PERCH-FISHING. 



249 



Next to the pike the perch may certainly claim precedence 

 as the most dashing and fearless of all our sporting fish ; often 

 like the former fish following a bait up to the very surface of 

 the water, or side of the boat, when he presents a really splendid 

 appearance, the jaws open, the spines erect, and the whole 

 creature instinct with energy and fire. On these occasions he 

 frequently remains for several instants bristling like a porcupine, 

 as if threatening reprisals on those who have presumed to balk 

 him of his prey, retiring at length in sullen wrath with his face 

 still turned towards his assailants. 



I have seen, indeed, a whole string of perch following the 

 bait one after another like so many shadows, and when they 

 are really on the feed in this way it would not be an impossible 

 feat to take every fish in the shoal ; in fact, I believe that I have 

 literally done so on several occasions, and I remember once a 

 visit to the Avon, above Christchurch, where the perch lie 

 mostly in holes easily fishable, after which I should not have 

 much cared to fish the same water again for a year or two ! 

 These perch averaged from one to two pounds, and I once 

 made a magnificent basket, the weight of which I do not 

 exactly remember, but I think it must have been over 30 Ibs., 

 which I sent up as a present to the Piscatorial Society. They 

 had, however, changed their headquarters, and, I believe, did 

 not receive my consignment rather unlucky for me, as it was 

 the only occasion when I ever attempted to ' exhibit.' 



