FLY-FISHING FOR GREAT PIKE 



the deep water upon the day when I visited the lake, 

 an angler at all expert with rod and reel could take his 

 quota of fish without trouble. I should think one 

 might wade certain rivers, though he would have to 

 proceed with care, lest he get beyond his depth. I 

 would not advise the use of waders of any sort for 

 such an undertaking, and I would insist that the 

 angler be an expert swimmer. 



Remains in this chapter but space to urge once more 

 the necessity for strong and dependable landing tools — 

 a good .32 revolver of some sort and a sharp gaff. 

 Lacking the gun, have a good thick club handy. Never 

 attempt to land or gaff a great pike — any pike — until he 

 is thoroughly exhausted; not then unless first stunned 

 with a bullet or blow between the eyes. It is truly 

 surprising what even a six-pound fish will do when you 

 undertake to slip your fingers through his gills, a pro- 

 cedure fraught with considerable danger. A "pike 

 bite" produces a disagreeable sore. Anyway, the fun 

 of the game is playing the fish, so let us prolong the 

 fun. Play every fish to exhaustion always, unless you 

 are actually in need of food. 



lOI 



