LOCH-FISHING. 67 



foot of gymp: (you require a baiting-needle :) after cut- 

 ting off the tail and all the fins but one of the topside 

 ones, hook on the loop of the gymp to the needle, and 

 insert it at the mouth 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 gymp 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 a 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 ; I never do so, and do not recommend it, al- 

 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, 



