PIKE. 43 



the wire to which the double hook is attached, 

 (first taking off the hook,) at the lower incision, 

 and bring it out at the upper, just far enough 

 to enable you to hang the hook on again, then 

 draw the wire back so that the hook remains 

 close to the shoulder. Care must be taken in 

 performing the above operation on the bait, not 

 to injure it more than is necessary ; and the 

 quicker it is performed the better. You should 

 in the first place wind the line on a forked stick, 

 of hazel or ash, about six inches long, and in 

 shape similar to a Y, having a slit on one end of 

 the fork in which the line is to be placed, but 

 not tighter than just to prevent the bait-fish 

 from drawing it out ; then set off the bait, first 

 making the line fast to a bush, or stake, so that 

 it may hang a little below mid-water. Note, 

 the line should be leaded with a small bullet a 

 few inches from the hook, and if a swivel be 

 added to connect the line with the wire bottom, 

 it will be found advantageous. 



A trimmer may be made with a block of light 

 wood, having a cylinder in the centre on which 

 the line is wound, leaving about a yard and half, 

 or more, to hang down in the water ; after bait- 

 ing, it should be set at liberty, and permitted to 

 go wherever the current drives it, the angler si- 

 lently following ; when a fish has pouched the 

 bait, he must then proceed in a boat, or other- 

 wise, to secure his prize. 



