206 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



downwards towards you — and for a very simple reason : 

 namely, that the slope of the weeds with the ctirrent makes 

 it impossible to work it properly in any other way. 

 This plan has also the merit of bringing the bait into 

 contact first with the Pike's jaws instead of his tail. 

 The bait should be kept as much as possible in the runs 

 and gullies between weed-clumps, or at the margin of 

 weed-beds in pools, and being brought well home to 

 the boat or to the troller's feet before being lifted out 

 of water for a fresh throw. Each time that the bait is 

 left to sink after a *' lift," a proportionate quantity of 

 the line should be pulled in with the left hand and 

 allowed to coil on the ground ; the action being slower 

 than, but of the same nature as, that required in 

 Spinning. 



How to distinguish a " rimr 



Upon a fish seizing the bait, the first notice which the 

 TroUer receives of the fact is the stoppage or check of 

 the line, very often hardly to be distinguished from that 

 occasioned by a weed, and followed generally by a few 

 savage little tugs or wrenches which are produced by the 

 jaws of the Pike in his efforts to kill his supposed victim. 

 Sometimes, however, the bait is taken by a heavy fish 

 with a rush and jerk that well-nigh twists the rod out of 

 the Troller's hand. 



Management of Pike whilst Gorging. 

 The first step to be taken on perceiving a fish, or a 



