286 



WHITE PERCH AND CAT-FISH ANGLING. 



Seen at daybreak or sundown, playing in sparkling schools on 

 the sunny side of some lakelet, he is an object of attractive 

 beauty to the poetic angler. Perch bite best in early morning 

 and evening about the shallows near shore ; but at mid-day, 

 when they retire to bars that run out into deeper water, they 

 become dainty, yet may, however, be there taken. Worm, upon 

 a Limerick hook (1 to 3 trout), is a common bait. But the 

 " killy," and small brook shiner, or gold fish, are better. Pre- 

 pared with these, I generally contrive to drift with the wind, if 

 there be any, outside the shadow of the woods and beyond the 

 weeds, trailing a light float, with swivel just weighty enough to 

 dip it and balance the live bait swimming at half depth. " This 

 is the ground and mode of fishing, good alike for Perch and Pick- 

 erel. Be therefore prepared for the latter, and if one bite give 

 him no quarter, but bring him in steadily, and quickly, if you 

 would save your tackle. His bite may be distinguished from 

 that of the Perch. EKb is a long pull, holding the float under ; 

 whereas the Perch bite is comparatively quick and short. 



Slowly drifting, then, fishing between the boat and shore, and 

 drawing or casting my line into every likely nook, I generally 

 strike upon a school of Perch, when I quietly drop anchor. 

 When they cease biting I row above, float down again, and 

 commonly take more in the same place, or if not, continue to 

 drift as before. Large fish, as Perch over half a pound may be 

 called, are more solitary in their habits ; the smaller the more 

 gregarious, as though instinctively associating for mutual pro- 

 tection. I choose the sunny side, because I think the Silver 

 Perch (other circumstances equal) prefer the strong lights to the 

 dark waters of the pond ; and this may be one reason why they 

 swim nearer the surface in the twilight of morning and evening. 

 If then the fish don't bite freely, examine the crop of one, and 

 suit your bait to its apparent food. 



The White Perch, though less common than the Yellow, is 



