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 
