Chapter X 



Muskellunge and Artificial Lures 



**A long, slim, strong, and swift fish, in every way fitted to 

 the life it leads, that of a dauntless marauder." 



IN beginning a discussion of muskellunge fishing, 

 let me say that I am well aware that I must step 

 upon some angling brother's ichthyic corns before 

 I have finished. However, I am not going out of my 

 way to invite criticism or excite the anger of my 

 compatriots of the rod and pen. I can but set down the 

 result of my own experience. Indeed, if we were all 

 agreed, there would be no need for the "Book of the 

 Pike." Let me urge the reader to turn back to Chap- 

 ters II and III and reread them carefully, especially 

 Chapter III, for such a course will prepare him some- 

 what for what I am about to say upon muskellunge 

 fishing, whether with artificial lures or live bait. 



At the very outset let us disabuse our minds of the 

 notion that a muskellunge is one whit more gamy 

 than a great pike of the same size, in like environment 

 and water. That an eight-pound muskellunge, say, is 

 possessed of greater strength or more resourcefulness 

 than an eight-pound great pike, is an angling super- 

 stition pure and simple, I have tried out both under 

 varying waters and conditions, and am ready to stand 

 back of the assertion. I had as soon angle for great 

 pike as muskellunge. Inch for inch and pound for 

 pound, one is as gamy as the other. 



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