Something About Fraudulent Feathers Evolution

THE early history of trout flies has been touched upon in another chapter. Possibly the first fly used for bass fishing was the " bob " mentioned in a previous chapter — if you call that a fly. The flies used by the early Kentucky bass fishermen were either large trout flies or bass flies of their own tying. It is a curious fact that of all the favorite bass flies now in use, none of them trace their lineage back to these first bass fly fishers — especially remarkable as they were men of unusual mechanical and artistic abilities and most expert and studious anglers. It is equally true that none of the bass flies recommended by the early American angling writers are now in favor. We have already described Dr. Bethune's pattern, and Frank Forrester in his " Fish and Fishing " gives the formulae for several patterns none of which are now used. Many of our most successful bass patterns are merely trout flies somewhat enlarged.