NILE ANGLING 
225 
or cat-fish, is doubtless the “coor ” of Sir Samuel Baker 
(see Nile Tributaries , p. 225 )—Clarias niloticus. 
The angler’s chief prize on the Nile is, of course, the 
“ Aigel” or Nile-perch (Lates niloticus ) 1 —a splendid 
game-fish with eyes like rubies and huge silvery scales, 
which runs like a salmon and of quite unascertained 
dimensions. Near Khartoum it has been taken on rod 
and line up to 70 or 80 lb., and in the Albert Nyanza 
there is an authentic record of one so captured that 
weighed 198 lb. But very much heavier examples have 
been secured—though not necessarily by the rod. Thus 
Mr Butler killed one that, on a newly received weighing- 
machine, scaled 245 lb., and measured :— 
Length (straight) . . .6 feet ij inches. 
Girth.4 „ 9 „ 
Mr Butler further tells me he has had skulls of Nile-perch 
that indicated owners of much greater dimensions than 
those just given. So it is conceivable that the species 
may eventually prove to reach 300 or 400 lb. in weight. 
The Nile-perch is caught either by spinning or live- 
baiting; but having had no personal experience with it, 
will say no more. 
1 This is the “ Baggar ” of Sir Samuel Baker. 
Caught at Lake No, February 9th, 1913, 
Length, 15 inches : bluish above, silvery below ; pectoral fins blood-red. 
P 
