242 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



tice, but I must acknowledge that there are times 

 when it is th\e successful method. Quite recently 1 

 was fishing a small lake in eastern Wisconsin, known 

 to be literally alive with large pike, and though I 

 cast my best, not a fish did I hook; 'then my com- 

 panion, who* lived upon the shores of the lake, in- 

 sisted upon capturing some frogs and using them in 

 combination with the spoon. We did so. Rather, 

 he captured the frogs and I used them. Just as 

 long as the frogs lasted we took fish and as soon as 

 the supply was exhausted the sport was over. Of 

 course the live bait adds the requisite weight to 

 make casting easy. However, I never could bring 

 myself to regard the practice with equinimity, for I, 

 too, am something of a purist. Within a year or 

 two I hope to get out a volume upon fishing with live 

 bait, in which I shall go into the subject as exhaus- 

 tively as may be. 



There remains little space in which to discuss 

 methods, and indeed, it is hardly necessary, once the 

 angler possesses the spoon. The methods of using 

 the spoon are practically identical with those em- 

 ployed when handling other lures. Remember, I am 

 writing of casting with a spoon and not trolling; the 

 latter will be discussed in the following chapter. The 

 edges of weed-beds are always likely places and 

 should be fished out thoroughly. In boat fishing, run 

 along within easy casting distance and cast to the very 

 edge of the bed, wait an instant for the lure to sink, 



