PIKE. 57 



in performing the above operation on the bait, not 

 to injure it more than is necessary ; and the quicker 

 it is performed the better. You should in the first 

 place wind the line on a forked stick, of hazel or 

 ash, about -six inches long, and in shape similar to a 

 T, having a slit on one end of the fork in which the 

 line is to be placed, but not tighter than just to 

 prevent the bait-fish from drawing it out ; then set 

 off the bait, first making the line fast to a bush, or 

 stake, so that it may hang a little below mid-water - 

 Note, the line should be leaded with a small bullet a 

 few inches from the hook, and if a swivel be added 

 to connect the line with the wire bottom, it will be 

 found advantageous. 



A trimmer may be made with a block of light 

 wood, having a cylinder in the centre on which the 

 line is wound, leaving about a yard and half, or 

 more, to hang down in the water; after baiting, 

 it should be set at liberty and permitted to go 

 wherever the current drives it, the angler silently 

 following; when a fish has pouched the bait, he 

 must then proceed in a boat, or otherwise, to secure 

 his prize. 



In lakes and ponds the following trimmer fre- 

 quently meets with success; tie about a yard of 

 twine fast to the neck of a blown bladder (a common 

 wine bottle, well corked, will answer the same 



