292 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



Sn, or by passing it through his lips, with a cork-float, carrying shot 

 according to the depth of the water. You should fish within a few 

 inches of the bottom, and when a fish bites, a little time should be 

 given before you strike, as the Pearch is tender-mouthed, and, if not 

 well hooked, is apt to break his hold. The paternoster is much used 

 for Minnow fishing ; it may be had at all the tackle shops ; it is sunk 

 by a small bullet, and has three hooks at different distances, which 

 may be baited in the manner above described ; but my favorite mode 

 of Pearch fishing is, by spinning the dead Minnow, which gives me a 

 chance, at the same time, of taking Jack and Trout. 



" The Gudgeon or the Bleak may of course be used in the same 

 manner when large Pearch are expected. 



" In worm-fishing, the Brandling and the red worm are the best ; a 

 No. 8 or 9 hook may be employed, and the float must be suitable for 

 the water. Some anglers prefer roving for Pearch in the following 

 manner : 



" Use a reel on your rod, and have bottom-tackle of three yards of 

 gut, with a hook No. 8 or 9, with one or two shot-corns to sink the 

 bait, which should be one or two well-scoured red worms, and you 

 must then cast your line across the stream, letting it sink, and drawing 

 it towards you alternately, till you feel a bite, then allow a few seconds 

 before you strike. You may also drop this bait into still, deep holes, 

 as in Trout-fishing ; indeed, a practical angler especially an old 

 Trout-fisher will prefer this mode of worm-fishing to the use of the 

 float." 



After these apposite instructions there is little more to be said ; but 

 I cannot refrain from quoting a few lines in relation to the habits of 

 the Yellow Pearch in the West, from the pen of an admirable writer, 

 * * # * * ^ w j 1Q j^ con t r ibuted very largely to our stock of in- 

 formation concerning the fishes of the great lakes and Western rivers 

 of New York, by his admirable articles formerly published in the 

 Buffalo Commercial Advertiser. I shall have occasion to quote from 

 him again, in relation to the Black Bass, the Oswego Bass, and the 

 Lake Sheep's-Head, concerning which he has furnished us with the 

 best information that we possess : 



" In the spring, as soon as the ice has left the streams, the Pearch 

 begins running up our creeks to spawn. He is then caught in them 



