THE PERCH OF STILL WATERS 253 



fishing altogether under such conditions ; but one 

 day I tried the experiment of fishing with the finest 

 possible roach tackle gossamer gut, a large roach 

 hook, three or four shot, and a wee quill float. This 

 I threw out as far I could from my boat, seven or 

 eight yards perhaps, baiting the hook with a small 

 perch. In a minute or two the float went under, and 

 very pretty work it was playing on this fine tackle a 

 plump little three-quarter pounder. This fish was not 

 one of those exceptions which proved the rule, for I 

 caught a dozen or more that afternoon and found the 

 method equally successful on other occasions. I think 

 this experience fully disproves the statement of the old 

 angling writers that the perch is always a bold-biter 

 for my paternoster tackle, which was exceedingly fine, 

 was absolutely no use when the water was still and 

 the day bright ; and it was only by using this almost 

 invisible gut that I succeeded in catching fish on such 

 occasions. It could hardly be suggested that perch 

 in such a vast sheet of water as Lough Derg are over- 

 educated. 



In big lakes it is not always easy to find perch 

 unless they are exceedingly plentiful, and it is certainly 

 a good plan to bait up two or three places for a day 

 or two in succession. In private waters, where it is 

 desired to give some good fishing to that occasional 



