TKOLUNCx. 371 



By this method, however, large Perch arc often taken instead 

 of the proper fish, and trolUng with the gorge-hook, or fishing 

 with the snap-hook, is by far better sport — especially the former 

 — more legitimate, more exciting, and last, not least, more 

 killing. 



Of these methods, Mr. Hofland, in his "British Angler's 

 Manual," thus discourses — and although he is speaking of the 

 English Pike {Esox Lucius), not of the Mascalonge or Pickerel, 

 as the fishes are of the same family, and the modes to be pur- 

 sued in capturing them in all respects identical, I have not 

 hesitated to extract his able and well- written description. I 

 must premise, however, that where he speaks of dace, bleak or 

 gudgeon for bait, we must substitute the roach, the minnow, 

 the small bream, the Ncav York shiner, or, which is decidedly 

 the hest and most killing of all, the young fry, or parr, of the 

 Brook Trout. 



Like Mr. Hofland, I infinitely prefer trolling with the gorge- 

 hook to fishing either with the common snap, or with what is 

 here called the sockdollager-hook ; which last I regard as a 

 great and dangerous humbug. 



The rod for Pike trolling is well described below by Mr. 

 Hofland, but one of Conroy's best general rods with spare tops— 

 which is, in fact, the best for everything except fly-fishing — 

 such as is used for Bass or Weak Fish, though with rather a 

 stronger or stifi'er top, will be found all-sufficient. In my 

 opinion, a large click-reel, such as we use for Salmon, and a 

 stout silken line of a hundred yards or better, will be found 

 preferable to the contrivances of which Mr. Hofland discourses. 



In casting the bait, the butt of the rod should be set against 



B B 2 



