:32 



THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



[PART i. 



ward fruit to be past the danger of frosts ; and some have 

 made the like observation of the pearch's biting. 



But bite the pearch will, and that very boldly ; l and as 

 one has wittily observed, if there be twenty or forty in a 

 hole, they may be, at one standing, all catched one after 

 another; they being, as he says, like the wicked of the 

 world, not afraid, though their fellows and companions 

 perish in their sight. And you may observe, that they are 

 not like the solitary pike; but love to accompany one 

 another, and march together in troops. 2 



And the baits for this bold fish, 



Pearch, 



are not many : I mean he will bite as well at some, or at 

 any of these three, as at any or all others whatsoever ; a 

 worm, a minnow, or a little frog, 3 of which you may find 

 many in hay-time: and of worms, the dunghill- worm, called 

 a brandling, I take to be best, being well scoured in moss 

 or fennel : or he will bite at a worm that lies under cow- 

 dung with a bluish head. And if you rove for a pearch 

 with a minnow, then it is best to be alive, you sticking 



1 The Pearch. swallows the bait so voraciously that it becomes difficult to 

 dislodge the hook ; it is therefore recommended to keep about you a piece 

 of small hollow iron (or strong reed) about six inches long : thrust this down 

 his throat till you feel the hook (keeping your line straight, lest it catch 

 again) and draw out your hook and the instrument, carefully, together. 

 BROWNE. 



2 Pearch are gregarious during a great portion of the year. ED. 



3 Observe to keep this bait from making to the shore, which it will be 

 always attempting. BROWNE. 



