PIKE FISHING. 73 



of the actual result, for instead of limiting this power 

 over general surroundings, it largely augments it. In 

 the first instance, his casting powers are greatly increased, 

 he being able to fish a much larger area from a given 

 standing point, the precise limits varying according to 

 the amount of practical skill shown by the operator. 

 The possible limit with the old long rods was forty yards, 

 or thereabouts; but since the introduction of the short 

 ones, the cast that fails to exceed sixty yards is considered 

 nothing extraordinary. Secondly, the angler retains far 

 greater command over the bait with a short rod; the large 

 size of the upright rings, which are less in number, offer 

 comparatively little resistance to the free passage of the 

 line, thus causing the bait by leverage to carry out pro- 

 digious lengths of line, which would, under the tradi- 

 tional system, have been considered simply impossible. 

 The style of using these modern pike rods is founded 

 upon the fork stick principle of trolling; the weighted 

 natural or heavy artificial is attached to a limp though 

 strong plaited silk line, which is usually undressed, being 

 simply waxed to take out "kinks" and "turns." This 

 is mounted upon a large Nottingham reel, which is 

 arranged to run freely. 



When these appliances are procured, the result some- 

 times exceeds the most sanguine anticipations. The very 

 largest fish are held more under control, and are much 

 more easily landed when a short and sturdy rod is employ- 

 ed; whilst as regards wear, our readers need not be told 

 that the more timber used, and the more lanky the im- 

 plement is, the less is its durability.* 



With regard to the artificial baits for pike, much might 

 be said. Their variety is endless, ranging from the 

 clumsy-looking spoon to the gaudy glass bait. Speaking 



* Our author's ideas of trollinsr and casting rods approach nearer the 

 American standard, than those of any other English writer on angling. 

 4 



