22 FISHING GOSSIP. 



be found the best, at least in Irish lakes. It might 

 be asked at the outset, why this should be so, as the 

 loach is seldom a denizen of lakes, and not conse- 

 quently a part of the natural food of the large trout 

 which these lakes contain. The only answer that 

 can be practically given to the question is that which 

 ferox himself instructs us to give namely, that he 

 likes it. The first thing then to be done is to catch 

 your loach, if you expect ferox to follow suit. This 

 is not a difficult task on the Irish side of the Channel. 

 There are few streams or rivers here in which " beardy " 

 does not abound. The smaller the stream or brook, 

 the easier to find and secure him. If you do the 

 business yourself, the only weapon you require is an 

 old-fashioned, three-pronged, steel meat-fork. With 

 this little instrument in the right hand, just cautiously 

 raise with the left any flat stones you see in stream 

 or shallow pool where " beardy" is known to frequent. 

 You will probably see his nose or tail projecting at 

 the edge of the said stone. Then with quick eye and 

 steady stroke transfix the little victim with the fork 

 against the bottom of the stream, otherwise he darts 

 off as fast as lightning, and you see no more of him 

 for that day. He is tenacious of life, and if not badly 

 wounded will survive for the time you require his ser- 

 vices, by placing him in a supply of fresh water. He 

 is not easily driven into a net, being quite as obstinate 

 in this respect as a young porker. For persons whose 



