146 ANIMAL LIFE UNDER WATER 



to escape. The pike is attracted, and seizes the 

 roach on the snap tackle. 



The spoon bait depends entirely upon 

 "flash" to attract fish. Most spoons, as sup- 

 plied by tackle makers, are made with far too 

 extensive a flashing surface. Such spoons 

 certainly attract the predatory pike or trout, but 

 when the fish comes up to inspect, 'he follows 

 for a time, and then falls back. The flash is 

 unnatural and too bright. 



I have used a spoon made in the following 

 manner, so as to imitate as far as possible the 

 appearance of a damaged or sick fish. The 

 whole spoon is painted dark green except for a 

 narrow strip of clear metal which runs diagon- 

 ally across the convex side. This strip starts 

 from a point at either end, and is not more than 

 a quarter of an inch wide in the centre. The 

 swivel ring is attached so that the spoon spins 

 with a wobble. Seen from under the water, 

 this spoon gives a quick flash, then a definite 

 interval, followed by another quick flash. In 

 1912-13 I used the pattern described with con- 

 siderable success. 



My observations of the salmon fly, as it 

 appears when presented to a fish, left me con- 



