American Toby Jug Museum 

Poacher character jug produced by J. Fryer Limited of Tunstall, England, circa 1970 using its Oldcourt Ware tradename. A poacher may be someone who makes their living by trespassing on private property in quest of fish or game despite often severe penalties if caught. A sly and devious character, the poacher uses the cover of night to go about his illicit business. Tickling a trout is an art he has brought to great perfection. Wearing a large coat with a poacher's pocket in which to conceal his ill-gotten gains, he sits silently by the bank, luring the trout with his fingers; and then, gently stroking its sides, he persuades it to stay still until, in a flash, he can seize it from the water to add to the rest of his illegal bounty. A tree stump forms the handle of the jug.