. American angler's guide : or, complete fisher's manual, for the United States: containing the opinions and practices of experienced anglers of both hemispheres ; with the addition of a second Fishing. WHITE PERCH AND OAT-FISH ANGLING. 285 The baits used are various: live bait, as worm or fish, is generally best. But whatever you take "To bait fish withal," if it will feed nothing else, 'twill feed Cat-fish, which are omni- vorous. They are the fresh water Toad-fish, and, like others of the family, seem to subserve the purpose of purification, by the reconversion into life of
. American angler's guide : or, complete fisher's manual, for the United States: containing the opinions and practices of experienced anglers of both hemispheres ; with the addition of a second Fishing. WHITE PERCH AND OAT-FISH ANGLING. 285 The baits used are various: live bait, as worm or fish, is generally best. But whatever you take "To bait fish withal," if it will feed nothing else, 'twill feed Cat-fish, which are omni- vorous. They are the fresh water Toad-fish, and, like others of the family, seem to subserve the purpose of purification, by the reconversion into life of corruptible organic matter. Though esteemed delicate eating* when well cooked, they are not pleasant to take raw ;—their ugly mouths, slimy skins, and dangerous horns, causing the dainty angler to avoid their neighborhood. This he can do only by fishing some feet above bottom. But drop below that discreet distance, and he will surely damage his tackle in the jaws of some bull-headed Man- darin, to be disengaged only with infinite difficulty and disgust. Fishing for them, when rightly prepared, is, like fishing for Eels, well enough and quite another thing. You will then use gimp, and a kirb about No. 3 Salmon, upon bottom. The best time is sundown, and after. Then they bite boldly, and are a sure fish. Glove your left hand and seize them fearlessly but firmly behind the horns when you disgorge the hook. Boys with stick and string, a rusty hook and piece of pork, take " Bull- heads" (as the small Cat-fish are called) in almost every pond and fresh stream in the Northern States. But angling for the White or Silver Perch—the graceful Oright-eyed Perch—with pliant rod and gossamer thread of gut —this is no boy's play, but a true exhilarating sport. A nimble, strong, clean fish, that springs voraciously at the bait, struggles hard, and dies game, is a respectable adversary, and occasions vou to " Know the fierce joy that anglers feel, In fishes Worthy of thei
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectfishing, bookyear1849
