BAIT-FISHING. 411 



of day. Young anglers, therefore, should take this dictum 

 with some caution. 



Little difference in the mode of using the bait need be 

 made from those recommended for other river fish, if the 

 perch sought for are small ; but in localities where large 

 perch may be expected, and where the live or dead fish- 

 bait is used, some considerable variation must be practised. 

 Hitherto I have not had occasion to describe the mode of 

 using the live and dead fish-baits ; but as we now are con- 

 sidering their adoption in taking perch, it will be proper 

 here to enter upon the subject. I have already alluded 

 to the mode of applying the live minnow to the hook, or 

 rather of inserting the latter in the back of the fish close 

 to its fin. When this has been done, and the gut is prop- 

 erly shotted with about two or three No. 1 shot, quietly 

 enter the fish at some distance from the shore, and let it 

 take its own course, swimming where it chooses. A float 

 is only a hindrance to the live bait ; and as it is dragged 

 about on the surface of the water, it serves to attract the 

 attention of the perch, and is very apt to scare them away. 

 As soon as the perch is seen or felt to take the bait, strike 

 pretty firmly, though not with much force. Live frogs 

 may be used in the same way, as well as newts. 



Spinning for perch is practised as follows : The bait 

 being applied according to either of the methods described 

 on page 391, the angler should use the general rod with 

 the short top ; a reel and reel-line of plaited-silk or twist- 

 ed hair and silk will be necessary, and a good length of 

 strong gut, or, when pike are likely to be met with, of 

 gimp, armed with *one* or two , box-swivels. With this 



