112 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



the Long Bridge, and also above the bridge on 

 the main river in brackish water. Being gregari- 

 ous, it was found in large schools, and was a free 

 biter at shrimps, shedder-crab, small minnows, 

 and earthworms. At the time of which I write 

 it was very plentiful at the mouths of all tidal 

 rivers emptying into Chesapeake Bay. I have 

 seen great wagon loads brought ashore in one 

 haul of a long market seine. And in camping 

 along the Bay, during my summer vacations, they 

 seemed to be as plentiful as blackberries. There 

 was never any dearth of fried white-perch or 

 other fishes in our camp, and we never tired of 

 them. We feasted on them daily, with terrapin, 

 soft-shelled crabs, oysters, green corn, tomatoes, 

 cantaloupes, and watermelons, and all to be had 

 for the mere catching or asking. 



Any light rod may be used for white-perch, 

 with or without a small multiplying reel, with a 

 line of braided linen, smallest size, and hooks 

 Nos. 6 to 8. Most anglers use two or three 

 hooks, but I would advise a single hook for all 

 kinds of fishing. A short leader of single gut, 

 about three feet long, is an advantage, and hooks 

 should be tied on gut snells. 



In quiet water, with small, live minnows for 



