LOCH -FISHING. 



178 



of the bait, bringing it out at the middle of the fork of the 

 tail ; the lead and shank of the hook will thus be hid in the 

 mouth and belly of the bait, and only the barbs and points 

 visible. Tie the tail to the gimp with thread. ( Vide cut.) 



After casting, let the bait sink to the bottom, then draw it 

 to the top, and the single fin will make it spin beautifully. 

 When a pike seizes, you must not be in hurry to strike, or 

 you have small chance of hooking : let out your line with 

 your hand ; give him sufficient time to gorge the bait, and 

 then he is fast and firm as you could wish. Use a coarse 

 trolling-rod, with large strong rings, and reel of oiled cord : 

 no swivel is required. Some use a large gaudy fly for pike j 

 I never do so, and do not recommend it, though I have 

 sometimes caught small pike even with a common trout-fly. 

 It is much more easy to find out the haunts of pike 

 than those of trout. The best places are in and near 

 the weedy bays. Fish all these with the running-bait, 

 and, if possible, by wading, cast immediately beyond 

 the weeds, between the shallow and the deep water ; this, 

 however, the sinking mud will often prevent your accom- 

 plishing. If you have found the pike on the feed, 

 you may return over the same ground with the gorge, 

 trying all the openings among the weeds that you could 

 not fish with the running-bait. I never troll for pike from 

 a boat unless they cannot be reached any other way. 



