JANUARY 31 



Even with a good fish some of these strands will get 

 between the pike's teeth and will be uninjured. One 

 hook of the triangle is placed through the base of the 

 back fin of the bait. 



The float should be easily adjusted and the line may 

 be greased if there be any danger of a submerged line 

 catching in weeds. In very shallow water a bottle cork 

 and one or two travellers may suitably replace the large 

 pike float. 



It will be noted that for both spinning and live-baiting 

 the tackles recommended consist only of a single 

 triangle with, in the spinning flight, the addition of a 

 lip-hook, which, however, takes little part in hooking 

 the pike. 



It will also be noted in the next section that single 

 and uncomplicated hook tackle is recommended. 



The chain of reasoning may be given as follows : 



1. Few hooks take less striking to embed the barbs 

 than do many. 



2. Forcible striking means strong tackle and rod. 



3. Strong tackle and rod necessitate stout gut and 

 gimp. 



4. Stout gut and gimp scare fish. 



The reasons why complicated flights have grown up 

 are two : 



1. To hold the fish in position when spinning. 



2. To provide that some hook points shall catch in 

 the lower jaw of the pike, as the upper practically pos- 

 sesses no surface where a hook can take hold. 



If the reader will notice the position in which the 

 triangle is placed in both the single tackles described, 

 he will see that at no time can a pike take hold of the 

 bait without one at least of the three hooks of the tri- 

 angle being against the lower jaw. As all anglers are 

 aware, one hook of a triangle will hold a pike quite as 

 well as, and, indeed, better than two ; and, if the strike 

 be made underhand and sideways, the triangle will 

 usually be found in the right place in the lower jaw. As 

 regards the Broads another special reason for few hook 

 points protruding exists, viz., weeds abound. 



