Fishcraft 77 



stances remarkably big fish of the 

 larger species have been taken. In 

 the United States a few cases, seem- 

 ingly well authenticated, are recorded 

 of catching specimens of the great 

 northern pike weighing more than 

 seventy-five pounds, or about equal 

 to the size of the largest known mas- 

 calonge. The taking of these monster 

 pike, even if well established, oc- 

 curred so long ago, with nothing ap- 

 proaching such wonderful size re- 

 corded in recent years, that it would 

 probably be safe to say the chance of 

 catching one of similar size now is 

 about on a par with the probability 

 of finding a live dodo. The angler 

 who is fortunate enough to hook and 

 land either of the large species of pike 

 weighing ten pounds may consider 

 himself "high hook," as a rule, and 

 if he catches a bigger one, he is to be 

 envied, probably, by his associates. 



Trolling is the usual method of fish- 

 ing for the various species of pike and 

 pickerel. Live minnows are attrac- 

 tive bait, and several kinds of artifi- 

 cial spinners, trolling spoons, min- 



