TROLLING FOR PIKE. 135 



the fish under all circumstances. That bait, we apprehend, 

 and we think most old trollers will agree with us, is a 

 fresh, dark-backed, red-finned roach, with bright shining 

 sides. Taking all waters and weathers, and moods ot 

 the pike, into consideration, this bait cannot be beaten ; 

 and the angler who sticks to it, will, in the long run, 

 outdo all his more fanciful competitors. To say that pike 

 will run eagerly at frogs, etc., is to say nothing. We know 

 a clergyman his eye is now dim, but if it light pn this 

 page it will kindle again with a fire which time and sor- 

 row have darkened but not destroyed who once took 

 several fish with the fresh red gills, which, for lack of 

 bait, he had cut out of one previously caught; but who 

 would pretend to argue, that these are therefore a good 

 general bait? A large pike was once dragged out of a 

 river in an eastern county, by putting a snap-hook very 

 neatly on the back of a sparrow, and letting the bird flap 

 about on the top of the water. Where is the angler who 

 would deduce from this, that a sparrow is the best bait for 

 very large fish? A friend of ours has more than once 

 had good sport with a fresh herring for his bait ; but 

 we never heard him contend that it was the best bait in 

 the world. 



The fact is, when the pike is very hungry, he will run 

 at almost anything; but a good roach will often tempt 

 him, when he is not hungry and seems disposed to iun 

 at nothing. This is the true test ; and in our humble 

 opinion, the roach will bear it better than any other kind 

 of bait which has ever been recommended. 



Some trollers take live roach with them in a fish-kettle. 

 This is not necessary. Put a few, fresh-caught roach, 

 into clean sweet bran with care, and by the time you 

 arrive at the water-side, they will be firm and stiff. Do 





