AMERICAN FISHES. 



■'I pray you, sir," said Viator, "give me some observations and direc- 

 tions concerning the Pearch, for they say he is both a very good and a 

 bold-biting fish, and I would fain learne to fish for him." 



Although Norris and Scott and Roosevelt and Forester pass the Perch 

 by with contempt, and Jordan has pronounced it "soft, coarse and 

 insipid," it is not without its advocates in America. Seth Green admits 

 that it is an ''excellent fish for the people," and a "superior table fish," 

 and that when taken on light tackle with an artificial fly it affords not a 

 little sport,* and H. H. Thompson, in the American Angler for June 2, 

 1883, has made an eloquent plea for this worthy little species, in which 

 he is supported by such eminent anglers as D. W. Cross and A. N. Cheney. 



I venture the prediction that before many years the Perch will have as 

 many followers as the Black Bass among those who fish for pleasure in the 

 waters of the Eastern United States. A fish for the people it is, we 

 will grant, and it is the anglers from among the people, who have neither 

 time, money nor patience for long trips and complicated tackle, who will 

 prove its steadfast friends. 



As an article of food a Perch taken from clear, cool water is undoubtedly 

 superior to many popular marine species. Ray tells us that it was formerly 

 called Perdrix aqiiarum — the partridge of the waters, and Ausonius thus 

 sounds its praise : — 



" Nor will I pass thee over in silence, O Perch, the delicacy of the 

 tables, worthy among river fish to be compared with seafish ; thou alone 

 are able to contend with the Red Mullets, "f 



In Venner's "Via Recta ad Vitam Longam " printed in 1650, we are 

 told that Perch taken in pure water are for taste and nourishment 

 equal to Trout or Pickerel. "Perch," adds this writer, "is usually 

 sauced with butter or vinegar, but add thereto the flavor of nutmeg, 

 which to this fish is very proper, it becomes delectable to the taste and 

 grateful to the stomach. The spawn of Perch is of delicate and whole- 

 some nourishment, very good for the weak." 



A recent British authority writes that it is unsurj)assed by any non- 

 migrating species, except the eel, and that it more closely resembles the 

 sole than any other fresh-water fish. 



There are in America many who ])refer the Perch to the bass, and even 

 to the brook trout, and among them are some independent enougli to 



^American Angler, May 15, 1886. 

 fXhe Moselle, x, 115, 



