86 ANGLING. 



if very deep, nearer the surface than the bottom. Tha 

 casts should be made somewhat up and from you, fishing 

 the portion of the river nearest you first, and then the 

 more distant spots. If possible, the fish should enter the 

 water head downwards, as if making a plunge, but this is 

 scarcely possible when a long line is cast. The runs be- 

 tween the weeds should be carefully fished. The bait 

 should not be lifted from the water until brought close to 

 the trailer's feet. Forty, fifty, and sixty yards is not an 

 uncommon distance to cast a gorge-bait ; long distances, 

 however, are likely to injure the bait, and the less expe- 

 rienced angler casting half these distances is likely to meet 

 with better success. 



Suddenly the angler finds his bait checked it may be a 

 weed, possibly it is a fish. A few tugs, gentle, but with 

 somewhat of a wrenching motion, tell that the pike is 

 obtaining a firm hold of the bait ; slacken your line in the 

 meanwhile, see that there is plenty uncoiled from the reel. 

 A slight check may be given to the bait, either to make it 

 appear that the bait is resisting somewhat the treatment 

 it is receiving, or to see if it is a weed or a fish. If the 

 latter, do not hurry him ; a few minutes, from five to ten, 

 must be allowed him to gorge the bait, as he generally 

 seizes it in the middle first, and when " pouched," he 

 generally moves off to his favourite haunt. If Mr Bernard's 

 hook is used, it may be advisable to strike ; but with 

 ordinary tackle, the line may be pulled gently home, so as 

 to allow the points of the hooks to ingratiate themselves 

 quietly into the fish's maw. 



When hooked, the fish may make violent efforts to escape, 

 and display no little indignation. A tight line must be 



