THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 177 



The bait may then be cast across the stream or into the 

 pond, having plenty of line lying loose or coiled in the 

 hand so that it may go a good distance and drop gently, 

 when the line may be reeled up in a jerking manner to 

 imitate the swimming actions of the living fish. When the 

 pike seizes the bait, which will as a rule be felt, allow it 

 plenty of time four or five minutes to gorge ; then strike 

 and play. Spinning with dead bait is also practised, using 

 any of the spinning tackle (q.v.) the angler fancies. The 

 most general way of fishing for pike, and the handiest, 

 is with artificial baits, principally spoons, by spinning, 

 either from a boat, if in a lake or extensive sheet of water, 

 or from the bank of a river. When fishing from a boat 

 where large pike are known to exist, hand lines are often 

 used, as in sea fishing ; but the play is not so exciting as 

 with the rod. Pike are also very fond of a frog, and many 

 a good fish is taken in canals and still rivers by the rustic 

 angler walking along the bank spinning after him a frog 

 baited on a few hooks. Artificial frogs lifelike imitations 

 can now be procured from tackle makers. There is also 

 a fly which sometimes lures a pike in summer weather. 

 It is formed by the moons of a peacock's tail. Pike are the 

 only fish that do not seem to care for worms, and this bait 

 is not used for them except occasionally by set lines. In 

 releasing the hooks from the pike's mouth, gullet, or 

 stomach, it is necessary to beware of its teeth, which are 

 apt to inflict nasty injuries to the fingers. If the hooks are 

 in the jaw, a gag should be put in the pike's mouth, and the 

 hooks cut out with a knife ; if they are swallowed, release 

 the trace from the bait tackle, cut open the gullet, and 

 withdraw the hooks through the opening. The fish should 



L 



