THE BOOK OF THE PIKE 



the surface basking in the rays of the hot sun, or, as 

 the guides say, "sleeping." When muskellunge are 

 found lying upon the surface, there is little use in 

 casting lures or dangling live baits of any variety. 



Undoubtedly this midsummer habit of the fish has 

 given rise to the "sore-teeth" story. Among anglers 

 we find the belief quite prevalent that muskellunge 

 either shed their teeth or are afflicted with some dis- 

 ease of the gums along about "dog days," which ren- 

 ders it next to impossible for the fish to take food. In 

 different localities the superstition, if superstition it is, 

 takes different forms. Sometimes one hears that the 

 fish are found toothless, and again, that every tooth 

 in the jaws is loose. Personally, I have yet to take a 

 'lunge with loose teeth, in any way needing a dentist. 

 However, I did take one great pike with loose teeth 

 in front. I have been unable to gain any information 

 upon the topic from the Fish Commissions, the reply 

 invariably being that, "We know nothing about *sore 

 teeth' in muskellunge." It would seem natural, would 

 it not, that those engaged in the propagation of the 

 fish would be able to throw some light upon the matter? 

 I doubt very much if it would make any difference to 

 the rank and file of fishermen should the fish savants 

 come out with a statement that the "sore-teeth" 

 belief is a superstition, a myth. One of the strongest 

 arguments offered for the theory is, "The Indians be- 

 lieve it." Surely that is enough to curb the agnostic! 

 Personally, I regard the matter with suspicion; I am 

 an agnostic. I have never found a muskellunge or 

 pike in need of a dentist's services. Still, I hope I am 

 open to conviction. 



Every angler at all ichthyic-wise knows that the 

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