158 THE PIKE 



summer and early autumn spinning the runs between 

 weeds, by the sides of rushes and reed beds, and in all 

 and sundry nooks and corners, is a very pretty and 

 interesting method of fishing, requiring a good deal 

 of personal skill on the part of the angler. During 

 the heat of the day, in the blazing sunshine, it is not 

 to be recommended ; but soon after sunrise and 

 during the hour after sunset, and at any time when the 

 day is cloudy and windy, there are fish to be caught 

 by those who can cast with accuracy. 



In late autumn and winter, when the weeds have 

 disappeared, spinning becomes a comparatively simple 

 matter; but the angler should know his water. He 

 must remember where the reed-beds have been, where 

 the water-lilies with their spreading green leaves have 

 decked the shining surface, for until the floods come 

 the pike still linger near their summer haunts. In 

 medium-sized or small rivers the deeper reaches and 

 pools may be spun down systematically, without 

 regard to reed-beds or weeds ; and after floods and 

 when the temperature becomes low, the deep holes 

 and the eddies should be carefully searched. 



On small lakes the pike spinner will, without 

 advice to that effect being tendered, fish near reed- 

 beds and weeds. He should bear in mind that pike 

 when feeding will leave the deeps and come on to 



