PIKE FISHING IN LAKES 35 



so-called ' pike flies.' The subject is mentioned at 

 this point because the pike fly is principally adapted 

 to lakes during the summer and early autumn. It 

 may serve at other times, but as the fish after the dying 

 down of the weeds make for the deep water if there is 

 any to be found, something more substantial, intro- 

 duced nearer the bottom than a fly can be easily 

 worked, is required. If you walk along the margin 

 of one of the aforesaid lakes during July or August, 

 and proceed warily with shadow behind, you will by 

 patient watching soon espy a pike lying amongst, or 

 often over, the rich water-plant coppices. The mottled 

 coating of the pike is so like the surrounding 

 growths that you will not, till the eye is accustomed, 

 easily realise the fact that a fish is there. This will 

 be especially the case when the natural covert 

 consists of the anacharis weed, so disastrously intro- 

 duced from America to choke up half the lakes of the 

 country. It is only when there is a sudden disturb- 

 ance on the surface of the water, and perhaps a 

 discoloration as the surprised fish darts towards the 

 middle of the lake, that you are apprised of the 

 whereabouts of a basking pike. 



Now is the time to use the pike fly. Sportsmanlike 

 sport with pike of 4 lb., 5 lb., and perhaps of larger 

 size may be obtained by casting 3-inch salmon hooks 



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