HOW TO LAND YOUR PRIZE. 157 



and as jack generally seize their prey by or across 

 the middle, in such case their teeth seldom come 

 in contact with the lead, and they then retire 

 without fear to their haunts, and soon pouch the 

 whole.' 



Mr. Salter and other authorities recommend 

 that when a large pike is struck in open water, 

 you should give him more line, and not pull hard 

 at any time, unless your tackle should be in danger 

 of entangling among weeds or bushes ; and when 

 this is the case, the utmost caution is necessary, 

 lest the rod, line, hook, or hold should break. 

 When completely exhausted and brought to the 

 side, take the pike up with a net or landing-hook, 

 or, if in want of either of these, put your thumb 

 and finger into its eyes, which is the safest hold 

 with the hand. When you have hooked a jack or 

 pike, and played him till he is quite exhausted, and 

 are drawing him ashore, make it a rule to float 

 him on his side, and keep the head a little raised 

 above the surface of the water, that the nose or 

 gills may not hang to, or catch hold of, weeds, &c., 

 while you are thus engaged bringing your prize to 

 the shore ; for sometimes you cannot avoid draw- 

 ing it over or among weeds ; and we have seen a 

 pike touch and get entangled in this way, and, 

 before it could be disentangled, it recovered from its 

 exhaustion or stupor, and occasioned much trouble 

 and hazard before it could be a<min subdued. 



