THE PIKE. 



hook a very heavy 

 fish, a gaff should 

 always be carried. 

 See that the hook is 

 firmly screwed into 

 its socket, or it may. 

 turn when you at- 

 tempt to strike into 

 a fish. Small pike 

 may be lifted out by 

 grasping them across 

 the head in the eyes. 

 I have landed many 

 in this way, but must 

 confess I "should not 

 like so to tackle a 

 big pike, for I doubt 

 if the fingers would 

 retain their hold 

 when the weight is 

 felt. It is difficult 

 to get quite near the 

 water in many places, 

 and even a three- foot 

 gaff will save many 

 a loss. Take care 

 that the handle of 

 the gaff is deeply 

 grooved, or the grasp 

 may slip. 



The ordinary creel 

 is of little 

 good to carry 

 so long a fish as a pike, 

 unless the creel is 



Creel 



