Fish and Fishing 



borly friendship with the bass, pike, and pickerel. 

 Their strong array of sharp spines probably pro- 

 tects them from those savage and predaceous 

 fishes. They are gregarious, and always in schools, 

 each school about a uniform size, whether 

 large or small. When the young angler 

 meets a school of large perch, he may capture 

 every one if he be noiseless and wary. The 

 usual length of the yellow perch is less than ten 

 inches, and its average weight less than a pound, 

 though specimens have been caught up to four 

 pounds. The simplest way to catch perch is 

 with the boy's standard outfit: a pole, stout line, 

 large float, and heavy sinker, with a 

 Capture worm or minnow for bait. This, how- 

 ever, is only effective when the water 

 is muddy and the perch numerous and hungry. 

 For wary, large fish, in clear water, more delicate 

 tackle is necessary. The line should be fine, of 

 enamelled silk, a fly rod of six ounces, a light 

 click reel, and a small three-foot leader, with two 

 flies on No. 7 hooks. The yellow perch is just 

 as good fishing as speckled trout, size for size, 

 eager to rise, bold to a degree, and it fights to a 

 finish. For worm or minnow fishing, the float 

 should be small and well balanced, shot for sink- 

 ers, only heavy enough to keep the float steady. 

 Suspend the bait a foot from the bottom, moving 

 it up and down in a gentle manner. No. 5 or 

 6 hooks on snells, with a small swivel to con- 

 nect the line, may be used. Always have live 

 worms either placed to touch the bottom, or two 

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