PIKE-FISHING. 35 



one end a little longer than the other, as in fig. G, pi. 

 6 ; form a loop by whipping a little thread or silk 

 round the gimp and tie on your hooks, as represented 

 in fig. G : fasten the gimp to your fly just underneath 

 the head, and lay the hooks so that they set out well 

 from the fly, and to keep them in their proper position, 

 tie them in one or two places with a hit of silk round 

 the body of your fly, but under the wings. Fasten on 

 for the eyes two glass beads, with a bit of wire run 

 through them, and make the nose of the fly by putting 

 on with a painting-brush a little red sealing-wax dis- 

 solved in spirits of wine. The fly being leaded, you 

 will not require any lead on your line, but merely fas- 

 ten your trolling-line to the loop of gimp at the head 

 of your fly. You should have with you several flies 

 of this sort, of all colours and sizes, and varying both 

 in bodies and wings. 



Jack begin to come into season about the end of 

 September, are best in November, and begin to go out 

 of season about the end of February. Mild weather, 

 with plenty of wind, is the best for trolling; but I have 

 taken large pike in the most severe frosty weather. 



Some troll for pike without any rod at all, with a 



line as thick as the little finger, made of horse-hail*. 



D 2 



