A MORNING'S FISHING. 29 



the frequency with which fish of different kinds 

 have been hooked twice within a few minutes. 



All this, however, is a digression, for the novice's 

 first fish is not to be returned. Hung on the spring- 

 balance (whose hook is placed under the gill cover, 

 so as not to touch the gills), it brings the indicator 

 down to i2oz., which is a creditable weight for a 

 perch. Therefore it is to be killed and placed in 

 the creel. 



The best way to kill a perch up to about ijlb. is 

 to break its backbone by holding it in the left hand 

 and, placing the first finger of the other in its mouth 

 and the thumb just behind the back of its head, 

 bending the head upwards. There is a snap, and 

 death is instantaneous. The operation does not 

 spoil the appearance of a perch, if done properly, 

 but I do not recommend it for other fish, though I 

 sometimes do it with trout when wading up a 

 mountain stream, because it is then the easiest 

 plan. Two or three sharp taps on the back of the 

 head with the landing-net handle or a little weighted 

 stick sold for the purpose and called a " priest" are 

 the best quietus for general use, and they should 

 always be given as soon as the angler has made up 

 his mind to keep a fish. 



The perch is now placed on a bed of long grass 

 at the bottom of the creel, the novice rebaits his 



