THE PERCH. 5/ 



parts thereof, especially if such places are near a 

 scower or sharp, where white Fish are always to be 

 met with. — Note, when angling in those bends or turn- 

 ings of a riv er, or in still holes or places laying under 

 the wind, it is proper to keep, continually, gently mov- 

 ing or drawing your float a little to the right or left, 

 or to lift it out of the water a few inches occasionally, 

 and let it gently drop in again, as this way of acting 

 frequently inclines Fish (Jacks and Perch especially) 

 to seize the bait, fearing it is moving away from them, 

 though they have seen the bait stationary, but not 

 being much on the feed, would not take the trouble 

 of moving for it, till it seemed likely to make its 

 escape. AVhen you have hooked a heavy Perch, play 

 him until he is quite spent, before you attempt to land 

 him, fearing he may be slightly hooked ; by thus act- 

 ing, the reader will see he not only secures a large 

 Perch, but very probably may, by such care and skilful 

 way of angling, fill his basket with them, and they are 

 a Fish worth all the trouble attending the taking, 

 either for the Angler's own table, or for making a pre- 

 sent of: and also further note, that when Perch are 

 well on the feed, and you should be distressed for baits, 

 you may bait your hook with the eye of those you 

 have taken, or the eye of any other Fish, and Perch 

 will freely take it, and so will Smelts. — Note, some 

 Anglers hook the Minnow through the upper part of 

 the tail instead of the back fin or lip ; when this is 

 done, you must p.ve the Fish more time to gorge, or 

 you have little chance of securing him. 



