40 



THE JOLLY ANGLER. 



back and sides is grey, mottled with large spots, of a 

 sandy green cast; the belly is lighter, approaching to 

 white. They are numerous in many rivers, canals, lakes, 

 ponds, &c. and are commonly caught up to 10 pounds in 

 weight; some grow much larger, and have been known to 

 reach 40 or 50 pounds ; when large they are called Pike. 

 They frequent similar places to those mentioned for Perch, 

 as well as among large beds of weeds, where they lie with 

 their heads out, watching for their prey. Towards spring 

 they run into ditches, ponds, and other shallow, still places, 

 to spawn, which they do in March. The best season for 

 Jack fishing is from October till the end of February, 

 between nine o'clock in the morning, and three or four 

 in the afternoon. It is a most voracious fish, and when on 

 the feed bites eagerly, being seldom lost from any other 

 cause than not allowing him sufficient time after he runs 

 with the bait to gorge it ; for the different means of catch- 

 ing this fish see " Trolling, Live Bait Fishing," and the 

 other sorts of angling ; in his food he is no way delicate, 

 as he will take any thing that moves, from a young duck 

 down to a plummet*; when you take him from the line 

 do not put your fingers in his mouth, or you may repent 

 it. This is a firm-eating fish during the winter, and may 

 be roasted or baked with a pudding in his belly. 



THE EEL 



Is a loathsome animal to the eye, of the snake kind, the 

 shape, form, and colour of which is too well known to want 

 a description here; it is sweet and nutritious food, and 



* I have known a Jack to take the plummet when plumbing the 



