68 THE PIKE 



of the baits. Some of these were too small for 

 spinning, as we now discovered for the first time, but 

 what would have been a cause of offence had the 

 water been in its proper condition was now a blessing 

 in disguise ; as the Dominie said, they were just the 

 medicine for the disease. 



We still, however, had to use the float in order to 

 cast out to within about a foot of the ice edge. Con- 

 solation soon came with proof that there were wide- 

 awake pike near us, but their actions were unnaturally 

 gentle and their purpose half-hearted. Twice in quick 

 succession there were runs and a missed fish. I still 

 stuck to him, however ; after two or three additional 

 make-believes he was hooked, and fortunately just 

 turned the balance at the 4-lb. limit which the ticket 

 specified as the minimum. Moving up to the second 

 open space presently we had simultaneously a period 

 of equal and modest amusement, with obviously 

 small pike playfully mocking us with false runs. I 

 bungled a sizeable fish for my friend, or rather could 

 not reach it on account of the shortness of the pocket 

 gaff. The pike had been brought into the outer fringe 

 of weeds, where he managed to hang himself up, 

 gaping in protest, and it was not worth while wading 

 into water on such a day for anything under at least 

 20 lb f The alternative was to seize the line and pull 



