112 ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT FISHERIES 



larger fish it is best to use the " paternoster " in 

 deep water, or to fish with hand- or side-lines. 



Many years ago char 1 were introduced into Der- 

 wentwater, but for obvious reasons the experiment 

 has not proved successful. So far as I am aware 

 no recent example of the char has been taken, 

 either with the rod, by trolling, or in the nets. If 

 the char had found the waters of the lake con- 

 genial, it is reasonable to suppose that from time 

 to time individuals would have been taken by 

 those who constantly fish the lake. Probably in 

 this case the usual error was made that of turn- 

 ing down char fry only, a fatal blunder in large 

 sheets of water. 



A good deal of confusion has arisen as to char 

 being found in Derwentwater, some writers assert- 

 ing its presence, others denying it. These are one- 

 half truths. The fish is not indigenous, but has 

 several times been introduced. The experiment, 

 however, has never long succeeded, the fish being 

 unable to establish themselves. 



The vendace occurs in Derwentwater, unless 

 indeed it has already become extinct. The fisher- 

 men aver that it still occurs, but of late years 

 specimens have been of the rarest occurrence. 

 There is a specimen preserved in the Keswick 

 Museum ; and some years ago William Bowe, 

 a boatman, picked up a dead vendace on the 

 margin of the lake. This fish weighed about a 

 third of a pound, and is still preserved. An angler 

 who has spent the greater part of his life at 

 Keswick tells me that he has never known a 



1 Derwentwater is popularly reputed to be one of the 

 deepest Jakes, but the contrary is the fact. Consequently it 

 is unsuitable to char essentially a deep-water fish. 



