THE PIKE. 



and out of the outer one. This arrangement is useful in a 

 variety of ways, for one thing the baits can be got at without 



Fig. i8. Live Bait Kettles. 



putting the hand into the cold water — a consideration when 

 the weather is nippingly cold — ^and another thing, the inner 

 kettle can be set in the stream with the main stock of baits> 

 so as to freshen them up if they got weak and sickly by 

 being carried about too long. If the angler lives close to 

 the water it would be as well to keep a stock of baits by him 

 if he possibly can. The best thing is a strong hamper that 

 has a closely fitting lid. Some men have a wooden box or 

 trunk with a wire grating at each end, and the bottom and 

 lid perforated plentifully with half-inch holes. In my 

 opinion, based on a long experience with both, I am de- 

 cidedly in favour of the wicker one sunk to the bottom, as 

 the baits keep longer and in better condition in it than in a 

 wooden one floating just under the surface. One of the 



