Taken from No. 00 Heavy Fishing Hints [1960s]
It is widely believed that fish strike only when hungry. However, I have taken fish whose
stomachs were crammed with food. At other times they would take nothing for days on
end.
It is now generally accepted that fish strike at lures whose action and color tantalize or
annoy them.
Depth of lure and speed of retrieve are also important and the fisherman who wants the
pan to smell must take all these factors into consideration.
The theory that fish are color blind has been practically exploded; in recent tests, bags of
various colors were placed in the water. Bags of only one color contained food, and the
fish soon learned to find these; but when the food was transferred to bags of a different
color, they continued to go to the bags with which they had become familiar until hunger
drove them to find their food in bags of another color, which they soon learned to find
unerringly.
When you get a strike, set the hook, then play your fish. Use the lightest tackle that is
practical; longer rods and lighter lines provide more sport. Pressure of one pound will
soon tire a large fish. Uneven pressure on the brake will discourage a fish and shorten its
runs. Keeping the rod at an angle of 45 degrees prevents the line slackening. Give him
the butt. Never try to boat a fish before it is ready. Use a good gaff. It pays.
On dull days, use brightly finished spoons such as silver, brass, or yellow and red. On
bright days use copper, orange and black, black and white, or green and black. Red and
white is a favorite color, and can be used to advantage in almost any weather.
Our dimpled spoons, Nos. 10, 11, and 13 reflect light and cause a turbulence in the water
that attracts fish. They are specially good in fast water as they do not rotate at higher
speeds.
Cast near weed beds or sunken logs for Pike. Rocky ledges and quick drop-offs are
favorite spots for bass and pickerel. Muskies, like gold, are where you find `em. Lake
trout can live only in water 45 degrees or colder. In late summer you have to go deep for
them. Troll deep for big ones. When casting in deep water, try letting the spoon sink
while you count 20. Wet the hands before releasing a fish to avoid removing protective
slime.
Generally speaking, the larger the fish, the bigger the spoon it takes; this is especially true
in northern lakes where their food consists mainly of other fish. In warmer waters, where
frogs and insects form part of the diet, big lunkers are often taken on small baits.
A No. 0 spoon is large enough for any southern fish, and 20 pounders have been taken on
the little 00 spoon. Heavy spoons go best in deep lakes or fast rivers; light spoons in
shallow or weedy ponds.
Found on No. 10 (Steel Blue) [1950s]
This spoon weighs 1/5 oz and casts like a bullet. If larger spoon is wanted try No. 8
spinning.
Usual spin casting procedure is to hold line in left hand or in crook of index casting
finger. Read next space for a slicker neater way.
Hold line lightly under thumb of casting hand and cast in usual manner. Bend of rod will
release the line and time the cast. 30 minutes of this method should cure you of the old
way.
Whipping out line with long swinging casts is no good for spinning. A short back cast,
10 to 2 O'clock is best and gives greater accuracy.
Use the lightest line practical a keep brake tension well below breaking point. A steady
one pound pull will tire even a large fish.
Play your fish for better sport, saving on tackle, and more fish in the creel. Release small
fish, with wet hands, for better fishing later. Use an airex bubble with 4 foot nylon
leader.
Found on No. 6 Fly (Copper) [1960s]
Trout are very sensitive to color, so we make our lures in 6 color schemes and brass,
silver, and copper.
Our brass and copper spoons have 2 coats of lacquer to protect the finish. When this
wears off they may be polished.
Cast quartering upstream and look for the strike when spoon swings in the current.
When possible, make use of wind and current to prevent line drag.
Fishing Hints