THE PIKE. 61 



chief, as well as on Earn and other rivers, where it 

 breeds. 



In rod angling for pike, we adopt three methods- 

 employing the gorge tackle, the swivel tackle, and the 

 fly. Our gorge-hook is double brazed, and armed 

 upon brass wire. A par or small trout inverted, is the 

 usual bait. We insert the wire of our tackle through 

 the fish, bringing the upper end of it out at the tail, 

 and allowing the two barbs of the hook to protrude 

 from its mouth. In angling, we both throw and drop 

 the bait, as the nature of the water demands > moving 

 it slowly towards the surface. When a pike seizes it, 

 there is at first no perceptible tug ; one feels as if he 

 heard the shutting of a pair of jaws on the bait ; and 

 if you can manage to see your fish, you will observe 

 him holding your trout by the middle, as if crushing 

 the life out of it Keep a tight line, but do not pull 

 or strike. Too much resistance places your intended 

 victim on his guard ; a little, however, sharpens his 

 appetite. For this purpose also, some employ an irri- 

 tator or small hook hanging apart from the bait, which, 

 on coming into external contact with his head or body, 

 has the virtue of inciting him to swallow readily, out 

 of pure wrath and impatience. This is a refinement 

 scarcely worth practising. In common, after a few 

 seconds, the pike will begin to move towards his den, 

 still grasping your bait betwixt his teeth, and intending 

 to bolt it immediately. Let out line with your hand 

 from the reel ; and now, he is fixed, and darts off like 

 a tiger, shaking his chain, and with open mouth toss- 

 ing himself out of the water at thirty yards' distance 

 the worst is over, and he turns revengefully towards 

 the shore ; wind up ha ! he is out again, and again 

 he makes for the shallows ; but the monster is ex- 

 hausted and moves heavily ; lead him with caution to 



