Popular Bottom Fresh=Water Fish 



feet from bottom in running water, so that they 

 drift back and forth. This method apphes to 

 grasshoppers and crickets, with No. 5 to No. 3 

 hooks. Grasshoppers should be hooked through 

 the shoulders; both they and crickets will live 

 for some time if hooked in that way. Hook small 

 minnows through the lips, the point coming out 

 on tip of nose. When the fish strikes, take plenty 

 of time, so that it can gorge the bait; only strike 

 after it has moved away. It should be struck 

 with a sharp move of the ^^Tist, not a savage 

 pull or long jerk. A perch makes two or three runs 

 up to the surface and down ; give it a chance, and 

 let it play. 



Trolling or casting with small single-hook spoon 

 or live minnow without spoon, will invariably 

 capture large perch in lakes and ponds. The 

 boat should be rowed along the side of weed beds, 

 exactly in the manner of fishing for pickerel. 

 In fishing for perch the angler cannot be too care- 

 ful in unhooking these spike-armed 

 Ply ^ heroes. In fly fishing for perch the 

 best time is when the water is gently 

 rippled, or from sundown to dark; and in casting, 

 it is well to let the fly sink about a foot and jerk 

 it sharply through the water. Any trout or bass 

 fly tied on No. 5 to No. 3 hook is effective. I 

 have caught perch on brown palmer, coachman, 

 and silver doctor. 



In the fall perch become more wary, especially 

 the large ones. When perch are caught in stag- 

 nant pools and muddy lakes, before cooking them 

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