TROLLING. 31 



hook, whether double or single, should have a 

 piece of lead along the shank, not too heavy, and 

 for these reasons : that it will fall with less noise 

 on the water, and that the pike will be more 

 likely to gorge the bait when he has taken it. 

 Indeed, very killing fishermen often troll without 

 any lead whatever on their hook. I, however, 

 prefer a small quantity of lead, were it only to 

 enable me to cast the line further, and to make 

 the bait sink faster. 



" But what becomes of the mercy you speak of, 

 " if you use a gorge bait or hook ? " I hear the 

 cavilling fisherman exclaim. To which I reply 

 comparative mercy is what I undertake to prove 

 may be shown in every branch of fishing ; so much 

 so, as to make this fascinating sport, compara- 

 tively, a merciful amusement as placed beside the 

 other sports of the day. Be careful to blunt the 

 hooks before you use them, in order to lessen the 

 pain of your captured (or to be captured) fish 

 after he has swallowed the bait, which is best 

 done with a file; blunt them effectually, suffi- 

 ciently so to admit of their being pressed on 

 your hands without piercing them. You may 

 be just as likely, yea, more so, to catch a pike 

 than if the points of the hook were sharp, as in 

 the latter instance the fish will often, and very 



