Pike. 



31 



l>ait. If the float is unduly large, 

 the dace cannot move about 

 with any freedom. It should be 

 small enough for the strength of 

 the fish to pull it under the water 

 occasionally, but not so small as 

 to be kept down for more than 

 a moment or two. The beginner 

 will soon learn all that is neces- 

 sary on that point by observation. 

 Casting the live bait is done in 

 the following manner : If a Not- 

 tingham reel is used, draw off the 

 requisite length of line from the 

 winch, and coil it on the bank, 

 taking care that the space is clear 

 of anything likely to entangle it. 



the left hand is let go, and the 

 loose coils are carried through the 

 rings with sufficient momentum 

 to reach the desired spot. 



Casting from the reel, especially 

 with the " Silex," is a great ad- 

 vantage. The method of working 

 it has been already described. 

 There are places where it is im- 

 possible to find a clear space on 

 the bank. Fishing from a punt, 

 there are so many things likely to 

 trip up the uncoiled line. The 

 sooner, therefore, one learns to 

 throw from the reel the better. 



When the bait falls into the 

 water the line should be paid out 



TELESCOPIC GAFF AND REGISTERED SAFETY RING. 



Stand sideways to the river. The 

 butt of the rod should be firmly 

 set against the hip at an angle of 

 about 45 degrees. Holding the 

 line in the left hand, allow the 

 live bait to hang about 6 ft. from 

 the top ring. Swing the bait 

 backwards and forwards a couple 

 of times. This can be done easily 

 by the rod in the position de- 

 scribed. When the bait reaches 

 the furthest point backwards in 

 the swing the cast is made by a 

 swifter movement, which projects 

 the bait forward. The moment 

 it is on its way the line held in 



to allow it free movement. If it 

 works in towards the rod, the 

 slack must be recovered. A 

 pike's attention to the bait is 

 shown in the sudden disappear- 

 ance of the float. The attack is 

 often so savage that a large ring 

 is left on the surface of the water 

 where the float has gone under. 

 Small jack pull it along for a yard 

 or two before it disappears. As 

 a rule, a good fish does not dally 

 with the bait ; having secured his 

 delusive prize, he goes off with it 

 towards his lair. There is a good 

 deal of spasmodic bobbing up 



