IVAVS OF FRESH-WATER FISHES. 171 



meant to get perch, we had them or nothing. It 

 was the same with dace. Now these bars of living 

 silver, if of a large size — say up to half a pound and 

 a little over — are the most fastidious feeders in ex- 

 istence when they come from the river to a clear 

 sharp stream. I knew once that a nice lot were in 

 the stream, yet we had not discovered their haunt. 

 I was determined to find it ; and after some search- 

 ing in the deepest hole, nearest the river, I chanced 

 to see a flash of silver — a momentary sight it was — 

 shoot to the edge of the bright gravel and then back 

 again. It was enough, they were found ; but how 

 to capture them was the next question. It was a 

 subject for deep consideration. 



What were they feeding on .' Two silver flashes 

 next, and then they were at it. Lying down, well 

 back, I could just see the wriggle of water-shrimps 

 about a yard above that hole. It was enough ; my 

 light rod was put together, the finest of my gut 

 lines attached, and then I got from a rill that ran 

 into the stream some fine water-shrimps, which I 

 placed in a tin box perforated with holes in the lid ; 

 some sand and water, and all was ready. 



Not quite. A water-shrimp jumps along when he 



