3 



which you now see them. In this state they are, of course, 

 exposed to much danger, and cowardly fellows taking advantage 

 of their inertia, destroy them at this period in large numbers ; 

 but the Angler will lay by his rod for six weeks or a couple of 

 months, by which time the fish will have got into good condi- 

 tion, and will afford good sport. 



Pupil. Then, the proper time to commence fishing for Pike 

 will be ? 



Professor. Eight weeks hereafter. You might induce a few 

 to bite in six weeks hence, but they will be scarcely in prime 

 condition before two mouths. But, of course, if you fish for 

 them at the end of that time you must look for them somewhere 

 else, for they will be gone from here. They only visit these 

 shallows for the purpose of spawning. 



Pupil. Then where shall I be most likely to find Pike when 

 I go a-fishing ? 



Professor. Pike leave their spawning places in May, and be- 

 take themselves to the streams to clean themselves. "Where 

 you find a sharp stream three or four feet deep with a rest, 

 or a conjunction of two streams with a rest between them, or 

 a shallow still water with a gravelly bottom and a little weed, 

 by the side of a stream, there you will find Pike in May and 

 June. As July and August approach they will go more into 

 deeper water under weirs, and old trees sunk in water pools, 

 with flags by the side. As a general rule, wherever you can 

 find flags, reed, or cover of any sort, and a deep water, you will 

 be sure to find him up till the latter end of October or begin- 

 ning of November. Towards the latter end of summer he will 

 occasionally sally out from the deeps and chase the small fry 

 across the water on to the shallows, where I have often caught 

 him and brought him home to save him the trouble of returning. 

 About November he gets to the mouths of backwaters. He 

 does not go up, but remains at the entrance in the still water 

 by the side of the stream that runs past. This is a favourite 

 resort of his during winter. In spring he makes again for 

 the shallows to spawn. 



