The Lake District�s oldest resident, the Arctic Charr, is providing a rare gastronomic experience for food lovers.

The Ice Age came, went, but in Cumbria it left behind the Arctic Charr.

This ancient fish became landlocked and now in England it lives exclusively in the depths of Buttermere and Lake Windermere.

The fish, which looks like a salmon trout and has a very similar taste, is providing anglers with a rare challenge as well as offering diners an opportunity to savour the taste of one of Britain�s rarest delicacies. While there are concerns for tuna and cod stocks, the Charr population is thriving.

Ray Blackburn, who has owned and run the Derwent Lodge Hotel near Buttermere for more than 20 years, believes that the Charr is the jewel in the crown of the many local delicacies the Lake District has to offer.

The hotel is offering guests boat trips with local fishermen who teach the dark arts of trolling spinning, the traditional method of luring a Charr. Canny anglers need to row continuously to keep their lures alluring, but when successful, head chef Steve Dillon will serve up the fruits of their labours in the dining room for supper. �It is a delicious fish and has a very delicate taste,� says Blackburn.

�The Charr is now coming into season so this is the very best time of the year to try a taste � lightly grilled and served with fresh vegetables, it is absolutely unbeatable. It is almost a �best kept secret� because lots of our visitors have never heard of the Charr�.

�Guests try it here for the first time and become hooked,� says Blackburn.

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About The Derwent Lodge Hotel

The Derwent Lodge Hotel is in the village of Embleton, just off the A66 between the market towns of Cockermouth and Keswick. The hotel, situated between the towns of Keswick and Cockermouth, was originally an 18th century farmhouse that has now been beautifully renovated and extended. It has been family owned and run for 20 years and provides both en-suite accommodation as well as luxurious, individually designed apartments. The apartments sleep up to eight people so are ideal for large families or groups. The hotel has a renowned restaurant that provides a wide range of regional and international dishes and uses locally sourced produce whenever possible. Prices start at �75 for single occupancy and �110 for a double. To find out more log on to the website at www.thederwentlodge.co.uk

For further information, please contact John Eskdale, Account Manager at Results PR on 020 7953 7459 or email: john.eskdale@resultspr.co.uk