bait, and kill either Jack or Pike. At page 15 the reader will see the different modes of baiting hooks for trolling, and with the exception of the bead-hook, which is given below.

र्न्ट

CHAP. V.

TROLLING CONCLUDED ; HOW TO CAST THE BAIT, AND KILL JACK OR PIKE.

TROLLING WITH THE GORGE HOOK.

I SHALL suppose the young angler to have arrived at the river-side with his rod and line, and a gorge-hook baited. First, fasten the winch to about the middle of the butt of your rod, draw the line through the rings to the length of eight or ten yards, and fasten the gymp and hook to the line with a small swivel; place the bottom of the butt against the side of your stomach, draw some of the line back with your left hand, leaving as much from the top as will let the bait reach the winch, and lower the top of the rod near the ground-then, with a jerk from your right arm, cast the bait into the water: while giving the jerk, keep the butt firm against your stomach, but let the line, which you hold in the left hand loose. By a little practice, the young angler may be

able to cast his bait to any distance; but if the river or piece of water is not very large, or when you cast the bait near the bank or shore, it will then be only necessary to hold the rod in your hand instead of placing it against your stomach, holding the line in the other hand as before directed, you may with much ease cast or drop in your bait in search. (This method is generally called dipping.) Always prefer the side of the river, as being most free from weeds in summer; in the winter, deeps and bends. When you cast in the bait, let it fall on the water as lightly as you can, that the fish may not be alarmed by the water being much agitated; let it sink to the bottom, then gradually raise it nearly to the surface, permitting it to sink again; after which, cast it further out, and drawing it gently towards you, cast it in again to the right and left, raising and sinking it slowly; and so continue to troll till you feel a bite,* which you will distinguish by perceiving a sudden catch or tug at your bait: always keep the line free, that nothing may impede the Jack or Pike in running away with the bait to his haunt; for if he is the least

* Never hastily take your bait out of the water, for Jack will often take it when passing close and slowly by them, the angler may, in the course of his experience, see Jack or Pike laying still, and many small fish swimming very near him, apparently without fear. In this case, I conceive the Jack has lately gorged himself, or may be a little indisposed or idle, and by drawing your bait near him and slowly, he possibly thinks the bait-fish wounded and likely to become an easy prey, and will then seize it. Such are my ideas, and in consequence, I troll very close every foot of water, and always gradually.

checked at first, he generally leaves the bait: let him remain quiet about ten minutes to pouch the bait, then wind up the slack line and strike; but if you find a Jack or Pike run again, or shakes the line, after lying still five minutes, you may expect he has pouched the bait, and moves because he feels the hook in his stomach, in which case strike. If there be any very strong weeds, piles, or any thing else which may endanger your tackle near the place where you have hooked the fish, keep him from running to such places, by winding up your line, and drawing him gently to a level part of the bank, and get him on shore as soon as possible. The tackle used for trolling being very strong, I do not lose much time in playing Jack or Pike, at least in no comparison with what is necessary in killing Carp or Barbel: if you feel a bite, and the Jack or Pike soon stops, then runs again, and continues so to act two or three times within a few minutes, you may expect he is more on the play than the feed, therefore there is little chance of his pouching your bait; in this case, it is advisable to strike, and you may be fortunate enough to hook the fish by some part and secure him. If this fails, try a snap-hook, by which practice I have frequently succeeded in securing a good fish when they would not pouch; therefore, always carry various hooks, &c. with you.