CASTING FOR GREAT PIKE 



succeeded in hooking the fish, for some reason or other, 

 though I caught several heart-quickening glimpses of 

 him. I believe that with my increased pike knowl- 

 edge, I could go back there to-day and succeed in hook- 

 ing the old fellow. In those days I was altogether too 

 anxious to catch fish, swung my lure too often, and 

 pulled it through the water too rapidly. 



The combination mentioned in the first sentence of 

 the foregoing paragraph, "deep water, with marging 

 grass," indicates good great pike fishing if found in 

 pike water. Great pike desire deep water for hot days 

 and perhaps for retirement after a full meal. The 

 marsh grass, reeds, or weeds form a good lurking place 

 and are the home of frogs, minnows, and small fish. In 

 lakes you will often find water lilies growing at the edge 

 of deep water, the marge of which is sure to be pre- 

 empted by great pike and pickerel. From the manner 

 in which the fish attack, I am inclined to believe that 

 they lie with their bodies concealed in the weeds, head 

 pointed outward, so when some luckless minnow or 

 small fish passes they can literally leap upon it. The 

 edges of any aquatic growth is good casting ground 

 along rivers as well as in lakes. The caster must al- 

 ways remember to cast to something, not in any direc- 

 tion, for pike do not lie anywhere, though a hook 

 trailing behind a boat may attract fish when least 

 expected, a matter which will be discussed under the 

 heading of "Trolling." 



Perhaps I shall be unable to utter a more meaningful 

 bit of advice than the foregoing — ^"cast to- something." 

 Therein lies the secret of success, implying as it does 

 considerable fish knowledge. Early in the day, again 

 late in the afternoon, and when feeding, great pike lie 



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