PERCH AND PERCH-FISHING. 67 



From October to February perch are in prime condition ; the 

 colours of their " coats " are more lustrous then than at any other 

 time ; they are strong, lively, bold, and, therefore, in excellent 

 " fighting fettle." During this period of the year they are found 

 chiefly under cavernous banks, around the sunken roots of trees, in 

 the neighbourhood of camp-sheathing, locks and floodgates, and in 

 quiet nooks beneath weirs. 



During fine weather, and particularly after rain, when the 

 water has been nicely tinged, perch will usually accept a bait quite 

 readily ; also they are to be caught during spells of frost, or even 

 when snow is on the ground. Nevertheless, like all other fish they 

 are capricious feeders. And, at times, nothing will induce them to 

 seize upon the angler's lure, be it cast before them never so 

 temptingly. 



Perch seldom attain a weight greater than 4-lb. ; in fact, a 

 pounder may be considered a good fish, and gives sport by no 

 means to be despised. In " British Zoology " Pennant mentions a 

 perch caught in the Serpentine which weighed about gib. ; whilst it 

 is also recorded that a 61b. specimen, taken in Virginia Water 

 thirty-nine years ago, was forwarded to Windsor Castle ; also 

 occasional fish of 4-lb. and over have been killed in waters here and 

 there notably in Daventry Reservoir, in Broadland, and in the 

 rivers Thames, Great Ouse, Severn, Wye and Firle. 



Perch, varying considerably in size and numbers, inhabit 

 certain reaches of the Ant, Avon (Hampshire), Kennet, Lea, 

 Loddon, Medway, Severn, Stour, Thames, Wey, Wye and many 

 other rivers. The Broads of Norfolk and the rivers and drains of 

 Fenland contain a good stock of this fish ; as likewise do various 

 ponds, meres, lakes and canals, too numerous to name. In Lake 

 Windermere small perch literally swarm ; whilst in Wales larger 

 fish are to be found in Lake Bala, Lake Llangorse, Llyn Arenig 

 and elsewhere in the Principality. 



Baits suitable for winter fishing are minnows, small gudgeon, 

 tiny dace, a bunch of gentles, brandlings, marsh and red worms, 

 and the tail-end or the whole of a well-scoured lob. Sometimes 

 perch will take a spoon-bait, or a Phantom or Devon minnow. 



