BAIT-FISHING. 419 
the small hook in the back of the fish, near the back fin, 
taking a good hold of the flesh, and allowing the point to 
project a little way out of the skin, and the other two 
hooks to lie one on each side of the belly. The mode in 
which this acts is as follows: As soon as the pickerel seizes 
the fish in its mouth, he pulls slightly on the line, which 
causes the angler to strike, and this action draws the case 
from the shanks of the hooks and allows them to expand 
themselves, and thus prevent the pickerel from blowing the 
bait out of his mouth. 
Pickerel are in season from May to February, but the 
best time for the sport of taking them with the hook is the 
period immediately before the weeds shoot, and again in 
October when they have rotted. The latter is the true 
pickerel season, as they are then firm and fleshy, and also 
voracious, so as to afford good sport. This fish is usually 
taken of good size in artificial waters, or in deep alluvial 
rivers. In these situations there are almost always great 
quantities of weeds, and when they exist in full vigor, it 
is almost impossible to land large pickerel, even if they are 
hooked. The bait also can scarcely, at such times and 
situations, be properly manoeuvred; and hence, it is by 
common consent considered that pickerel, though perfectly 
edible, should not be angled for till after Michaelmas, from 
which time till February the water is in good order for 
their capture. This rule applies only to weedy streams. 
The mode of fishing for pickerel varies with the particu- 
lar hook and bait employed. If the live bait is used with the 
ordinary hook, it can only be successful at times when the 
fish are voracious and ready for any bait, which, indeed, 
