52 LANDING, ETC. 



weighing nearly two pounds, took the plummet 

 and was safely landed, owing to the hook, 

 which was rather a large roach-hook on fine gut, 

 projecting from the side of the plummet. 



On hooking your fish, act as directed in 

 Chapter IV. Do not strain on him too hard ; 

 keep him as much as possible from running 

 into beds of weeds and other dangerous places ; 

 and when bringing him to a convenient land- 

 ing place, and he is almost in your hands, be 

 prepared to allow for some heavy plunges. In 

 this probable case act with coolness, and when 

 it occurs let him have another turn or two in 

 his own element, and when he becomes tract- 

 able land him as soon as possible, for although 

 I never play a fish longer than I can help, yet 

 when a good fish plays well, there really is no 

 occasion to strain the tackle merely for the 

 sake of landing him a minute or two sooner. 

 I believe that many good Pike are lost through 

 the anxiety of getting them on shore, and 

 especially while they are having their last 

 struggles, for then the angler should yield 

 somewhat to the fish ; but, on the contrary, 

 the young practitioner generally redoubles his 

 efforts to drag his prize on shore nolens volens, 

 and not unfrequently, by using such improper 

 force and holding his fish too hard, breaks his 

 tackle and loses his fish. 



Always make it a rule to bait your hook the 

 last thing after you have got all complete as 

 regards line, float, etc. ; for the more lively 



