CORAL HARBOUR - Patience is the key to success in fishing, according to one of Coral Harbour's top fishermen.

Denis Bruce took home first and fourth prize at the fishing derby in Coral Harbour last month, totalling $8,700.

Dennis Bruce, who took home first and fourth place at a char fishing derby in Coral Harbour last month, shares some tips on making the big catches. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak A FEW FACTS ON THE ARCTIC CHAR both a freshwater and a saltwater fish; member of the salmonidae family, native to Arctic, sub-Arctic, alpine lakes and coastal waters; the only freshwater fish found far north; The largest arctic char caught, according to the International Game Fishing Association, was 32 pounds and 9 ounces landed by Jeffery Ward in 1981 from the Tree River in Nunavut.

Bruce, who has been fishing for more than 10 years, took the time to share a few key tips about fishing char in Coral Harbour.

Time and location

Bruce said waters surrounding the whole island are good for fishing. During the springtime, he said you just have to go out to the coast. June is his favourite time to fish.

"When the river starts going, and the ice is about to go, you can see the fish while jigging," he said.

As for bait, Bruce said he doesn't usually use any. For the derby he used rubber worms - power bait he called them.

Why, you might ask?

"They looked kind of tasty," said Bruce.

The biggest key to getting the big fish, he said, is patience.

"Don't wait for somebody to catch a fish and start," he said. "You've got to keep fishing and don't give up."

He noted that some people just fish for half an hour and go away frustrated. However, he'll sometimes spend up to eight hours fishing in one day.

His favourite part of fishing, however, isn't the glory of the big catches.

"It's being social with the family," said Bruce.