APPENDIX 



THE GREAT PIKE OF WHITTLESEA 

 MERE 



THE above is the title of a chromolithograph 

 which was published by Messrs. Hanhart, and 

 which has been sent to me by Mr. R. B. Marston, 

 Editor of the Fishing Gazette, who received it from a 

 correspondent a few years ago. The picture bears 

 the inscription, " Caught in Whittlesea Mere, Weight 

 52 Pounds. I. M." A scale is annexed, from which 

 it appears that the total length of the fish, from the 

 end of the snout to the fork of the caudal fin, is 52 

 inches, 1 3 of which are occupied by the head. 



This very large Pike was taken when Whittlesea 

 Mere was drained in 1851 ; the figure on the opposite 

 page is copied from the picture above-mentioned, 

 and will give some idea of its proportions. The 

 weight stated, 52 Ibs., is certainly not excessive if the 

 fish is drawn correctly to scale, for a Pike of this 

 length, in good condition, might well weigh 60 Ibs. 

 or more ; but this fish has rather the appearance of 

 one out of condition, or which had seen its best days 

 and was getting lanky and large-headed. 



This may be regarded as the record English Pike, 

 and it is interesting to note that although Whittlesea 

 Mere is in Cambridgeshire it is on the borders of 

 Lincolnshire, and that Walton wrote that, in England, 

 Lincolnshire boasted tojiave the biggest Pikes. 



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