THE CHAR CHAR FISHING 205 



Coniston, hence their obtaining char from that 

 lake. Of the early writers who mention this fish, 

 Ray calls it " Red Charre " and " Gilt Charre ; " 

 Defoe, the " Char-fish ; " Camden, the " Golden 

 Alpine Trout." 



The Windermere char are larger and better fed 

 than those found in the neighbouring lakes. Whilst 

 the Windermere fish have increased in size, those 

 in Coniston have degenerated. The average of the 

 Crummock and Ennerdale fish is about the same, 

 viz. three to the pound, odd ones being had over 

 a pound in weight. The Haweswater char, although 

 abundant, are the smallest in size. 



The increase in size of the mesh in Windermere 

 has raised the average from three to two to the 

 pound. Prior to this a single net, capable of 

 taking the smallest fish, has been known to 

 catch from 500 to 600 fish in a day. 1 For some 

 reason the size of the fish during the past two 

 years has been greater than ever before. This 

 increase in size is perhaps not difficult to account 

 for. The food-supply has some bearing upon 

 it, but size and weight are really determined 

 by the amount of netting. The waters of the Lake 

 District furnish an object lesson in this respect. 



1 " In Windermere the measures taken for the protection 

 of char have borne excellent results. The stock of these fish 

 and the quantity taken have greatly increased. The size is 

 also improving, but it would seem worth while to try ihe 

 introduction of fresh blood from abroad, since, possibly from 

 long interbreeding, the variety in this lake runs very small. 

 The largest taken within memory was one of 2j Ibs. During 

 my visit I saw a large number of fish, but none were over 

 i Ib. in weight, and the average would be about three to the 

 pound." Mr. Berringtorts Report^ Salmon and Freshwater 

 Fisheries, 1890. 



