24 Fishing for Pike. 



Your rod must be stiff and strong, either double han- 

 dled or single, as afterwards described ; and the tackle 

 generally of the stoutest kind. Gimp is the best for your 

 stinting or foot-line, though some, where the pike are not 

 large, use very strong platted gut, on which the hooks for 

 a trout, gudgeon, or other fish are tied as follows : 

 three large double hooks should be tied about an inch 

 and.a half apart ; to this add an extra double hook, as in 

 PL ix. No. 5 ; attach to the top double hook a large 

 single hook, and let it extend as far as the middle 

 double hook of the main tackle, so that it can be inserted 

 on the side of the bait opposite to the main tackle. 

 On this the fish is to be put so as to have a good bend, 

 in order that it may spin well or swiftly. The distance, 

 however, between the hooks is to be regulated by the size 

 of the bait to be used. If you use a minnow, &c. for a 

 bait, fit your tackle up as described for trouting. A large 

 strong swivel is to be looped to the end of your gimp, to 

 which your reel-line is to be fastened by a loop. Troll 

 or traul as for trout, and strike the moment the fish hits 

 the bait. Do not be too hasty to land a pike, as he is a very 

 strong fish, for if he does not break your tackle, he may 

 break his hold away. Though your tackle be of the 

 strongest, bring your fish gradually up, and, if he plunge 

 violently, let him run out, again and again, keeping, how- 

 ever, clear of weeds and roots ; but when he is exhausted 

 haul him along the top of the water to your landing-net 

 or the shore. Beware lest he snap at your hand, for his 

 bite is sharp and very painful afterwards. The best way to 

 take hold of him is with your thumb and finger in his eyes. 



In dipping, just pitch your bait in any open place be- 

 tween weeds, &c. and then alternately draw it up and let 

 it sink. The haunts of the pike are in deep, strong water 

 near bulrushes, water-docks, weeds, hollow banks, and 

 stumps of trees, &c. Cast up, down, or across, always 



