TROLLING. 105 





 or downwards, but not projecting far, as that is likely 



to lose your fish. Having thus fixed your hook, tie some 

 fine thread or silk tightly round the tail, to prevent 

 it slipping down, or tearing when laid hold of by the 

 weeds, &c. When this is added to the gimp or gut 

 line, which is attached by the swivel to the running 

 line, the tackle is complete. 



It is hardly necessary to observe, that the gorge- 

 hooks should vary in size, so as to be proportioned to 

 the baits used. 



The pike is a very voracious fish, and will devour 

 his kind, of almost any species, except tench; but those 

 baits most successfully used for trolling are gudgeons, 

 roach, dace, small trout, and frogs. The gudgeon stands 

 first, and next to that, the roach and the dace. The 

 gudgeon, from its shape, spins best in the water; and 

 is, moreover, the sweetest fish of the lot. The proper 

 size is from one to four ounces. 



Everything being properly prepared, grasp the rod 

 in the right hand, just above the winch, (which should 

 be fixed ten inches from the but-end of the rod, unless 

 you have one of Holmes's tube winches,) and place 

 the end of it against the lower part of your stomach, and 

 with the left hand draw out a yard or so of the trolling- 

 line from the winch, holding it tightly, while with a 

 jerk of the right arm you cast the baited hook into the 

 water, allowing the line held with the left hand to run 

 gradually through it, so as to permit the bait to fall 



