Fishing in the Ice Age

[Vagabond]

For years I have wanted to add a British Charr to my species list. Its one of our most ancient species - came here at the end of the Ice Age. I have caught the American Lake Charr and American Brook Charr, both of them in Colorado, but have made no serious attempts this side of the Herring Pond – there always seemed something else to do.

Not this year, though. Lots of research on where there might be relict populations of charr, (not many places cold enough and deep enough for them except in Highland Britain). Lots of thought on the methods of catching them, and several days booked with No 3 son Brian to mount a serious expedition after them.

The crux of charr hunting is the depth at which they usually swim. Anywhere between 20 ft and 60ft deep is where they spend most of their time, with only rare visits to the upper layers of the deep lochs in which they are found. Charr will go for spinners and/or artificial flies, but how might we present these at depth?

Downriggers were the answer, so Brian knocked up a homemade pair of downriggers – a plank held by strong bungee straps across the boat. Mounted to the plank were two large reels, each holding 100 feet of 25lb mono, marked with a pole elastic tag every ten feet, and with a 2lb vaned lead weight at the end. There was facility for locking the reels when the required depth was reached. A wide roller at each end of the plank, over which one of the downriggers rolled, and a couple of “rocket tube” rod holders completed the outfit.

Light spinning rods were used , with Size 1 Mepps or similar , attached to the lead weights so as to provide a firm resistance on a take, but to pull free once the fish was on.


Lead ready to go down once spinner has been attached



Lead down, spinning rod in rocket tube.



The outfit worked perfectly, and Brian had a pike from 20 ft depth – hooked in the scissors and landed after a spirited fight on the light rod.


Once a fish is hooked, the guy not playing it winds up the other rod and both downriggers. By that time the fierce wind had drifted us ashore, so we took the photo there.

However, no charr – just gale force winds which made trolling a bit difficult, and rowing the boat upwind EXTREMELY difficult. Nevertheless, we persisted, trolled at 10 ft, 20 ft. 30 ft, 40ft, 50 ft and 60ft , trolled along the shelves, trolled across the very deep water, up wind, downwind, across the wind like marlin boats do, but never a strike had we. Three days we spent rowing up and down and to and fro – tried spinners of various sizes, streamer flies, shrimp flies, everything we could think of. Zilch.

Finally Certhia decided to have a half-hour in the boat as a change from her birdwatching. I rigged her up to trail a Mepps 1 along the surface in the hope of a trout for tea. Needless to say, after ten minutes she hooked and boated – a CHARR!


Lovely fish – look at the delicate cream spots and the red lower fins edged with white. Nice eating too - excellent pink flesh.




Ah well, must go back next year to see if I can catch one also. All I got this time was plenty of fresh air!

[mithrandir]

Congratulations to Certhia on the char, and that is an interesting rig to catch fish with.

It is always the same when you take a lady fishing with you, they just have to go and out do you.

better luck next time

[Twiddler]

Superb report/pics as always Dave.....I must admit, this is the first time I've seen a Charr, beautiful looking fish.

And what a clever looking device Brian made up there.

All that and Certhia had to show you how it's done again by keeping it simple

Well done to the lady

[Vagabond]

Originally Posted by Twiddler

All that and Certhia had to show you how it's done again by keeping it simple

I think it was me that was simple, having rigged up a charr-catching combination, I let her use it!

[Twiddler]

Originally Posted by Vagabond

I think it was me that was simple, having rigged up a charr-catching combination, I let her use it!

My apology Sir , fact is though Certhia caught it , so I would say half fish each?!

[Vagabond]

Originally Posted by Twiddler

My apology Sir , fact is though Certhia caught it , so I would say half fish each?!

But Brian was rowing at the time, so must take credit for trailing the spinner at the correct speed and depth - so shall we say "a team effort"?

[Twiddler]

Originally Posted by Vagabond

But Brian was rowing at the time, so must take credit for trailing the spinner at the correct speed and depth - so shall we say "a team effort"?

Ok sounds good to me.....hope you had plenty of new potatoes and veg with the fish, as you had to share it between 3 of you

[pingu]

well done
looks an interesting teqnique


dave

[blackwater]

Great report. I once saw Matt Hayes and Mick Brown trying a similiar method on Lake Windemere for Artic Char, I can't remember if they were succesful. Great looking fish Its a pity you did not catch one

BW

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Cracking report - thanks