22 PICKEREL FISHING. 



line, which should be protected by the hook with 

 gimp or wire. The Limerick or Kirby salmon hook 

 is used. The size is to 5, according to the size of 

 the fish. In a running stream, the sinker and float 

 will also be found necessary. The bait should be a 

 small live fish, or frog, or the hind leg of a frog 

 skinned. Worms are sometimes used in small streams, 

 where the water is clear, and the game small. In 

 using live bait, when the pickerel takes it, do not 

 draw your line too quick. The bait itself, if properly 

 impaled, will be very lively, and will be apt to make 

 a violent effort to escape its enemy. Inexperienced 

 anglers may take this movement for a veritable bite ; 

 but when the bite comes, there is no mistaking it. In 

 impaling a small fish for bait, pass the hook under 

 the back fin, just under the roots of its rays. This 

 will not disable the fish, and it will appear lively in 

 the water. When using live frog bait, you pass the 

 hook through the skin of the back or belly, or the 

 back muscle of the hind legs. The live frog is gen- 

 erally used on the top of the water if not, you 

 should let him rise occasionally to take the air. 

 When the pickerel has seized your bait, give him 

 plenty of time to swallow it, and also plenty of line. 

 Sometimes he will hold it in his mouth and play with 

 it before gorging. On bringing him to land, be 

 careful of his jaws, for he has a set of teeth, sharp 

 as needles. 



Trolling for pickerel is decidedly an exciting and 

 interesting sport if you have good and large game. 



