1 88 MODERN TRACTICAL ANGLER. 



that is, in a direction rather slanting down and across: 

 the stream. 



The depth at which the spinning bait should be worked 

 depends entirely upon the state of the water with re- 

 ference to weeds and other circumstances. It will bei 

 generally found, however, that in hot weather the fish! 

 lie near the surface, and in cold weather near the bottom ; 

 so that the bait should be spun "shallow" or "deep"' 

 accordingly. 



The next question of importance is striking, as more 

 Pike are probably lost by a failure in this point than 

 by all the other casualties of spinning put together. 



It is therefore strongly recommended to all spinners, 

 as the very alpha of their craft — and notwithstanding the 

 opinions to the contrary expressed by many angling 

 authorities — to strike, — and that the moment they feel 

 a run. All other rules, such as "giving the fish time 

 to turn," "waiting till he shakes the bait," &c., &c., 

 are useless, and indeed generally impossible in prac- 

 tice. 



Again, the Pike, with many other predaceous species, 

 shows a great reluctance to quit his hold of a prey once 

 seized. Most of us have probably witnessed this tena- 

 city in the case of both Eels and Perch ; and the Stickle- 

 back, as is well known, will let itself be pulled out of the 

 water by its hold of a worm. On one occasion for the 

 sake of experiment, I fastened a large cork to a string, 



