78 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 



imity all dispute suddenly dropped, and we observed, 

 what had previously escaped our notice, namely, a large 

 stable fork in the possession of a bandy-legged individual 

 who had stepped forward, fork in hand, ready for action. 

 Before we could interfere a wild thrust was made, which, 

 however, fell short of the mark, as may very easily be 

 imagined ; nevertheless it well nigh ended the fight, the 

 terrified fish making for less dangerous quarters at a rate 

 that eclipsed all previous exploits, the pressure upon the 

 line availing little beyond keeping the snout of the fish 

 above the water's surface. After this final rush a reaction 

 set in, the fish for the first time showing signs of fatigue, 

 which speedily developed into complete exhaustion. To 

 consummate the capture by gaffing and boarding was 

 now a very easy matter, and successfully accomplished. 

 The weight of the fish proved to be thirty-seven pounds 

 and three-quarters. It was preserved and cased by the 

 owner of the water, to whom it was presented, with the 

 tail of the pickerel protruding from its extended jaw. 



Live baiting is another favorite method of fishing for 

 pike. The tackle requisite for this style of angling is 

 shown on plate II., fig. 6. This is used with or without 

 the barrel-lead. As the name implies, the bait is used 

 alive, the small hook on the triangle is inserted carefully 

 in the root of the back fin, the large span of hooks being 

 loose at the side. The lure is then allowed to roam at 

 will. It is necessary to employ none but the finest and 

 best stained gimp. The reel line, too, should be both 

 fine and strong, the lighter in weight the better. The 

 line usually used in live-baiting for Thames trout is 

 seldom much thicker than a piece of ordinary thread. 

 The requisite substance and strength vary with the 

 weight of the fish the line is intended to hold. The line 

 referred to in roach-fishing would answer equally well for 

 pike of sixteen pounds and under, as it would for Thames 

 trout. The actual dead-weight sustaining powers range 



