PERCH-FISHING. 261 



and prevent the biter being prematurely pricked. After two or 

 three preliminary twitches or nibbles a decided downward tug 

 or pull will generally be experienced, and this is the moment for 

 the fisherman to pull in return, which should not be done 

 suddenly or in any degree striking-wise, but by a firm and 

 steady upward movement of the rod. Should the bite be struck 

 in the ordinary sense of the word, the effect is certain to be the 

 loss of both baits as well as diminished probabilities of landing 

 the perch. 



The chances of hooking the fish are increased in proportion 

 to the shortness of the line that can be employed, in other 

 words, the smallness of the space between the point of the rod 

 and the lead ; indeed, I always prefer, especially in swift water, 

 where possible, to fish with the baits right under the rod point. 

 It is not recommended to leave the bait too long in the same 

 place. After it has been, say half a minute or so, stationary 

 without any signs of a fish, it is better to shift the position 

 somewhat, which can often be most conveniently done with 

 the least disturbance of the fish or distress of the baits by 

 shifting the lead from one place to another without taking it 

 out of the water. 



As in all other fishing the finer the tackle used the better, 

 and it is recommended that at least two yards of carefully 

 selected stained gut should be placed between the reel line and 

 the lead. Some paternosterers advocate gimp as the material 

 of the trace, and carry their theory out in practice, but surely 

 gut, which is fit for heavy trout fishing, is strong enough to land 

 a less game fish which very rarely exceeds ii or 2 Ibs. in weight. 

 The bait hooks should be so attached to the central link as to 

 stand out as nearly as possible at right angles, to produce which 

 result one of the simplest as well as most effective expedients is 

 to attach the gut of the hook by an ordinary double half-hitch 

 round the central link of the trace, taking care that the hook end 

 of the gut is laid upwards when the knot is tied, and that the 

 latter should be kept from slipping out of its position on a 

 downward pull by one of the gut knots of the trace. The 



