76 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 



first wound round the distended thumb and finger in the 

 manner above described; this done, the bait must be put 

 in motion, a backward and forward leverage is given 

 which should be rapidly increased, and now an effective 

 springing jerk of the rod, just as the bait reaches the ex- 

 treme backward point, sends it out quickly, taking off 

 the line from the disengaged hand in its flight. The 

 point of the rod must be held so as to admit of the bait 

 traveling as near as possible in midwater. When the 

 rodster experiences a tug at the extremity of his line he 

 should strike instantly, but firmly; too heavy striking, 

 it must be remembered, is highly dangerous; it imperils 

 the safety of the tackle as well as the fish. A clumsy or 

 too impetuous striker will frequently break away hooks 

 and trace, or, failing that, the hold of the hooks from the 

 mouth of the fish; it is therefore incumbent upon the 

 tyro to exercise a little judicious care and calculation in 

 driving home his steel into the bony jaws of the fish. 

 Practice and experience are the mentors upon which the 

 young aspirant must rely for proficiency in these matters. 

 Kare sport is sometimes afforded by well-conditioned fish 

 when lightly hooked and handled, and many instances 

 are on record of fierce fights; not that the pike is noted 

 for gameness, rather the reverse, but in exceptional cases 

 when an extraordinary fish is struck great sport is often 

 afforded. 



The largest pike we ever killed was taken upon a stout 

 salmon spinning trace, the flight being mounted upon 

 the heaviest gimp. We were fishing in preserved water in 

 a neighboring western county, and had hooked a pickerel 

 a few odd pounds weight; when we were about to land 

 the fish, the gleaming broadside of some larger relation 

 of the family shone in the background, an instant, 

 and then a heavy tug demonstrated the fact that our 

 possession of the prey was disputed. Comprehending 

 the situation, we let out line with the earnest hope that 



