194 TROLLING IN THE SPRING MONTHS. 



keeping the fish from the sight of it. Though a 

 pike delights much among the weeds, and usually 

 makes his abode there, yet it is very difficult to 

 take him there, except it be with the snap; for if 

 you give him the liberty of running and playing 

 with your bait, he winds himself so fast about the 

 weeds, that you may be irt some danger of losing 

 both your fish and hook, if your line is not very 

 strong. Trolling in January, even on favourable 

 days, when the season is moderate and the water 

 in order, which is rare in this month, is but labour 

 well nigh lost ; for if it is not a flood, yet the 

 ditches and brooks are commonly so rank and full, 

 that it is but indifferent fishing. February pre- 

 sents better prospects, and on some days these 

 fish take a bait eagerly. March, too, is very 

 seasonable to the troller, except the time of spawn- 

 ing, which usually begins about the middle of it, 

 except the spring is very forward, and then they 

 will be disinclined towards preying. The snap is 

 now the most taking way ; for if you fish at pouch, 

 you may have many runs, but scarcely take one, 

 except it be a small fish. These two months 

 therefore will try the pike-fisher's patience, even 

 though he be wind and weather proof. April 

 will, however, in all probability, make him amends 

 for his former sufferings." In the latter summer 

 months, and on fine days in autumn, when the 

 deeps are curled by a fine breeze, pike are to be 



