I remember the first time I really wanted to catch a fish was on my honeymoon (showing off for the new bride and all) The owner of Paugus Bay Sporting Goods told me about the Mt Washington trick, drop a line in the water as the Mt left the dock and you'll be catching fish because the screws turn up the water and the fish are feeding. Of course that was 1978
As for what WD might have seen? I hope it was pickerel and not pike, but it's hard to tell the difference,
HERE are pics of the pike family