The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-12

This may SOunQ strange TO those
not familiar with the habits of
white perch, but anglers acquaint-
ed with the haunts of the finny
tribe will bear me out in this
statement.
Regardless of how low the tem.
perature of the water, when spawn
ing time arrives the wandering
bands of perch will make their
deposit beds and the only barrier
that will stop them will be muddy
water.
Perch are clean livers and it is
rarely that they win be found in
waters other than those that are
swift and clear. Now take 20:
instance from the Key bridge up
to the Little Falls. During the
spawning season, when the water
is fishable, If you will note that
the largest fish and the best
catches are always made by anglers
fishing in or on the, banks of the
channel where the water runs
deep and cold.
Not alone have white perch
anglers felt the effects Of weep.
ing skies. Cat fishermen have
had bad week, all due to the
swift, high water, it being inn.
possible to hold anchor in the
fast moving river.
Quite few catches Of carp
were made recently In the Tidal
Basin. which only goes to show
that at least one arm of the
angling pastitne has not suffered
from the downpours.
The carp family is a most inter.
esting tribe. They are divided
into three groups, the scale carp,
the, mirrow carp and the leatne.'
carp.
The first named have regular
conceptrically arranged scales, the
second in order have three or four
rows OF extraordinarily large scales
running along each side of the
body, the remainder of the body
being bare of scales, while the
leather backs have, only a few
scales and sometimes none at all,
and possessing thick soft, velvet
like skin.
These three are not distinct
species, hut anyone Of the
trio In time will produce off.
spring having characteristics of
! the other two.
The scale carp is considered the
most prolific, while the leather
carp makes the most rapid growth.
At the approach of winter wealth.
er the carp, in groups of So to
100, form Cavities in the mud and
arrange themselves in concentric
circles in these hollows, where they
remain until spring, their heads
huddled together, the posterior por-
| ton OF the bodies raised and he'd
| immoveable, and the gills scarcely
lifted in breathing. Though the
fish take practically no food dur.
ing the period of 7hfbernation-ex
tending. roughly, from October TO
the end of March-they do not lose
in weight
Carp grub for their food, and If
the angler keeps quiet and out II
sight they may often be seen with.
in reach Of his rod, roofing along
in the quiet shallow water with
their tails or back fins elevated
above the surface Almost any
kind Of rod and hook may be used,
with a bait of worms, wasps. grubs,
a dough made sof plain or SWEEP
| PASTE. peas, or boiled potatoes.
Potatoes, when cooked only about
half done, make the best bait for
large fish.
The carp family is not a very
desirable finny group as old
sp0rtsmen know, for they devOur
the eggs Of all other brethren in.
Guiding the gaIney bass. IL is
Tor TINS reason that Virginia has
amended her code. allowing fish
eflnen certain privileges. The
act as amended follows:
! l. Be it enacted by the general
IW