ARTIFICIAL BAITS FOR PIKE. 343 



flags, bulrushes, and water docks, and under the 

 renunculus aquaticus, when that plant is in flower. 

 They are seldom found where the stream is rapid, 

 but a retreat in the vicinity of a whirlpool or 

 sharp bend is a favourite locality for them. From 

 March to the end of May they resort to back 

 waters, that have direct communication with the 

 main stream. As winter approaches, they retire 

 into the deeps, under clay banks, or where bushes 

 impend over the water, and where stumps and 

 roots of trees offer them a strong hold. How 

 they are to be best caught I have taught in the 

 chapter on trolling. They may be taken with 

 various artificial baits, fish, frogs, mice ; but the 

 best of all artificial baits is a large gaudy artificial 

 fly, or a colossal imitation of the dragon-fly. 



THE PERCH. Perca fluviatalis. 



The perch is an excellent river fish, bites boldly, 

 and when hooked fights to the last. Though 

 somewhat misshapen, his dress is handsome ; but 



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