82 THE SPORTING FISH 



found in apparently undiminished numbers — a 

 phenomenon, however, by no means confined to 

 Esocidcr, as the same thing has been observed with 

 regard to Carp and Tench ; and Eels it is well 

 known frequently make comparatively long jour- 

 neys " overland." 



Although from its vigorous and unsparing de- 

 structiveness the Pike has many detractors and few 

 apologists, it must not be supjDosed that it is alto- 

 gether without any of the softer instincts. On the 

 contrary, it has been known to exhibit under par- 

 ticular circumstances a very decided amount of 

 friendship, and even affection, especially in the 

 conjugal form. The " one virtue," however, to 

 which, amongst a thousand crimes, the name of the 

 Pike has been specially linked is gratitude : it has 

 been asserted that he never attacks his physician, 

 the Tench. To this subject I have referred in 

 the notice of the latter fish. 



The haunts of Pike vary considerably at diffe- 

 rent times of the year, and also vary with the 

 nature of particular waters ; but it usually prefers a 

 still, unfrequented spot, plentifully supplied with 

 weeds and flags, selecting if possible a gravelly or 

 sandy bottom. The neighbourhoods of reeds, 

 docks, bulrushes, and the broad-leaved water-lily 

 are its favourite resorts ; and of these, a flooring of 

 lilies, with from four to six feet of quiet current 

 over it, and a wall of reeds at the side, springing 

 from the bottom, is the best — 



