138 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



THE POND PIKE, OR COMMON PIKE. 



The smaller species of Pikes are confined almost exclusively 

 to the streams on the eastern slope of the Alleghanies. There 

 is much resemblance in their general appearance. I give the 

 wood-cut at the head of this article, as a general representative 

 of the whole. 



The Pond Pike is not often taken above five pounds, its 

 average being less than a pound and a half. They are seldom 

 if ever captured by trolling with a spoon ; I suppose, for the 

 reason that they are not fished for in that way. The live 

 bait is used in still-fishing, when the Pike generally takes 

 it near the bank, where he is in the habit of looking 

 for small fish. In fishing a pond, where there are water- 

 lilies, grass, or other aquatic vegetation, it is generally from 

 a boat, with a long light rod, the bait a minnow, frog's leg, 

 a piece of the Pike's belly, or a strip of pork. 



The Pike of England is larger than our common Pond 

 Pike, and doubtless more worthy of the elaborate tackle and 

 scientific angling used in its capture. And, although there 

 is a prevalent indisposition amongst our anglers to learn any- 

 thing out of a book, there are still a few who have profited 

 by the lessons taught in English books, and use the leaded 

 gorge-hook, with much advantage over the usual manner of 



