128 THE RUN AND THE POUCH. 



the bait, push it through the centre of the fish and out 

 at the tail, and draw the lead down into the gullet and 

 stomach of the fish until the hooks are arrested at the 

 mouth and lie upon each side of it. Tie the tail tightly 

 to the gimp with thread, hook the eye of the gimp on to 

 the line by a swivel, and all is ready for action. It is 

 worked thus : Cast it into a hole, and let it sink ; tjien 

 lift the point of the rod and lower it constantly as the bait 

 is drawn home : this causes it to shoot along through the 

 water more like a live fish than even a spinning-bait does. 

 When a pike seizes it, or a check is felt, line is given out 

 and the fish carries it where he pleases. As soon as he 

 remains quiet he may be considered to have commenced 

 pouching that is, gorging or swallowing the fish. The 

 angler does not lay down his rod, take out his watch, and 

 wait five or even ten minutes to steady his excited nerves, 

 as recommended by old authors if he does, he deserves 

 to get into difficulties but he waits until he thinks the 

 tisli has gorged the bait, keeping the line all clear for a 

 run in case the fish moves. In about seven minutes, if he 

 does not move, he will have pouched or gorged, when the 

 angler can gather in all the loose line and give him a 

 persuasive tug. As he will probably be tugging at the 

 poor wretch's vitals he need not pull very hard. If tho 

 fish moves soon, the angler must use his own discretion 

 as to whether it may be worth while waiting to see if he 

 will seek another hold or whether he has bolted the bait 

 at short notice. Savants telegraph clerks, probably 

 pretend that they can tell by certain tremblings of the 

 iine whether a fish has pouched or not ; I am not so well 



baiting needles and disgorgers ; as these implements are so easily mislaH 

 and difficult to find, that they are always missing when wanted. It was 

 simply buttoned on to one of the breast-buttons of the angler's coat, and 

 was thus always at hand. Mr. Bernard, of Piccadilly, took up the idea, 

 and made several. 



