PERCH-FISHING. 



211 



The poor minnow made a futile attempt to escape the wide 

 open jaws, but it was of no use, and they closed upon it and the 

 hook together. Dick struck and .hooked the perch, which 

 immediately made a spirited rush straight away. On being 

 hooked it had blown the minnow out of its mouth, and it was 

 eagerly snapped up by another perch. Dick's perch fought 

 very gamely, and Frank and Jimmy forbore to put their lines in 

 until it was secured, for fear of fouling. After a very sharp 

 struggle Dick drew the perch within reach of a landing-net, 

 which Frank slipped under it and lifted it out. It was a beauty, 

 in splendid condition, its black bars being strongly marked 

 across its golden scales. 



PERCH AND GUDGEON. 



Frank and Jimmy now put their lines in, while Dick was 

 rebaiting. In less time than you can say "Jack Robinson" 

 they each had a fish on, both of them good ones. And now 

 the sport was fast and furious. As fast as they put in they had 

 a bite, the perch even following their struggling companions to 

 the top of the water as they were being drawn out. The very 

 large ones soon grew wary, but the smaller ones, fellows of 

 about half to three-quarters of a pound, seemed not to have 

 the slightest shyness, and rushed to their fate with the greatest 

 eagerness. The floats lay for a very short time on the water 



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