1 66 THE PIKE 



mastered. The next is to cast accurately, which 

 requires considerable practice and renders it desirable 

 for the pike fisher to stick to one rod and reel. 

 Much the same rod may be used as for spinning, 1 1 ft., 

 or n ft. 6 in., the lighter the better so long as it has 

 sufficient strength ; rings large and smooth, and two 

 or three tops of different lengths. If we are using 

 very light float-tackle and a small bait, then the 

 longest top is brought into requisition. If, on the 

 other hand, we have a ^-lb. roach and a heavy lead, 

 then the long, light top would be too severely tried, 

 and a shorter one is to be preferred. If the Notting- 

 ham reel and method are used, it is not important 

 whether the line be waterproofed or left undressed. 

 The Trent fishers themselves generally use an un- 

 dressed twisted silk line which is both strong and 

 exceeding fine. For lakes, the backwaters of rivers 

 in winter, and other still waters, they grease a feW 

 yards of it with vaseline, deer-fat, or other suitable 

 substance, for the purpose of making it float. 



The floating of the line is of considerable impor-. 

 tance where the bait has to be left in position for any 

 length of time, for if the line sinks it draws the float 

 back towards the fisherman, prevents the bait roving 

 about, and when the long-wished-for run does come, 

 the angler has to reel up a lot of line before he can 



