TROLLING WITH DEAD GORGE-BAIT. 187 



In the diagram of the hooks and shank it will be seen that 

 a small part about half an inch of the latter is left bare for 

 some little space above the bend. This is the portion of the 

 hook which lies in the throat of the bait when adjusted, and 

 the object in cutting away the lead is to prevent the unnatural 

 and unsightly looking enlargement of the throat and gills occur- 

 ring with the ordinary hook, and which renders it necessary 

 to tie the gill covers down to prevent their catching or tearing 

 in the weeds. It also avoids the necessity of sewing up the 

 lips of the bait to prevent the hooks slipping or shifting. 



This is another decided saving of time and trouble, and, 

 moreover, makes the bait last longer by being less strained. 

 The darting and glancing motion which it should have is also 

 increased by the placing of the lead in the proper place the 

 belly ; and the removal of the unnatural stiffness and rigidity 

 before adverted to, by getting rid of the wire shank, makes a 

 pike much more inclined to pouch it when taken. 



The precise bend of the hooks themselves, whether single 

 or double, used for gorge fishing is of comparatively little con- 

 sequence, although the neatest is that shown in the engraving. 

 The one essential is that their points should stand sufficiently 

 out from the sides of the bait's head to ensure hooking and yet 

 not so far as to be unsightly or catch in the weeds, the barbs 

 pointing towards the eyes of the bait. 



The following quotation from an article by Mr. J. Harrington 

 Keene, in the Sporting Mirror, on the subject of gorge baiting 

 may be taken, perhaps, to indicate that my improvements have 

 been generally accepted. Mr. Keene himself, it will be ob- 

 served, has apparently again refined upon my refinements, but 

 I have not been so fortunate as to have an opportunity of seeing 

 or testing his jointed lead, though it would seem to be a self- 

 evident improvement : 



Whereas till even within the last thirty years the gorge hook 

 has been ' armyd wyth wyre,' the latest and most perfect forms are 

 without this aid to rigidity and unnaturalness. Mr. Pennell, in his 

 ' Book of the Pike,' effectually ridiculed the idea and reformed it. 



