THE TIME FOR STRIKING PIKE. 167 



fish are not voraciously hungry, and only playing 

 with the bait, and even then I frequently strike 

 in a very short time, lest the fish should not 

 pouch the bait at all, but blow it out of his 

 mouth after having examined it by the sense of 

 touch, and perceived something suspicious about 

 it. For my own part, except in trolling with 

 the dead-bait, I seldom allow pouching-time at 

 all, but strike as soon as I find my hooks are 

 within the fish's mouth. I very seldom miss, nor 

 do I think any good striker would often fail to 

 hook his fish by a stroke, simultaneous, but slowly 

 so, with the bite of the pike, perch, or trout. Pike 

 is the only fish that should be allowed time. 

 Trout and perch should be struck immediately; 

 stopped by a smart check as they are darting off 

 with their prey. Their run is quicker than that 

 of the pike, which often swims off very leisurely 

 with the bait in his mouth to pouch it in peace 

 in some tranquil haunt. You can therefore 

 generally distinguish what sort of a run you have ; 

 if it be a trout-run strike quickly, if a pike-run 

 give time. This question of time is important, 

 and still remains doubted and discussed. I will 

 quote a few opinions. 



Mr. Blaine observes, " Be careful not to mis- 

 take the motions of the bait for those which are 

 made by the pike or jack when seizing it. With 

 the experienced angler there is no danger in this, 

 M 4 



