208 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 



dexterously administered will probably have an effect of 

 hastening the denouement. 



Sufficient time should always be allowed to a Pike to 

 gorge the bait — five or even ten minutes if necessary ; the 

 fact of his having " pouched " will most commonly be 

 indicated by his moving off toivards Jus favourite Jiaunt 

 immediately afterzvards. If he then remains quiet with- 

 out moving away again, the line should be gradually 

 tightened (not struck, although Nobbes says a " gentle 

 stroak will do him no harm ") and the fish landed. 



BEST GORGE BAITS. 



Any of the ordinary Jack baits can be used with gorge- 

 tackle ; but a Gudgeon is commonly the most killing in 

 clear water, and a Dace or other bright fish in water 

 that is swollen or discoloured. 



The best method of extracting the hooks from the 

 fish when killed is to make a small slit in the belly of 

 the fish at the point where the gorge-hook is felt to be, 

 and, after disengaging the trace from the reel line, draw 

 the bait out head foremost through the orifice. 



