CHAPTER XXI 

 A MEMORABLE YEAR 



Copy of the Author's Notebook for the Season 1899-90 



IT has been suggested that a copy of my notebook, or at 

 least that portion that records one of the very best 

 seasons I ever had among the pike, would be not only 

 interesting, but instructive. 



The season 1899-90, when I lived on the banks of the 

 Great Ouse, and had some considerable time on my hands, 

 besides being within easy distance of many miles of good 

 pike water, was undoubtedly a season to be recorded and 

 carefully treasured. 



On reference to that notebook I find I started the season 

 on September the 2nd ; and between that date and Feb- 

 ruary 28 was out on forty-one different days, not more than 

 ten of those days resulting in blanks. Spinning occupied 

 my attention on more than thirty days, live baiting only 

 being resorted to during the last week or two, when the 

 jack were sluggish and hugged the deep water. I find 

 a record of one hundred and twenty fish, all well over the 

 three-pounds limit, besides very many that were returned. 

 The largest of the season was taken near Ely on February 

 24th, when fishing with a London angler, and using a can 

 of Thames dace. That fish weighed 14 Ibs. 10 ozs. The 

 largest on spinning tackle weighed exactly 10 Ibs., and 

 was killed opposite Paxton Hill near St. Neots on 

 November 8th. 



L 145 



