CH. II.] MOTIONLESS DEAD-BAIT TAKEN. 21 



They are, however, generally not very parti- 

 cular as to the kind of bait you have on, and 

 will, when they are hungry, take almost anything 

 which is in motion. Last year, whilst I was trail- 

 ing up the straight reach below Maidenhead, a 

 Jack came at the length of shot on my line, at 

 least three feet above the bait, and cut the gut 

 there, leaving distinct marks of his teeth in one 

 or two other places. This was perhaps more of 

 a "sell" for me than for him, I having guarded 

 myself, as I thought, against any such contingency 

 by gimp next the hooks. 



Although in general Jack decidedly prefer a 

 bait when in motion, yet they will now and then 

 take a dead one lying at the bottom. I have my- 

 self once or twice caught them in this way when 

 I have accidentally put down my rod, leaving my 

 bait in the water. On one occasion I remember 

 taking up one on a night-line baited with a worm. 

 Ordinarily I think that only small Jack will be 

 tempted by such a bait, but that such is not in- 

 variably the case, the following anecdote will 

 prove: An acquaintance of mine had been fish- 

 ing, with some friends, a large pond in the 

 neighbourhood of the New Forest. They halted 

 in the afternoon for luncheon, not having had very 



