240 THE TROI-LEr's GtlDK. 



of weedS;, or any thing else that might displace the 

 hooks or disfigure the bait : and, again, the hooks be- 

 ing so much hid and out of the way, by being within 

 the bait's mouth, and the gimp coming from the tail, 

 there is nothing to check the Jack or Pike when they 

 are changing the bait to pouch • for it is well known 

 that those Fish generally seize the bait, in the first 

 instance, across its body, afterwards changing its po- 

 sition, and swallow or pouch it head foremost ; con- 

 sequently, while so doing, the gimp and hooks in 

 most other baits are liable to offend or create fear and 

 suspicion in the Fish, and the bait is then frequently 

 blown or dropped out of its mouth, instead of being i 

 pouched. I have known instances where a dozen 

 trimmers have been laid at a distance of twenty yards 

 apart, each trimmer baited with a choice live-bait, I 

 and after remaining many hours in the water, neither 

 of them have been touched : I have then trolled be- ' 

 tween them with the gorge, and have had runs, and 

 killed my Fish. Some Anglers think, that cutting off' 

 all the fins of the bait-fish for the gorge-hook disfigures 

 it ; but Jack or Pike are indifferent about it ; and it 

 certainly is the best method, particularly as it keeps 

 the bait from catching or hanging on weeds, and the 

 bait also spins better when the fins are all cut close ; 

 away 5 in consequence, I cut away all the fins, but 

 leave the tail on. 



From the reasons above stated, I do not hesitate to 

 say that I consider trolling with a gorge-hook to be 

 the most sportsman-like^ as well as the most killing 



