38 THE PIKE. 



float descends ; they swim down stream. 

 In fishing with the fly, they require a 

 smaller fly than the trout, finer gut, and 

 a quicker hand and eye. 



THE PIKE. 



This most voracious of river fish is found 

 in most of the ponds, lakes, and rivers of 

 England, and grow r s to a considerable size. 

 It spawns in March or April, and is in its 

 prime in September and October, but is 

 considered good from Midsummer to Christ- 

 mas. He is partial to the deeps of rivers 

 that have sand or gravel at the bottom. 

 There are two ways of taking him, trolling 

 and snapping. 



The baits for trolling are small trout, 

 gudgeons, roach, dace, and young frogs j 

 the proper size is from one to four ounces. 



The rod should be long and stout, and 

 the line thirty yards in length, wound upon 

 a reel ; the bottom should be of fine gimp or 



