CHAR FISHING. 189 



pyes " and "potted charrs '' seem to have been known to Eliza- 

 bethan and even earlier gourmets. 



The Char, like its cousin the yellow trout, is non-migratory 

 that is, to the sea ; it loves rocky bottoms, and, as a rule, the deepest 

 and coldest waters. It is said that the fish retire for spawning 

 purposes to shallower parts of the lake, and even to rocky 

 streams, in November, returning to their well loved deeps towards 

 April. It was during the spawning season in these shallows 

 that such numbers used to be captured with nets by the Lake 

 people concerned in the "potting" business. When safe in deep 

 water their capture is far less easy, and the angler, "charm he 

 never so wisely," will find a brace or two a day an average 

 basket. 



Spinning very deep with the minnow is perhaps the best course 

 to adopt. The "phantom" will occasionally, in the Highland 

 lochs, account for an odd fish here and there. Towards May the 

 angler may expect to have some little sport by these methods ; 

 and between now and September he must make up his mind 

 to catch his Char with fly or minnow, for he will get them at 

 no other season. A more deadly plan is to trail along and heavily 

 weighted line, baited with minnow, behind the boat, which is 

 then rowed very quietly about. Another lure occasionally used 

 almost as poaching a contrivance as the " otter" is to let down 

 a weighted line, upon the lowest part of which are fastened 

 at intervals artificial flies. But, after all, these are only the baser 

 resources of the pot-hunter, or rather of the " potter " who 

 must have his Char by fair means or foul. 



In Britain it must be sadly acknowledged that it is only by the 

 rarest chance the fisherman may hope to catch the Char in 



