Roger's Angling Pages
The Orfe Leuciscus idus		Carp family Cyprinidae

This fish differs from other Dace-like fishes in its small scales and small mouth. The pectoral, ventral and anal fins are red. The back is a dark green-blue, while the sides shimmer with a silver sheen. It can be found in European waters except British ones, starting at the Rhine and extending as far as the large rivers of Siberia. It likes lowland rivers and frequents their little creeks and coves. It has been experimentally reared with success in ponds, where its body is deeper. It is very sensitive to pollution and rigid control of the river banks. In favourable conditions it can weigh several pounds, but its usual weight is 1 to 2 lb with a length of 40 cm.

The Orfe usually lives in shoals and feeds on stray insects. In autumn when the water becomes colder, it moves down to a greater depth. It breeds in spring, when the female lays several thousand eggs. Both sexes in the breeding season acquire a golden coloration and the males develop a spawning rash. Rearing the golden form in ornamental ponds is a popular pastime.

Angling for Orfe is very popular and it is possible to catch them on literally any bait. They can be caught on artificial flies and small metal lures. The largest Orfe have been caught by trailing dead or live fishes such as Minnows. Once hooked the Orfe resists ferociously and playing it is therefore a real delight. Shoals of Orfe can be discovered near natural hideaways, under weirs and overhanging banks. It is also possible to entice and catch them with boiled sweet corn, peas and dough. It frequently happens that they take bait prepared for Carp.