54 DAYS AMONG THE PIKE AND PERCH 



barrel. And here is where an important point comes in. 

 While the bait is travelling through the air, the slight 

 pressure of the finger on the edge of the reel must always 

 be there, regulated according to size of bait and weight of 

 the lead. If it is a heavy natural bait, say a three-ounce 

 dace, a little more pressure of the ringer will be required ; 

 but if it is only a very light bait, say like an artificial wag- 

 tail, then only a very slight pressure will be needed, as the 

 latter bait takes more force to start it on its Journey than 

 does the former. 



In using a natural bait, say of two ounces or a little more, 

 it is not by any means desirable to exercise tremendous 

 force. I have seen it gravely stated in a book on pike- 

 fishing " that to throw a bait direct from the reel required 

 a long rod, and great force." Now that is just the very 

 opposite to actual fact, a short rod and a very easy swing 

 being quite sufficient to get out at least thirty or even 

 forty yards if the bait is a two-ounce dace. 



On the other hand, a very light artificial bait requires 

 the longer top to the rod, and a little smarter swing to 

 start it upon its Journey. 



In making a cast, if the bait has gone very near to the 

 place you aimed at, lower the rod point until it nearly 

 touches the water, if the character of the place renders this 

 possible. As soon as the bait strikes the water the rod can 

 be raised ; this will keep the bait near the surface, a most 

 important matter in a shallow place choked up with weeds, 

 as it will prevent the bait from sinking too soon. 



I am often asked what is the lightest weight that can be 

 cast direct from the reel. If that reel is a centre-pin, then 

 three-quarters of an ounce can be cast twenty-five yards ; 

 a small dace weighing from two to two and a half ounces 

 can be thrown by the ordinary spindle reel forty or more 

 yards. Some exhibition casts reach fifty to sixty yards, 

 but in actual fishing during a long day a man will make 

 more casts under thirty yards than over that figure. 



I once saw some professionals making exhibition casts in 



