28 PIKE. 



triangle to fly loose around it; these are used with the 

 ordinary trace. 



The next is the " Sensation " Silver Bait ; this is extremely 

 bright in the water, and only requires an occasional polish to 

 renew its lustre. It is a solid bait, spinning by means of the 

 Pectoral-fin ; the body is scaled and has an extra twist to 

 assist the spinning. The mounting consists of a triangle at 

 the tail, and a fly-triangle on each side ; it may be used 

 without any lead on the trace, as it will be found sufficiently 

 heavy, unless for very rapid water ; I have taken many good 

 Jack and Perch with it. 



The Spoon and Otter Baits are also good killers, more 

 especially in lakee. There are various other artificial baits, 

 but the above are the most successful. 



In lakes or in large rivers, a Colossal Artificial Fly with 

 two large hooks at the tail and another concealed in the 

 wings, is sometimes used for large Pike with much success. 

 It is managed in a similar manner to the spinning-bait, but 

 without any weight on the line, and is worked on or near the 

 top of the water. 



I have found the Pike-Gag a very useful implement ; of 

 great assistance when disengaging the hooks. It shuts up 

 like a pair of scissors, and when in use, the points AA in the 

 sketch are inserted in the mouth of the Pike which can be 

 opened tq the required extent, by means of the bows, which 

 fit on the finger and thumb. The Gag is kept open by 

 means of the steel extender B the teeth of which are made 

 to catch on the screw C, but when not in use this portion 

 shuts up on one limb of the Gag, the notch D fitting on the 

 screw E and keeping it secure. The Pike-Gag can also be 

 used as scissors, being very strong and sharpened for the 

 purpose. 



The manner of throwing the Spinning-bait as already been 

 described in " Trout-fishing." When weeds are found within 

 six or eight inches of the surface the bait should be skimmed, 

 as it were, nearly along the surface of the water. This may 

 be accomplished by using fewer shot, a light bait, and keep- 

 ing the point of the rod well elevated. Generally speaking, 

 it is not of vital importance which way you spin the bait, so 



