94 A M ERIC AN ANGLER'S BOOK 



the Perch and Rockfish devour immense numbers of them, 

 and it is only at such places that these fish look for them. 

 The vitality of these little animals is wonderful ; and if the 

 hook is passed through them below the vitals, which are 

 easily seen, they remain alive for some time. Two or three 

 eels are put on each hook. This bait is found in small pools 

 left by the ebb of the tide, and can be easily secured with a 

 small net of sea- grass skirting. 



The first catch of Perch, with Philadelphia anglers, is, or 

 was, below the dam at Fairmount waterworks ; beginning in 

 April with young eels, and occasionally small minnows for 

 bait. Early in the season, the most likely places are where 

 the rapid subsides into deep, still water ; in May they are 

 found more in the rapids and nearer the fall of the dam. 



The tackle which affords the best sport is a common native 

 reed pole, of twelve or thirteen feet, not thicker at the butt 

 than the thumb, and tapering to a fine point, which can be 

 rendered still finer and stronger by splicing on a tip of lance 

 or iron- wood. The same rod may also be used with a reel, 

 by putting on rings, and a metallic tip at the end for the line 

 to pass through. 



A fine line of flax or silk should be used, with a gut leader 

 of three or four feet, with two hooks, one at the end, and 

 one eighteen inches or two feet above. The best hooks when 

 baiting with little eels, are those termed " weak trout" hooks. 

 They are long in the shank, which facilitates baiting and 

 taking off the fish ; the wire is also delicate, mutilating the 

 bait less than a coarser hook, and being more elastic, or at 

 least more flexible, lets go its hold more easily when caught 

 on the bottom. If in pulling it away, the hook should 

 straighten to any extent, it may be easily restored to its 

 shape, by pressing the bend together between the fore teeth. 

 With delicate handling, these hooks are strong enough to 

 secure a three-pound Rockfish, if he should take your bait. 



