THE BOOK OF THE PIKE 



In trolling there should be no necessity for a weight 

 or sinker, the long line burying the lure deep enough. 

 In trolling, always allow the lure to travel as far be- 

 hind the boat as is safe, for it is the distant spoon 

 which lures the most 'lunge, all else being equal. 

 With sufficient line out, the fisherman must have a 

 care or his lure will be hooking the bottom. The boat 

 should move just as slowly as is safe, just fast enough 

 to keep the lure playing free and no faster. Therein 

 lies the secret of success — slow trolling. 



Perhaps I should say here, while I do often troll for 

 great pike and muskel lunge, I turn to the method for 

 rest from more strenuous casting, not because I prefer 

 the method to casting. I much doubt if trolling will 

 bring as many fish to gaff as will casting artificial lures, 

 though there are days when a distant spoon will ac- 

 complish wonders. This I would have the reader bear 

 in mind: There is no single best method of angling 

 for .'lunge; he must adapt himself to conditions. The 

 wise angler is ready and able to handle casting lures, 

 live bait, or t rolling-spoon as the exegencies of the 

 fishing may demand. Adaptability is as valuable in 

 muskellunge angling as anywhere. Any fisher should 

 be willing to alter his methods, forget preconceived 

 notions for the time, much more the 'lunge fisherman. 



There is little use in trolling or fishing with any sort 

 of artificial lure when the surface of the water is glassy, 

 unruffled by breeze or wind. Every trout fly-fisher 

 has discovered how useless it is to flip a fly upon the 

 surface of a glassy pool in midday, and so also the 

 'lunge angler will discover that his best lures and 

 spoons will prove unattractive when the surface of the 

 lake is a dead calm. 



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