DESCRIPTION OF THE PERCH. 291 



flags, bulrushes, and water docks, and under the 

 Ranunculus aquaticus,wlieri that plant is in flower. 

 They are seldom found where the stream is rapid, 

 but a retreat in the vicinity of a whirlpool or 

 sharp bend is a favourite locality for them. From 

 March to the end of May they resort to back 

 waters that have direct communication with the 

 main stream. As winter approaches, they retire 

 into the deeps, under clay banks, or where bushes 

 impend over the water, and where stumps and 

 roots of trees offer them a stronghold. How 

 they are to be best caught I have taught in the 

 chapter on trolling. They may be taken with 

 various artificial baits, fish, frogs, mice ; but the 

 best of all artificial baits, save the Archi median 

 and flexible ones, is a large gaudy artificial fly, or 

 a colossal imitation of the dragon-fly. 





THE PERCH. Perca fluviatilis. 



The perch is an excellent river fish, bites boldly, 

 and when hooked fights to the last. Though 

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