4 ARTIFICIAL FLY FOR PIKE. 



such times a very large artificial dragon-fly 

 will be found a first-rate bait for large Pike. 

 It is to be used somewhat like the spinning 

 bait, but without any weight on the line, and 

 is to be worked on or near the top of the 

 water. In lakes and large ponds it is an 

 excellent bait. 



The most favourable weather for spinning, 

 or, indeed, for any description of Jack- fishing, 

 is when a slight breeze blows from the south- 

 west, sufficient to ripple the water, and the 

 day is cloudy and dull ; at such times keep 

 the wind as much as possible at your back. 

 Thick water is not favourable for spinning, 

 for during a flood, which causes a coloured 

 water, Jack and Pike keep close in- shore 

 among the rushes and sedges which grow 

 near the banks, or in the still bends of rivers, 

 to keep out of the rapid current, where they 

 remain almost stationary until the waters 

 clear and subside. The angler who chooses 

 to try for them then must spin close to the 

 weeds, or he will seldom move a fish; but im- 

 mediately the water clears, then comes the 

 spinner's turn, for the Pike and Jack having 

 been for some time on short allowance, are 

 then bold, voracious, and fearlessly take the 

 spinning bait. 



And here I may mention that I consider the 

 best way of cooking Pike is to split them 

 down the back after being properly scaled and 

 cleaned, then take out the long back-bone 



