THE PIKE. 259 



the same way as with the live gorge just before mentioned. 

 THE LIVE SNAP, which is either fitted by three 

 hooks placed back, consisting of two large and one small one, 

 the latter of which, only reaches down to about a third of the 

 arming wire of the two larger ones, But the spring snap is a 

 great improvement on the above contrivance, which should never 

 be resorted to, when spring snaps can be procured ; as indeed they 

 now may be at most of the fishing tackle shops, either in town or 

 country. Both sorts of tackle are baited in the same manner : 

 viz : by running the small hook through the fleshy part of the 

 back of the bait, at the commencement of the dorsal fin. This 

 mode of fishing, though suited to all waters, is particularly adapt- 

 ed to those that are much encumbered with weeds, having only 

 small- apertures here and there into which a bait can be cast, so 

 that the ordinary modes of trolling, cannot be effectually carried 

 on. In apertures of the above kind, the largest pikes in the waters 

 are often to be found, and a tempting live bait dropped within 

 their view, is not often rejected by them. As soon as the bait is 

 taken, allow the pike to turn and make off with before you strike, 

 which must be done with a smart stroke, the contrary way to the 

 course the fish is pursuing, when the spring hooks instantaneously 

 flying open, will most probably fix themselves somewhere or other 

 in the pike's mouth, which he will soon make you aware of, by 

 the tearing struggle he will instantly make. In other snap fishing 

 it often happens, that the pike detains the bait so tightly compres- 

 sed between his jaws and powerful teeth, that the hooks repose 

 harmlessly in his mouth, even after you have struck, and in this 

 way he will allow himself to be played for some time, till at length, 

 tired of the contest in which he finds the strength is against him, 

 he suddenly expands his monstrous jaws, and spits forth the bait 

 without feeling the prick of a single hook. The best method to 

 prevent his thus escaping, is to worry him by a succession of quick 

 jerks the contrary way to his course, which if he continues to pur- 

 sue interruptedly, after you have struck, you may conclude he is 

 uninjured by the hooks; for no sooner does he feel their lacera- 

 ting power, than he is pretty sure to exhibit strong symptoms of 

 resentment, by a kind of fierce tearing struggle, there cannot pos- 

 sibly be any mistake about. I have often known a pike that has 

 held on most manfully to a dead gorge, till weakened by the con- 

 test, and being drawn to the surface, it has then been discovered, 



