58 THE D-RIFF1ELD ANGLER. 



of its mouth, which must be then sewed up, j 

 and the tail tied up to the wire, or gimp, very 

 neatly with a bit of white thread ; cut away 

 the back fin, and loop on to your swivel. 

 When you begin to angle, let out your line 

 to a convenient length, and fish where the 

 water is not very deep, but overspread with 

 docks and weeds, except in some parts where 

 you have room to get in your bait: the fish 

 hanging with its head downward, will, with 

 a gentle motion, sport and play among the 

 weeds very naturally, and the Pike will be 

 eager of taking it this way, even near the 

 surface of the water : when he seizes your 

 bait, slacken your line and let him take it 

 down and run with it, if he has room ; in a 

 short time afterwards you will perceive the 

 line and rod top to shake, which is a good 

 time to strike, or else give him time to gorge 

 it, as your judgment may direct: when you 

 hook one manage him gently, winding up 

 your line by degrees ; and when you think 

 it is time to Ifaid him, bring him quietly 

 through the weeds, with his nose above thorn ; 



