140 COARSE FISH. 



plenty of pike are caught by running the bait 

 down stream just outside the weeds that fringe 

 the banks. One swivel should be placed on the 

 line where the hook length joins the running line, 

 the lead resting on this swivel to keep the bait 

 well down. In very shallow places, where large 

 pike are frequently to be found, especially in the 

 early part of the season, I let a small bullet rest 

 nearly on the back of the bait, taking the chance 

 of the pike being alarmed by gripping it in his 

 teeth, and striking sooner. In shallow water, where 

 the bait may touch the bottom, I do not make use 

 of a float, but lower and sink the live-bait without 

 one, judging a bite by touch. A pike will savagely 

 take a wounded, struggling fish when he will not 

 attempt to move after one that swims freely and 

 naturally. A yard length of stout gut may be 

 used when live-baiting, but it is not necessary un- 

 less the pike are shy and much fished for, and care 

 should be taken that the lead does not chafe the 

 gut. In very clear water, I use gut, but even then 

 I have killed plenty of fish without it. In the 

 Thames, where the pike know a great deal, fine 

 tackle throughout should be employed. 



Legering is effective when the water is high or 

 Leger- rather thick. Run the line through a heavy 



in bullet, and let the bullet have a large hole 

 through it to allow the line to travel quite freely. 

 A stout gut cast, a yard in length, is sufficient ; 

 and I prefer a single, large hook, hooking the bait 

 through both lips. If possible, leger from a punt, 

 trying all eddies. Legering in weirs is often suc- 

 cessful ; in these, I use a single loose triangle 

 about an inch from the lip-hook ; it gives an extra 

 chance in rough water. On feeling the bite, let 



