PIKE. 



23 



to four swivels, and about three feet in length ; the weight 

 (shots or "field" lead) required on it to sink the spinning 

 bait, will vary, of course, according to the water in which it 

 is to be used. A trace which would be heavy for still water, 

 such as a lake, unless very deep, would probably be much 

 too light for a stream such as is found in some parts of the 

 Thames and similar rivers. For my own part, I prefer large 



salmon gut for the material 

 of the trace, as it is quite equal 

 in strength to gimp, if not 

 stronger, besides being trans- 

 parent in the water. Still, 

 using moderate sized gimp for 

 the flight of hooks or artificial 

 bait. The following short 

 Trace will often be found use- 

 ful, when extra weight is requir- 

 ed: the requisite number of 

 shots being strung on a short 

 piece of gimp the ends of this are 

 fastened to a couple of swivels ; 

 loop of gut or yellow gimp 

 being attached to each of these, 

 the Trace is ready for use. 



The Flight I use and con- 

 sider the best, is composed of 

 three triangles, a reverse hook 

 and sliding lip-hook, mounted 

 on yellow gimp, the length of 

 the flight being in proportion 

 to the bait. To bait it ; the 

 hook in the triangle at the end 

 of the flight, lying in a line 

 with the reverse hook, is in- 

 serted in the centre of the root 

 of the tail, the reverse hook is 

 then inserted in the side of the 

 bait, nearly opposite the vent ; 

 one hook of each of the remain- 

 ing triangles is inserted in the 



