The Perch 2Oi 
the fry and making such slaughter and commotion that anglers call 
it ‘‘Waterloo.” So numerous are they that when the angler casts 
his flies among them he usually hooks two or three large trout at the 
first cast, and so eager are they in pursuit of their prey that many of 
them cause themselves to be foul-hooked. Not only is the number 
of perch reduced in this way, but vast numbers are destroyed by 
storms. Shoals of them in shallow water are driven ashore during 
a gale. Shortly after the great storm which blew down the Tay 
Bridge I had occasion to be shooting on Loch Leven, and found the 

Fic. 206.—2-lb. Perch (Perca fluviatilis). River Earn, February 1900. 
shore to the width of about 100 yards, and extending for several 
miles, strewn with dead perch, undeniable evidence of the destruction 
caused by wind and waves For years after this they were not nearly 
so plentiful as formerly. Perch are in best condition from September 
to the end of December. 
The perch is not at all a shy fish, and it will take almost any bait. 
A young friend of mine on one occasion when fishing for perch had 
used all his worms. Tearing a strip of red wool from one of his 
garments, he fastened a small piece of it to his hook and continued 
to bring the perch ashore almost as frequently as he had done with 
