154 SEA- ANGLING. [CHAP. iv. 



but they are scarce. The charr is found to be pretty general 

 in its distribution, and is found in many of the Scottish lochs. 

 It spawns about the end of the year, some of the varieties 

 depositing their eggs in the shallow parts of the lake, while 

 others proceed a short way up some of the tributary streams. 

 In November great shoals of charr may be seen in the rivers 

 Eothay and Brathay, particularly the latter, with the view of 

 spawning. The charr, we are told by Yarrell, afford but scant 

 amusement to the angler, and are always to be found in the 

 deepest parts of the water in the lochs which they inhabit. 

 " The best way to capture them is to trail a very long line 

 after a boat, using a minnow for a bait, with a large bullet of 

 lead two or three feet above the bait to sink it deep in the 

 water ; by this mode a few charr may be taken in the begin- 

 ning of summer, at which period they are in the height of 

 perfection both in colour and flavour." 



As I am on the subject of anglers' fishes, the reader will 

 perhaps allow me to suggest that " no end of sport " may be 

 obtained in the sea ; that capital sea-angling may be enjoyed 

 all the year round, and all round the British coasts ; and that 

 there are fighting fishes in the waters of the great deep that 

 will occasionally try both the cunning and the nerve of the 

 best anglers. The greatest charm of sea-angling, however, lies 

 in its simplicity, and the readiness with which it can be 

 engaged in, together with the comparatively homely and inex- 

 pensive nature of the instruments required. A party living at 

 the seaside can either fish off the rocks or hire a boat, and 

 purchase or obtain the loan (for a slight consideration) of such 

 simple tackle as is necessary ; though it must not be too 

 simple, for even sea-fish will not stand the insult of supposing 

 they can be caught as a matter of course with anything ; and 

 as the larger kinds of hooks are often scarce at mere fishing 

 villages, it is better to carry a few to the scene of action. 



"Well then, what sport does the sea afford ?" will most 



