46 AET OF ANGLING. 



remarkable; it is asserted that it will live to be 

 upwards of a hundred years old. 



The Pike is a very solitary fish, and is partial 

 to the deepest and most obscure parts of the river, 

 which has sand or gravel upon the bottom, generally 

 taking its station near the side ; it is also frequently 

 found in quiet retired places, where the water is 

 rather shallow than deep, forming a bend or bay 

 in rivers, especially if the sides of such places are 

 shaded with tall segs or bull-rushes ; among these 

 the Pike lies, particulary during floods, a foot or two 

 below the surface, with its nose just projecting 

 from the rushes or segs, looking up the stream for 

 whatever food may come within its reach. But 

 when the river is of a proper colour, it goes occa- 

 sionally, towards the dusk of evening, some yards 

 from the haunts above-mentioned in search of food ; 

 particularly to fords or shallows where small fish 

 frequent. 



From the time of spawning till August, Pike are 

 not in a vigorous state, appearing more inclined to 

 doze and bask in the sun near the top of the water, 

 than to feed ; at such times a snare is more effectual 

 than the most tempting bait the angler can select ; 

 and if such be placed so close as to touch its nose, it 

 will generally draw back from it ; and should he 

 persevere in placing the bait near it, it will plunge 



