TROLLING WITH THE DEAD GORGE BAIT. 20/ 



suspicious ' check,' is to slacken the line, letting out a 

 few yards from the reel if there is none already unwound, 

 and seeing that all is clear for a run. The next point 

 is to ascertain indubitably that it is a fish ; because 

 although it is perhaps comparatively seldom that a fish 

 is mistaken for a weed for more than a few seconds, it 

 by no means unfrequently happens that a weed or stump 

 is mistaken for a fish ; and nothing less than a wasted 

 five minutes will convince the agitated Troller that such 

 is the case. 



Most of my readers will probably remember Leech's, 

 charming sketch of the old gentleman, who has got a 

 * run' of this sort, standing, watch in hand, instructing 

 his young companion, " never to hurry a Pike, Tom. 

 He has had ten minutes already ; I shall give him an- 

 other five to make sure " — whilst his hooks are palpably 

 to be seen stuck fast in a submerged stump. 



When however the nature of the retainer which your 

 bait has received is thus doubtful, a little judicious tighten- 

 ing or a few slight pulls of the line will generally elicit 

 signs of vitality should a Pike be at the other end of it. 

 If "no sign" is made, the demonstrations may be 

 gradually increased until the point is satisfactorily 

 settled one way or other. Should the seizer — being 

 unmistakably a fish — remain passive or moving quietly 

 about within a small compass for more than three or 

 four minutes after taking, a slight jerk (or " stirring " as 

 Nobbes has it) may be given at his mouth, which if 



