347 



CHAPTER XI 



SURFACE-FEEDING SEA FISH 



WE have now fished many waters in many ways ; journeyed 

 round the coasts of Great Britain fly fishing here, pater- 

 nostering there, casting out our spinning or other tackle from 

 land or pierhead ; now and again, when the sea was not too 

 lumpy, trusting ourselves in small craft ; and, going further 

 afield in yachts or large fishing boats, have sought such sport 

 as the deeper water affords. We have even set lobster, crab, 

 and prawn pots, and hunted among the rocks with iron hooks 

 for fierce congers. During that voyage home from India there 

 was ocean fishing in tropical seas for the giant fish of the 

 mackerel species ; and, in addition, we carefully examined 

 into the several advantages of various baits which may or may 

 not be obtainable, as the case may be. With such experience 

 we should have acquired a good general knowledge of sea 

 fishing ; but there still remains much to be learnt concerning 

 the habits, peculiarities, and certain not-hitherto-noticed special 

 means of capturing, the more sporting sea fish. 



First, for they deserve the place of honour, come those 

 fish which commonly or frequently swim or feed near the surface, 

 and are to be caught with fly or whiffing tackle. The most 

 important of these undoubtedly is 



The BASS, the labrax of Aristotle, and lupus of Pliny. 

 This most admirable fish is nothing more nor less than a large 

 marine perch which, when it enters estuaries for spawning 



