SWITZERLAND 355 



scale on some of the lakes, with nets of j^reat extent, are wide of the 

 subject under notice and niay therefore be dismis^,ed. 



It remains, in conclusion, to add a few remarks likely to be of use 

 to the angler visiting Switzerland for purposes of sport. 



In many of the cantons it is possible for private individuals to rent 

 lakes or rivers, or parts thereof; at any rate this can be done in the 

 cantons of Berne, Fribourg, Valais, and Zug. The conditions and 

 price of such rental necessarily vary in the different cant(jns, and the 

 rights are usually j)ut up to auction, the sale assigning them to the 

 highest bidder. In the opinion of those qualified to judge, this system 

 is thought to be favourable to the stock of fish. 



The best season for fishing is, speaking broadly and from the 

 standpoint of the amateur, in the summer months. During the 

 summer holidays angling is at its height, though for the matter of 

 that it can be followed almost all the year round. It is forbidden only, 

 as a rule, during the months of November, December, and January, 

 that is to say, during the spawning time of the trout. 



Nets are also largely used on both rivers and lakes, particularly 

 the cast-net and trammel, but these will not interest the visitor. 



As reo-ards the boats in use on the lakes, these vary accord- 



o 



ing to the water and according to the fishing. P'or dragging the 

 bait astern, a keel-boat is required, heavy enough not to overturn 

 in the water ; but for still-fishing a tlat-bottomed punt, of the kind 

 known on the Swiss lakes as canardihes, or liquettes. or logucttcs. will 

 be found preferable. On some sheets of water, as the lakes of Zug 



