222 



COARSE FISH. 



From the Irish lakes. 



This is perhaps a low 

 for specimen size. 



weight 



This is a rare weight, but it is 

 no use setting up dace unless 

 they are really fine specimens. 



Amongst game fish, the following weights may be taken 

 as worthy of preservation : 



Salmon 30 Ibs. or over. These should be cast ; the 

 skins are too oily to last well when stuffed. 



Lake, or Thames, Trout 6 Ibs. or over. Trout from 

 other rivers, 3 Ibs. or over, or perhaps a little less, 

 according to river. 



Grayling 2 J Ibs. or over. 



I can personally recommend Messrs. Cooper and Sons, 

 of 28 Radnor Street, St. Luke's, E.C., as excellent taxi- 

 dermists ; they have set up over a dozen trout for me 

 besides other fish, and their charges are reasonable. 



It is very important that fish should be sent to the 

 taxidermist as soon as possible after they are caught ; 

 wrap them in newspaper, covering every part, including 

 the fins, to keep the air away. Newspaper slightly 

 adheres to the fish, while oiled paper does not, and the 

 slight adherence is an advantage. Press the paper on 

 the fish in single sheets, and keep it on ; do not expose 

 any specimen to the air more than can possibly be helped. 

 Cooper himself recommends newspaper, and I have used 

 it with all my fish with satisfactory results. Tissue paper 

 is too flimsy, and is difficult to get off again, as it sticks 

 too closely. Never, on any account, wrap fish intended for 

 preservation in grass ; grass heats and stains, and also 

 dents the skin and scales. If the fish has to be sent by 

 rail, it should be laid on dry straw in a roomy box, with 

 plenty of paper below and around the fish. Keep the 

 fish straight, and take especial care that the skin is 



