122 PRACTICAL LESSONS IN RIVER ANGLING. 



mouth, which is afterwards sewed up and perforated 

 by a lip-hook, the three hooks being spread into dif- 

 ferent directions, it is a thousand to one but that the 

 pike is hooked. 



a, dead snap with three hooks ; b, the same baited. 



Let the hook thus baited swim down the current 

 and when you perceive the float to be drawn under 

 water, you may conclude the pike has laid hold of it ; 

 therefore give it a small jerk, and without allowing 

 him time to play, keep your line always straight, draw- 

 ing him towards the shore as soon as you can without 

 breaking your tackle, and then with your landing-net 

 throw him out of the water. It will always be the 

 most prudent method to have gimp or brass wire next 

 your hook, and your line to be rather shorter than the 

 rod. 



Whatever may be the length or thickness of your 

 line, you will always find it useful to have a small 

 swivel on it ; if within a yard of the hook the better. 

 Without this it will not be easy to manage the line 

 properly. 



