3 2O Pike-Fishing. 



gradually as the line is drawn home, so as to dis- 

 play the lure to the best advantage, and give the 

 pike an easy opportunity of seizing it. Do not 

 interrupt the action ; let it be continuous, but not 

 rapid ; and avoid removing the bait suddenly from 

 the water. This last caution is as necessary in troll- 

 ing with the gorge-tackle as in spinning with the 

 minnow ; the pike sometimes makes no attempt to 

 effect a capture till the bait is being drawn up, and 

 then fear of loss rouses to decided action. Fish all 

 spots likely to harbour a pike, but do not dwell 

 long in any. One or two casts in a good place will 

 be quite sufficient to test the mind of the lurking 

 freebooter. Secure every advantage by keeping as 

 much concealed from view as possible ; and do not 

 court failure by throwing the bait into the water 

 with a splash. 



The first notice the angler receives that a pike 

 has seized the lure is the stoppage or check of the 

 line ; but every stoppage or check unfortunately 

 does not betoken a fish. Weeds are common where 

 the gorge-bait is worked, and they sometimes play 

 strange pranks with the line. The interruption 

 they occasion to its motion is scarcely to be dis- 

 tinguished from that produced by the pike's attack 

 upon the bait; but in any case the angler's first 

 step is to slacken the line in preparation for any 

 contingency. A large fish sometimes takes the lure 



