FLY-FISHING FOR GREAT PIKE 



simply, the fish takes the moving lure to be something 

 edible because it moves. As has been pointed out 

 before, every member of the pike family is dowered 

 with an insatiable appetite, and anything is grist that 

 comes to his mill. Realizing this, the fisherman need 

 not worry about pattern, color, and so forth. All that 

 is required is a bunch of feathers sufficiently con- 

 spicuous to attract attention. 



In order to render fly-fishing effective, the angler 

 must be perfectly familiar with the water to be whipped. 

 There is little use in casting here and there at random, 

 though that haphazard method may result in a capture 

 once in a while, when a great pike happens to be within 

 sight and unalarmed. When the angler is acquainted 

 with the lurking place of the fish, moves circum- 

 spectly and with knowledge, he is as sure of a rise as 

 he can be of anything in the ichthyic world. A great 

 pike must attack a bunch of feathers striking the sur- 

 face of the water with a splash, if unwarned by shadow 

 of boat or rod. A moderately long line should be cast. 

 I know of no fishing where ability to lay a long line is 

 a greater asset. The marge of a weed-bed, especially a 

 tangle of water lilies, is a good spot. Let the fly strike 

 just at the edge and be ready with a taut line to re- 

 trieve the instant the fish strikes, or as soon as the fly 

 has sunk to the required depth. With a taut line the 

 chances are that the fish will hook himself; otherwise 

 no wise trout will more quickly and effectively reject 

 the hook. 



A deep pool, such as occurs in all great pike-infested 

 water, is a good place for fly-casting early in the morn- 

 ing and again in the evening, though on a bright day 

 the difficulty one experiences in approaching such a 



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