THE PERCH OF THE RIVER 237 



about all over the river where the bottom is gravel or 

 sand, and abound more particularly under deep clay 

 banks where there is a gentle stream, by the side of 

 withies, the roots of which grow out into the water, 

 and along old camp-shedding, i.e. where the banks 

 have been shored up with slabs of timber. Quiet 

 corners in weir and mill pools are also favourite 

 spots. They are not often found in summer where 

 the bottom is muddy, or where there is no stream, 

 unless the river be in flood. About October, after a 

 few sharp, frosty nights, perch begin to form shoals 

 and get into deep water, and where one is caught 

 there should the angler patiently wait for a few 

 minutes in the hope of catching others. When the 

 water becomes coloured, perch go into shallower 

 swims. When the water rises, perch retreat into the 

 eddies, and it is when the river is all but over 

 its banks, and clearing after a flood, and the 

 nights are frosty, and the days open, that the 

 very best perch fishing is had. When the water is 

 low and bright, the sport with the fish, both in 

 summer and winter, is very uncertain. Men who 

 know only a little about fishing are apt to have the 

 idea that perch are always in holes, always in shoals, 

 and, until experience teaches otherwise, that they 

 always feed voraciously. It will be noticed from the 



