402 GAME FISH OF NORTH AMERICA. 



solid mass of rock, and many fine perch are taken at high tide 

 from the eddies formed by the rapid current behind some of the 

 larger rocks. 



Many persons, in fishing for perch, do so from the rocks along 

 the river bank instead of from a boat. At high tide they often 

 have good sport, but never take as many large fish as the more 

 experienced fishermen, who have their boats anchored over the 

 deep holes, and above eddies, where they take out the larger 

 ones, oftentimes as fast as they can bait their hooks. On many 

 occasions two or three of us have captured over two hundred 

 perch in less than three hours by fishing from a boat. 



The tackle used for catching perch is very light, a fourteen 

 foot rod, braided linen line, and reel ; the latter is a matter of con- 

 venience. The perch is not a game fish, and therefore the reel is 

 not necessary to give him line, as in fishing for rock bass, and 

 other game fish. Perch bite rapidly and swallow the hook, but 

 offer no resistance, and are easily taken from the water. Two or 

 three small hooks (Limerick, Aberdeen, or Kirby) are attached to 

 the line above the sinker, and the best fish are caught near the 

 bottom. 



After spawning the perch start down the river early in May. 

 They breed and spend the early summer months in the fresh trib- 

 utaries, but by the first of August drop down to water slightly 

 brackish where they remain in large schools until October. In 

 August it seems that the bottom is covered for acres with them. 

 The cream of the perch season is from the ist of September until 

 the middle of October, and the best time to select is those days 

 when it is high water from six to nine o'clock. Then you can get 

 the benefit of both tides in one day. In the tributaries of Chesa- 

 peake Bay, the best fishing is enjoyed. There are known resorts 

 of the fish, and an hour or two before high or low water, until the 

 same time after the turn of the tide, is the time for taking them. 

 As soon as the boat is anchored the rod is extended from sides or 

 stern ; the sinker with the baits runs the line from the reel and 

 finds the bottom. There is a pull downward by the perch, a pull 

 upward by the angler, and the tip of the rod is lowered ; then 

 another pull, and another perch hooked, and then a third in the 

 same manner, when the angler reels up and lifts his fish on board. 



