CHAPTER 11. 



TACKLE. 



Bod and Fittings — Reel — Reel-guard — Line — Line-winder — Gimjp 

 — Gimp-stain — Disgorger — Jardine Gag — Knots, &c. 



N this cliapter are described those items of 

 tackle common to all kinds of pike-fishing 

 — that is to say, the rod and its fittings, the 

 reel, the line, and sundry less important 

 articles — and an account is given of the 

 methods by which gut is knotted together, 

 hooks bound on to gimp, and other matters 

 of a like nature, concerning which it be- 

 hoves every pike-fisherman to have some knowledge. I reserve 

 the description of the tackle necessary for and peculiar to the 

 various branches of pike fishing for future chapters. 



The Pike-rod and its Fittings. — Our grandfathers' pike- 

 rods were long, heavy, cumbrous affairs. Coarse tackle was 

 then the fashion, and rod, line, and gimp matched one another. 

 Now that anglers use stout gut and the finest gimp, the pike- 

 rod is necessarily less heavy than was formerly the case. A 

 rule always to be observed in angling is, regulate the weight 

 and stiffness of the rod to the line. This is especially important 

 in fly-fishing, and should not be ignored in pike-fishing. If we 

 use a stiff, heavy rod and light gut tackle, we are almost certain 

 —to use fishermen's English — to get smashed. 



The pike-rod may be made either of wood (and of woods 

 greenheart is by far the best suited for the purpose) or 

 of East India cane. I believe a few pike-rods have been 



