PIKE AND PIKE FISHING 333 



Of runs we had many, but the fish seemed loth to bite 

 firmly and after a few seconds' play we lost them. Several 

 peculiar incidents happened which more particularly caused 

 us to remember that day from many others. For instance, 

 after some considerable sport we drew a nice fish of about 

 nine pounds to the side of the punt, and as we were reaching 

 down for our gaff it freed itself from the tackle and 

 made off. We again had recourse to rebukes self-merited, 

 but fortunately we were at that time fishing with snap-tackle 

 and had two rods out, one on each side of the boat. Imagine 

 our astonishment on turning round to follow the course 

 the lost fish had taken in the clear shallow water, to perceive 

 it most distinctly make for the other bait and take it. 

 Quickly catching up this rod we struck the fish and 

 eventually landed it. 



On another occasion we were quietly punting through 

 some rushes to stir the fish up a bit when we saw one strike 

 in a bay ahead, and casting a live bait well out we soon had 

 a run and secured the fish. It was not a large one, but quite 

 big enough to kill. This fish we took out by the eyes, and 

 no sooner had we got a firm hold of it than it spat out the 

 bait and tackle, so we really picked the fish out of the broad 

 with our fingers only. Throwing it into the boat we turned 

 round to the bait can and proceeded to put on another dace, 

 when to our annoyance the fish, which seemed to have 

 vindictive intentions, jumped up and inserted its teeth into 

 a very tender part of the anatomy which politeness forbids 

 us to mention, although we may perhaps go so far as to say 

 that we did not sit down in comfort for some time afterwards. 



It is not uncommon to hear of fish that have attacked 

 persons when in the water either whilst bathing or search- 

 ing for aquatic plants, etc. One story concerns a boy bathing 

 in a pond at Inglemere, near Ascot, who had to fight almost 

 for his life with a pike of upwards of thirty pounds. The 

 story has the impress of truth as the boy had the impress of 

 its teeth on his hands and arms, which he will carry to his 

 grave. It is by no means infrequent in Broadland to hear of 



