FLY-FISHING FOR PIKE. &5 



We need hardly say that in both cases we were 

 fishing for trout, but the fish took the fly and was 

 taken. 



We have, however, little doubt that the so-called 

 fly used in fishing for pike is taken by that vora- 

 cious monster for a newly-hatched moor-hen, dab- 

 chick, or duck, for which he has a decided pre- 

 dilection, clearing off, one by one, a whole brood of 

 the twittering, unconscious, helpless victims. No 

 doubt the increase of water-fowl is greatly kept in 

 check by the ravages of the pike. No sooner is a 

 brood launched upon the waves of life, and of their 

 native element, than, by some telegraphic means 

 of which we are ignorant, the fact seems to be 

 communicated to the biggest jack in the neigh- 

 bourhood, who immediately commences " decimat- 

 ing" them after an Irish fashion, that is, by eating 

 nine out of ten of the downy morsels. 



Fly-fishing, as it is styled, for jack, is, however, a 

 very artistic and sportsman-like mode of capturing 

 him. There is much skill required in playing the 

 lure, and the fish, with a single moderate-sized 

 hook slightly struck into his hard jaw, shows more 

 sport, and enjoys a better chance of escape, than 

 under any other circumstances. The method is 

 very little understood or practised ; indeed, except 

 in stews and still lakes, where the fish is abundant 



