THE PERCH. 145 



few inches from the lead, and in these loops a piece of fine 

 gut about six inches long is also tied with a No. 4 or 5 hook 

 on the end. The minnow is baited in the same way as for 

 the float tackle. Do not use a dead minnow, but see that 

 he is perfectly lively. To use this, cast the plumb down 

 and across stream ; when the plumb touches the bottom hold 

 it tight there, and let it stay a minute, then slowly wind up 

 the line and draw the baits towards you, but let them come 

 very slowly ; when you get them as near you as you can, 

 lift the plumb out of the water and make your cast again. 

 Throw it in all directions so as to search the whole of the 

 water well; when you get a bite, remember what I said 

 before, don't strike at once, but give the fish a few seconds, 

 so that he may have time to get the bait in his mouth well. 

 I have heard of anglers fastening bones at regular distances 

 on a cord, by way of an attraction for the perch. I should 

 suppose the bones have a supply of meat on them, and have 

 not been picked clean. A first-class angler says they are a 

 capital attraction for perch ; I, personally, cannot say, for I 

 never tried the scheme, and so cannot speak from experience 

 on that matter. The artificial minnow is sometimes spun, 

 but I think it is like spinning the natural one a very sorry 

 business. If you must have an artificial bait for perch, per- 

 haps Mr. Gregory's " Clipper " would be as good as any, for 

 I have caught one or two on it. Spinning for perch, how- 

 ever, is not very profitable. Where perch abound the worm 

 and the minnow worked as I have described will be found 

 all that is required. I have heard that perch are taken in 

 some districts with an artificial fly, but I have never seen 

 one caught with a fly, nor have I caught one myself. I am 

 told that a big showy fly is the best, and that it does not 

 matter about the pattern, as the perch are not very particular. 

 I have used big showy flies for chub, and in places where I 

 have taken perch with worm, but not a single perch has yet 

 taken my fly. 



