loo ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT FISHERIES 



After the netting period it was not uncommon 

 for a single fisherman to use a couple of plumb 

 lines, two laths, and two rods nearly a score of 

 baits in all. At this period there was no close-time. 



To-day, all the kinds of fish already mentioned 

 are abundant in the lake. 



Eels abound and are most destructive. When 

 the trout are spawning they are on the " redds " 

 devouring the spawn. They also follow the char 

 for a like purpose. At present eels are taken on 

 night-lines only, although there are eel-coops at 

 Nibthwaite, Backbarrow, and Penny Bridge. These 

 are on the Crake, Coniston's effluent, and are fairly 

 productive in the autumn. 



Pike and perch run to a fairly large size, the 

 former up to 16 Ibs., and even larger fish have 

 been taken. In Coniston neither are much fished 

 for. 



Char are plentiful but small. According to 

 different extremes of the season they average four 

 and five to the pound. They are bright, well-fed 

 fish, and, for their size, give good sport. Coniston 

 char are thick in the shoulders, thicker than the 

 larger char from Windermere. During May, in a 

 favourable season, an angler trolling had 23, 12, 17. 

 and 26 char on four days, the best fishing being 

 had before 1 1 a.m. The 78 fish averaged a little 

 over five to the pound. Earlier in the season the 

 plumb-line is used, but as more fish are got by the 

 easier method of trolling, the plumb-line is not 

 much in favour. A metal bait is used or a natural 

 minnow. The best take of char with fly in Conis- 

 ton that has come under my notice was twenty- 

 three fish ; but this is exceptional. 



Trout, however, afford much the best fishing, 



