THE PERCH. 5T 



many of our aquariums, where it is a conspicuous object. 

 Like the carp, tench abound in many of the ponds and 

 reservoirs round London, capital takes being often made 

 in the Welsh Harp waters by the frequenters of the place. 

 The largest I have seen are in Sir John Gibbons' s water, 

 near Staines, where they are plentiful and very large 

 likewise shy. 



THE PERCH (Perca fluviatilis). 



The perch has been called a bold biting fish, and, as a 

 rule, I think he is; though there are times when a big 

 perch is anything but rash in his proceedings. When 

 full fed, towards the middle or end of summer, and king 

 of his favourite eddy, he will inspect with perfect caution 

 and care any bait that may be offered him; and though, 

 at the same time, if ^ou happen upon a warm corner, you 

 may haul out a dozeiTor two chubby fellows of three or 

 four to the pound, your lv two-pound perch exercises a nice 

 discrimination in the selection of his food ; and though 

 you may even see him chevying the minnows and small 

 fry about in all directions, yet, if you intrude yours in his 

 way, his taking it is anything but a certainty. Wait till 

 the winter, when there have been fft'ods and frosts, when 

 food has been short, and he, in common with fifty others, 

 is sharp set ; then truly you may come to terms with him,, 

 and his biting will be as bold as you can desire. 



There are various ways of fishing for perch, viz., by the 

 paternoster, which is the best way ; by float ; by putting 

 live bait on a ledger, in which way I have taken many while 

 reaching or gudgeoning ; and by spinning a minnow or 

 spoon, which last way will be described hereafter more 

 particularly ; it is sufficient to say here that the bait is 

 put on to a tackle, and in such a way that it revolves 



