2-791-572 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Lake trout fishing, in Derwentwater, 1844. '...from the number of "Otters" seen on the lakes, it would appear that this style of fishing has superseded all others; the old system of trolling is abandoned; and, instead of having one or two lines out, the fishing-ground of a lake may now be swept with twenty or thirty flies or minnows, by having an "Otter" on each side of the boat; with the advantage of your lines at a right angle from the boat instead of following in its wake. The "Otter" is merely a board of wood, about two feet long, and nine or ten inches broad...The gut lines are attached, at regular intervals, to a strong silk line, one end of which is fastened to the ring and the other to the top of a pole in the boat...As regards the mode of using the "Otter," the angler will learn more with ten minutes' experience than from any description in our columns'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol I.