94 A BODKIN ANGLING 



hooked in spinning than by any other means. I have often 

 seen one angler spinning, and another live baiting, and I have 

 seen the spinner take at the rate of five fish for the live baiter's 

 one. Where, then, is the objection ? It certainly is not a 

 pretty way of fishing, and I dislike it because it is not so 

 pleasant or lively a way as spinning ; and it never can or will 

 be so popular. The truth is that sometimes the fish prefer a 

 live bait to a spinning bait, but more often the case is reversed ; 

 and if spinning is (as I know it to be) more deadly in respect to 

 numbers than live baiting, upon what ground is it objected to ? 

 I rarely use the live bait, and certainly do not advocate it from 

 any preference. But " live and let live." I do not wish to 

 interfere with those who do, being well assured that I am more 

 likely to spoil their sport than they are mine. Another reason 

 why some persons prefer live baiting, is that a larger bait can 

 be used, and there is far less likelihood of losing a large fish 

 when once hooked, in live baiting, than spinning ; and there is 

 some reason for this belief. 



There are various other baits used for pike-fishing, when 

 fish are scarce ; but it is needless to say that none of them are 

 equal to fish in point of attractiveness. Perhaps a good yellow 

 lively frog ranks next in the estimation of the pike. The way 

 to bait a frog is to use one large long-shanked hook, pass it 

 through the under lip and draw the hook down under the belly 

 until the bend lies beside the thigh of the hind leg, to which it 

 should be tied with a lap or two of silk : then work him after 

 the fashion of a live bait. Mice, water-rats, and dead birds, 

 will be taken at times, and an artificial rat may be made from 

 a slice of the skin of a cow's tail, which is said to answer the 

 purpose well ; as I never used it, however, I cannot speak to 

 its efficacy ; but if an artificial bait be used, a good large spoon 

 bait is perhaps as attractive as any. Mr. Pennell recommends 

 a supplementary triangle to be added to the side of a spoon, as 

 fish often run and miss the end hooks, and it is a good plan. 

 Spoon baits are certainly excellent lures ; they may be had of 

 all sorts, sizes, fashions, and colours at the tackle makers', and 

 as people have so many whims on this point, I leave the angler 

 to choose for himself. Sir S. Baker, the great African traveller 

 and Nile explorer, formerly a correspondent of the Field, once 

 called my attention to a bait he had used with great success in 

 Turkey. It was made out of a daguerreotype of an old lady ; 

 and the " old lady," as he called it, beat the spoon hollow. He 

 took the plate (which was silvered on one face and coppered on 



