90 ANGLIN&. 



CHAPTER XII. 



THE CHAR, BLEAK, LAMPREY, LOACH, MINNOW, 

 RUFF, (fee. 



THESE are the small fry of the angler, and not worth much notice. 

 The CHAH is confined to lakes in the North of England., Scotland, 

 and to some parts of Wales. It is not very familiar to anglers 

 generally. It is a handsome fish, spotted like a trout, and attains 

 a very respectable size, say fifteen or sixteen inches in length. 

 The habits and natural history of the fish are but imperfectly 

 known. Epicures attach a high value to the fish, and "potted 

 char" is constantly advertised as a standard delicacy. How it is 

 made is another matter ; but as few things in England can escape 

 adulteration, most probably the char undergoes the profitable 

 process. 



THE BLEAK. 



This little fish abounds in nearly all the rivers and fresh waters 

 in Europe. It is found in prodigious quantities in the Caspian sea, 

 from whence/ according to some authors, they were originally 

 introduced to other parts of the world. 



This fish is very handsome and active, and when first taken out 

 of the water shines like a bar of silver. His sparkling scales are 

 used by artists to give to mock pearls the beauty and brilliancy of 

 those of the East. 



The bleak spawn in May or June, and multiply rapidly. In fine 

 weather they are constantly playing on the surface of the water, 

 but they prefer rushing and powerful streams in the middle or 

 on the Borders of which they are to be caught in the greatest 

 quantities. 



The baits used^ in bleak-fishing are flies, gentles, and small 

 grubs. At these, in the proper season, and in proper waters, the 

 fish will bite with the utmost avidity, and keep the angler fully 

 employed. The tackle should be as light as possible, the rod not 

 too supple, and the hooks small. 



In places where bleak abound the angler should take his stand 

 near a very rapid run of water some sluice or staunch. Close to 

 the side of the current he should throw his line, baited with, fresh 

 gentles. The fish in such spots will run at the bait most furiously, 

 and the sportsman will have little to do but to pull out his cap- 



