CHAPTER III 

 THE HAUNTS OF THE PIKE 



Old days among the pike Pike of the Trent A suggested remedy 

 Haunts of pike Pike of the Ouse In their reedy fortress 

 Pike in a baited swim Good localities for the pike The pike of 

 various districts. 



GOOD pike-fishing nowadays in public waters can 

 hardly be expected ; the fish is much sought after, 

 and anglers spare no pains if they think there is a reason- 

 able chance of sport. All waters that can be got at by 

 the general run of fishermen are very nearly fished to 

 death; but still pike-fishing has such a fascination for 

 anglers that they keep going, and are well content if a 

 dozen fish represent the total take of their whole season's 

 outings. 



Pretty fair public waters are still accessible. Pike 

 anglers have increased a hundredfold since that far-away 

 day when I had the thrilling experience of landing my first 

 jack. That is a sacred memory, and the old wooden- 

 legged angler who first taught me how to cast out a bait 

 is not forgotten, although forty years have been recorded 

 on time's dial since I last saw him and felt the strong grip 

 of his hand as he bid me the last farewell, and I went 

 away from boyhood's scenes and associations to another 

 district to seek work and meet what that fickle jade Fortune 

 had in store for me. 



I said at the outset of this chapter that good pike-fishing 

 in public waters could hardly be expected nowadays. 

 When I use the term good in this connection I mean as it 



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