SPINNING. 187 
and drew it across a Pike-pond, giving it at the same 
time an irregular, life-like motion. It was quickly 
seized by a fish of about 2 lbs., which made a most 
determined resistance, running out the twine as if 
really hooked, and only relinquishing its grasp of the 
cork when within arm’s length. The experiment was 
repeated several times with a similar result. | 
This illustrates a fact of great importance to Pike- 
fishers, and one which is of especial significance in the 
case of spinners: namely, that Pike will constantly show 
considerable fight, and even allow themselves to be 
dragged many yards, by the obstinacy of their hold, 
without ever having been pricked by a hook—shaking 
the bait out of their mouths when almost in the net. 
I say once more therefore—Strike,—and strike hard ; 
and repeat the stroke until a violent tearing struggle ts 
felt; such a struggle almost invariably beginning the 
moment a fish really feels the hook, and being easily 
distinguished from that sluggish resistance, sometimes 
absolute inaction, experienced when he is only “ holding 
on.” It is generally large unwieldy Pike which act in 
this fashion, and an attention to the above suggestion 
will not unfrequently save the loss of the best fish of the 
day. 
In the majority of instances, neither time nor circum- 
stance admits of any rules as to the direction of the 
stroke being adopted, and in such cases the simplest and 
safest plan is to strike straight upwards. 
