THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 135 



cular months, and some ponds apted for it by nature, do become 

 pikes. But doubtless divers pikes are bred after this manner, or 

 are brought into some ponds some such other ways as are past 

 man's finding out, of which we have daily testimonies. 



armed or attached to stout gimp of some length, as otherwise you may be 

 almost certain that the line will be bitten off. 



The usual method of taking pike is by trolling. Some use what is called 

 a spring snap-hook, i. e., a double hook so arranged with a spring that on 

 the line being tightened, the hooks spring upon and never fail to fasten 

 in the pike's jaws. Others (and this is a very good method) use the 

 ordinary snap, together with the gorge-hook The shank of the gorge- 

 hook (or hooks, for it should be doubled) is loaded, and the end of the gimp 

 attached to a baiting-needle, by which the gimp is passed in at the mouth 

 of the bait-fish, and out between the forks of his tail. Thus the hook lies 

 in the bait's mouth. Then take a double hook (number 4 or 5), and enter 

 the baiting-needle just behind the back fin (which must, with the other 

 fins, be cut off), and bring it out at the tail, so that the hooks will lie close 

 on each side of the bait's back ; then loop the snap and the gorge together. 

 The gimp is attached by a strong swivel to a strong line, run through a 

 few large rings on a stiff rod ten or twelve feet long, to an easily running 

 reel. The bait is suffered to go to the bottom, and then drawn up obliquely 

 w^ith a moderate quickness, so as to give it a curving motion. If the snap 

 is not used, the pike must be allowed to run with the bait, for he rarely 

 swallows it at the moment, but carries it across his mouth to his haunt, 

 where he may pouch it at his leisure. Having given him full time, ten 

 minutes at least (and there is need of patience), strike boldly and bring 

 him home. This is a brief direction, but the angling books (the best on 

 this subject are Nobbe's Complete Troller and Salter's Angler's Guide) 

 will teach the tyro as far as type can do it, the best methods. 



Much has been said of baits for the pike, but, when hungry, he will take 

 almost anything, when gorged, nothing. Pork is among the most successful, 

 though not so pleasing as the bait-fish. Some authorities say that the 

 gimp should not be visible beyond the bait, but that is, perhaps, an unne- 

 cessary nicety. 



The pike will not refuse a fly, if it be large and gaudy ; especially in 

 a warm wind that roughens the water. It Is best to fish for him in about 

 two to four feet water, near the bank or weeds. 



There is another, and the most deadly, method of trolling for pike or 

 pickerel. It is with what is called a spoon, from its original resemblance 

 to the bowl of a table-spoon. It is made about the length of a tablespoon, 

 though not so wide in the middle, nor more curved than necessary to give 

 it play in the water. The spoon is of silver color or brass, the latter the 

 best, though some use the one side silver and the other brass. It must be 

 kept bright by rubbing with sand-paper. At the smaller end of the spoon, 



