TROLLING. 109 



showed the hook of the bait fast in a log of wood 

 at the bottom of the river. Of course a pike angler 

 ought to, and generally does, know when a fish 

 has struck, also when he has struck a weed, or 

 some other subaqueous impediment; and if there 

 is any doubt as to which, he can usually tell by 

 a tentative tightening of the line whether a fish 

 has, or has not, taken his bait ; but not to every 

 angler is given that sensitive faculty. 



However, should there be any uncertainty, a few 

 slight pulls on the line will elicit the fact whether 

 a fish is at the end of it ; if there are unmis- 

 takable signs of its presence, and the fish moves 

 but slowly about, shaking the line now and again 

 it is probable the pike is carrying the bait cross- 

 wise in its mouth, and has not turned it head- 

 first preparatory to swallowing it. Under these 

 circumstances a slight jerk will usually induce the 

 pike to bolt the bait without further hesitation, 

 when most likely it will move off at once to its 

 haunt ; then the line may be reeled up and the 

 gorge-hooks driven home, by giving a smart firm 

 draw (not jerk) with the rod, and the fish be then 

 played to the landing net or the gaff. 



When an angler is trolling, his bait roves about 

 in rolling gyrations, which is what it should do, 

 to attract the pike, who no doubt mistakes it 

 for a wounded fish swimming with difficulty. To 

 add to these circular motions, some pike trollers 

 before placing the bait on the gorge-tackle cut off 

 one of the pectoral fins and the opposite ventral ; 

 the tail fin should be neatly cut off close up to 

 the flesh. 



Among the most modern gorge-bait tackles is 

 that recommended by Mr. C. Pennell, (see illustra- 



