Trolling with the Gorge-Bait. 321 



with a dash and a tug that leave no cause for doubt 

 as to its presence and its doings ; but generally the 

 only indication that a pike has seized the bait is 

 a slightly tremulous motion of the line, caused by 

 the fish's closing its teeth upon its prey. When the 

 position of affairs is doubtful, pause a second after 

 the check has been received, and then give the line 

 one or two slight pulls. If these be insufficient to 

 determine the nature of the resistance, the tests 

 must be made a little more severe, until the point 

 is settled one way or another. When the angler 

 has ascertained that he is undoubtedly dealing with 

 a fish, he must give it time to gorge the bait, or, as 

 it is termed, to pouch it. The pike generally car- 

 ries on this operation in its favourite haunt, and 

 no restraint must be put upon it till the business 

 is completed. The time required varies in different 

 cases, but five minutes, seven minutes, or even more 

 may be allowed. Do not be impatient. Captain 

 Williamson has reason with him when he says : 

 " You will find the greatest advantage result from 

 giving plenty of leisure for the fish to swallow the 

 bait ; you ensure the prize, because if he has 

 pouched, he cannot escape ; and if he has not 

 pouched, you ought not to disturb him." 



It is this necessary delay in waiting for the pike 

 to disclose and destroy itself that constitutes one 

 great objection to gorge-bait fishing. If one were 



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