself in a clump of water-weeds if permitted to do so. Or, finding it useless to pull straight away, he reverses his tactics and swims rapidly toward the angler, shaking himself and working his jaws, meanwhile, as if he knew that with a slack line he would be more apt to disengage the hook. I have never known a black-bass to sulk like the salmon by lying motionless on the bottom. He is never still unless he succeeds in reaching a bed of weeds. He is wily and adroit, but at the same time he is brave and valiant. He seems to employ all the known tactics of other fishes, and to add a few of his own in his gallant fight for freedom. As a food-fish there is, in my estimation, but one fresh-water fish that is better, the whitefish of the Great Lakes. Its flesh is white, firm, and flaky, with a fine savor, and a juicy, succulent quality that is lacking with most other fresh-water fishes. About the spawning period, especially in fish from weedy ponds, it is somewhat musky or muddy in flavor, like other fishes in similar situations; but by skinning the fish instead of scaling it much of that unpleasant feature is removed. BLACK-BASS TACKLE The first consideration for the fly-fisher is suitable tools and tackle, and the most important article of his outfit is the fly-rod. Fortunately, at the present day, manufacturers turn out such good work that one does not have to seek far to obtain the best. And the best is one made of split bamboo by a first-class maker. Such a rod necessarily commands a good price, but it is the cheapest in the end, for with proper care it will last a lifetime. I have rods of this character that I have used for thirty years that are still as good as new. But the angler should eschew the shoddy split-bamboo rods that are sold in the department stores for a dollar. A wooden rod at a moderate price is far better than a split-bamboo rod at double its cost. Rods are now made much better, of better material, and considerably shorter and lighter than formerly, and withal they are much better in balance and action. If any evidence were needed to prove and establish the superiority of the modern single-handed fly-rod over the old-style rod, it is only necessary to refer to the following facts: At the tournament of the New York State Sportsman's Association, in 1880, a cast of seventy feet won the first prize for distance; and at that time the longest on record was Seth Green's cast of eighty-six feet. At a contest of the San Francisco Fly-casting Club held on October 11, 1902, at Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park, Mr. H.C. Golcher made the remarkable and wonderful cast of one hundred and forty feet, beating the previous record cast of one hundred and thirty-four feet, held jointly by Mr. Golcher and Mr. W.D. Mansfield of the same club. A suitable fly-rod for black-bass fishing may be from nine to ten and one-half feet in length, and weigh from six and one-half to eight ounces, according to the preferences of the angler and the waters to be fished. For an all-round rod for all-round work my ideal is ten and a quarter feet long and weighing seven ounces in split bamboo and eight ounces in ash and lancewood, or ash and bethabara. It should be made in three pieces, with a stiffish backbone, constituting the lower third of its length, and with most of the bend in the upper two-thirds. A rod constructed on this principle will afford just the requisite amount of resiliency for casting, with sufficient pliancy and elasticity for playing a fish, and embody all the power and strength needed. The reel-seat should be simply a shallow groove in the hand-piece, with reel-bands, instead of the solid metal reel-seat, which subserves no good purpose and is only added weight; moreover, it is now put on the cheapest rods as a trap to catch the unwary. All metal mountings should be German silver or brass. Nickel-plated mountings are cheap and nasty. A light, single-action click reel of German silver or aluminum of fifty or sixty yards' capacity is the best. A plain crank handle is to be preferred to a balance handle, but in either case there should be a projecting rim or safety band, within which the handle revolves, in order to prevent fouling of the line. My own preference is for the English pattern, with a knobbed handle affixed to the edge of a revolving disk on the face of the reel. A multiplying reel with an adjustable click may be utilized instead of a click reel for fly-fishing. The enamelled, braided silk line is the only one suitable for casting the fly, and there is no better. A level line will answer, but a tapered one is better adapted for long casts. It may taper toward one end or both ways from the centre, the latter being preferable. From twenty-five to thirty yards is sufficient for all emergencies. It should be thoroughly dried every day it is used. A convenient way is to wind it around the back of a chair. Leaders may be from three to six feet long, accordingly as one or two flies are used in the cast. It should be composed of single, clear, round silkworm-gut fibre, tapering from the reel line to the distal end. It should not be tested to a greater weight than two pounds, as testing silkworm-gut weakens it very materially. It may be stained or not, though there is no advantage in coloring it; I prefer the natural hue. There should be a loop at the small end, and one three feet above it, for attaching the snells of flies. Before using it, it must be soaked in water until soft and pliable. Extra leaders may be carried in a box between layers of damp felt, so as to be ready for emergencies. The best and smallest and most secure knot for tying the lengths of gut together in making the leader is a simple half-hitch, like tying a single knot in a piece of string. When thoroughly soaked, the two ends to be tied are lapped a couple of inches, and a single knot, or half-hitch made in them, pulling the knot tight, and cutting off the loose ends closely. Snells should be three or four inches long, of good single gut, the shorter length for end fly. If the flies are made with a loop at the head, the snells for same should have a loop at each end for attaching to both fly and leader. If flies are made on eyed hooks, the snell should have but one loop for the leader, and a free end for tying to the eye of hook. The best knot for the purpose is made by passing the end of snell through the eye of hook, then around the shank just below the eye, and then between the shank and snell and draw tight, forming a jam knot. Where the snell is tied to the fly, it should likewise have a loop for attaching to the leader. It should also be reinforced by a piece of gut an inch long at the head of the fly to strengthen it and prevent chafing. Snells, whether separate or tied to flies, should be carried like leaders between layers of damp felt. Most flies made for black-bass fishing are too large. The largest trout flies tied on hooks Nos. 4 to 6 are big enough. As just mentioned, they are tied directly to the snell on tapered hooks, or made with a small gut loop at the head of the fly, which is much the best way. Since the introduction of the eyed hook, or rather a revival of it, for trout flies, they are now utilized for bass flies also. As between the Pennell hook with turned-down eye and the Hall hook with turned-up eye, there is not much choice. Both patterns are based on the old Limerick hook. I prefer the Sproat or O'Shaughnessy to either, with gut loop at the head of the fly. If the black-bass is not color-blind, he seems to have a penchant for brown, gray, black, and yellow, as flies embodying these colors seem to be more attractive to him than others. One can judge in this matter, however, only from experience. And even then the deduction of one angler is often at variance with the inference of another. The most successful bass flies, like salmon flies, are not made in imitation of natural insects. This is true also of some of the "general" trout flies that have proved particularly pleasing to the black-bass, as the professor, grizzly king, king of the waters, Montreal, coachman, etc. True, the black, gray, red, and yellow hackles, which are supposed to be imitations of caterpillars, are very useful on nearly all waters; but their resemblance to any known larval forms is very slight. There is a well-known rule in regard to the size and color of flies to be used at particular states and stages of the water, and in accordance with the time and character of the day. It is to use small and dark flies on bright days, with low and clear water; and larger and brighter flies on dark days with high or turbid water, and at dusk. This rule is hoary with age. It has come down to us through past centuries with the indorsement of thousands of intelligent and observant anglers, and should be respected accordingly. It is in the main reliable and trustworthy. Of course there will occur exceptions to prove the rule. And some iconoclastic anglers at this late day, in view of the exceptions, declare that it is entirely valueless as a guide; but they offer nothing better. It is true, nevertheless, and a safe rule to follow. FLY-FISHING To be a successful fly-fisher for black-bass the angler must know something of the habits of his quarry, or at least of its haunts and favorite places of resort. On streams these places are in the eddies of rocks or large boulders, in the deeper water above and below riffles, under shelving banks and rocks, among the submerged roots of trees on the bank, near weed patches, driftwood, and logs, and in the vicinity of gravelly bars and shoals. Except in cloudy weather the angler may rest during the noon hours, as the most favorable time is in the morning and late afternoon until dusk. If wading, the angler should fish down-stream, and when the shadows are long, should endeavor to keep the sun in front. He should move slowly and cautiously, making as little noise as possible, casting to the sides and in front over every likely spot. Casts of thirty or forty feet are usually sufficient. The flies should be allowed to float down-stream, with tremulous motions, sidewise, to imitate the struggles of a drowning insect, and then permitted to sink several inches or a foot at each cast. Whipping the stream is sometimes quite successful where the bass does not respond to ordinary casting. This is done by casting in quick succession and repeatedly over one spot, allowing the flies merely to touch the water, until several such casts are made, when they should be permitted to sink, for a few seconds, as before. In making up the cast, two flies should be selected of different combinations of colors, as polka and professor. If necessary, changes should be made until two are selected that seem to meet the fastidious fancy of the fish. If a taut line is maintained, the bass usually hooks himself, but the angler should strike quickly upon feeling the slightest tug, or when seeing the swirl of the fish. One cannot strike too quickly. By striking is meant a simple turning of the hand sidewise, with a perfectly tight line; this is amply sufficient to set the hook. Should the line be slack and lifeless at the moment, a more vigorous movement is required, but even then it is usually too late. When a bass is hooked, the contest should be between rod and fish, rather than between the reel and fish. It is the spring of the rod that conquers him, not the giving and taking of line. If the rod is held firmly, at an angle of forty-five degrees, with the thumb on the spool of the reel, there is no likelihood of a good rod breaking. Line should be given grudgingly, and the fish kept on the surface as much as possible. When exhausted he should be drawn over the landing-net and lifted out quickly, at the same time releasing the thumb from the reel to relieve the strain on the rod. In fishing from the bank in deeper streams, or from a boat on small lakes, whereby the fish is better enabled to see the angler, longer casts are necessary, or the angler must screen himself from observation by trees or bushes on the bank. The boat should be kept in the deeper water and the casts made toward the shallows of bars, shoals, and weed patches. The best time for boat fishing on lakes or ponds is from near sundown until dark. CASTING THE MINNOW The live minnow, shiner preferred, is by far the best bait for the black-bass, as it is more easily seen, and the best way of presenting it is by casting from the reel. For this purpose a rod eight or nine feet long is much better than a shorter or longer one. After a long series of experiments with rods from six to twelve feet, I arrived at the conclusion that the one now known as the Henshall rod, eight and one-fourth feet long and from seven to eight ounces in weight, fulfils all the requirements of casting, hooking, and playing a black-bass. It is light, strong, and of beautiful proportions. In first-class split bamboo it may be as light as six and one-half ounces, but should not exceed seven and one-half ounces. In ash and lancewood, or bethabara, from seven to eight ounces is the correct weight. A multiplying reel is indispensable. It may be two, three, or four-ply, but the best work and the most effective casting can only be done with the most perfect reel. It should be as light as possible, in a fifty or sixty-yard reel. German silver is the best material, though brass is fully as serviceable, and costs less. Some very good reels are made of hard rubber and metal. Only braided lines should be used, as twisted ones kink too much in casting. Undressed silk, of the smallest caliber, size H, is best. Braided linen is stronger, but of larger caliber, and not so suitable for good casting. Neither can effective casting be done with oil-dressed or enamelled lines. Snelled hooks on single-gut snells, size No. 1 or No. 2, Sproat preferred and O'Shaughnessy next, are the best in any method of bait-fishing for black-bass. There are several other styles of hooks used, but, everything considered, those named are the most faultless, and for shape, strength, and general excellence cannot be excelled. No leader is used, as the minnow must be reeled up to within a foot or two of the tip of the rod in casting. The snell of the hook is attached to the reel-line by the smallest brass box-swivel, or it may be tied directly to the line. The casts are made from right or left and underhand, not overhead as in casting the fly. Casts of 160 feet have been made in this way. The chief factor in this style of casting is the proper control of the reel by the thumb--by a gentle but constant and uniform pressure on the revolving spool, to prevent overrunning of the line during the cast, and a stronger pressure to stop the reel at the end of the cast. The thumb must be thoroughly educated to this work, and, once acquired, the rest is easy, as but little muscular effort is required. The novice must begin with short casts and increase their length as he becomes more proficient in the management of the reel. Perfect casting from the reel is more difficult than casting the fly, and more artistic. In wading a stream the casts are directed to the same likely places mentioned under the head of fly-fishing. The minnow is allowed to sink to half the depth of the water and reeled in slowly, which gives a lifelike motion to the bait when hooked through the lips. If there is no response, the next cast should be made to another spot, as a bass, if inclined to take the lure at all, will usually do so upon its first presentation. In fly-fishing it is imperative to strike as soon as the bass seizes the fly, otherwise he ejects it at once, if not hooked by a taut line, for he is conscious of the deception as soon as the fly is taken into his mouth. With natural bait it is different. The bass first seizes the minnow crosswise or tail first, turns it in his mouth, and swallows it head first. This takes a little time. Usually he holds it in his mouth and bolts away from other fish, or rushes toward a secure hiding-place--hence the vigorous initial dash and taking of line. If stopped before being hooked, he gives several tugs in quick succession, when he should be given line slowly. The angler, with thumb on the spool of the reel, can feel every motion of the fish. When he pulls steadily and strongly and increases his speed, the hook should be driven in by striking in the opposite direction to his course, or upward. A vigorous "yank" is not needed. With the strained line a movement of the tip of the rod a foot or two is sufficient with a sharp hook. If fishing from a boat, where the angler is more apt to be seen, it should be kept in deep water and the casts made toward the haunts of the bass in shallow water. Should the hooked bass break water on a long line, the slight straightening of the bent rod that ensues will tend to keep it taut, and there is nothing more to do. On a short line, however (the bend of the rod being maintained), he should be followed back to the water by a slight lowering of the tip, but it should again be raised as soon as he touches the water. The critical moment is when he is apparently standing on his tail, shaking himself, with wide-opened jaws. If he is given any slack line at this time, the hook is likely to be thrown out. Lowering the tip to a leaping fish is a good old rule when done understandingly. It has been ridiculed by some anglers who do not seem to have a clear conception of it. They claim that by lowering the tip it gives sufficient slack line to enable the fish to free himself. But if the rod is bent, as it should be, the simple lowering of the tip with a short
{'title': 'Bass, Pike, Perch, and Others by James A. Henshall', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}