A few years ago I met an old man in a nearby small town who owns a fish farm. He raises largemouth bass in his outdoor ponds and tilapia in an indoor pool. He said his largest customer base for the bass was Chinese restaurants, and he ships live bass all over the country. He told me that in the old days, there was a fish very similar in appearance to bass that was reserved solely for the emperor's court. Any peasant caught with one of these fish would be punished severely, if not executed. Therefore the largemouth bass is in great demand at Chinese restaurants. Since the fish have to be shipped live, he doesn't like to net them out of the ponds, as this causes a higher mortality rate. So he rounds up a bunch of guys with rods and reels to catch the bass. I've thought a time or two of taking my 6 weight and helping him out. Strictly to be helpful you understand.

Larry Compton