Seeking perch, perhaps flapping, losing head (7)

I believe the answer is:

angling

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'seeking' is the definition.
(angling is a kind of seeking)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for angling that I've seen before include "Walton practised it" , "seeking compliments, perhaps?" , "Fishing with rod and line" , "Fishing with hook and line" , "Pursuit with hook, line and sinker?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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