84 PIKE FISHING. 



number, offer comparatively little resistance to the 

 free passage of the line, thus causing the bait by 

 leverage to carry out prodigious lengths of line, which 

 would, under the traditional system, have been con- 

 sidered simply impossible. The style of using these 

 modern pike rods is founded upon the fork stick prin- 

 ciple of trolling ; the weighted natural or heavy artifi- 

 cial is attached to a limp though strong plaited silk 

 line, which is usually undressed, being simply waxed 

 to take out " kinks " and " turns." This, mounted 

 upon a large Nottingham reel (see Trout Spinning, 

 page 103), which is arranged to run freely. When these 

 appliances are procured, the result sometimes exceeds 

 the most sanguine anticipations. The very largest 

 fish are held more under control, and are much more 

 easily landed when a short and sturdy rod is em- 

 ployed ; whilst as regards wear, our readers need not be 

 told that the more timber used, and the more lanky 

 the implement is, the less is its durability. 



With regard to the artificial baits for pike, much 

 might be said. Their variety is endkss, ranging from 

 the clumsy-looking spoon to the gaudy glass bait. 

 Speaking of spoon baits reminds us that there has of 

 late been an improvement of importance in their con- 

 struction, we refer to the " Colorado." At the hollow 

 side of the dished metal is placed a barrel-shaped 

 lead upon a wire, around which lead and wire revolves 

 the spoon itself, it having a pair of flanges at its 

 upper or narrow end. The conspicuous triangle fixed 

 at the extremity is partially hid by a tag or tassel of 

 vermilion wool, secured by flat silver tinsel. Its 



