Angling for Pike. 



CHAPTER I. 



mTROBUGTORY. 



Appearance — Local Names — Rate of Growth — Size — Food — 

 Voracity — Edible Qualities — Growing Scarcity — Necessity 

 for Fish-culture — A Breeding-pond — Haunts and Habits in 

 Summer and Winter — General Remarks on Pike-fishing. 



HE pike is in many respects a remarkable fish. 

 In appearance it differs in a striking degree 

 from any other of the fresh-water species, 

 and in shape and colouring is particularly 

 adapted for a life among weeds, reeds, and 

 rushes. What form could quicker dart 

 through a weed-bed than that long body 

 and sharp snout, propelled by vigorous 

 movements of the broad tail, the action of which is assisted 

 by a large anal fin, and a dorsal fin, placed well back ? What 

 colour could less betray his whereabouts to the unfortunate 

 fish on which he feeds, or (when he is young) to other pike 

 who only await the chance to feed on him, than that dark- 

 green back, shading to white on the belly, with yellow mark- 

 ings on the sides? His mouth verily bristles with teeth — 

 long, sharp-pointed ones on the edge of the lower jaw, which 

 can inflict nasty wounds, and hundreds of smaller ones 

 on the roof of his mouth, which slant towards his throat, and 

 take a deadly hold on his prey. Truly has he been termed 

 fresh-water shark, and wolf, tyrant, devastator, and other well- 



DIV. II. B 



