76 LONDON ANGLER'S BOOK, 



he fell in the water, and was instantly taken by a 

 Pike ; one a very short time since, was taken by a 

 friend of mine, which only weighed 2lbs, and upon 

 opening it, a full grown water rat was found in his 

 belly, he is in fact a fresh water shark ; they are a 

 solitary fish, and always found alone, except when 

 near spawning time, then they are met with in pairs ; 

 Pike grow to an unlimited size, some say to 70lbs. 



They commence spawning about March, going out 

 of the rivers into creeks and ditches, and to the edges of 

 ponds, and among weeds for that purpose ; they are 

 in season from Michaelmas, till near their spawning 

 time. 



The Pike being a ravenously disposed fish, seizes 

 his bait with a sudden jerk, and which will be easily 

 felt, but Anglers are often deceived by fancying the 

 jerking occasioned by the hook striking a weed, this 

 will be easily known by your tightening your line j I 

 should advise the Troller always to run the risk of 

 being wrong in that respect, rather than snatching the 

 bait out of the mouth of the fish by any impetuosity ; 

 when a fish takes your bait he will frequently run off 

 with it for some distance, then, if he stops, you should 

 wait about ten minutes, or till he moves again, which 

 may be almost immediately, in this case do not inte- 

 rupt him, but ease out your line with as little check 

 as possible, as he may settle again, then wait as above, 

 but if he should, after about 5 or 6 minutes, move 

 slowly off, shaking the line, then tighten, and he is 

 yours, if you manage him properly ; I am of opinion 



