ANGLING AT THE SNAP. 377 



striking gently ; but should your fish move soon after he has 

 been to his haunt, give him line, and he will stop again ; but 

 after this, if he move a second time before the ten minutes are 

 expired, strike, and you will most likely secure him ; but if he 

 has only been playing with the bait, you will have lost him. 



" When I have been so served once or twice, I generally 

 resort to my snap-tackle. 



" If you have fairly hooked your fish, he cannot easily break 

 away, and as your tackle is strong, unless he is very large, you 

 need not give out much line, but hold him fast and clear of the 

 weeds ; giving him but a short struggle for his life. The gaff 

 is better than a net for landing a large Pike, for he is dangerous 

 to handle, and his bite is much to be dreaded. 



" "When you are without either gaff or landing-net, seize the 

 fish by putting your finger and thumb into his eyes. Half-a- 

 dozen gorge-hooks may be carried in a tin box, with a little 

 bran, ready baited, which will generally serve for a morning's 

 sport. 



« ANGLING AT THE SNAP. 



" I shall first describe the old-fashioned mode, although it is 

 now rarely practised. 



" The spring-snap was formerly much in use, and may be 

 purchased at any of the tackle shops. It consists of three 

 hooks, the upper one small, and the two lower hooks large. 

 The spring confines the lower hooks, but the spring gives way, 

 and the hooks spread out when the fish is struck, and hold him 

 secureh'. 



"It is baited by introducing the point of the small hook 



