Crossword Genius

Fish with bent cane perhaps (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

perchance

'perhaps' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'fish with bent cane' is the wordplay.
'fish' becomes 'perch' (perch is a kind of fish).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'bent' indicates anagramming the letters.
'cane' anagrammed gives 'ance'.
'perch'+'ance'='PERCHANCE'

(Other definitions for perchance that I've seen before include "Maybe (to dream? - Hamlet)" , "'To sleep: -------- to dream:' Hamlet" , "possibly" , "As it may happen" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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