PIKE. 47 



away in anger. In fact, Pike are longer than any 

 other fish in recovering their health, flesh, and 

 appetite, after the act of procreation ; indeed, but 

 few will take a bait freely, and fewer still are fit for 

 table before September. 



During the summer months Pike take the worm 

 or minnow best early in the morning and late in 

 the evening. In September and October they will 

 bite well all day, but best about three o'clock in 

 the afternoon; and now the bait which before was 

 nauseous to the Pike, is become very desirable, and 

 will not easily be forsaken by it. 



Pike when on feed are as bold as they are vora- 

 cious, attacking and devouring all kinds of fish, 

 with the exception of the Tench. 



TO TEOLL FOE PIKE. 



The best baits to troll with are small Trout, 

 Grey ling, Bleak, Gudgeons, Roach, Dace, and 

 young Frogs ; the fish baits varying from one to 

 four ounces in weight ; a Pike may be allured by a 

 larger bait, but a small one is more certain to take 

 it. The rod for trolling must be long and stout, 

 the line strong and thirty yards or more in length, 

 wound upon a reel ; the bottom to be about 

 twelve inches of gimp, or strong twisted gut, to 



