571 
 
1EKKEIEY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 CALIFORNIA 
 
/44r 
 
FISHING 
 
THE 
 
 MOOEHH AMGLER, 
 
 CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ART OF 
 
 SPINNING 
 
 AND 
 
 FULLY DESCRIBING THE 
 
 I TACKLE, 
 
 AND- OTHER REQUISITES. 
 
 (Embellished with numerous Lithographs and Wood Engravings.) 
 
 WITH AN ACCOUNT OF 
 
 VMS [F>LA(g[l FK AML!IIM@| 
 
 INCLUDING O 
 
 BY 
 
 S' 
 AUTHOR OP 
 
 'A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SPINNING & TROLLING.") 
 
 LONDON : 
 A. L F 1^ E I> & S O IV, 
 
 54, MOOEGATE STREET. 
 186 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 19. "artifical" should read "artificial." 
 
 26. "fin" "pin." 
 
 (in tiventieth line from top of page.) 
 
 58. "connot" should read "cannot." 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ANGLING REQUISITES 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE SALMON 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 THE TROUT 
 
 M816192 
 
 Ai't 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE PIKE :2<> 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Tin: GRAYLING .. 38 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 THE PERCH AND POPE . , ... 40 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 THE BARBEL AND BREAM ... 44 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 THE CARP AND TENCH . 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 THE CHUB 55 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 THE ROACH, RUDD, AND DACE 58 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 THE EEL, LAMPREY AND LAMPERN ... ... ... 67 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 THE GUDGEON. BLEAK, &c. ... ... ... ... 69 
 
 PART II. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE THAMES 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 TRIBUTARIES OF THE THAMES THE LEA ... 87 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 TRIBUTARIES OF THE THAMES (continued) ... ... 91 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 RIVERS . 95 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 LAKES, PONDS, <kc. ... ... ,.. ... 100 
 
PKEFACE. 
 
 DEAR BEADER, 
 
 I fancy 1 hear you say " What ! another 
 work on Angling ! " Yes, but although there 
 are already not a few, yet some treat of such 
 very ancient descriptions of tackle, that they are 
 too obsolete for these go-ahead days ; others, 
 again, are more modern, but their parents being 
 wedded to some particular method of Angling, 
 immediately, like Dickens' immortal " Alderman 
 Cute " seek to " put down " everything else, re- 
 commending their special modus operandi as the 
 one grand universal panacea for the general 
 "want," viz: a sure method of taking fish 
 with a rod and line. One Angler will gravely 
 recommend you not to use anything but a worm; 
 another sagely remarks that the gentle is the 
 "correct thing ;" whilst a third, probably a 
 vegetarian concludes to use nothing but a 
 green pea or a bit of paste. These three saga- 
 
11 PREFACE. 
 
 cious individuals being bottom fishers, pure et 
 simple, and probably fishing in three totally 
 different methods, will declare that his is the only 
 "certain " style of Angling. Dear Eeader, be ad- 
 vised by me, there is no really u certain " way 
 of catching fish with the rod and line, for when 
 everything may appear to be perfectly favorable, 
 they wont feed ; another day, the water, weather 
 and other etceteras, seem the reverse of pleasant, 
 and yet somehow they will feed. Why is this ? 
 Because probably there was something or other, 
 insects perchance, in the water, which they 
 preferred to your bait the first day ; whilst on 
 the second, versatile creatures, they changed 
 their minds and unfortunately for them pre- 
 ferred your bait to the insects. The nearest 
 approach to certainty is to fish fine and keep as 
 much out of sight of the fish as possible. My 
 object, therefore, has been in these pages to 
 place before you as clearly and concisely as 
 possible, the most modern and successful methods 
 of angling for each description of fish, and to 
 impress strongly on your mind that "practise 
 makes perfect/' 
 
 Should you, Dear Eeader, be an " Old Hand" 
 
PREFACE. Ill 
 
 I trust that if some of my notions do not exactly 
 agree with the views you may have hitherto 
 entertained, you will be indulgent and not 
 condemn them without trial. 
 
 To the Angling Critic, I would, in conclusion, 
 remark that 1 have been induced to pen these 
 pages partly in consequence of the very success- 
 ful reception with which my " Guide to Spinning 
 and Trolling " was met, by the Angling World ; 
 and partly at the earnest solicitation of numerous 
 angling friends; reminding him that I have 
 written them in as practical a manner as possible, 
 so as to meet the comprehension of the veriest 
 tyro, who I trust may be as successful in Angling 
 as 
 
 London, 
 
 June, 1864. 
 
ANGLING REQUISITES. 
 
 PART L 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ANGLING REQUISITES. 
 
 "f place the Angler in a position to be ready at any 
 moment, to angle in any river of the kingdom, for any 
 description of fish that may happen to be in season, a 
 evjieo considerable variety of articles would be required. 
 But whilst one angler would not think for a moment, of 
 fishing for anything but Salmon, Trout or Grayling ; dozens 
 more are perfectly content to basket a few score of Roach 
 or Barbel. I have, therefore, thought it preferable to men- 
 tion in this chapter, the principal requirements of the Angler, 
 from which he will then be able to select whatever may be 
 necessary for his own particular branch of the science ; 
 arranging the requisites in three sections, 1st : for angling 
 at, or close to the surface of the water, and comprehending 
 Fly-fishing. 2nd : for angling at about midwater, in- 
 cluding Spinning and the different modes of using the 
 natural or artificial fish-bait, 3rd : for angling at, or near* 
 the bottom of the water, with gentles, paste, worms ancl 
 similar baits. 
 
 When collecting the various necessaries, take my advicei 
 as a Practical Angler, do not be deluded into purchasing 
 "cheap" tackle, it is invariably the dearest. Buy good 
 articles and pay a fair price ; as for the others, as Ephemera 
 remarks in his " Handbook," "they must be defective 
 in every way, and hence the purchaser meets with little 
 success, much loss of time and money, for, "cheap" things 
 are always the most expensive in the end." 
 
2 ANGLING REQUISITES. 
 
 r N the first section. The Angler will require for Salmon : 
 the Fly Rod ; this should be in four pieces, the butt 
 of ash, the two next joints of hickory, and the top of 
 lancewood ; it should have one spare long top, and an 
 extra top, half the length of the others, to use for fishing with 
 a minnow, or worm. The Joints should fit together with 
 shoulders and tongues, all of which should be brazed. Do 
 not select a rod too pliable, nor go to the other extreme of 
 stiffness, but choose a happy medium. Have one with rings of 
 a good size, should you perchance have a knot in the line, 
 you will find the benefit. It should vary in length from 
 sixteen to eighteen feet, the former for grilse and the latter 
 for large salmon. 
 
 There are three sorts of winches ; plain entirely ; plain 
 with a click, these are termed check-winches ; and multipliers, 
 that is, one turn of the handle turns the inner barrel contain- 
 ing the line, three times ; these are very useful when quick- 
 ness in winding up the line is an object. 
 
 The materials of the line are,- prepared plaited silk twisted 
 silk and hair ; and plaited silk and hair. The two latter are 
 made tapering, the other the same size throughout. 
 
 The casting lines and flies are described in Chapter II. 
 
 The Fly Rod for Trout, Grayling, Chub, &c. is of the same 
 material as the Salmon Rod, excepting the tops, these are of 
 spliced cane. As regards the number of joints, there is some 
 difference of opinion ; I prefer a Rod in four joints, but those 
 in three joints and five joints have their admirers. The 
 Winch, Line and Flies, are described in Chapter II. 
 
 A Fly Book is an indispensable requisite to hold the flies, 
 gut casting lines, &c., russia leather is the best material, as it 
 preserves the flies from moth. A landing net or gaffhook is 
 also needful, I prefer the former for Trout, reserving the other 
 for larger fish. 
 
 The Landing Ring should be made to fold up ; there are 
 two sorts, the ordinary folding Ring, and the improved spring 
 ring, which when not in use, may be tied in the bag with the 
 rod. I prefer for use, the improved Telescope Handle ; this 
 is in two joints, and may either be used the full length, or 
 by pushing in the small joint and turning the screw, can be 
 
ANGLING REQUISITES. 3 
 
 used half-length, this is extremely useful for Trout fishing, 
 especially when wading ; it is also furnished with a small 
 hook so as to hang to the button-hole. The Net may be 
 either silk or the ordinary twine. 
 
 LL the requisites for the second section comprising : 
 Rod, Winch, Line, Traces, Flights, Live Bait Hooks, 
 Tin Case to hold tackle, Kettle, &c. will be found fully 
 _ described in Chapters III. and IV. In addition to these 
 would recommend the Angler to have a large Fish Bag or 
 Haversack ; having a division, so as to form two pockets, the 
 outer one for fish, and the inner one for tackle. He will find 
 it considerably more convenient than the Pannier, which 
 always appears to be in the way, while the Fish Bag fitting 
 close to the side, will hold more and when not in use can be 
 rolled up and carried in the pocket. 
 
 r N the third section, the wants appear somewhat more 
 numerous : The Roach Rod, as used in the Lea, is from 
 
 " sixteen to* twenty feet in length, of the lightest cane, stiff 
 and sharp in the strike ; this is fitted together with 
 shoulders only ; and has no rings whatever. The Thames 
 Punt Rods are from ten to eleven feet in length, in four 
 joints. Of light cane, for Roach and Dace ; of hickory or 
 mottled cane for Barbel, Perch, &c., the winches and running 
 lines will be described in the following Chapters. 
 
 The bottom lines should be of the very best silkworm gut, 
 stained a light water-blue, stout in proportion to the parti- 
 cular style of fishing preferred. But always use the very finest 
 gut possible for Roach ; some prefer horse hair. Hair lines 
 may be entirely single or twisted half-way down, so that in 
 case of a fracture you save the float. 
 
 The Floats are of various materials : Quill, Reed, Cork (on 
 a Porcupine-quill) &c., I prefer the first for Roach and the last 
 for Perch and Barbel. 
 
 The Hooks on gut run in sizes from No. 1 to 12, those on 
 hair from No. 7 to 13. 
 
 The Leger Line and Paternoster will also be required as 
 well as spare hooks and leads for each ; besides Disgorgers, 
 
ANGLING REQUISITES. 
 
 Plummets, a reel to hold the lines and floats, with a tackle 
 book to contain the reel and spare hooks, &c. A landing net 
 and handle is also indispensable ; also a bait box and bag. 
 
 A Clearing Ring and a Drag will sometimes be found very 
 useful ; nor should spare float-caps and split shot, be forgotten. 
 
 The best Gentles are those obtained from a bullock's liver, 
 cut several gashes in it, and then hang up till well fly-blown, 
 placing under it a tub containing damp sand to catch the 
 gentles as they fall. 
 
 The Worms used in Angling are of several kinds ; the 
 largest, Lobworms, are found in gardens \ on a damp evening 
 in the summer, they may be gathered in great numbers. 
 Marshworms, are very common, they are next in size to the 
 lob. Brandlings are known by 'the yellow rings round the 
 body, and are found in dunghills. Bed-worms are of a fine 
 bright red color when well scoured. Blood-worms are about 
 an inch long, of a bright blood color, and are found in ponds 
 frequented by cows. The best method of cleaning or scouring 
 worms for use, is to place them on damp moss ; to preserve 
 them for a length of time, dip some old clean doarse cloths or 
 sacking into fatty liquor, not salt, and mix them with some 
 mould in a large tub, place the worms on the top, they will 
 soon crawl through to the bottom, feeding and cleansing 
 themselves ; if kept in a cool dark place they will keep lively 
 for months ; looking over them occasionally, to remove the 
 dead or sickly worms. 
 
 Some Anglers while fishing with the Rod and Line, lay in 
 a Bank Runner ; the point of this is stuck firmly hi the 
 ground, the reel on the top contains about twenty yards of 
 water cord, at the end of which is fixed a hook swivel, and 
 about two feet up the line is fastened a small bullet ; it is 
 used with a live bait and float or bung for Jack ; or without 
 the float for Eels, baiting with a lob and letting the bullet 
 rest at the bottom of the water. 
 
 Trimmers are also sometimes used in Ponds for taking 
 large Jack. These are set afloat with a live bait in the most 
 likely place, and are so constructed that when a Pike seizes 
 the bait, the Trimmer turns over and displays a different 
 color, being painted red one side, white the other. Ducks 
 
SALMON. 
 
 and Geese are sometimes used instead of Trimmers, the line 
 is tied round the body and a strong hook and large bait is 
 used. All these ways, however, are unworthy of the true 
 Angler, who exercises his skill for amusement, and should 
 only use the rod and line. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 SALMON. 
 
 E Fish that stands highest in the estimation of the 
 true Angler is the Salmon. His rapid yet graceful 
 motions, muscular powers, and beautiful proportions, 
 
 as much as the superior delicacy of his flavour as an 
 
 edible, proclaim him the noblest of the denizens of the river ; 
 and his title to precedence has never yet been questioned. 
 His natural history has been already so well described in 
 Ephemera's " Book of the Salmon," that for full particulars 
 of this interesting subject I cannot do better than refer my 
 readers to that work, as well as to the occasional notices in the 
 columns of the " Field." Salmon spawn between September 
 and February, on shallows and fords ; the combined influence 
 of running water and of solar and atmospheric action being 
 necessary to vivify the ova impregnated by the milt. The 
 actual operation occupies from two to ten days according to 
 the size of the Fish ; and the actual date of deposit varies in 
 different rivers. The Spawning completed, the parent fish 
 drop down to the nearest deep pool till they recover suffi- 
 ciently to commence their voyage to the Sea, returning to 
 their native river in from two to three months; some entering 
 the rivers on their return, as early as February. 
 
6 SALMON. 
 
 The principal method of Angling for Salmon is with the 
 Artificial Fly. The fly-rod for Salmon should be from sixteen 
 to eighteen feet in length, according to the size of the river 
 you intend to fish ; and should be furnished with two long 
 tops and one short one, the latter to use when minnow fishing 
 and the spare fly-top in case of a fracture. 
 
 The Line should be from sixty to a hundred yards long, on 
 a free-running check winch. Some first-rate fishermen prefer 
 the line of prepared plaited silk, not tapered, whilst others 
 never use anything but silk and hair, tapering towards the 
 end. 
 
 The Casting-lines are of plaited gut, twisted gut, and extra 
 stout single gut ; usually three yards long. 
 
 The Flies vary exceedingly ; in Ireland, it is the practise 
 to use them large and gaudy ; whilst in Scotland, dull flies 
 with, in general, a speckled wing, and claret or orange body 
 ribbed with gold twist, are more killing ; in English rivers 
 rather a smaller fly is used than in Scotland, but in a greater 
 variety of colors. The size and color of Salmon Flies, how- 
 ever must always vary considerably according to the depth 
 and color of the water, the state of the weather and season 
 of the year. There are scarcely any rules of an universal 
 character to be laid down ; experience must be the sole guide 
 in the matter. If a description were to be given of all the 
 killing flies, their names would be legion, and would require 
 a greater amount of space than our present limits will permit. 
 
 There are three parts principally to be learnt in fly-fishing 
 for Salmon: 1st to throw the fly properly, 2nd to work 
 it when in the water, and finally, to hook and play the 
 Salmon till it is within reach of the gaff. The best Salmon 
 fisher is not he who throws the longest line, but the one 
 who throws it adroitly to a moderate distance and makes the 
 best of his fly when in the water. 
 
 The following is the most natural manner of throwing the 
 Salmon Fly : the right hand grasps the Rod above the winch, 
 the left being below it, and the right foot advanced. Bring 
 your Rod and Line freely in an easy semicircular sw^eep over 
 the right shoulder, until the right arm is extended in a verti- 
 cal direction over the right side of the head ; then giving a 
 
SALMON. 7 
 
 strong action to the right arm, send the Rod and Line strongly 
 forward ; and when this combined action is performed without 
 nervousness, but dashingly and in an energetic manner, the fly 
 will be forced forward to its destination. Begin with about 
 twenty yards, and when you throw that well, increase the 
 distance by degrees. This cast is intended for fishing down 
 the left side of a river, with the right side of the Angler 
 nearest the water. For fishing down the right side of the 
 river, reverse the above directions ; grasp the Rod with the 
 left hand above the winch, the right hand below, and the left 
 foot to the front ; with the left side next the water. Making 
 use chiefly of the left arm, you sweep the Rod over the left 
 shoulder, till you feel the Line extended in the air behind, 
 and then propel it forward, as if you were going to strike 
 with the Rod, at something hovering over the river, in the 
 direction you wish to send the fly. Checking the forward 
 motion of the Rod, the Line will be sent straight out, the fly 
 and gut-line dropping first on the water. Do not bend over 
 too much with the descending Rod as it brings the point of 
 it too close on the water, deadening its elastic and propelling 
 action ; and causing the Line to fall in a slovenly manner on 
 the stream. 
 
 The Salmon Fly unlike those used for Trout, is never 
 worked with or down the stream, but against it ; it then 
 seems like some splendid large insect, swimming up steam 
 beneath the surface, by fits and starts ; whereas if worked 
 down steam, it would roll over in an unnatural manner on 
 account of the heaviness of its wings. Cast it as straight 
 down the river as possible ; if from the bank, slantingly down 
 and across, bringing it round without delay into the line of 
 the current. Work it towards you by raising and lowering 
 the point of the Rod ; when the Rod is raised, so also will be 
 the fly, the water will then press down its wings ; on 
 lowering the top the fly goes downwards and the water open 
 ing the fibres of the wings and hackles, displays all its beauty. 
 Do not perform these motions too rapidly or you do nofc 
 permit the full developement of the colors of the fly ; should 
 you observe a Salmon following it, lower the point so as to 
 cause the fly to move gently towards him, and in nine cases 
 out of ten he will take it eagerly. 
 
8 SALMON. 
 
 Salmon will rarely be seen resting where the bottom is 
 smooth; but incline more towards rocks and large stones, 
 should a rapid current run between them, work the fly on 
 each side of it, between the still water and the rapid In a 
 rocky pool they will lie in almost any part, but especially in 
 the point of meeting of two currents formed by rocks standing 
 apart but opposite each other. Throw the fly below and 
 work it up the middle between them ; afterwards on the 
 inner side of each. 
 
 Never strike too sharply at Salmon ; it is best to strike 
 gently a little sideways, this is quite sufficient and he will hook 
 himself fast enough, on turning to move off. Use him gently 
 and coax him, as it were, from the shelter of his rocky strong- 
 hold into open water, where he can have a clear field and no 
 favour. Put the strain on him whenever you can, and select 
 the clearest spot on the bank for landing him ; if he is a large 
 fish in full vigour, he may perhaps tow you a mile up or down 
 the water before you are able to exhaust him sufficiently to 
 bring him to the gaff. The best place to insert this, is beneath 
 the gills ; the next best, is behind one of the pectoral fins. 
 
 Salmon are also taken with the Spinning-bait, a description 
 of the method of using which, will be given hi the next 
 chapter. Also with prawns, lobworms, &c. 
 
TROUT. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 TROUT. 
 
 E Trout is next in importance to the Salmon in the 
 piscatory world ; in the rivers of the Midland Counties, 
 the average weight of the Trout is from one to two 
 ^__ pounds, more being taken under than over that weight : 
 the color, shape and quality of the fish varying according to 
 the water it inhabits. An intelligent and sagacious individual, 
 he carefully avoids thick or dirty waters, and revels in the 
 clear mountain stream, calling forth the utmost efforts of the 
 ingenuity and skill of the Angler ere he becomes his captive. 
 When in full season, observe his fascinating and prepossessing 
 figure, sparkling in all the gorgeous colors of the rainbow, and 
 shaped in strict accordance with the most refined rules of sym- 
 metrical proportion. Look at the reverse of the picture, and 
 see him out of condition, and the contrast is wonderful. A 
 thin black wretched-looking creature, with a head apparently 
 too large for his body, who that has not seen him in both 
 conditions, would believe that this was the nice and fastidious 
 exquisite who charmed our senses with his every movement ? 
 
 Allusion has been made as yet, only to the ordinary river 
 Trout ; but there are other varieties, such as the sea-trout, 
 bull-trout, lake-trout, and the large Thames-trout. This latter 
 grows to an extremely large size, and although an occasional 
 one or two may be taken with a fly, yet the great majority 
 are taken with the spinning-bait ; one was taken in Marlow 
 Weirpool, May llth, 1863, weighing fifteen pounds, which 
 was preserved and may be seen at the Anglers, Marlow Bridge ; 
 and I believe there are others in the neighbourhood of even 
 larger size. 
 
 Trout spawn about October or November, the law allowing 
 them to be taken, in the Thames, after the end of January ; 
 
10 TROUT. 
 
 but the season does not really commence till the 1st of April, 
 and in most other rivers not till the 1st of May. They are 
 influenced very much in their recovery from Spawning, . by 
 the state of the weather ; as an instance, a few seasons since % 
 I caught one (in the Thames) weighing nearly thirteen pounds 
 early in April ; in the following year, but one day later in 
 the month, I took one weighing seven pounds and a half, 
 and the difference in appearance was extraordinary. The 
 first year, the weather had been very warm and the fish in 
 April were in first-rate condition ; the second year had been 
 altogether as cold and the fish were proportionately thin and 
 black. 
 
 All Trout have their haunt or retreat, generally some large 
 stone, or root of a tree ; each fish appearing to have its regular 
 portion of water, and seldom trespassing on that belonging 
 to its neighbour. If one of these sections of the stream be- 
 comes vacant, a new occupant soon takes possession. And 
 it is simply by being aware of the position of these haunts, 
 that an Angler knowing a river, possesses such a decided 
 advantage over one who does not, however skilful he may be 
 in other respects. In the Spring, Trout are found in rough 
 streams and shallows ; seeking deeper water in the summer. 
 They also delight in whirlpools and holes beneath a rapid 
 shallow ; under bridges, rocks and below weirs. Those that 
 frequent overhanging banks and bushes, or lie hidden under 
 cover of trees during sunshine, are much darker and yellower, 
 than those that love the unshaded stream with a clear sandy 
 bottom ; these are altogether as silvery and bright, though 
 belonging to the same family. 
 
 Trout are taken with the fly ; by spinning a minnow or 
 other small fish ; and with the worm, gentle, &c. 
 
 The most useful length for a Trout fly-rod is between 
 eleven and twelve feet, in four pieces and with an extra top. 
 Do not have a rod too whippy, for a novice it is better rather 
 stiff than otherwise. The fly-line should be thirty yards in 
 length (in some rivers you may require more) on a light 
 multiplying winch. The material of the winch-line may 
 be either prepared plaited silk, or silk and hair, spun 
 or plaited, and tapering toward the point, to which is 
 
TROUT. 1 1 
 
 attached the casting-line ; this is of silkworm gut, three 
 yards in length, and fine in proportion to the river you intend 
 fishing. 
 
 With regard to Flies there are about as many different 
 patterns as there are days in the year. In the Spring I 
 should use the Dark Dun, Olive Dun, Hare's Ear, Partridge 
 Hackle, Red Spinner, Hofland, Wellington, March Brown, 
 Soldier Palmer, Coch-y-bonddhu, Emperor, and Stone Fly. 
 Summer : Oak, Cowdung, Sand, Grannam, Alder, the various 
 Palmers, Whirling Dun, Dotteril, Gold Plover, Carshalton 
 Cocktail, Wrentail, Grouse, Yellow Sally, Fern, Coachman, 
 the Green and Grey Drakes. Autumn : Ant, Pale Dun, 
 August Dun, Cinnamon, Alder, Governor and the Palmers. 
 Be guided in the size of fly, of course, by the river you are 
 visiting ; in the Thames, for example, you will require a very 
 large size for Trout, whilst, in the Wandle, none but the very 
 smallest cock-tails, will tempt the appetite of the spotted 
 beauties of this stream, upon which the may-fly is never seen. 
 
 One indispensable qualification of a fly-fisher is, to be able 
 to throw a fly well to any spot he may wish ; this is an art 
 that can only be learnt by practise, in fact, whilst you are 
 learning and the fish are in season, there should be nulla dies 
 sine lined. Remember, in fly-fishing, as in spinning, one or 
 two practical lessons at the waterside, are worth all the teach- 
 ing that can be written. Put together the Rod, so that all 
 the rings are standing in a straight line, fix the winch to the 
 butt, and draw the line through all the rings till you have 
 four or five yards hanging uncoiled from the end ring of the 
 top. Hold the rod in the right hand, a little above the winch, 
 the thumb pointing straight along the rod on the upper side 
 of the butt, which must be encircled by the remaining fingers. 
 Now hold the rod almost perpendicular, but pointing some- 
 what to the left, with the tip of the line between the thumb 
 and forefinger of the left hand. Use no flies or gut casting 
 line till you can throw the plain running-line with a tolerable 
 degree of certainty. Poising the rod freely and easily, move 
 your right wrist and forearm round to the right ; let go the 
 tip of the line, held in the left hand, when it begins to feel 
 taut, at the same time, describing a sort of oval in the air 
 
12 TROUT. 
 
 with the point of the rod, by bringing it from left to right 
 over the right shoulder, and casting forward by a motion of 
 the wrist and forearm. When you have propelled the line 
 forward the action of casting should be gradually checked 
 directly the line is straightening out to the front. If held 
 properly, that portion of the butt, between your hand and 
 the spike, will touch the under part of the forearm, at the 
 same time that the line is coming in contact with the water ; 
 this will prevent the point of the rod falling too low, and 
 thus causing too much line to fall on the surface. Begin with 
 about five yards of slack line, increasing a yard or two at a time, 
 till you can manage ten with tolerable ease ; when you may 
 add the casting-line. Practise till you can ensure the gut 
 falling on the surface of the stream ere any of the reel line 
 touches it. There are various other methods of throwing the 
 fly, but when you have become thoroughly perfect in this, 
 which I consider the easiest style, then you can soon vary 
 the different movements, according as circumstances may 
 arise ; such as a variation hi the direction of the wind, or 
 obstructions on the bank, or in the river. 
 
 Commence with one fly at the end of the gut-line, this is 
 termed the " stretcher " ; when you can work this in a satis- 
 factory manner, add a second, called a " dropper " fastened 
 about two feet up the line at one of the joinings ; and after- 
 wards another " dropper," about two feet higher again. The 
 joinings of the gut-cast being formed of two slip knots, the 
 end of the gut to which the dropper is tied, is knotted and 
 pushed through ; the slip knots being drawn tight, all is 
 secure. 
 
 Anglers are divided hi opinion, at which end of the stream 
 you should commence. The best way, to my idea, is to fish up 
 stream ; then if you hook a heavy fish, ten to one that he 
 bolts downstream, disturbing only, water that you have 
 already fished. Keep as far from the edge of the water as 
 possible; delivering your cast, float your flies down, humouring 
 them on the surface of the stream and working them round 
 towards the bank. Repeat your cast a step higher up and so 
 on ; strike gently from the wrist, the moment you see and 
 feel a " rise," with a very quick, yet gentle motion, by which 
 
TROUT. 13 
 
 the hand is displaced about two inches only. This, when 
 done at the moment the fish has closed his mouth on the fly, 
 is certain to secure a hold for the hook in some portion of 
 the mouth. Having hooked your fish, he probably endeavours 
 at first, to shake out the hook by splashing on the surface ; 
 pointing your rod slightly to him, will cause him to quit it. 
 The moment he sinks, keep him well in hand, according to 
 his size, raising the point of the rod well up ; as he rushes 
 away, hold him gently and when possible, show him the butt, 
 by inclining the rod backwards over the shoulder. Do not 
 strain on him too much, but after checking him a few times, 
 and you find his struggles become weaker, wind up ; and 
 guiding him to the easiest landing place, bring him within 
 reach of the landing net. Be careful not to use this roughly 
 so as to frighten the Trout at the last moment, when you might 
 possibly be unprepared for a violent plunge ; but sink the 
 net and bringing him quietly over it, lift it up without jerking 
 and secure your prize. 
 
 In some streams, dibbing for Trout with the natural fly 
 is very much practised. When the may-fly is on the water, 
 this method is extremely killing. Use the ordinary fly-rod 
 with a very fine gut casting-line attached to the winch-line ; 
 and a No. 9 or 10 hook. Catching one of the flies at which 
 you observe the Trout rising, place it carefully on the hook. 
 Standing as far back as* possible, allow the wind to carry it 
 on to the water ; if a fish does not rise, lift and drop it again. 
 Strike directly it is taken. 
 
 For the best general list of trout rivers and the flies 
 peculiar to them, I w r ould advise the reader to consult Hof- 
 land's " British Angler's Manual." 
 
 j PINNING for Trout is much practised in the Thames, 
 and occasionally with great success, especially at the 
 commencement of the season ; early in the morning 
 and towards sunset are generally the best times. In 
 my " Complete Guide to Spinning and Trolling," will be found 
 the following remarks, extremely characteristic of the Thames 
 Trout : " When dropping down the stream quietly in a punt, 
 on a fine summer's evening, while the setting sun tinges the 
 
14 TROUT. 
 
 distant water with gold, the Trout may be observed feeding 
 on the shallows, and driving the minnows and other small 
 fish in shoals towards the shore, being as voracious in that 
 respect as their mortal enemy, the Pike \ their mouth is 
 admirably adapted for the purpose, the jaws and tongue being 
 studded with small teeth, they are thus enabled to destroy 
 multitudes of small bleak, minnows and gudgeons." 
 
 u Next to the lordly Salmon, to which, to my mind, it is 
 quite equal in beauty, the Trout may be considered the most 
 game of fresh- water fish. Who, that has ever experienced 
 it, can forget the first rush of a noble Thames Trout in full 
 season, especially if the Angler be spinning from a weir ; he 
 dashes down the run, some sixty yards or so, like a flash of 
 lightning, making the line whistle through the rings, and as 
 if determined to carry all before him ; now he rises to the 
 surface, and springing out full a yard, throws a somersault in 
 the air, and tries by that means to rid himself of the hooks ; 
 but the skilful Angler frustrates this little device, by lowering 
 the point of the rod and meeting him half-way. By careful 
 management he is at last tired out, and his captor taking 
 advantage of of a moment's quiet, descends from his position 
 on the weir, and safely lands his prize on the grassy bank 
 below." 
 
 The Spinning Rod I use is of mottled cane, about thirteen 
 feet in length ; light and somewhat springy, as the bait and 
 trace being rather light (unless when fishing very rapid water) 
 the spring of the rod will be found of great assistance in 
 throwing the bait. The rod should be in four pieces for 
 convenience of carriage and with two extra tops ; a large 
 wooden button should be screwed to the socket of the butt, 
 to press against the hip when spinning. I always use the 
 check-winch ; with a spring handle, to allow of the handle 
 being turned over when not in use and save it from the 
 chance of being bent by a fall or blow. Some prefer the 
 hardwood winches. Instead of allowing the line, in spinning, 
 to lie at their feet in the usual manner, they throw the line 
 directly from the winch, using rather a long rod, and wind 
 it in again on to the winch instead of drawing it in with the 
 hand. But as these wooden winches, or reels, run extremely 
 
"SENSATION" Si LVER BAIT. 
 
TROUT. 
 
 15 
 
 easy, they require considerable care in use ; for if the line is 
 thrown from them with the least jerk, the bait will go in any 
 direction but the right one, and when it has dropped in the 
 water and the line ceased running-out, the winch, from the 
 impetus it has received, will run on and wind the line the 
 reverse way, often entangling it and getting it into knots. 
 
 We next come to the Line ; this should be of the best 
 plaited silk, from sixty to a hundred yards in length, and 
 fine ; properly prepared with waterproof dressing, which pre- 
 vents it kinking, as it is impossible to throw a bait properly 
 with a line that kinks or curls up in knots as the undressed 
 lines invariably do when they are soaked with water ; be 
 particular to dry the line well after use, before putting it 
 away, in order to keep it from rotting. 
 
 The next thing required is the Trace. The one I use in 
 the Thames is about two yards in length, of gut, slightly 
 coloured ; with four swivels, and from eight to sixteen shots 
 in the middle of the trace, as in the sketch ; the same style 
 of trace may be used in any river, varying of course, the 
 strength and the weight according to the size of the fish and 
 the rapidity of the current. In the Colne, and similar small 
 rivers, I should use the finest gut for the traces and flights 
 of hooks, weighting them in proportion. 
 
 An extremely useful weight for the trace is that known as 
 the " Field " lead ; so called, through being originated by one 
 of the editors of that celebrated Sporting Newspaper. The 
 
16 TROUT. 
 
 shape is given in the annexed sketch ; it will be observed, 
 that the lead is made so that all the weight will be on one 
 side, the other side being just thick enough to cover the hole 
 through which the gut passes. The swivels on this trace 
 are all below the lead ; and when in use, the weight being 
 entirely underneath, it effectually prevents the line, above it, 
 turning round or kinking. It is much used in trailing. 
 
 Next in order are the flights of Hooks, of which there are 
 a great variety. The one I use consists of three triangle 
 hooks, a sliding lip hook and a reverse hook, mounted on gut, 
 as in the sketch. Drawings of other flights will be found 
 in the chapter on Pike fishing, smaller sizes of which, mounted 
 on gut instead of gimp, answer equally well for Trout ; of these 
 No. 1 is the same pattern as already mentioned, but has a 
 fly triangle, Nos. 2 and 3 are without the reverse hook ; of 
 these No. 1 is the best. The manner of baiting with minnow, 
 small bleak or gudgeon, will be obvious on looking at the 
 sketch foregoing. 
 
 The Water- Witch described at Page 26, made sufficiently 
 small and mounted on gut will be found a first-rate trout 
 tackle ; easy to bait and spinning well. 
 
 There are two other very good spinning-tackle, somewhat 
 similar in appearance when baited, but differing greatly in 
 construction and in the mode of baiting. We take first, 
 because it is the oldest, (and not because it is the best), the 
 one known as " Hawker's Tackle." It is in this form : a 
 large fine minnow trolling-hook is whipped to a length of 
 gut ; about half-an-inch from the end of the shank of it, is 
 whipped a No. 8 lip-hook ; to the lip-hook is also fastened 
 a short piece of gut, of sufficient length to reach to the end 
 of the large hook. A small triangle is now whipped to the 
 end of the short piece, and the tackle is completed by looping 
 the long gut. 
 
 To bait it : the point of the large hook is inserted in the 
 mouth of a large bright minnow, which is now to be threadled 
 up the hook, the point of which is brought out at the centre 
 of the tail. The small lip-hook is run through both lips, 
 and the bait is completed by sliding down the gut a small 
 hollow lead cap which fits close on the nose of the minnow. 
 The triangle flies loose over the tail. 
 
HAWKER'S TACKLE BAITED 
 
 FRANCIS'TACKLE 
 
TROUT. 17 
 
 The other tackle is the " Francis." A Drawing of it is 
 annexed, which will almost explain itself. First, there is a 
 large fine minnow-hook on gut ; next, there is a lip-hook 
 with fly triangle attached, the lip-hook being furnished with 
 a small gut-loop at each end of the shank. To bait it : the 
 large hook is attached to a baiting-needle by means of a loop 
 at the end of the gut ; the needle is then entered in the 
 centre of the tail of a minnow or other small bait, pushed 
 through and brought out at the mouth, the gut being drawn 
 through till the hook is covered by the minnow ; the tail of 
 which, will thus receive its proper curve. Remove the needle 
 and pass the loop of the long gut, through the small loops 
 on the lip-hook, which is then run through both lips, and 
 the bait will appear much the same as " Hawker's Tackle 
 Baited " but is of course without the lead cap. 
 
 The baits for small streams may be either minnows, or 
 small, bright gudgeons. I prefer the latter, as they spin 
 better and last longer, whereas the minnows soon tear and 
 become useless. For larger streams, I use a small bleak, 
 which has, when properly placed on the hooks, a very bright 
 and star-like appearance in the water, although, like the 
 minnow, it soons wears out, unless used with great care. 
 The bait should be always placed on the hooks with a scrupu- 
 lous regard to its spinning truly, for I have always found 
 that the better the bait spins, the better the Trout likes it, 
 and as a matter of course, the greater the chance of success. 
 
 Of the artificial baits, the minnow, spinning by means of 
 the Pectoral fin and mounted on gut in a similar manner to 
 to the drawing at Page 27, I have found one of the most 
 successful ; killing with it large Trout and Perch, when they 
 had decidedly refused the natural bait. The " Sensation " 
 bait is equally good when the water is slightly coloured. 
 The other artificial baits mentioned at Page 28, may be used 
 for Trout and Perch, when made on a small scale and mounted 
 on gut. 
 
 To throw the Spinning bait, draw from the winch as much 
 line as you deem necessary to reach the distance you intend 
 to throw ; commence with ten or fifteen yards ; when you 
 are able to throw that length of line neatly, then increase it 
 
18 TROUT. 
 
 a yard or two at a time. A master of the art will throw 
 from forty to fifty yards of line, but on no account have out 
 more line than you can conveniently manage ; if you do, it 
 will only be in your way, and when fishing from the bank 
 will be sure to catch up loose twigs and grass. Drawing the 
 the requisite length of line from your winch, let it fall in 
 loose coils in front of your left foot. Hold the rod firmly in 
 the right hand about eighteen inches up the butt ; the wooden 
 button on the socket of which should be kept tight to the 
 hip ; draw the line in with the thumb and two first fingers 
 of the left hand, till the bait hangs about five or six feet from 
 the top of the rod. Bring the point of the rod, round to the 
 right, to give the bait the necessary swing, and throw the 
 bait sharply to the left (or vice versa, as occasion may require) 
 at the same time letting free the line in the left hand ; still 
 keeping the butt tight to the hip. The bait will then be 
 carried out to the full extent of the line, the coiled portion 
 running freely through the rings. 
 
 As soon as the bait enters the water, spin it either across 
 or against the stream ; in fact, in any direction that the 
 nature of the place may render most convenient to yourself. 
 The line, which is now held lightly in the same hand as the 
 rod, should be drawn through the right hand, about a couple 
 of feet at a time, by the thumb and the two first fingers of 
 the left hand ; coiling it at the feet as before. Keep the rod 
 steady with the point about a foot from the surface of the 
 water, holding it in such a manner that the top may keep a 
 slight strain upon the line, which should not be drawn in too 
 fast at each backward motion of the left hand. The beginner 
 in the art should learn the method of gathering up the line in 
 the left hand as practised by the Thames puntmen, he will find 
 it extremely useful when fishing from a weir. " Let him 
 observe a first-rate Thames Spinner standing on the top of a 
 weir (a performance requiring rather a strong head and good 
 nerves) casting his bait into the foaming torrent below ; now 
 gathering up the line with the thumb and little finger of the 
 left hand, and again throwing out the spinning-bait from a 
 twelve or thirteen feet rod with the right hand, at the same 
 time letting go the gathered line, and spinning the bait 
 
TROUT. 19 
 
 across the eddies in a masterly manner, while the left hand 
 is again collecting the line for another throw. All this should 
 be seen to be admired and imitated, for no description can do 
 it anything like justice." This was my advice in " Spinning 
 and Trolling " to the novice in the art, and I can only repeat 
 that the best way to become proficient is to observe and 
 imitate a first-class fisherman. Although, when spinning, the 
 fish will often hook himself, yet it is safer to strike with a 
 short and moderately strong jerk of the wrist as soon as the 
 bait is taken ; playing and landing him secundum artem. 
 
 JUNE, July and August are the best months for using 
 the worm. Fish with a light, thirteen feet cane rod, 
 with upright rings, and a very fine running-line. If the 
 water is very clear, the best places would be under 
 bushes, or by the side of piles, &c. The worm may be used 
 either with or without a float, should you intend fishing with 
 a float, use a small quill, ascertaining the depth as directed 
 in " Perch Fishing ;" keep if possible a few yards above your 
 swim, and occasionally throw in a few worms chopped ex- 
 tremely small. The bottom line should be ot the finest gut, 
 and the hook about No. 5 for a worm ; or No. 9 if for gentles, 
 when baiting with these, throw in a few carrion gentles, now 
 and then, at the head of the swim. When fishing without 
 a float, let the stream carry the bait down, and strike when 
 you feel a bite ; this method is very successful when using a 
 large artifical caterpillar made entirely of peacock herl on a 
 No. 1 hook. 
 
20 PIKE. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PIKE. 
 
 voracious Fish has a flattish head, the under jaw 
 being rather longer than the upper one and turning up 
 slightly at the point ; the mouth is immensely large 
 and is thickly studded with teeth, the lower jaw being 
 iirnished round the edge with large and sharp canine teeth. 
 The body of a Jack or Pike is long, with small hard scales ; 
 when in season the back is of a greenish gold color shading 
 into a creamy white under the belly, and is beautifully marked 
 on the back and sides with large yellowish spots ; the eyes 
 are bright yellow, so placed in the sockets as to enable the 
 Pike to see what passes above him ; the fins and tail are a 
 dark purply color marked with dark wavy lines. 
 
 Pike, or Jack (as they are termed when small) are found 
 in ponds, lakes, canals and rivers, where there are beds of weeds ; 
 and grow to a very large size, I have seen them weighing 
 40 Ibs. From March to the end of June they are out of 
 season, resorting to ditches and creeks, or the stillest parts 
 of the river for the purpose of spawning ; at such times the 
 small ones take the bait eagerly, but are only fit to be re- 
 turned to the water. From July (on the first of which month 
 Jack-fishing usually commences) to October, they are generally 
 found near, or amongst sedges, water-docks or flag weeds. They 
 are seldom found where the stream is very rapid, but a retreat 
 in the vicinity of a whirlpool, or sharp bend is a favourite 
 locality. In rivers, about the middle of September, when 
 the weeds are rotting, Jack may be observed lying among 
 the weeds, basking in the sun ; appearing too lazy to take a 
 bait, for it is not unusual to see the small fly swimming and 
 playing about their deadly enemy, without his taking the 
 trouble to disturb them. As the Winter approaches, Pike retire 
 
PIKE. 21 
 
 into deeps, under clay banks, or where bushes overhang the 
 water, and where sunken roots of trees, and stumps afford 
 them a stronghold. 
 
 The most favourable weather for Jack-fishing, is when a 
 slight breeze blows from the south-west, sufficient to ripple 
 the water ; and the day cloudy and dull. Thick water is 
 not favourable, for during a flood, which causes a coloured 
 water, Jack and Pike keep close in-shore, among the rushes, 
 and sedges, which grow near the banks ; or in the still bends 
 of rivers to keep out of the rapid current, remaining almost 
 stationary until the waters clear and subside ; but as soon as 
 this occurs, then comes the Angler's turn, for having been 
 for some time on short allowance, they are then bold, vora- 
 cious, and will fearlessly take the bait. 
 
 The voracity of the Pike is well known to be enormous. 
 In April, 1863, whilst spinning for Trout at Mario w, my gut 
 flight was bitten off by a Jack ; putting on a fresh flight and 
 bait, I threw in the same direction as before, the very first 
 throw I caught him, with the first flight still in his mouth ; 
 and know of many similar occurrences. There are several 
 instances of Pike being choked through trying to swallow one 
 but slightly smaller than themselves. There is a case men- 
 tioned of a large Pike seizing a Swan by the head while it 
 was groping for food among the weeds in a lake. He got 
 the head down, but the body was too large even for his 
 capacious jaws ; being unable to disgorge, he was choked, 
 and the bodies were found a few days afterwards on the shore. 
 They will in fact, seize anything, from a Swan to a leaden 
 plummet. While an Angler was plumbing the depth in a 
 roach-swim, in the Lea, some time since, a Jack of two pounds 
 took the plummet ; he was safely landed, owing to the hook 
 projecting slightly from the side of the plummet. 
 
 |f ACK-FISHING may be classed under four heads viz : 
 Spinning, Live-bait-fishing, Trolling, and Snap-fishing. 
 Spinning is by far the most scientific and interesting 
 method of fishing for Pike, requiring some amount of 
 muscular exertion to practise it properly. The most useful 
 Rod is of mottled cane ; from twelve to thirteen feet in length, 
 
22 PIKE. 
 
 for fishing from a punt, and rather longer for bank-fishing. 
 It is best in four pieces, so as to be in a compact form for 
 travelling ; and with two extra tops of .different lengths, to be 
 used for Snap, and Live-bait-fishing. The shoulders of each 
 joint should be double brazed, the plain shoulders almost invari- 
 ably sticking in the ferrule of the next joint, in wet weather, in 
 consequence of the wood swelling ; when this occurs, any 
 difficulty in taking the rod to pieces, arising from this cause 
 may be obviated by warming the long ferrule in the flame of 
 a candle ; when cold, it may be separated easily. The rings 
 at the end of the tops should be of steel, to counteract the 
 effects of the constant friction of the line. All the other 
 rings shoidd be fixed upright. 
 
 Besides the mottled cane rods, there are others of hickory 
 with the butt of ash and the tops of lancewood. These are 
 capital for heavy fishing and rough work, but I give the pre- 
 ference to the mottled East India cane as much for its 
 handsome appearance as for the difference in weight and its 
 general utility. 
 
 The Winch should be either entirely a* plain one, or, what 
 is called, a plain-check. For convenience of packing I should 
 recommend the check-winch, with the handle made to turn 
 over ; when the handle is left up in the ordinary manner, a 
 slight blow will sometimes render it almost unserviceable ; 
 through being bent or twisted. For this reason I always use 
 the spring handle. Some fishermen prefer the hard- wood 
 winches, which run very easy ; these are very useful when 
 live-baiting. 
 
 The Line should be from sixty to a hundred yards long, 
 of the best eight-plait silk, rather fine, so as to make as little 
 show as possible in the water. It should be prepared with 
 waterproof dressing to prevent kinking. 
 
 The "Trace for Spinning, which is fastened to the line 
 thus : 
 
 the end of the line being first knotted to prevent it slipping 
 when wet, should be of moderate sized gimp, with from two 
 
PIKE. 
 
 23 
 
 to four swivels, and about three feet in length ; the weight 
 (shots or "field" lead) required on it to sink the spinning 
 bait, will vary, of course, according to the water in which it 
 is to be used. A trace which would be heavy for still water, 
 such as a lake, unless very deep, would probably be much 
 too light for a stream such as is found in some parts of the 
 Thames and similar rivers. For my own part, I prefer large 
 
 salmon gut for the material 
 of the trace, as it is quite equal 
 in strength to gimp, if not 
 stronger, besides being trans- 
 parent in the water. Still, 
 using moderate sized gimp for 
 the flight of hooks or artificial 
 bait. The following short 
 Trace will often be found use- 
 ful, when extra weight is requir- 
 ed: the requisite number of 
 shots being strung on a short 
 piece of gimp the ends of this are 
 fastened to a couple of swivels ; 
 loop of gut or yellow gimp 
 being attached to each of these, 
 the Trace is ready for use. 
 
 The Flight I use and con- 
 sider the best, is composed of 
 three triangles, a reverse hook 
 and sliding lip-hook, mounted 
 on yellow gimp, the length of 
 the flight being in proportion 
 to the bait. To bait it ; the 
 hook in the triangle at the end 
 of the flight, lying in a line 
 with the reverse hook, is in- 
 serted in the centre of the root 
 of the tail, the reverse hook is 
 then inserted in the side of the 
 bait, nearly opposite the vent ; 
 one hook of each of the remain- 
 ing triangles is inserted in the 
 
PIKE. 
 
 side of the fish, in a line with the mouth, keeping the body 
 straight, and on passing the lip -hook through both lips, the 
 bait is ready for use. By keeping the body perfectly straight 
 
 as far as the vent 
 and curving the 
 tail almost at right 
 angles with the 
 body, the bait will 
 spin "true" when 
 drawn through the 
 water. Some Ang- 
 lers prefer the bait 
 to spin with a 
 "wobbling" motion, 
 considering that it 
 then more resem- 
 bles a wounded fish, 
 but I always prefer 
 a straight spinner. 
 Besides the one 
 just mentioned, 
 there are the fol- 
 lowing flights, 
 which are on the 
 same principle of 
 curving the tail, 
 but two of them 
 are without the 
 reverse hook. 
 
 No. 1 is the flight 
 already described, 
 but with the ad- 
 dition of a fly tri- 
 angle, this is 
 mounted on a 
 short piece of gimp, 
 having a small loop 
 which is passed 
 down the gimp of 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
u 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 PIKE. 25 
 
 the flight you intend to use, before it is 
 fastened to the trace ; and hangs on the 
 the lip-hook. One hook of this triangle 
 may be inserted in the reverse side of the 
 bait, which otherwise would be exposed 
 without hooks. By the way, loose fly 
 triangles are not novelties, I have used 
 them myself more than a dozen years 
 since ; and am persuaded that if they 
 were more generally in use, there would 
 be fewer instances of fish being really 
 missed with the spinning bait. Nos. 2 
 and 3 are also good patterns. 
 
 There is another variety of flight great- 
 ly fancied by some Thames Spinners ; it 
 consists of four triangles, and a lip-hook 
 attached to the gimp by one very small 
 loop only, at the end of the shank of the 
 hook. When used, the end triangle is 
 fixed in the tail and the others along the 
 side, the second triangle being inserted 
 in the fish, so as to curve the tail ; before 
 the lip-hook goes through the lips, the 
 gimp is twisted two or three times round 
 the shank of the hook to prevent it 
 slipping. 
 
 The " Francis" flight has been already 
 described in the chapter on Trout fishing; 
 made on gimp, of a size large enough for 
 Dace or large gudgeon, it will be found 
 an extremely good tackle for Pike. 
 
 No. 4 is baited thus : the baiting 
 needle, to which is attached the loop of 
 the gimp, is inserted in the vent of the 
 bait ; push it through, and drawing it 
 out at the mouth, bring the triangle close 
 up to the vent and insert the loose hook 
 in the tail, to give it the necessary curve ; 
 take off the needle, and drawing the lead 
 
26 
 
 PIKE. 
 
 down tlie gimp, force 
 it into the mouth of 
 the bait which is now 
 ready for use. The 
 whole of the weight 
 being concealed in 
 the bait, none is re- 
 quired on the trace. 
 
 No. 5, the "Water 
 Witch" like the last, 
 has the whole of the 
 weight in the head of 
 the bait; the spinning 
 motion being pro- 
 duced by the pectoral 
 fins at the head. The 
 Spear, having on it 
 the lead (which it 
 will be observed has 
 a small projecting fin 
 pointing towards the 
 head, for the purpose 
 of retaining the bait 
 in proper position) 
 is pushed down the 
 throat of the bait, so 
 that only the fins 
 are left projecting on 
 either side of the 
 mouth ; the fly-tri- 
 angles may either be 
 left loose, or one hook 
 of each inserted in 
 the bait ; which, last, 
 will be safer if there 
 are many weeds. 
 
 The best Natural 
 Spinning Baits are 
 Gudgeons, Dace, or 
 
 No. 5. 
 
PIKE. 
 
 27 
 
 small Chub from 
 five to six inches in 
 length. Some ang- 
 lers prefer a Roach, 
 but unless a very 
 narrow one be used, 
 it will not spin in so 
 satisfactory a man- 
 ner as a Dace. I 
 have also spun with 
 a very small Barbel 
 in default of having 
 a Gudgeon of the 
 requisite size. Bait- 
 ing a flight so as to 
 spin properly is not 
 a very easy opera- 
 tion for a beginner, 
 but practice and a 
 careful attention 
 to the foregoing 
 directions will soon 
 overcome these little 
 difficulties. 
 
 The Artificial 
 Baits most in use, 
 and which I con- 
 sider the best, are 
 the Pectoral-fin 
 Baits, of which there 
 are several sizes ; the 
 style of mounting I 
 prefer is this: the 
 bait runs loose on 
 
 ^ ^^.r the gimp to which 
 
 is attached the tail triangle, to the shank of which is fastened 
 a drilled shot or bead, to prevent the bait slipping down on 
 the hook. To the swivel above, is fastened by a piece of 
 gimp of sufficient length to reach half-way down the fish, a 
 
28 PIKE. 
 
 triangle to fly loose around it; these are used with the 
 ordinary trace. 
 
 The next is the " Sensation " Silver Bait ; this is extremely 
 bright in the water, and only requires an occasional polish to 
 renew its lustre. It is a solid bait, spinning by means of the 
 Pectoral-fin ; the body is scaled and has an extra twist to 
 assist the spinning. The mounting consists of a triangle at 
 the tail, and a fly-triangle on each side ; it may be used 
 without any lead on the trace, as it will be found sufficiently 
 heavy, unless for very rapid water ; I have taken many good 
 Jack and Perch with it. 
 
 The Spoon and Otter Baits are also good killers, more 
 especially in lakee. There are various other artificial baits, 
 but the above are the most successful. 
 
 In lakes or in large rivers, a Colossal Artificial Fly with 
 two large hooks at the tail and another concealed in the 
 wings, is sometimes used for large Pike with much success. 
 It is managed in a similar manner to the spinning-bait, but 
 without any weight on the line, and is worked on or near the 
 top of the water. 
 
 I have found the Pike-Gag a very useful implement ; of 
 great assistance when disengaging the hooks. It shuts up 
 like a pair of scissors, and when in use, the points AA in the 
 sketch are inserted in the mouth of the Pike which can be 
 opened tq the required extent, by means of the bows, which 
 fit on the finger and thumb. The Gag is kept open by 
 means of the steel extender B the teeth of which are made 
 to catch on the screw C, but when not in use this portion 
 shuts up on one limb of the Gag, the notch D fitting on the 
 screw E and keeping it secure. The Pike-Gag can also be 
 used as scissors, being very strong and sharpened for the 
 purpose. 
 
 The manner of throwing the Spinning-bait as already been 
 described in " Trout-fishing." When weeds are found within 
 six or eight inches of the surface the bait should be skimmed, 
 as it were, nearly along the surface of the water. This may 
 be accomplished by using fewer shot, a light bait, and keep- 
 ing the point of the rod well elevated. Generally speaking, 
 it is not of vital importance which way you spin the bait, so 
 
o 
 
 PIKE-GAG. 
 
PTKE. 29 
 
 that you do it well and steadily ; just sufficiently fast to 
 keep the bait revolving in an attractive manner, at about 
 half the depth of the water without fouling weeds, but 
 not so rapidily as to make its speed greater than that of the 
 fish pursuing it. Its revolving motion, undoubtedly, makes 
 it exceedingly attractive to fish of prey ; from whom it pro- 
 bably appears to fly madly for its life, although it possesses 
 none. Make it therefore no difficult task for the Pike to 
 overtake your bait and seize it with facility. 
 
 Although the Pike will very often hook himself, still it is 
 better to strike with a short and moderately strong jerk of 
 the wrist, as soon as the bait is taken. 
 
 The following directions for landing a Pike will be found 
 in the "Guide to Spinning and Trolling" to which the reader 
 is referred for more detailed descriptions of tackle, <fcc. : 
 "We will suppose that you have now hooked your fish, 
 which will if it be of any size, require careful handling. Do 
 not be in a hurry to land him. More fish are lost by the 
 nervous feeling which shoots through the young Angler, when 
 he feels the first rush of a Pike, than by any other course, 
 whatever. Keep the point of your rod well raised and the 
 line taut ; if he makes for a bed of weeds and pulls hard, 
 give him line, but still try to turn him by holding the rod 
 the contrary v.ay, and endeavour to lead him back to the 
 place from whence he started Now he strikes off again ; let 
 him go ; now wind him in again, but do not distress your 
 line by keeping it too tight on the fish. He now makes 
 shorter journeys, and seems inclined to come to shore ; hold 
 him a little tighter, and feel if he will allow you to raise and 
 show him, but be collected and careful. If fishing from the 
 shore, try to lead him to the nearest opening in the rushes. 
 Keep your line free, for he will possibly for a few moments 
 be more violent than ever, as if he were determined to break 
 the strongest tackle. Give him a few turns more, and he 
 will be quiet enough. Now draw him again in shore, * * * 
 keeping the head a little raised above the surface of the water 
 so that the nose or gills may not hang to, or catch hold of 
 weeds, <fec., * * If you have a friend with you with a landing 
 net or gaff-hook, your prize is easily landed, but if you are 
 
30 PIKE. 
 
 alone, and without a gaff, then draw him as close as possible 
 and keeping the line tight, grasp the Pike behind the gills, 
 arid throw him up a few yards on the grass." 
 
 fISHING for Jack with a Live-bait, and a cork float 
 attached to the line, is certainly the most popular, as it 
 also is undoubtedly the easiest. The small amount of 
 
 labour required is probably the cause of many preferring 
 
 it, as it allows them frequent opportunities of resting, when 
 they arrive at a still, quiet place, either in rivers or lakes. 
 The spinning-rod of mottled cane will do equally well for live 
 baiting, using a stiffer top. Many anglers use the wooden 
 winch when live-bait-fishing ; when you have a run (as a 
 "bite" is termed in Jack-fishing) and the rod is lying on the 
 ground, it has the great advantage of allowing the line to run 
 off freely, otherwise it is necessary to leave a few yards of 
 line loose on the ground, to allow the Jack, after taking the 
 bait, to run to the haunt where he feeds, without hinderance ; 
 a rod-rester to keep the rod from the ground, is very useful. 
 For live-baiting I prefer a fine line, as it will float for a con- 
 ^siderable time, and is consequently less liable to become 
 entangled with the bait (it will float better still, if it be rubbed 
 with strong palm oil). The line should be from fifty to eighty 
 yards, of prepared plaited silk. Always have a line long 
 enough at first, for when in constant use, and with the 
 occasional strain on it, of a twelve or fifteen pound Pike, 
 besides the friction of the rings, you will find it necessary to 
 break off, now and then, a. yard or two from the working end, 
 to keep it in good order. 
 
 The Float I use is of the following shape, with a hole entirely 
 through it ; the line being run through, push in a small plug, 
 as in the sketch : 
 
PIKE. 
 
 31 
 
 The next requirement is the Trace 
 of moderate sized yellow gimp, and 
 furnished with two swivels, and a dip- 
 lead to sink the bait. The Hooks are 
 of two descriptions, single and double. 
 
 The single Hook, which 
 should be about this size, 
 may be used either by hook- 
 ing the bait through the 
 side of the lips, or by pass- 
 ing it under the back fin, 
 taking care not 'to insert it 
 too low in the fish, or injure 
 the bone ; as the bait would then soon 
 die. 
 
 The double hooks range in sizes 
 
 between 
 two : 
 ing to the 
 the bait; 
 have the 
 too stout, 
 the double 
 
 these 
 accord- 1 
 size of | 
 do not f 
 
 gimp 
 To use 
 hook : place 
 
 tnese ^^ ^^ 
 
 HO aCCOrd "fll 
 I J size of | 
 
 1 do notlr \ 
 
 gimp f 
 To use 
 
 the loop of the gimp on the 
 hook at the end of the baiting- needle, 
 enter the point under the skin of the 
 bait on the shoulder, and close behind 
 the gills, bringing it out near the back 
 fin, draw the gimp, from which you remove the needle, till 
 the bend of the double hook is brought to where the needle 
 entered. The loop is then fastened on the hook-swivel at 
 the end of the Trace and the bait is ready for use. 
 
 When passing the baiting-needle under the skin, do it 
 carefully so as not to wound the flesh, or remove the scales 
 unnecessarily ; the bait will then swim nearly as strong with 
 the hooks as without. When fishing weedy places, be careful 
 always to remove any small weeds that become attached to 
 the hooks when drawing the bait out of the water. 
 
32 
 
 PIKE. 
 
 uu 
 
 Live-Bait. 
 
 Double Hook 
 and Baiting Needle. 
 
PIKE. 33 
 
 The Paternoster of which, a full description is 
 given in " Perch-fishing " is a first-rate tackle for 
 use amongst weeds where the live-bait with float 
 would inevitably become entangled; it should 
 either be all gimp, or a gut line with gimp hooks ; 
 arranged as in the accompanying sketch of a Pater- 
 noster in miniature. 
 
 The baits that live the longest, and are therefore 
 best for a journey are Thames Gudgeons ; they 
 are a strong hardy fish, and will not require the 
 water to be changed so often as others do. Dace, 
 small chub and roach are equally good, but require 
 fresh water oftener than gudgeons. 
 
 To carry the live baits you require a kettle, 
 which should be a full-sized one of zinc, or japanned 
 tin, with square ends. When at the river side, and 
 it is not in use, keep the kettle in the water out of 
 -> the sun, tying one end of a cord to the handle and 
 the other end to a peg, which you can stick in the 
 ground. 
 
 The best time for live-bait-fishing is when the 
 heavy weeds are rotten. From October till March, 
 Pike will take a live bait more freely than at any 
 other time of the year. Fix the float at the proper 
 distance from the bait, as a general rule, not less 
 than three feet but often considerably more ; to 
 ^ fish a hole of ten feet in depth, tolerably clear of 
 weeds at bottom, I should fish about seven feet 
 deep ; that is, I should have the float that distance 
 from the live bait. 
 
 Begin by dropping in the bait gently near the 
 shore, always keeping as much as possible out of 
 sight, if after a short time you do not have a run, 
 make a fresh cast further out, and to the right or 
 5 left. When you take the bait from the water to 
 throw it to a fresh place, draw it slowly and 
 gradually to the surface for that purpose ; I have 
 often found Pike when not much on the feed, 
 strike at a bait which seemed to be escaping from 
 them. 
 
34: PIKE. 
 
 Try all the still parts and bends of the river, pools, <fec. ; 
 also near beds of rushes, sedges, candock weeds, &c., in quiet 
 corners. Eddies and backwaters at the sides of weirs are 
 likely places for large fish. 
 
 When a Pike seizes the live-bait, it is generally with 
 violence, and the float is instantly drawn under water; 
 keep the winch and line clear, watching the float as long as 
 possible, and hold a yard or two of slack line in the left 
 hand ; so that nothing may check the Jack while he is making 
 for his haunt to pouch the bait. If he runs rapidly, draw 
 the line quickly from the winch, so that he may not be 
 impeded. When he has reached his haunt, and remains quiet, 
 allow about ten minutes to pouch ; as a general rule, when 
 he has done so, the line slackens slightly. When you have 
 reason to suppose that the Jack is more inclined to play with 
 the bait than to feed ; and when you have a run, he moves a 
 short distance and stops, then moves again and waits a few 
 moments and a third time changes his quarters, then wind up 
 the line, and strike smartly the contrary way to which he is 
 running and you will probably hook him, in or about the mouth. 
 
 [ROLLING or Gorge-fishing was formerly considered 
 the highest branch of the art of Jack-fishing, Spinning 
 being then little understood. 
 
 The Rod, Winch and Line are the same as used for 
 
 Spinning ; the Trace is of moderate sized gimp with two 
 swivels and without lead, the whole of the lead being on the 
 gorge-hook, which is baited thus : the loop of the gimp is 
 attached to the baiting-needle, which is then inserted in the 
 mouth of the bait, run it through and bring the point out, 
 in the centre of the tail. The gimp is then drawn through 
 till the bends of the hooks fit close on either side of the 
 mouth of the bait, the points turning upwards. Most ang- 
 lers tie the tail to the gimp with white thread, to prevent 
 it tearing when dropped among weeds. 
 
 There are other sorts known as the Weed-hook and Spear 
 Gorge-hook, much used when the weeds are very thick. 
 
 The best baits for Trolling are Gudgeons and Dace. 
 Jack are also taken in ponds (though seldom in rapid waters) 
 
PIKE. 
 
 the hind legs which 
 must be tied to the 
 
 bv baiting with a 
 Frog; use a small 
 Gorge-hook and pro- 
 ceed the same as 
 with a fish-bait, 
 drawing the hooks 
 close to the mouth 
 and stretching out 
 
 gimp. If you use a \\ 
 frog for live-baiting, \l 
 hook him through \\ 
 the lips with a No. \ 
 4 hook ; if for Snap 
 fishing, hook him 
 through the skin of 
 the back, striking 
 almost immediately 
 after he is seized by 
 the Jack. 
 
 There are various 
 modes of working 
 the Gorge-bait, when 
 in the water, but it 
 will be* found best 
 to commence near 
 the shore, throwing 
 it like the spinning 
 bait. Let it sink 
 nearly to the bottom 
 draw it gradually up 
 till near the surface ; 
 let it sink again, 
 draw it a little 
 the right or left : 
 again let it sink and 
 draw up slowly; and 
 so on, the next cast, 
 
36 
 
 PIKE. 
 
 working it up and down as before. When you have a run, 
 the line will be pulled or tugged rather sharply, lower the 
 point of the rod and proceed as described when live-baiting. 
 
 j NAP-FISHING is practised at such seasons as when 
 Pike do not feed with sufficient eagerness to pouch the 
 bait quickly. The rod should be stiff to enable you to 
 strike sharply, the winch is already described, but the 
 line should be stouter than that used for spinning, forty or 
 fifty yards long, as you strike directly and do not give much 
 Play- 
 Sketches of the three best snap-hooks are given, though 
 there are many more fancy patterns. 
 
 The first is the Live-Bait-Snap, par excellence: 
 
 c_ 
 
 It is used thus : the small hook is inserted under the back 
 fin, the point coming out at the other side ; the large hooks 
 lay on the back, and the lip-hook run through both lips. 
 It is used (as are the following two) with the ordinary live-bait 
 trace and float. When the Pike seizes it, let him run a yard 
 or two to make sure, and then strike sharply. 
 
PIKE. 37 
 
 The next is the Spring Snap: 
 
 which is baited in the following manner : the small hook is 
 inserted under the back fin of the bait, and the large hooks 
 hang at the side. When the Pike seizes the bait, strike 
 sharply and the large hooks fly out in contrary directions, 
 the shanks being flattened for the purpose. 
 
 The Saddle Snap is a very effective tackle, a sketch is 
 annexed of one ready-baited, the bait hangs on the small hook, 
 which is inserted under the back fin, and a triangle is sus- 
 pended on either side. 
 
 To hold the flights, traces, snap-hooks, &c., the angler 
 should be provided with a proper Tin Case about six or seven 
 inches long, by three or four wide ; deep in proportion ; with 
 divisions, so as to keep the tackle separate as much as possible ; 
 the cover of the one I use is the form of a box, divided to 
 hold traces, extra weights, &c. 
 
 Always make it a rule to bait your hook the last thing 
 after you have made all complete, as regard line, float, &c., 
 and on hooking a Pike, do not strain on him too hard ; for 
 although I never play a fish longer than I can help, yet when 
 he plays well there is really no necessity to strain the tackle 
 merely for the sake of landing him a minute or two sooner. 
 
 And, lastly, remember when Jack-fishing in a place very- 
 likely for them to lay, not to leave after a throw or two only, 
 but let the bait work the place well, especially if you have 
 seen a fish move there before. Try well every foot of likely 
 water, and if not successful try again as you return. Nil 
 desperandum. 
 
38 GRAYLING. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 GEAYLING. 
 
 f HE Grayling spawns about April, making its way after- 
 wards to the tails of sharp scouers till the middle of 
 May; unlike the Trout, they do not dwell in rapid 
 shallow torrents, bat require a combination of pool and 
 stream, the former for a resting place, with a gradually de- 
 clining shallow below, and a somewhat rapid stream above ; 
 the bottom of gravel mixed with marl and loam, this being 
 favourable to the growth of the insect food on which they 
 principally live. Grayling seldom exceed three pounds in 
 weight ; when first taken out of the water presenting a 
 beautiful violet tint, \vith dusky lines along the sides, and the 
 belly a pearly white ; the tail and fins are a purply colour. 
 The best months for fly-fishing are from July to November, 
 and from then till March for bottom-fishing, but when the 
 water is clear, they will rise at a fly more or less, through 
 the winter. One essential, point is to fish fine, using the 
 very finest gut, though the Grayling lies deeper and is not so 
 shy a fish as the Trout ; as it will sometimes rise a dozen 
 times at the same fly, in as many successive casts, provided 
 the angler stands back out of its sight. 
 
 The best Grayling Rivers as those of the Midland Counties, 
 such as the Dove, Teme, <fcc. Great numbers of Grayling 
 have been introduced into the Thames, within the last year 
 or two for the purpose of stocking that river; with what 
 result remains to be seen. Though with the great develope- 
 ment of the science of Pisciculture, and the quantity of 
 breeding apparatus at the disposal of the Thames Angling 
 Preservation Society, this beautiful fish ought in time to be- 
 come naturalized ; so as to take the place of the Trout during 
 the time this fish is out of season, being considered as much an 
 
GRAYLING. 39 
 
 autumn and winter fish, as the Trout is belonging to spring 
 and summer. Grayling do not bound out of the water or 
 jump at the bait like the Trout, but will rise with great 
 velocity to the top of the water to seize the fly, descending 
 with equal rapidity to the bottom, the dorsal-fin, used for 
 this purpose, being remarkably large. The best Flies are the 
 hackles, partridge, dun, black, red, &c. ; small blue dun and 
 hare's ear flies, march-brown and sand flies. When the water 
 is clear and smooth, they will take a dun-gnat tipped with 
 gold tinsel, beneath the surface, using a very fine casting-line 
 and allowing it to float with the current ; you will not see a 
 "rise" but a peculiar curl in the water, which with a little 
 practice you will understand equally w^ell. In the winter, 
 when the weather is warm, they will rise for an hour or two 
 in the middle of the day at dun-gnats and very small soldier 
 palmers. The artificial grasshopper is an excellent bait ; the 
 following semi-artificial bait is sometimes very successful :- 
 the shank of a No. 6 hook is partially covered with lead, and 
 then whipped with light green floss silk, a piece of split straw 
 should be bound on either side with a ribbing of yellow silk. 
 Place a real grasshopper on the bend of the hook, and use it 
 either with, or without, a very small quill float, which 
 must be just large enough to carry the amount of lead on 
 the hook without extra shot. 
 
 The Rod for bottom-fishing should be of light cane, and 
 about twelve feet in length ; the winch-line should be fine 
 prepared plaited silk. Use a very fine three yard gut line 
 and a quill float ; if you fish with gentles, or wasp grubs, use 
 a No. 9 hook, if with red worms No. 7 or No. 8. Fish about 
 two inches from the bottom, letting your float swim as steadily 
 as possible ; if you fish with gentles, throw in a few occasion- 
 ally, just above the swim ; when using worms, throw in a 
 few chopped worms, not many at a time, but a very small 
 quantity often. Grayling, when hooked, require gentle hand- 
 ling ; having a tender mouth, unless carefully treated, the 
 hold will frequently break away. 
 
40 PERCH AND POPE. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 PERCH AND POPE. 
 
 f HE Perch is a thick and broad fish, very high on the 
 upper part of the back, with a fine bright eye, small 
 head and large mouth, well furnished with small teeth in 
 addition to others in the throat. The tail and belly fins 
 are a bright vermillion, the pectoral and dorsal-fins brown. It 
 has two fins on the back, the one nearer the head being armed 
 with strong spikes, having extremely sharp points which it 
 erects when alarmed or attacked. The angler should be 
 careful when unhooking a Perch, not to have his hands pricked 
 by this sharp dorsal defence ; I have sometimes known it to 
 have unpleasant results. The Perch is covered with strong 
 scales and is of a bronzy green on the back and down the 
 sides ; on these are several dark stripes or shades reaching 
 from the back nearly to the belly. They appear to spawn at 
 various times ; in some places in March, in others not till 
 May or June, and are in season the remainder of the year, 
 though they seldom feed well in frosty weather ; but when 
 the weather is mild they may be taken all through the winter 
 months. 
 
 The Perch is a peculiar exception to the general rule that 
 fish of prey are of a solitary nature, he on the contrary is 
 socially gregarious, and as regards taking a bait, remarkably 
 imitative ; it being well known that where you have taken 
 one, you should invariably remain some time, and fishing 
 with the ordinary amount of attention, you will in all probabil- 
 ity get all there are in the hole. But, lose one, and although 
 he is naturally a bold biter, the chances are ten to one that 
 he communicates his fright to all the rest, and that they will 
 disappear with him ; leaving the angler no other resource 
 than to try a fresh place with more skill. Perch are to be 
 
PERCH AND POPE. 41 
 
 found in the eddies of milltails, and weirs, also in deep still 
 holes, about bridges, and in deep quiet corners of rivers as well 
 as in ponds. I have known them to grow to between five and 
 six pounds weight, but from a quarter of a pound to a pound 
 is the ordinary size. 
 
 HE Rod for Perch-fishing should be light, about twelve 
 feet in length, of mottled cane, with upright rings, not 
 too stiff, but sufficiently so to strike sharp from the top. 
 
 In ponds and small rivers forty or fifty yards of prepared 
 
 plaited silk line will be enough j on a winch of proportionate 
 size ; but in the Thames it will be safer to have a longer line, 
 from sixty to a hundred yards. For in Perch-fishing from 
 a weir you are extremely likely to hook a Trout or vice versd. 
 One of the most successful modes of fishing is with the 
 Paternoster. This is used properly without a float although 
 some prefer it with ; in length is about a yard and a half, of 
 gut not too stout, with a Paternoster lead fastened to the 
 bottom of it by a fine silk loop. This loop is made of fine 
 silk, so that should the lead foul amongst the large stones at 
 bottom, it may be broken off, without endangering the rest 
 of the tackle. On the gut are looped three hooks, size No. 
 4 or 5, which are tied to short pieces of gut about five inches 
 in length. The bottom hook should be six or seven inches 
 above the lead, the next about a foot above the bottom hook 
 and the next a foot above that, as in the sketch, Page 33. 
 
 To use the Paternoster fasten the loop to the running-line 
 as usual, and bait with very small gudgeons or large minnows, 
 varying them with marsh or red worms ; such as a marsh 
 worm on the bottom hook, minnow or gudgeon on the middle 
 and red worm at the top. Some prefer all minnows, hooked 
 through the side of the lips. Commence by dropping in near 
 the side of the river or pond, but if there is one place more 
 likely than another, by all means try it first. Let the Pater- 
 noster sink till the lead touches the bottom, keeping the line 
 rather tight to it. After a few minutes if you have no success, 
 work it towards you by raising the point of the rod and 
 drawing in a yard or so, of line slowly, still touching the 
 bottom with the lead. When you have a touch, slacken your 
 
42 PERCH AND POPE. 
 
 line and give him a minute or two before striking, which 
 should be done rather sharply, then play and land him 
 secundum artem. It is not an uncommon occurrence to take 
 two at once with this tackle ; when well on the feed, you 
 may have one on each hook at the same tune. 
 
 ANOTHER killing way at times is by means of the 
 Spinning-bait. In this manner I have taken some 
 very large Perch in the Thames, using the same rod 
 __ and tackle as recommended for Trout : gut traces 
 properly shotted and small gut nights of hooks. I have also 
 found the artificial minnow and Alfred's Sensation Bait ex- 
 tremely killing. Close to the camp-sheeting at the side of a 
 weir and in the eddies or backwater at the foot of the spurs 
 of it, are very desirable localities in which to use the spinning 
 bait ; mind however that the under-current does not carry 
 the bait down too deep, causing it to foul the sill of the weir. 
 I have had good sport in this way when sitting on the corner 
 of a weir spinning for Trout ; I have observed a shoal of 
 Perch working their way up after Bleak and other small 
 baits, among the rocks on the shallow below a tumbling bay, 
 (lying between the end of the wen- and the shore) and over 
 which there was not quite so much rough water as usual. 
 Proceeding cautiously to work without moving from my 
 position, I dropped the spinning-bait lightly in front of one 
 tine old fellow, who seeing the glittering temptation, pounced 
 on it and was off into the deep in a moment. With the assist- 
 ance of my puntman who descended one of the spurs of the 
 weir with the landing-net, I soon had him in the well of the 
 punt, together with about a score of the largest of his 
 companions, who fell victims one after the other to their 
 insatiable predatory disposition. 
 
 For a description of the manner of throwing the spinning 
 bait, and the various minutiae of putting on baits, &c., &c., 
 as well as the various kinds of artificial baits, I must beg to 
 refer the reader to Chapter III, in which they will be found 
 described as fully as possible. 
 
 Large Perch are also taken when live-baiting for Pike with 
 small Dace, &c., for a description of which see Chapter IV. 
 
PERCH AND POPE. 43 
 
 'HE easiest way of Perch-fishing is with a float ; this may 
 be either cork, reed or quill, the first is the best ; have 
 it as small as possible, with due regard to the amount of 
 ^^ current in the stream you are going to fish ; a three 
 yard gut line, stained blue, and a No. 6 hook. Bait with a 
 marsh worm or minnow, the latter may be hooked through the 
 back fin or through the lip ; and fish a foot from the bottom at 
 least. The depth of the water may be ascertained sufficiently 
 near for the purpose without a plummet, by setting the float, 
 at what you consider the average depth : on trying it, if the 
 float swims properly, set it deeper, and so on till the float 
 rises a little or lays on one side, which it will do as soon as 
 the shots touch the ground ; when it does so, about a foot 
 less will be the depth of the water ; that being about the 
 distance from the shots to the hook. When you see a bite, 
 give time, and allow the float to go well under before you 
 strike. 
 
 r INKING and Drawing for Perch, as it is termed, is 
 practised without a float, and with two or three shots 
 on the gut line to sink the bait ; which should be a 
 marsh-worm, or two bright red-worms. The bait is 
 dropped into holes and eddies, among the roots of trees grow- 
 ing in the water, or close to piles, <fec., let it sink nearly to 
 the bottom, then draw it up gradually; and so on, sinking 
 and drawing up, till you feel a bite, when proceed as already 
 directed. 
 
 fHE Pope or Euife is much like the Perch in habits and 
 shape, also in the first dorsal-fin which it erects when 
 alarmed, in a similar manner; the body is thickly 
 
 spotted with small dark spots ; and the tail and tail 
 
 end' of body is shaped and spotted in the same manner as 
 a Gudgeon. They are occasionally taken in the Thames 
 when fishing for Gudgeon ; spawning about April and seldom 
 growing longer than six inches. Use a small hook and bait 
 with a red-worm. 
 
44 BARBEL AND BREAM. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 BAEBEL AND BEEAM. 
 
 fHE Barbel, when well grown and in season, is a very 
 handsome, noble looking fish, of a golden olive-brown 
 on the back, and a silvery white belly. The scales are 
 placed in very exact order ; the fins are of a pinky 
 colour except the dorsal one which is darker, as is also the 
 tail, being tinged with purple and of a forked shape, the 
 upper part being curved over to a sharp point and very 
 strong \ with this it is able to defend itself and often to break 
 the tackle. Barbel occasionally attain a weight of eighteen 
 to twenty pounds, but these are very rare occurrences and one 
 of twelve pounds is considered very large. The head is 
 somewhat pointed, with sharp cunning eyes and four wattles 
 or barbs under the mouth from which he is supposed to take 
 -his name. The mouth is situated underneath, enabling him 
 to suck the worm from the ground ; the lips consist of a fleshy 
 substance which he can contract or protrude at pleasure, the 
 teeth being in the throat. 
 
 They spawn in April and May ; the best months in which 
 to angle for them being July, August and September. Their 
 general haunt is in the deep part of rapid steams. At the 
 end of scouers in mill ponds, and under overhanging banks, 
 they may be seen during the summer routing up the sand 
 and gravel with their noses like pigs. Ephemera justly re- 
 marks that he is "a lazy, wallowing gentleman, and the 
 Launcelot Gobbo, of the subaqueous pantries and cellars. 
 The sound of the smacking of his lips tells you how fond 
 he is of a good morsel. He acknowledges its receipt by 
 the best music he can make, and yet what a shame it is 
 that food should be thrown away upon him. So it is, 
 however, and let him swallow good things ever so swiftly, let 
 
BARBEL AND BREAM. 45 
 
 him be worm or gentle crammed his flesh is never the better 
 for it. His great angling value being his obstinacy, which 
 gives him strength notwithstanding the morbid appearance 
 of the muscles, and he will resist your efforts to tow him out 
 of the water with exciting energy. His large fins give him 
 great power when in the water, and he works heavily with 
 them to get away when hooked, making them tread and beat 
 the water like the paddles of a slow steamer." 
 
 HE Rod used for Float-fishing for Barbel should be 
 stiff and light, about thirteen feet long of mottled cane, 
 with an extra top to shorten it about two feet for leger 
 fishing, which requires a stronger rod. The Line should 
 be of the finest prepared plaited silk, about eighty or a hun- 
 dred yards in length for float-fishing, but should not be so 
 fine to use with a leger. The Winch may be either wood, 
 brass or bronze. It must be understood here, that when I 
 mention float-fishing for Barbel, I refer more particularly to 
 that with the running float known as the "Traveller." These 
 floats are made of cork, long and thin ; of various lengths to 
 carry from a dozen to forty shots, and are fitted with a small 
 ring at each end bend down at right angles with the float. 
 Through these rings the line passes, the float running 0* 
 travelling loose on the line, hence its name. To use it : select 
 a long steady swim with a tolerably even bottom, free from 
 large stones or other obstructions. There are several swims 
 in the Thames where I have worked the " Traveller " success- 
 fully, quite fifty yards down the river. One of the best of 
 these swims is in the neighbourhood of Great Marlow. I 
 remember well fishing it with a friend in July, 1856, and 
 rather astonishing sundry Piscators who were using the leger 
 line from the bank, without having so much as a nibble 
 among them all. In a day and a half we landed very nearly 
 three hundred weight of Barbel, some Perch and Dace, and 
 though last, not least a fine Trout weighing five pounds. 
 We should have taken more but in consequence of the Mill 
 stopping, the water was lowered considerably in depth and 
 the current was so slow that comparatively speaking it was 
 dead water. Three of the Barbel were over nine pounds 
 
46 BARBEL AND BREAM. 
 
 each. ; many of the smaller ones we returned to their native 
 element, apparently none the worse for their trip to the higher 
 regions. We were fishing from a punt anchored lengthways 
 in the stream and hooked several of the best fish upwards of 
 forty yards from the punt. 
 
 The " Traveller " is used thus : the gut-hook, size No. 2 
 is fastened to the gut-line by a small swivel to give the 
 worm free play. The bottom shot should be about a foot 
 from the hook, then five or six large Swan Shot, and instead 
 of a long string of shot above these, it is preferable to use 
 two or three small dip-leads to increase the weight. The 
 running line being now passed through the rings of the float, 
 is fastened to the gut bottom thus prepared ; the line should 
 be sufficiently weighted to show quite an inch of the top of 
 the float, otherwise you will not be able to see it a long 
 distance off. After plumbing the depth, which can be easily 
 accomplished by pushing a small plug of wood into the upper 
 ring of the float to fasten the line while the operation of 
 plumbing is performed, remove the plug and plummet, and 
 make a slip-knot in the line about two inches above the top 
 of the float, inserting a double piece of stout gut sufficiently 
 long to project half-an-inch on either side of the knot ; 
 now draw this latter tight and there will be a sufficient 
 impediment created by the projecting pieces of gut to prevent 
 the float rising on the line higher than required for the depth 
 of water. It must be obvious that this is a most useful style 
 of fishing in deep water, because it is equally easy to .fish a 
 deep hole of twenty feet, for although the gut offers resistance 
 enough to the float to keep the bait at the required depth, 
 still it is sufficiently limp, when wet, to draw through the 
 rings of the rod ; so as to allow the fish to be brought within 
 manageable distance. The float, meanwhile being loose on 
 the line, drops down on the shots ; after the fish is landed 
 and a fresh worm put on, slack the line and the float regains 
 its original depth ; the weight of the shots carrying the line 
 rapidly through the rings on the float, until it reaches the 
 gut-stop. Thus I have easily fished a twenty feet hole with 
 a rod of twelve feet, which I certainly could not have done so 
 comfortably, had I used a fixed float. A sketch of the 
 
m 
 30 
 
 o^ 
 H 
 
 m 
 r~ 
 
 r 
 rn 
 
 LEGER 
 
BARBEL AND BREAM. 47 
 
 "Traveller" is annexed, showing the gut "stop" knotted in 
 the line. 
 
 To fish a Barbel swim successfully, it should be well ground- 
 baited the previous day with lobworms. If it is an eddy or al- 
 most dead-water, these may be thrown in without mixing with 
 anything else, but if there is much stream, the greater portion 
 should be made into clay balls, thus : take some clay (which 
 may be generally found in the river bank) and working it 
 into large balls, press a good-sized hole in each, fill with 
 worms and stop it up tightly. Throw these towards the head 
 of the swim ; the worms working out are sure to be carried 
 far enough down by the stream, whereas, if thrown in without 
 clay as some writers recommend, they would soon be washed 
 anywhere but where you wanted them. 
 
 The following day, when you commence fishing throw in 
 about twenty or thirty lobs (each being cut into about four 
 pieces) sufficiently above where you fish to allow the stream 
 to work them down the swim. Remember that the bait 
 should always be in advance of the float, and as little line as 
 possible in the water between it and the top of the rod. It 
 must be evident, that when the float is swimming first and 
 dragging the bait after it, the shot must come first against 
 the nose of the Barbel ; and even if he should see the bait, 
 he has to take the trouble to turn round and swim after it j 
 not only disturbing his own equanimity, but probably up- 
 setting the little domestic arrangements of some other greedy 
 old epicure, who, had you not interfered with the first old 
 gentleman would have remained very quietly sucking in 
 the juicy little morsels like a city Magnate over his turtle, 
 till a fine luscious lob sailed stately down towards him ; 
 he would then gently have opened his leathery mouth and 
 allowed it quietly to glide in; discovering, to his sorrow, 
 when you proceed to disturb his balmy reveries abruptly 
 with a sudden jerk, that "all is not gold that glitters" 
 Therefore to prevent any such unfortunate contretemps, and 
 to ensure a good day's sport as far as lies in your power, pro- 
 ceed in a careful manner. Should you be fishing from a 
 punt, with the wind blowing slightly up-stream, your task 
 will be so much the more easy. By raising the top of the 
 rod and allowing the line to run out slowly, you keep it as 
 
4 BARBEL AND BREAM. 
 
 taut as possible to the float, which will then point up-stream ; 
 while the tackle will swim in advance of it, the bait, naturally 
 being first. If the wind is blowing down the river, the stream 
 at the top is impelled faster than the stream at the bottom, 
 and the float must be managed accordingly ; always regulating 
 the line so that the bait shall be in advance. After a few 
 fish have been taken, throw in some more chopped worms, 
 but not too many ; and be particular, to calculate as near as 
 possible when you throw in the first instalment of worms, 
 what distance they will be carried by the stream before they 
 reach the bottom. Do not spread them about, but draw the 
 fish as much to one part of the swim as you can. If the water 
 is very clear it will be better to keep them ten or fifteen 
 yards below you ; they will bite better and for a longer time 
 by being kept at a distance. Strike directly the float goes 
 down and play your fish carefully so as not to disturb his 
 late companions in the swim ; proceeding in this manner and 
 throwing in a few chopped worms occasionally, to keep the 
 Barbel together, success is certain. Always, of course, pro- 
 viding that the place has been ground-baited the previous 
 day, and that you do not overdo it while fishing. It must be 
 evident that as each fish can only eat a certain quantity, by 
 throwing in too much at once, you probably satisfy the greater 
 portion and then wonder why they will not feed, when your 
 bait is rendered almost invisible by the cloud of worms you 
 have sent in. But throw in about twenty chopped small, and 
 there will probably be a scramble amongst the shoal attracted 
 by the prospects of an El Dorado of lobworms ; prospects 
 which your large deposit of ground-bait of the previous day 
 would seem to warrant. What are eighty little bits among 
 a shoal of Barbel waiting for a fresh banquet 1 Presently, 
 down comes a bonne- boucke in the shape of your bait ; it is 
 immediately pounced on by an unsuspecting gourmand, who 
 to the astonishment of his confreres, immediately departs in 
 an extraordinary manner for the upper world. Another goes 
 in like manner, and so on through the shoal, a very few 
 chopped worms serving to whet their appetite ; until the few 
 that remain have been rendered too shy by the continued 
 hooking and disappearing of their friends. 
 
BARBEL AND BREAM. 49 
 
 Making due allowance for the lightness of the tackle, be 
 particular to strike hard enough ; the mouth of a Barbel 
 being very leathery, a sharp jerk is required to fix the hook 
 firm. Lose a fish and you disturb the swim, and unless they 
 are very strongly on the feed, they will take a little time to 
 recover from their fright. 
 
 HE Leger is very good when the water is colored, or if 
 you are fishing ground of too uneven a nature for the 
 float ; such as the side of a tumbling-bay or similar 
 ^ place. It is made in the following manner : a long- 
 shanked No. 1 gut hook is attached to the leger line, the 
 bottom part of which is composed of two pieces of gut, so as 
 to leave the bait about a yard below the bullet ; at the upper 
 end of the gut is a small swivel, above which is a foot of 
 yellow gimp, on which the bullet runs, a drilled shot being 
 on the gimp next the swivel to act as a stop to the bullet. 
 Many Barbel fishers use a leger-hook of this description >- 
 about two inches from the end of the shank of a No. 1 gut 
 hook, a small lip hook is whipped on the gut ; when the lob- 
 worm is threaded on the larger hook, the worm is drawn up 
 the gut and the head is placed on the small hook. When 
 legering, many Barbel take the head of the worm and I have 
 caught numbers with the small hook which I should probably 
 have missed had I not used that useful little addition ; the 
 worm also is kept much straighter than when without it. 
 
 To use the Leger, we will suppose that the place has been 
 well ground-baited as before described. If you are fishing 
 from the bank, throw the Leger lightly and steadily a little 
 across and down the stream, as near as you can to where 
 you suppose the ground bait has collected. Lower the point 
 of the rod, holding it in such a manner as to keep the line 
 taut to the point of the rod, so as to be able to feel the 
 slightest bite, and remain perfectly quiet. The bite of a 
 Barbel at a Leger may perhaps be best described as a double 
 knock, two distinct little jerks directly following each other, 
 and requiring an instantaneous strike in reply. 
 
 If you do not have a bite in ten minutes or so, draw up 
 and make a fresh throw, longer or shorter, according to cir- 
 cumstances, but always in the direction of the ground-bait ; 
 
50 BARBEL AND BREAM. 
 
 first examining the bait to see if some part of the hook may 
 not be exposed. 
 
 I have practised this style of fishing with great success in 
 parts of the Thames where it would have been extremely 
 difficult to use a " traveller," owing to the rough state of the 
 bottom ; but where, nevertheless, I picked out some heavy 
 Barbel with the Leger ; ground-baiting with the clay balls. 
 
 Greaves is sometimes a good bait and may be used either 
 with float or Leger, in either case the stream should be slow 
 to allow the bait to lie on the bottom. Greaves should first 
 be broken in pieces with a hammer and requires soaking some 
 time in water ; some recommend that it should be boiled a 
 short time, constantly stirring it, to prevent it burning. To 
 bait with it : select the whitest and put four or five small 
 pieces or a long narrow strip on the hook, so as to cover the 
 bend up to the point ; the hook should be smaller than that 
 used with a worm. Ground-bait with the rougher pieces but 
 use very little. 
 
 Cheese is used in a similar manner. The stream must be 
 very slow ; before you commence, throw in several pieces cut 
 to the shape of dice, for ground-bait. It is used in the follow- 
 ing style with the ordinary fixed float : plumb the depth, 
 setting the float about two feet deeper, so that the bait and 
 shots may lie on the bottom straight down the stream, and then 
 proceed the same as for legering ; the float will show the bite. 
 
 Barbel are also angled for, with the ordinary fine roach 
 tackle baiting with gentles; and are sometimes taken of 
 great weight. They are frequently caught foul when fishing 
 with the Leger, through swimming over the line ; the angler 
 supposing it to be a bite, strikes, and often hooks the fish. 
 
 - r F Bream, there are two sorts, the Silver Bream and the 
 Gold or Carp-Bream ; the first of these gradually loses 
 its brilliancy after it exceeds the weight of a pound and 
 
 becomes of a dark smoky hue ; this being the common 
 
 one most found in ponds and deep rivers. The Bream is a 
 very broad, flat fish, the head and mouth small, the eyes 
 large, and the tail exceedingly forked. It spawns towards 
 the latter end of May ; the best months for angling for them 
 
BARBEL AND BREAM. 51 
 
 being from July to October, in deeps where there is a clayey 
 or sandy bottom. I have known the Bream to attain a weight 
 of eight pounds, Blakey says that in the North of Europe, 
 they reach twenty pounds, but I fancy these giants are some- 
 what apocryphal. The best baits are lob, marsh, and red 
 worms, gentles, paste and greaves. The rods and tackle have 
 been described in the remarks on Barbel. The place you 
 intend fishing should be well ground-baited the day previous; 
 if you intend using the "travelling" float, it would be better 
 at the same time, to ascertain the proper depth of the 
 swim ; it will save time and trouble and prevent you disturb- 
 ing the fish the following day, when you commence angling. 
 Allow the bait to swim close to the bottom, strike directly 
 you perceive a bite, (the float often rising up, instead of going 
 down), and proceed as directed when Barbel-fishing. Bream- 
 fishing in still water is pursued in a similar manner. Early 
 in the morning and late in the evening are usually the best 
 times. Indeed, one enthusiastic sportsman of my acquaint- 
 ance camped out, in a tent, on the banks of the Ouse, for 
 several nights in succession, so as to be at work with the rod 
 sufficiently early each morning ; this, of course, was going 
 rather to the extreme. I have had extremely good sport in 
 the middle of the day. Walton-on-Thames is a noted station 
 for Bream, large quantities being taken every season. I have 
 also landed some very fine ones at Weybridge ; at Halidays 
 Hole I caught sixteen weighing from two to six pounds each, 
 in a couple of hours, with the Leger and lobworm. 
 
 The Bream is also taken with Roach-tackle, but requires 
 some care in playing. He will try a variety of schemes to 
 get away ; he will often turn sulky and hang to the bottom 
 for some time ; then make a bolt under a bank, or into the 
 weeds, if any should be near. If that does not succeed, he 
 will come up sideways ; requiring some strain on the tackle 
 to lift him, the great resistance to the water offered by his 
 broad side causing the novice to believe that he has hooked a 
 monster of the deep. When he rises near the surface, he 
 turns over edgeways, the resistance is over, and, behold, it is 
 but a Bream ! 
 
CARP AND TENCH. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 CAEP AND TENCH. 
 
 fHE Carp is a beautiful fish in appearance, of a bronzy 
 gold color, with large scales, and having two wattles 
 under the mouth which is of small size. The fins and 
 tail are of a dark hue, the dorsal fin extending over 
 the greater portion of the back. Carp spawn about May, and 
 are best caught from July to September; they have been 
 taken in the Thames in January when the weather has been 
 very fine. They prefer lakes and ponds to rivers, in some 
 they grow to a large size. Salter mentions one he saw taken 
 from the pond hi Wanstead Park, facing Tilney House, this 
 he says appeared much wasted from age, 1 but weighed then 
 eighteen pounds. In Germany they attain a still larger size, 
 but I do not remember to have seen one in England that 
 exceeded twelve pounds. They are an extremely shy fish, 
 especially the larger ones, who seem to increase in craftiness 
 as they do in weight and years. There is, however, no rule 
 without an exception, for I have observed some splendid 
 fellows in the ponds of the Palace Gardens at Versailles, who 
 appeared to be perfectly tame, probably owing to being fed 
 with bread crumbs by visitors. They are not numerous in 
 the Thames ; though I know of a few artful old Carp, who 
 inhabit a certain deep pool at Weybridge, who appear to glory 
 in their extreme wisdom, and will roll over the line, and appear 
 to bid defiance to the angler. Late in the month of July, 
 1858, on a hot summer's afternoon, I was Barbel-fishing in 
 the eddy off Ham Point, Weybridge ; the water being quite 
 twenty feet deep and as clear as glass. I did not so much 
 as touch a Barbel, but took with my single rod, three, mag- 
 nificent Carp, weighing respectively eight, five, and four 
 pounds; ten Eels, nine large Perch, and one Bream; the 
 
CARP AND TENGH. 53 
 
 Carp gave quite as much play as Trout. These were all 
 taken with the lobworm, using chopped worms for ground 
 bait. 
 
 As a general rule, the redworm will be found the most 
 killing bait, but they will at times prefer a well-scoured 
 marsh worm or lob.. The majority of Roach-baits also are 
 used for Carp. 
 
 Use a light stiff rod with fine running tackle and a light 
 float, ascertaining the depth, if possible, the day before, when 
 ground-baiting ; as recommended in the Chapter on Bream ; 
 so as to keep out of sight when you commence fishing, and 
 disturb the water as little as you can. Throw in a few chop- 
 ped worms, occasionally, while angling ; fish on the bottom, 
 and if in a stream strike immediately there is a bite, ; but if 
 in still water, or a pond, wait a second or two, till the float 
 goes steadily under and then strike gently, as Carp do not 
 take the bait so quickly in deadwater as in a stream, where 
 unless it be taken directly, it is carried away by the current 
 and is gone. 
 
 When you have hooked a good fish, use him gently and 
 patiently ; giving him line, winding in and letting out, till 
 he is exhausted. He is an exceedingly strong and artful fish, 
 and will try every possible means to get round a post or a 
 stump, or into the weeds so as to break the line. 
 
 The grand secret in Carp-fishing is to keep quiet and fish 
 fine. Some anglers expatiate on the great merits of boiled 
 green peas and pieces of cherries, as very taking baits. One 
 writer advises a worm and gentle to be used on the hook at 
 the same time, so as to offer the Carp a choice of baits ; pro- 
 bably, had he suggested that a green pea and a cherry be 
 first placed on the hook, it might have been better still ; the 
 Carp could then have taken vegetables with his dinner and 
 dessert to follow. 
 
 There is another species of this fish, termed the Prussian 
 Carp, which seldom reaches a pound in weight; in shape 
 and color is similar to the ordinary Carp, partaking very 
 much of the nature of the gold and silver fish, and like them 
 may be kept when small, in a globe. They are easily caught in 
 ponds during the summer months with a small red or blood- 
 
54 CARP AND TENCH. 
 
 worm; fish very fine, with a No. 10 hook and a very small 
 quill float. It is essential that the bait should cover the 
 entire hook and look fresh and tempting. Fish two or three 
 inches from the bottom. 
 
 f HE Tench is not so handsome a fis.h as the Carp ; it is 
 short and thick, and when large, nearly as broad as long. 
 The fins and tail are large and of a purple hue ; the 
 
 ^^ scales are extremely small, of a darjt greenish gold color 
 
 and covered with a thick slimy matter. The Tench is a pond 
 fish, thriving best in water where the bottom is weedy and 
 muddy ; it is also found in rivers of a similar character, and 
 is taken occasionally in some parts of the Thames and Lea ; 
 spawning in May and June and being very soon in good con- 
 dition. From July to October are the best months ; though if 
 the weather be very warm, they are sometimes taken in 
 March. During the winter they bury themselves in the mud 
 like Eels. In favorable situations they have been known to 
 attain a weight of nine pounds ; but this is of rare occurrence 
 in this country and they will be seldom found to exceed four 
 pounds although they grow fast. Tench, like Carp are 
 exceedingly tenacious of life, and when packed in wet grass 
 or moss, may be carried long distances without danger of 
 losing their lives. 
 
 A clear redworm or small lobworm will be found the best 
 bait ; wasp-grubs, gentles and paste are also used. Tench 
 require ground-baiting in a similar manner to Barbel. A 
 light stiff rod, with running tackle, should be used, and if 
 fishing in a pond, a small quill float and No. 8 hook with a 
 redworm, or a size smaller for gentle or wasp-grub ; if the 
 bottom is very muddy, fish an inch or two from it. 
 
 Although the Tench is not a particularly shy fish, yet he 
 bites slower than most others, sometimes remaining with the 
 bait between his lips for a short time before taking it into his 
 mouth ; therefore do not strike directly, but let him take the 
 float well down, or as he will often do, rise with the bait, and 
 cause the float to lay flat on the surface. When this occurs, 
 strike smartly, but not too hard ; playing him carefully, so 
 as to keep clear of the weeds. 
 
CHUB. 55 
 
 In summer they may often be seen near the surface of the 
 water, among the weeds and lily leaves, when they may be 
 taken by dropping the bait into any little opening you may 
 observe among the weeds. Fish with a stouter line and with- 
 out a float ; with a shot or two about a foot from the hook to 
 sink the bait sufficiently. When you feel or see a bite, strike 
 sharply and land your prize as soon as possible, for in places 
 of this description there will not be much space for playing. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CHUB. 
 
 ALTHOUGH the Chub is not much prized for the table, 
 still it is an handsome looking fish when in full season 
 and fresh caught. Being a bold biting fish, struggling 
 
 gamely, it affords the angler much amusement ; taking 
 
 the bait from July till March \ either at the top of the water 
 with large flies, insects, moths and palmers, or at the bottom 
 with greaves, bullock's brains, or the pith from the backbone. 
 I have also taken very large Chub with the head of a lob- 
 worm ; or a slug cut down the belly so as to show the white 
 inside ; using them like a fly, early in the morning ; the 
 splash the bait made on entering the water appearing pecu- 
 liarly attractive. Chub spawn about May, and do not thrive 
 well in stagnant ponds, though they do in ponds fed by a 
 running stream, provided there are weeds that give a harbour 
 for the breed of insects. They delight in still holes beneath 
 overhanging bushes or roots, the sides of tumbling bays, <kc., 
 in rivers, retiring during the winter to deeper holes, preferring 
 at all times a gravelly bottom. When small they are ex- 
 
56 CHUB. 
 
 tremely like the Dace in colour and appearance, except that 
 the tail and dorsal fin are much darker than those of the 
 Dace, the point of the tail being nearly black ; the mouth 
 and head also are much broader. I have taken with a very 
 large black fly (called a " Mario w Crow") Chub in the Thames 
 above Marlow, weighing six pounds and a half; and in some 
 parts they grow to eight pounds. 
 
 BIBBING for Chub with a live Cockchafer or Beetle is 
 very successful ; the horny covering of the wings should 
 be removed. The Humble Bee and Grasshopper are 
 also good baits for dibbing during the day, and a large 
 white or brown Moth late in the evening. It is necessary in 
 this style of fishing to hide as much as possible from the 
 sight of the fish, behind a tree or bush. Use a stiffish rod, 
 drawing off as much line as will just allow the bait to reach 
 the water. If you are fishing through bushes, twist all the 
 line between the point of the rod and the bait round the 
 top ; and passing it through the bushes, untwist the line : 
 with proper management the bait will fall naturally and 
 gently on the surface of the water. Where there are wide 
 leaves on the water it is as well to drop the bait on each one 
 in succession, allowing it to roll in from each. Chub, in the 
 summer, at mid-day, often lie concealed under such leaves, 
 ready to take any insect that drops off. If you see any fish, 
 cautiously guide the bait towards the largest. When there 
 are no trees, bushes or similar obstructions on the bank from 
 "which you are fishing, the winch-line should be of stout floss 
 silk, and is technically termed a "blow line" ; to this add a 
 yard or two of gut with the hook length attached. Stand 
 with the wind at your back, hold the insect-bait lightly be- 
 tween the forefinger and thumb of the left hand ; and letting 
 out as much blow line as may be required, let go the hook 
 and the bait will be carried by the wind the requisite distance 
 across the water. The rod for this style of fishing should not 
 be less than twelve feet in length and lighter than for ordin- 
 ary dibbing. Observe to keep the blow line as dry as possible, 
 or it will be too heavy, if wet. 
 
 They are taken during the summer with the ordinary fly 
 
ARTI Fl CIAL 
 COCKCHAFER 
 
 PALMER 
 
 MAR LOW CROW 
 
 CATERPI LLAR 
 
 HUMBLE-BEE 
 
CHUB. 57 
 
 rod using red, brown or black Palmers, &c. , in some parts .of 
 the Thames a large black artificial caterpillar is very successful. 
 I have also taken some very fine Chub with the Spinning- 
 bait when fishing for Trout and Perch early in the season ; 
 towards the latter end of spring, angling with a live minnow 
 or small frog is sometimes very successful. 
 
 f HE best time to angle with bullock's pith and brains is 
 from November till March. To prepare them for use, 
 take the skin from the brains, washing in fresh water 
 
 two or three times to clear them from blood, and until 
 
 they become white ; the outside skin of the pith of the back- 
 bone is very thick and tough, this must be carefully slit with 
 scissors (so as not to tear the under skin), and removed. When 
 this operation is completed, slit the underskin in like manner, 
 from end to end of the piece, open it so as to lay it flat, there 
 will then be skin on one side and none on the other ; the 
 skin is to bind it to the hook. Wash clean, boil the pith and 
 brains a minute, and they are ready for use. 
 
 The Rod should be light and about twelve feet long if used 
 from the bank, but may be shorter to use from a punt. With 
 forty or fifty yards of fine prepared plaited silk line on a suit- 
 able winch. The bottom tackle should be composed of three 
 yards of fine gut line, a No. 5 hook, and a quill float of pro- 
 portionate size to the amount of stream in the swim ; using as 
 small a one as possible. Choose a gentle swim about six feet 
 deep where there are willow bushes overhanging the water ; 
 plumb the depth and fish an inch from the bottom, baiting 
 with the pith and using the brains as ground-bait. Strike 
 directly you see a bite, and handle your fish carefully ; if a 
 large one, it will probably rush furiously to the opposite side of 
 the river, directly it is hooked, give plenty of line, unless he is 
 going to dangerous quarters ; put on a little strain and after - 
 his first or second effort, and a few plunges you may venture 
 to bring him to the landing net. 
 
 The usual method of ground-baiting with brains is by chew- 
 ing and then blowing them into the water; but as many 
 anglers object to this, they may proceed in this manner : 
 take a quantity of brains, either bullocks' or sheep's, clean 
 
58 ROACH, RUDD AND DACE. 
 
 them as before described, and pound them in a mortar, mixing 
 afterwards with house-sand and a little bran. Throw into 
 the water in small quantities occasionally whilst angling. If 
 pith and brains connot be procured, bait with the whitest 
 greaves^ or paste, made of bread, old cheese and honey. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 EOACH, RUDD AND DACE. 
 
 [HE Roach is, in appearance, a handsome fish when in 
 season, though, perhaps, one of the coarsest of the finny 
 tribe as far as eating is concerned. It affords good 
 sport, and requires some amount of skill to catch ; al- 
 though by some writers it is termed the "water sheep" and 
 easily to be taken : but in reality it requires a quick eye, fine 
 tackle, and a steady hand, and much practice, before anyone 
 can pretend to be a good Roach Angler. 
 
 Roach spawn in April and May, during which time the 
 scales are very rough, the fish being sickly and keeping among 
 the weeds, on which they feed, as well as on the insects found 
 thereon. They are in good season from July till March, but 
 the winter months are generally the best for angling for them, 
 especially after a flood when the water is recovering; the 
 larger ones have then left the weeds and remain in the deep 
 water, and not having so much living food about them will 
 more readily take the bait. Their scales are then very smooth 
 and large, of a dark bluish green color on the back, lightening 
 into a bright silver nearer the belly ; the under fins are a bright 
 red ; the back fin and tail of a dusky red, tinged somewhat 
 with pun-pie. They are seldom taken heavier than two pounds 
 
ROACH, BUDD AND DACE. 59 
 
 though I have taken them in the Thames weighing two 
 pounds and a half; and have known them to reach three 
 pounds, but these leviathans are very scarce. 
 
 One great desideratum in Roach-fishing is that the angler 
 should know something of the water that he intends to fish ; 
 and then to choose a swim where he can fish with comfort, 
 according to the state in which the water may be at the time. 
 Roach do not approve of very rough water, but are more 
 generally found in steady swims of a moderate depth and 
 with a sandy or gravelly bottom. When angling in rivers 
 choose if possible, a swim that is rather shallower at the end, 
 because when the ground-bait separates, the principal portion 
 lodges there and consequently keeps the fish together in a 
 better manner than it would do if the swim was not so con- 
 veniently adapted to retain it, but allowed it to be entirely 
 washed away by the action of the stream. It is also by the 
 judicious use of ground-bait, and fishing at the proper depth, 
 that one angler will be more successful than another, who 
 may be using the same description of bait, the same quality 
 of tackle, and fishing at a very short distance from the first 
 one, though not with the like success. One of the most clean 
 and simple ground-baits and at the same time one with which 
 I have had the best sport, is made of bread and bran ; the 
 crust of a quartern loaf being cut off, soak the crumb in 
 water till it is well saturated, squeeze it nearly dry, then 
 placing it in a pan or similar receptacle, add the bran by 
 handfuls, kneading it well together until the whole is almost 
 as stiff as clay. This requires some little time to make but 
 will amply repay the angler for his trouble. In rivers Mke 
 the Thames, when fishing from a punt, the ground-bait shoiold 
 be worked into balls about the size of a moderately large 
 turnip, and it there is much stream will probably require 
 some clay mixed with it to increase the weight and bind it 
 together ; or the insertion of a stone is sometimes requisite, 
 so as to ensure it sinking instantly at the head of the swim 
 when dropped over the side of the punt. In ponds and small 
 rivers the ground-bait balls should be used smaller. An 
 excellent addition to this description of ground-bait (although 
 many object on account of the scent) is a quantity of carrion 
 
60 ROACH, RUDD AND DACE. 
 
 gentles ; after the bread and bran are well mixed with some 
 clay and formed into balls, press a hole in each with the 
 finger, and before throwing the ball into the swim fill the 
 hole in the ground-bait with gentles and close it tightly. In 
 eddies and still waters a handful of carrion gentles alone, 
 thrown in are very useful ; but if there is much stream, it 
 is evident that the gentles being light must be carried away 
 directly they reach the water ; whereas if they are worked 
 into the ball, this sinks directly and they then find their way 
 out gradually and keep the fish about the swim. Potatoes 
 are also used for ground-bait, they should be boiled till soft, 
 and gently squeezed before being thrown into the swim. 
 
 f HE Rod used for Eoach-fishing from the bank should be 
 from sixteen to twenty feet in length, of light and stiff 
 cane, sharp in the strike and not ringed ; if it is to be 
 used from a punt, should possess the same qualities but 
 tumid be from ten to eleven feet only. For a rod of this 
 latter description it is safer to have rings, tolerably close 
 together (so as not to allow the line to hang too loosely from 
 the rod) as it not unfrequently happens that a Barbel makes 
 his appearance in the swim, when unless the angler is pro- 
 vided with running-tackle, he stands a very fair chance of 
 losing his fish. The running-line should be the very finest 
 plaited silk (prepared with india-rubber varnish) and should 
 be from thirty to forty yards long, on a small multiplying 
 winch ; or if the angler chooses, a plain winch. 
 
 In the Lea, however, the true Roach fisher scorns rings to 
 his rod and trusts to his skill alone to enable him to land 
 safely his finny prize. Most Lea-fishers keep an inch or two 
 of fine silk line tied to the end of the top-joint, and fasten 
 the gut or hair line to the silk by means of a draw-loop knot ; 
 this is a better plan than fastening the line directly to the 
 rod, as the latter is apt to chafe the gut or hair. The Roach- 
 line should be of the very finest blue gut, in length about 
 three yards, although many prefer the same length of horse 
 hair; this however is becoming rapidly superseded by the 
 extra-fine gut, which, besides being less than half the sub- 
 stance, possesses five or six times the strength. 
 
ROACH FLOATS 
 
 QUI LL 
 
 5- 
 
 SQUARE & ROLL 
 PLUMMETS. 
 
 CORK 
 
 H 
 
 QUILL 
 
 REED 
 
 ROACH HOOKS 
 
 pppnn p 
 
 ROUND-BEND SNECK-BEND 
 
ROACH, RUDD AND DACE. 6l 
 
 The size of the Hooks varies considerably, some experienced 
 anglers using them as large as No. 6, whilst others never use 
 anything larger than No. 11 ; a medium size about No. 9 
 will generally be found the most useful. As regards shape, 
 this is very much a matter of fancy, the very fine round bent 
 hooks requiring great care in use as it is impossible for them 
 to have very much barb and the skin of a Roach's mouth 
 being very tender the fine wire is apt to work out or cut its 
 way through if the fish is large or gives much play ; they are 
 however much used by those anglers who prefer fishing with 
 hair, whilst those who use fine gut generally prefer the bright 
 sneck, a short square shaped hook, extremely sharp, with a 
 good barb. 
 
 The best and neatest Float is the taper quill ; though for 
 rough work, a very thin cork is very useful. Roach floats 
 are of all sizes from those carrying half-a-dozen shots, to some 
 for use in heavy water, and which require thirty shots or 
 more. Observe, to shot the line so that a very small portion 
 only, of the tip of the float is left above water, for Roaoh fre- 
 quently bite so very fine, that without attending to this you 
 will probably miss the chance of two bites out of three ; 
 neither should the float be larger than is actually necessary, 
 although it must be obvious, that in fishing some of the deep 
 swims in the Thames, where there is a strong steady current, 
 unless the angler has a tolerably large string of shot his bait 
 will not reach the bottom until it arrives at nearly the end 
 of the swim ; therefore always match the size of the float as 
 near as possible to the degree of current in the river you 
 intend to fish, 
 
 Plumbing the depth is performed in the following manner ; 
 if using a roll plummet, as it is termed, (which is simply a 
 small roll of thin sheet lead about an inch wide) unroll about 
 two inches from the end, lay the hook in, and roll up the 
 plummet again ; your hook is then secured. This is not so 
 good as using the ring plummet, the hook in this instance 
 being passed through the ring, and the point inserted in the 
 cork at the bottom of the plummet, which may be either 
 taper, like a sugar-loaf or square ended. 
 
 As success in Roach-fishing depends much upon angling a 
 
62 ROACH, RUDD AND DACE. 
 
 the proper depth, take pains to ascertain the depth accurately 
 before you commence fishing ; when the plummet touches 
 the bottom, and the tip of the float is even with the surface 
 of the water, you have obtained the true depth. It is better 
 when angling for Roach or any other fish which require 
 ground-bait, to allow the line to remain in the water with 
 the plummet on the hook, while you are casting in the ground 
 bait ; so as to stretch and soften the line and render it, con- 
 sequently, less liable to break, as gut and hair will frequently 
 do when dry and stiff. It is also a good plan, to dip the line 
 above the float, occasionally, in the water for the same reason. 
 Having discovered the correct depth, commence fishing with 
 the bait almost touching the bottom ; if without success, alter 
 the float so as to fish shallower, that is, with the bait two or 
 three inches from the ground ; if still unsuccessful, vary the 
 position of the float still more. During very warm weather 
 Roach occasionally swim nearer the surface, and then some- 
 times take the bait better at midwater than at bottom ; but 
 as that does not often occur later in the season, commence 
 with the bait nearly touching the ground. They may also 
 during the summer months be taken with a fly, using it below 
 the surface and without a float ; put on one small shot to 
 Bink the bait, drawing it gently up and down till you feel a 
 bite ; the Roach generally taking it as it approaches the 
 surface. 
 
 It often happens in Rivers, from opening the locks, altering 
 the run of water in the mills, and from various other causes, 
 that the depth of the water is changed, therefore if you have 
 been enjoy ing good sport and it should suddenly cease (which 
 it will probably do, if you have lost the proper (Jepth) then 
 try the depth again. 
 
 The Baits are somewhat numerous; paste, liver-gentles, 
 worms, creed malt, rice, &c., of these the two first are the 
 best. In making the paste it is absolutely necessary that 
 the hands should be very clean, otherwise the paste will be 
 discolored ; take a piece of the crumb of a loaf the day after 
 it is baked, dip lightly in water, immediately squeeze it as 
 dry as possible, and placing it in the left hand, knead it with 
 the thumb and fingers of the right, till it becomes exceedingly 
 
ROACH, RUDD AND DACE. 63 
 
 smooth and stiff. This is, when well made, the best paste 
 for Roach, and they seldom refuse it at any time of the year. 
 Many add a small quantity of honey, in this case the bread 
 will not require dipping in water. Some also prefer a pink 
 paste, this is made by mixing a small 'quantity of vermilion 
 or red ochre with the one first mentioned. The Cadis is also 
 a good bait, and should the angler be fishing any water where 
 this bait is plentiful, at the time when it is leaving its shell, 
 he will probably find that the Roach will take nothing else, 
 this being then their natural food. At other times a small 
 red worm or a portion of the tail of a small lobworm will be 
 found successful ; note, when using these, to ground-bait 
 with a quantity of a similar description of worm chopped up 
 into small pieces ; instead of the bread and bran, which 
 should be used when paste is the bait. In the same manner 
 as the carrion gentles are added when liver-gentles are used 
 on the hook, the fish, as is often the case, appearing to judge 
 from outward appearance only, and therefore preferring 
 the well-fed aldermanic individual moving along in grand 
 state on the hook, to the dirty canaille who are swept along 
 with the stream. Yet with Roach as with all other fish, the 
 water may appear in good order, the wind in the right quarter, 
 and everything else equally favorable, but the fish will not 
 take the bait, let it be ever so tempting. The disappointed 
 angler declares that " they are not on the feed " the simple 
 fact being that by a natural instinct, they appear to expect, 
 at certain seasons of the year, and in certain conditions of 
 the water, some particular natural food which is in the water ; 
 whether in the shape of decomposed weeds, grubs, cadis or 
 other insects not easily to be discovered. To fish with one 
 gentle, enter the point of the hook (which should be No. 10 
 or 11) near either end, bring it out at the other, and drawing 
 the point back again sufficiently to conceal it ; pursue a 
 similar method if using more than one. A larger hook No. 
 8 or 9 is required for a worm, to bait with which enter the 
 point of the hook near the head of the worm, which must be 
 worked gently on to the hook with the thumb and finger, 
 while the right is gradually working the hook down yards ; a 
 small lively piece of the tail may be left moving about, but if 
 
64 ROACH, RUDD AND DACE. 
 
 too much hangs loose, the fish may nibble but will seldom 
 take the whole in their mouths, and the angler will be 
 annoyed by finding part of the worm gone but that he has 
 missed his fish. 
 
 Always keep the top of the rod over the float, and sufficient- 
 ly high to prevent any slack line touching the water, so as to 
 to strike lightly but quickly (the motion coming not from 
 the arm but from the wrist) the moment you observe the least 
 movement of the float, either by it being drawn under, or 
 thrown up a little. Do not strike too hard ; for the Roach, 
 being a tender-mouthed fish is hooked by a very slight jerk. 
 
 When you have hooked a fish, raise the top of the rod and 
 place a slight strain on him by lowering the butt, by playing 
 him thus he will soon be ready for the landing net, an article 
 which will be found particularly useful if fishing from a high 
 bank or where the fish run large When fishing from the 
 bank with a twenty-feet rod and a tight line, it will be neces- 
 sary, of course, to remove the butt and large joint to bring 
 the fish within reach of the net. 
 
 f HE Rudd is similar to the Roach in shape and color ; only 
 that it is rather broader and the body and gills are ting- 
 ed with a golden bronze. The under-fins and tail are a 
 bright red. They seldom exceed a pound in weight, 
 I thrive best in ponds and still waters with gravelly bottoms; 
 spawning about April. Angle for them at bottom the same 
 as Roach ; with a fine gut or hair line, No. 9 or 10 hook and 
 a light quill float. Bait with redworms, gentles or paste ; 
 ground-baiting as usual. 
 
 f HE Dace is a handsome shaped fish, the body long and 
 of a bright silvery color ; the scales and fins small, the 
 latter being of a yellowish tinge. The largest I re- 
 
 member to have seen was taken in the Thames near 
 
 Hampton, with a worm, an4 weighed exactly one pound. The 
 river Colne is also noted for Dace of a large size, a great many 
 being taken near West Drayton. 
 
 They are a sharp-biting fish and therefore require striking 
 quickly ; frequenting, during the summer months, shallows, 
 
ROACH, RUDD AND DACE, 65 
 
 rapids, and eddies, when they afford good sport to the in- 
 cipient fly-fisher ; indeed,, they are about the best fish to 
 initiate him into the art and mystery of that science. The 
 young angler will find capital sport during the fine summer's 
 evenings on the banks of the Thames, using the black gnat 
 or golden palmer on the shallows about Isleworth, Twickenham 
 or Hampton, fishing from the towing path, The house-fly, 
 red, black, and brown palmers, blue-duns and gnats, are all 
 killing flies for Dace, and may be rendered still more so, by 
 the addition of a gentle on the point of the hook ; or instead 
 of a gentle, a thin strip of light yellow kid leather wound 
 round the hook, from the tail of the fly nearly to the barb. 
 
 In the autumn they retire into deeper water and may be 
 taken with the same rod and bottom -tackle as Roach ; the 
 same baits also may be used. In summer they prefer the 
 gentle ; in the autumn and winter, paste and worms. The 
 best months are from July to December. Large Dace are 
 often caught while fishing for Barbel late in the summer, 
 with the tail of a lobworm ; when this occurs, it shows that 
 there are beginning to feed lower down and to discontinue 
 rising at the fly. In shallows of two or three feet in depth, 
 such as lie in the angle of two streams or where a brook enters 
 a river, or between the runs at a mill tail, where there is a 
 kind of eddy or backwater, Dace are usually found waiting 
 for any unlucky insects or worms that may be brought down 
 the stream ; in such places work the bait from four to six 
 inches from the bottom ; a small redworm will be found very 
 killing. The same ground-baits mentioned for Roach are 
 equally good for Dace, but it must be remembered that when 
 ground-baiting for Dace, you are at the same time performing 
 the same kind office for nearly every other description of fish, 
 and you are just as likely to take Barbel, Roach or Trout. 
 As an instance I might mention that I was Dace-fishing, early 
 one morning, a small stream in Kent, using the gentle and 
 fishing very fine with running tackle ; in a very short space 
 of time I landed two brace of Trout, each fish over a pound 
 (a large size for the stream in question), several good-sized 
 Dace, a Perch and some Gudgeons ; the only ground-bait I 
 used was carrion-gentles, sprinkling a few in occasionally a 
 
66 ROACH, RUDD AND DACE. 
 
 yard or two above the swim, which was about five feet in 
 depth ; the bottom line was the very finest gut, and the float 
 a small taper quill carrying half-a-dozen small shots; this 
 was in the month of June, the weather was extremely hot, 
 and it was only for an hour or two early in the morning that 
 there was a chance of doing anything. 
 
 And here I must remind the young practitioner, that al- 
 though with Roach, Dace and other fish which require ground 
 bait, this is necessary to draw the surrounding fish into the 
 swim, yet it must be used with judgement ; not throwing in 
 at once a sufficient quantity to satiate all the fish for half a 
 mile down the water, but just sufficient to bring them into 
 the swim ; and as long as they continue on the feed, a very 
 small quantity thrown in at intervals will suffice to keep the 
 shoal together. 
 
 The best plan is to ground-bait the place overnight if poss- 
 ible, with a similar description of bait to that you purpose 
 using the following day ; if you intend fishing with gentles, 
 use the bread, bran and carrions mixed with a little clay f ; if 
 with worms, then a couple of hundred or more worms should 
 be chopped small and thrown in a few yards above where you 
 intend to fish. It will also be found a good plan when fishing 
 with worms to throw in a clay ball or two containing worms, 
 the same as used for Barbel. 
 
EEL, LAMPREY AND LAMPERtf. 67 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 EEL, LAMPREY AND LAMPERN. 
 
 ELS are found in rivers, canals, docks, <fec., their usual 
 haunts being weeds, under roots, in holes under the 
 bank, in sunken boats, about flood-gates and weirs. In 
 ~, the Thames and indeed in most large rivers, they are 
 taken principally with night-lines and in Eel Baskets or pot- 
 tles ; also in small rivers and ponds by means of an Eel-spear, 
 which is struck into the mud, the Eels being caught between 
 the prongs, which are covered with small barbs so as to retain 
 them. Bobbing for Eels is sometimes practised ; it is done 
 in this manner : having ready a quantity of tough well 
 scoured lobworms, fasten a needle to a couple of yards of 
 strong red worsted ; pass the needle through each worm from 
 the head to the tail until the worsted is full. Coil them 
 round the hand and tie them tightly in one place with some 
 strong string so that none of the links hang loose. The rod 
 should be a small pole about eight or ten feet long, tapering 
 from about an inch or more in diameter to half-an-inch at the 
 small end, to which should be fixed a strong ring bent down to 
 a right angle with the rod. Four or five yards of whip-cord 
 will do for the line, but a piece of strong trolling line is best. 
 The bobbing-lead is a hollow cone about three inches high, 
 with a hole through the apex of the cone, through which the 
 line is passed, and tied securely to the bunch of worms, upon 
 which the lead then falls, fitting on the top like a cap. Let- 
 ting out just sufficient line to allow the lead to touch the 
 bottom when the top of the pole touches the water, fasten 
 the remainder round the butt of the pole ; keep raising 
 them two or three inches from the ground, and lowering them 
 till you feel a bite ; then draw the bait steadily up, without 
 jerking, but sufficiently quick to swing the lead into the boat, 
 
68 EEL, LAMPREY AND LAMPERN. 
 
 before the Eel drops off; they are only taken by the teeth 
 sticking in the worsted, two or three are often taken at once. 
 
 fIGHT-LINES are made of water-cord, with the hooks 
 about half-a-yard apart, baited with worms, loach, gud- 
 geons, <feo. ; a brick is fastened to each end of the line to 
 _ _ sink it, or a peg at one end and a brick at the other. 
 and laid obliquely across the stream. 
 
 They are also often taken when Legering for Barbel, this 
 style of fishing has already been mentioned as also float-fishing, 
 with the latter the bait should lie on the ground, strike when 
 the float goes steadily off ; get the Eel on shore immediately, 
 and cut the bottom line close to his mouth, leaving the hook 
 in, or he will tie your line up into a mass of knots, which will 
 not be improved by his slime. I have also taken them when 
 live-baiting for Jack ; I was fishing a piece of dead-water in 
 Shepperton Weir, for some time without success, one after- 
 noon ; altering the depth so that the gudgeon swam much 
 deeper, there were two runs in succession, the fish that took 
 the bait fouling the line each time by running under the sill 
 of the weir, apparently at the moment of seizing the Gudgeon. 
 Suspecting they were Eels, I struck the next time directly the 
 float went down, and landed a fine Eel ; continuing at the 
 same place I had five in succession in a very short time. 
 
 the river is low and bright, they may be taken 
 by sniggling. A short stout needle is whipped tight 
 to the end of a few yards of trolling-line, in such a 
 _ manner that the needle may hang crossways at the 
 
 end of the line. Enter the needle at about one-third of the 
 length from the head of a lively lobwoYm, pass the whole of 
 needle inside towards the tail, and draw it back towards the 
 head of the worm, so that the middle of the needle is opposite 
 where the point entered, by this means the worm is sound and 
 neatly fixed. The rod for sniggling is only used to convey 
 the worm to the hole where you expect to find an Eel, and 
 is made thus : a piece of stout copper wire about eighteen 
 inches long is fastened to the end of a stick seven or eight 
 feet in length, bending the wire into any shape you find 
 
GUDGEON, BLEAK, <fec. 69 
 
 necessary to enable you to place the worm in the hole ; the 
 end of the wire being pointed so as to hold the worm. 
 Experience will soon enable you to distinguish those holes 
 likely to contain Eels, they may sometimes be discovered by 
 their blowing up bubbles in the water. If an Eel is there, 
 he will draw the bait off the wire, give him loose line and 
 plenty of time; on giving a moderate jerk, the needle is 
 fixed across his throat, hold the line tight, keeping a steady 
 pull on it, and he will soon make his appearance. 
 
 The Lamprey Eel is similar in shape to the Lampern, or 
 seven-eyes, but grows much larger, it is sometimes taken 
 nearly three feet long, in rivers having a communication 
 with the sea. 
 
 The Lampern is found in the Thames, in the months of 
 March and April, when they are in the best state, but even 
 then are not considered wholesome ; they are generally 
 taken between Battersea and Teddington, but I have taken 
 them at Weybridge. They grow about a foot in length, and 
 have seven holes on each side of the head ; the back is a dark 
 colour and the belly white. Cut in pieces about an inch 
 and a half long, they are killing baits for the ordinary Eel. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 GUDGEON, BLEAK, &c. 
 
 [HE Gudgeon is a handsome little fish, rarely exceeding 
 eight inches in length ; the back of a dusky colour, 
 the fins and tail of a dirty brown spotted with a darker 
 
 tint ; at the mouth are two wattles like the Carp ; and 
 
 on, what is termed, the lateral line of the body, are six dark 
 spots of rather large size. They are a gregarious fish, and 
 may be seen during the summer, in shoals of upwards of a 
 
70 GUDGEON, BLEAK, <fcc. 
 
 hundred at the bottom of clear rivers ; delighting in a sharp 
 stream from two to five feet deep with a gravelly bottom. 
 Use the same Rod and Tackle as for Roach ; it is better to 
 have a winch and running line, in case of large Perch or 
 Barbel working into the swim. 
 
 The best baits are blood worms and small bright red 
 worms. Before you begin fishing, it is usual to rake the 
 swim with an iron rake fastened to a long pole. By doing 
 this, the water is coloured, and small worms and insects are 
 stirred up, by loosening the gravelly sand ; the gudgeon, 
 instinctively, swim towards the spot and take the bait. As 
 they cease biting use the rake again, and continuing in this 
 manner you may take nearly every fish in the swim. Plumb 
 the depth before you commence, and let the bait just touch 
 the ground. When baiting with blood worms, put two on 
 the hook ; they require very careful handling when doing so, 
 as they are apt to fall to pieces ; when using red worms, 
 bait with the tail end, leaving as little as possible loose. 
 
 When fishing from a punt, it will be unnecessary to use 
 the rake again as long as the gudgeon continue biting. If 
 they cease doing so and do not come on again after raking 
 the ground, try a fresh swim. Continual raking and change 
 of ground being requisite to secure successful Gudgeon 
 fishing. I once caught one hundred Gudgeons in one hour 
 from one swim; this was in the Thames in 1858; being 
 short of Jack-baits I was compelled to catch them with a 
 rod and line ; it was sharp work, the swim was about two 
 feet deep, and the Gudgeons well on the feed, taking the 
 bait as soon it was in the water ; I used the tail half of a 
 red worm threadled securely on the hook ; by this means I 
 could generally take a dozen before requiring a fresh bait. 
 
 } LEAK are found in immense numbers in the Thames, 
 Lea, and several other rivers ; they are a lively, bril- 
 liant fish somewhat like a Sprat in size and colour ; 
 _ ^ and easily taken with a small fly at the top of the 
 water or with a gentle or paste at midwater or towards the 
 bottom. The Roach fisher is often annnoyed by a small 
 shoal of Bleak making their way into his swim, attracted by 
 
GUDGEON, BLEAK, (fee. 71 
 
 the ground bait. The young fly-fisher when whipping for 
 Dace with a very small red palmer or black gnat, on the 
 shallows, may take any quantity during the warm summer's 
 evenings. If angling for them, it is a good plan to have four 
 or five No. 10 hooks, tied on very fine gut about five inches 
 in length, and attach them to an ordinary Roach line, like a 
 paternoster so as to fish all depths at once, using a very 
 small quill float and baiting each hook with a single gentle 
 or very small piece of paste. I have known them caught five 
 at a time. 
 
 [HE Loach or Stone Loach is a very small fish, seldom 
 exceeding five inches in length ; with a dark round 
 body ot a muddy colour, with six wattles at its mouth ; 
 
 the colour of the fins somewhat resembles that of the 
 
 fins of a Gudgeon. They lie at the bottom like Barbel 
 routing the gravel and may be taken occasionally with 
 a piece of red worm, on the shallows near Milltails. 
 
 JINNOWS, Pricklebacks, and BuUheads, or Miller's 
 Thumbs are too well known to need description. The 
 first are valuable as a bait for Trout, Jack, &c., for 
 which purpose the second is sometimes used, but 
 requires the prickles to be removed. As regards the third, 
 Salter says that " he has known seven dozen taken in a day 
 in the New Eiver near Ware," and that "it is fine eating 
 when fried, if the head is cut off,'* but unfortunately the fish 
 itself is only about three inches in length and even that is 
 nearly all head. 
 
72 THE THAMES. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE THAMES. 
 
 COMMENCE this short notice of Fishing Stations with 
 a description of the Thames ; first as being undoubtedly 
 the most important river of England, and secondly, 
 as being more particularly, the scene of the London 
 Angler's piscatory achievements. At the beginning of the 
 present century it would have been comparatively difficult to 
 inform him where to go to really enjoy his favorite amusement ; 
 for then, it would have required some considerable outlay of 
 time and money to diverge to any great distance from home, 
 or from the county in which he resided. In the present day, 
 however, the position is somewhat different. Railroads and 
 steamers have opened out an entirely new world of adventure 
 and recreation, and his ambition is consequently, stimulated 
 to the highest pitch. For a comparatively trifling cost, the 
 angler can explore some of the finest districts of the most 
 unfrequented parts of the north hi search of the princely 
 Salmon, and the enormous Lake-Trout, which before the "pre- 
 sent age of quick travelling, were seldom placed within reach 
 of his rod and line. The Thames, however, is par excellence, 
 the London Angler's River : few streams containing a greater 
 variety of fish, and the varied scenery on its banks being of 
 unrivalled beauty. Owing to the Steam Navigation, Gas 
 Works and Sewers, the Thames Salmon which, a century since, 
 was noted for its splendid flavour, has been entirely driven 
 away from the river ; w T hich will, notwithstanding, be one 
 of the finest fisheries, in England, in the course of a few years, 
 if thevigorous efforts now being made by the Thames Angling 
 Preservation Society be presisted in, for the artificial breeding 
 and rearing of Salmon, Trout, and Grayling. The ultimate 
 
THE THAMES. 73 
 
 result of the introduction of Salmon again to the Thames is 
 of course at present very problematical, as, for the reasons 
 already given, it remains to be proved whether they will be 
 able to pass through the pools near London, on their passage to 
 the sea, and return to the breeding beds ; although when 
 the Main-Drainage Works are completed, the water may be 
 brought to a state more nearly resembling its original purity. 
 It is considered by the Society that without any great expense 
 or trouble, nearly 100,000 Trout may be hatched and reared 
 annually for the Thames. The young fish grow rapidly, and 
 should Pisciculture be carried on with spirit, even making 
 allowance for the ravages committed amongst them by their 
 mortal enemy the Pike, the river will still be well stocked with 
 Trout ; as although unsuited for many reasons for breeding 
 them successfully by itself, without management, yet the 
 Thames supplies abundance of suitable food and has all the 
 conditions required for healthy developement as is sufficiently 
 shown by the large weight and splendid quality of the Thames 
 Trout. Should the attempt with Salmon and Grayling be as 
 successful, it will not only greatly exalt the character of the 
 fishery, but will still further establish the value of the Society, 
 through whose exertions so glorious a result has been achieved. 
 Two streams contend for the honour of the parentage of 
 this noble river, the source of one being known as Thames-head 
 (which is about 376 feet above the level of the sea) and that 
 of the other as Seven Springs ; the former would seem at 
 first sight to have the best claim to the title, the source 
 having always been called Thames-head by the inhabitants of 
 the neighbourhood, and the stream itself having always been 
 called the Thamas, for some distance before it meets the other 
 branch, which has always been called the Churn ; the latter 
 however bears the palm as regards both its size and the dis- 
 tance of its source from the main river. Thames-head rises 
 in a field close to a bridge over the Thames and Severn Canal, 
 known as Thames-head bridge, and is about three miles south- 
 west of Cirencester ; the stream is first traceable near Kemble 
 where a supply from one or two other springs enables it to 
 spread into a pretty brook, it then passes Somerford and at 
 Ashton Keynes it is joined by the Swill-brook, which rises 
 
74 THE THAMES. 
 
 about four miles from Tetbury ; it now flows on till it is joined 
 by the Churn above Cricklade. The Churn rises near Leck- 
 hampton Hill, about three miles south of Cheltenham, at 
 Seven Springs, which from its situation and the greater 
 quantity of water that constantly flows from it, seems to have 
 a greater claim to be considered the "very head" of the 
 Thames. Unlike the other stream this is exceedingly pic- 
 turesque at its starting point, and continues so for a great 
 part of its course. From Seven Springs it runs past Cowley, 
 Colesborne, under differing Wood, through the rich grounds 
 of Rendcombe, Nofth Cerney to Cirencester, through which 
 town it flows ; it then runs for some distance along the 
 Cricklade Road, by Addington and South Cerney to the foot of 
 Hailstone Hill, and joining the other branch about a mile 
 above Cricklade, they flow on together as the Thames. The 
 length of the stream from Thames-head is about ten miles 
 and the length of the Churn from Seven Springs is about 
 20 miles. Near Water Eaton it is joined by the Ray and 
 tolerable Perch-fishing is to be found. By the time it had 
 reached Inglesham the river has increased considerably in size, 
 having received two rather important brooks, the Cole on the 
 Wiltshire side and the Coin on that of Gloucestershire ; near 
 Inglesham Weir (which is the head of the navigation on the 
 Thames) it is joined by the Thames and Severn Canal by 
 means of which the navigation is continued through the 
 Western Counties. This Canal which joins the Stroudwater 
 Canal near Stroud is about thirty miles long, and was finished 
 in 1789, before which time the Thames used to be navigated 
 up to Cricklade by barges of light draught, built for the pur- 
 pose, but now the upper course is left to the undisturbed use 
 of the fisherman and the miller. Near 
 
 LECHDALE BRIDGE. 
 
 it is joined by the Lech ; from St. John's Lock past Buscot 
 Lock there is good Pike and Perch-fishing, and plenty of 
 Roach. Following the road from Radcot Bridge we come to 
 
 FARINGDON, 
 
 where is a station on the Great Western Railway. Near here 
 
THE THAMES. 75 
 
 is the celebrated Vale of the White Horse, Wayland Smith's 
 Cave, and the Blowing Stone, in the estimation of Berkshire 
 men the next great wonder to the White Horse ; the blowing 
 stone is a huge sort of natural trumpet, being a large block 
 of stone pierced in a curious manner, this when skilfully 
 played may be heard at five miles' distance, and connoisseurs, 
 it is said, can tell by the note where the player comes from. 
 Returning to the river, the next noticeable part we come to 
 is Tadpole Bridge, and passing several small weirs we arrive 
 at the village of Standlake, where it receives the Windrush. 
 There is good bottom-fishing along this part of the river past 
 Appleton, and Stanton Harcourt. The Church here and 
 the Harcourt Chapel contain monuments well worthy the 
 notice of the Antiquarian. On the Berkshire side, about a 
 mile and three-quarters from the river is Cumnor, immortal- 
 ized by Sir Walter Scott in Kenilworth ; but the Haunted 
 Towers and even the very walls, are gone, and all that is left 
 is but a portion of the foundation. A mile below 
 
 EN SHAM 
 
 the Evenlode falls into the Thames ; and below King's Weir 
 is Godstow Bridge and Lock, near the bridge are some ruins, 
 not .large nor very picturesque ; but they will be looked at 
 with some interest from their connexion with Henry II. and 
 the fair Rosamond. At Godstow Weir some good Trout and 
 Perch are occasionally taken, Between 
 
 OXFORD 
 
 and Iffley the Thames is joined by the Chiswell. At Sandford 
 Lock Pool a Pike weighing twenty pounds was taken with 
 the spinning-bait, May, 1856. Below Nuneham Courtney 
 and 
 
 ABINGDON 
 
 the river is joined by the Berks and Wilts Canal (leading to 
 Bath and Bristol, and communicating with the Thames and 
 Severn Canal) and by the river Ock. About a mile below 
 Days Lock near 
 
 DORCHESTER 
 
 it receives the river Thame. Dorchester is interesting as 
 
76 THE THAMES. 
 
 having been the site of a Roman Station of great extent and 
 consequence ; its high and palmy state was during the seventh 
 century ; the old abbey is still remarkable for its length and 
 architectural features. Passing Shillingford Bridge we come 
 to the noted Pike-fishing station of 
 
 WALLINGFORD. 
 
 This town can boast of its antiquity and its ancient im- 
 portance ; in the Castle of Wallingford William I. before 
 proceeding to London after the battle of Hastings received 
 the homage of the Archbishop of Canterbury and others. It 
 was to Wallingford Castle that Matilda fled during the long 
 struggle between the Empress-queen and Stephen. The castle 
 was last garrisoned during the great Civil War, when it was 
 taken by Fairfax and demolished. From Wallingford Lock 
 we follow the river past Streatly and Goring to Whitchurch 
 and 
 
 PANGBOURNE, 
 
 where it is joined by the Pang which contains some very fair 
 Trout and Perch ; there is also some capital fishing in the 
 main river. The fisherman here is Champ, and the Inns, the 
 Elephant and Castle, and the George. There are some good 
 Trout at the weir at Maple-durham, but it requires careful 
 fishing. The scenery is very beautiful past Purley to 
 
 CAVERSHAM, 
 
 where there is a splendid stretch of water, but what with the 
 netting and the influx of fishermen from London, via Reading 
 (which has the advantage of three railways) the angler must 
 not expect a very large take, the fishermen here are Freebody 
 and Piper, and the Inns the White Hart, the Railway Hotel, 
 <kc. Some good fish may occasionally be taken in the Kennet 
 which joins the Thames between Caversham and Sonning, 
 at this latter place are some large Barbel and Roach. The 
 fisherman is Bromley. Below this at Shiplake Lock it is 
 joined by the Lodden and both at Shiplake and Wargrave 
 there is good jack- water, heavy beds of rushes and weeds that 
 it is almost impossible to net. 
 
THE THAMES. 77 
 
 HENLEY 
 
 is reached by a branch of the Great Western Railway, the 
 distance from town, by rail, being 36 miles. The Perch- 
 fishing is remarkably good, some having been taken weighing 
 three pounds and a half and sometimes more. The Inns are. 
 the Angel and the Red Lion ; the fishermen K. and W. 
 Woodley, <fec. At Hambledon where there are two weirs 
 some good Trout are occasionally taken, there is also first-rate 
 Perch-fishing near Culham Court, from the grounds of which 
 the windings of the Thames are seen to great advantage, and 
 extensive views are obtained of the wood-crowned undulations 
 of the Chiltern Hills. Lower down the river is 
 
 MEDMENHAM ABBEY. 
 
 This was founded about the year 1 200, but the commissioners 
 appointed by Henry VIII. to enquire into the state of the 
 smaller monasteries found it in such a ruinous state that, the 
 monks having no objection to remove to a larger establishment, 
 it was appended to Bisham and suffered to linger on till it 
 perished altogether. The walls were afterwards strengthened 
 and it was converted into a dwelling, and so remained till the 
 middle of the eighteenth century, when Francis Dashwood, 
 Lord le Despencer resolved to found an order of monks in 
 accordance with the character of the times, chosen, not how- 
 ever from the poor and unlearned but from men of rank and 
 position, and literary fame, who took the name of Franciscans 
 from the Christian name of their superior. " Fay ce qve 
 voudras " was the motto inscribed over the door, where it is 
 still to be seen, and in accordance with it these monks did 
 what they pleased. The feelings of the neighbourhood were 
 at length so outraged by the practices of this "band of 
 brothers " that the society was suppressed. Every trace of 
 the Franciscans was afterwards carefully removed from the 
 walls, and the abbey is again a peaceful dwelling. The river 
 from this part to Cookham abounds with fine Chub, which 
 find capital retreats under the bushes which overhang the 
 river, which is of considerable width with strong beds of weeds 
 affording first-rate harbour for large Pike. At New Lock is 
 
80 THE THAMES. 
 
 a wide weir with a strong run in the centre ; at another and 
 smaller weir at the side I have taken some large Perch with 
 the spinning-bait. Some good Barbel may also be taken at 
 the edge of the run with the leger but the bottom is very 
 foul. Passing Harleyford and Hurley we come to 
 
 TEMPLE LOCK AND WETR. 
 
 At the foot of which some good Trout may be taken with 
 fine tackle ; and when there is no water running over the 
 weir (as sometimes ha' <~>ens when an extra supply is required 
 for the mills), the f ' -sher may have first-rate sport with 
 Chub, which find a harbour under the sill of the weir. 
 Below Temple Mills we come upon the fine beech groves of 
 Bisham and a curve in the river shows us the Abbey and 
 Church. As we approach the town of 
 
 GREAT MARLOW, 
 
 the Suspension Bridge has an exceedingly light and graceful 
 appearance, standing out as it does from a background of 
 dark trees and round-topped hills. The Inns at Marlow are 
 The Anglers, George and Dragon and Crown. The fishermen 
 are W. Rockell, White, Shaw and Jones. In the Lock Pool, 
 I have taken some good Trout and Perch with the spinning 
 bait. 
 
 The best way to fish this water is to write to a Marlow 
 fisherman, a day or two previous to starting, directing him to 
 meet the angler at the Marlow Road station on the Great 
 Western Railway (which is 29 miles from London), close to 
 the water-side, the railway bridge crossing the river at this 
 point, and then fish the water well, up to Marlow. The 
 scenery about here is very fine, especially if seen from the 
 top of Quarry Wood, which overlooks the country for miles 
 round ; and the view of the Thames, with Marlow Church 
 and bridge, the mills, and the numerous aits with which the 
 river is studded, is extremely beautiful ; as are also the 
 views to be obtained for the next five or six miles past 
 Cookham, Hedsor, Cliefden and Taplow. The fishing from 
 Temple Mills to Marlow railway bridge is preserved by the 
 the Marlow Angling Club, but is free to anglers. The river 
 Wick joins the Thames near 
 
THE THAMES. 1 
 
 COOKHAM, 
 
 where there is a station on the Wycombe branch of the 
 Great Western Railway. The Inns are the Bell and Dragon 
 and the King's Arms. The next fishing station is 
 
 MAIDENHEAD, 
 
 which is 23 miles from town by the Great Western Railway, 
 and 52 miles by water from London Bridge. The Inn is the 
 Orkney Arms, and the fishermen, L Andrews, Wilder, &c. 
 Some little distance above the brid^ -. Boulter's Lock and 
 Pool, where some good Trout are occasionally taken ; also 
 Jack, Perch, Roach, <fcc. Below Maidenhead we come to the 
 pretty village of Bray ; this name will recall the memory of 
 its vivacious Vicar, who " whatsoever king did reign, would 
 still be Vicar of Bray." Close to the river is the George 
 Inn, and the fisherman is Woodhouse. Below Bray is 
 
 MONKEY ISLAND, 
 
 formerly the residence of the third Duke of Marlborough, 
 who erected on it the Temple and Pavilion ; the latter con- 
 taining the celebrated Monkey Room, with its numerous 
 paintings of monkeys in various characters, from which the 
 island takes its name. This property is now conducted as 
 an hotel for fishing parties, &c. ; the Pike fishing in the 
 neighbourhood being very good. 
 
 We now pass the noted Surley Hall, Boveney Lock, and 
 Eton, and arrive at 
 
 WINDSOR. 
 
 At Eton weir, spinning for Trout and Perch is successfully 
 practised. The Inns are the Crown and Anchor, Three 
 Tuns, Swan, &c. , and the fishermen Haynes and Son. 
 
 DATCHET 
 
 is a good station for Barbel-fishing, and some good Trout are 
 occasionally taken here. In April, 1859, one weighing 
 lOlbs. was taken with the artificial bait. The Inns are the 
 Horse and Groom, Angel and Crown, &c., and the fisherman, 
 George Keene, who has removed to this place from Wey- 
 
80 THE THAMES. 
 
 bridge. Below Datchet is Old Windsor, "the Bells" of 
 Ouzeley, and Wraysbury, where there is excellent Jack- 
 fishing, especially on the side opposite the towing-path. 
 Passing Magna Charta Island and Runneymead, we come to 
 Bell's Weir, Egham ; at this weir there are always a few 
 good Torut. Between Egham and 
 
 STAINES 
 
 the Thames is joined by the river Colne. The Thames, from 
 the City Boundary Stone downwards, is preserved by the 
 Thames Angling Preservation Society, who have succeeded 
 in abolishing netting from this point to Richmond Bridge. 
 The river for this distance therefore is one long preserve, the 
 only nets allowed being a landing-net and a casting-net 13 
 feet in circumference for taking baits. We give, however, 
 the dimensions of the original preserves, and the reader 
 should remember that, although the society preserves this 
 portion of the Thames, yet the river is entirely free to the 
 angler, and is protected only against the poacher and netter. 
 The original preserve at Staines, extends 720 yards from the 
 city stone, to 210 yards eastwards of the bridge ; and there 
 is capital Barbel, Roach, Chub and Gudgeon-fishing. The 
 Inn is the Swan, at the water-side, and the fishermen, 
 Cambers, Vears, Fletcher and Amor. 
 
 PENTON HOOK 
 
 Preserve extends 1150 yards, being from the Guard Piles 
 eastward round the Hook, to the east end of the Lock ; 
 there is excellent fishing round the Hook, down to 
 
 LALEHAM, 
 
 which is a good fly-fishing locality ; but there are also some 
 quiet corners where the live bait may be employed for Pike 
 with great success. The Inn is the Horse Shoe, and the 
 fisherman, Sam. Harris. The preserve at 
 
 CHERTSEY 
 
 extends 445 yards, being from the weir to 80 yards eastward 
 of the bridge. At this weir I have taken some fine Trout 
 
THE THAMES. 81 
 
 with the spinning-bait ; and there is a small stream called 
 the Abbey Mill River, which joins the Thames at Chertsey, 
 in which some good Perch fishing is to be had. The Inns 
 here are, The Cricketers, &c., and the fishermen Upjohn 
 and Galloway. The " Stank," near Chertsey Bridge, is 
 a noted corner for Jack, where occasionally great execution 
 is done with the live bait. 
 
 WEYBRIDGE. 
 
 There is first-rate Jack-fishing above the weir, in a corner 
 at the lower end of the ait ; and at the Guard Piles is a 
 noted swim for Barbel and Roach. The preserve extends 
 800 yards below the weir, and this is one of the finest pieces 
 of fishing-water below Staines. In the deep off Ham Haw 
 Point, where the water averages 20 feet, and even more, in 
 depth, there are some heavy Trout, Pike, Carp and Eels. 
 Ham Deep may also be fished with the live bait for large 
 Pike during the winter months with the greatest success. 
 At the mouth of a small stream known as the Bourne, which 
 here enters the Thames, I have taken some fine perch with 
 the paternoster, and using live minnows for bait. Some 
 little distance below is Halliday's Hole, where great quan- 
 tities of Bream and Barbel have been taken, and occasionally 
 large Trout. The river Wey joins the Thames at Weybridge. 
 The Inns are the Lincoln Arms, Crown, Ship, &c., and the 
 fishermen, Richard and John Harris, Edward, John and 
 Charles Keene. 
 
 At Chalk Hole, between Weybridge and 
 
 8HEPPERTON, 
 
 there is first-rate Jack-fishing, besides a good pitch for Barbel, 
 Bream and Roach. One afternoon in September, 1862, over 
 ninety pounds weight of Bream were taken by two rods. 
 The preserves at Shepperton are the Upper Deep, 200 yards. 
 The Old Deep, 240 yards east of the Creek Rails ; and the 
 Lower Deep, 200 yards east of the Drain. The New Hotel, 
 in Oatland's Park, is seen from this point to great advan- 
 tage. The Inn at Shepperton is the Anchor, and the fisher- 
 men the Purdues and W. Rogerson. In April and May 
 
THE THAMES. 
 
 some good Trout are always to be found near the head of the 
 small islands which stud the river in the neighbourhood of 
 
 HALLIFORD. 
 
 The fishermen here are the Rosewells and Rogerson ; and 
 the Inn, The Ship. There are some capital Roach-pitches 
 from Halliford to 
 
 WALTON. 
 
 The preserve here extends 250 yards at the east of Tan- 
 kerville's, and west of the horse-bridge, called Walton Sale. 
 This is a noted place for large Pike, some having been taken 
 here weighing upwards of twenty pounds, with the live bait. 
 From Walton Bridge down to Sunbury Weir is a fine piece 
 of water for Jack-spinning ; and the whole water abounds 
 with Bream and Roach. The fishermen are, James Rogerson, 
 George Hone, and the RosewelTs ; the Inns are, The Crown, 
 and the Duke's Head. 
 
 SUNBURY 
 
 Weir is a capital place for Trout at the commencement of 
 the season ; and late in the year I have taken some large 
 Pike with the live bait, when part of the weir has been shut 
 in so as to form an eddy. The preserve extends 683 yards 
 from the weir eastward, to the east-end pile of the break- 
 water. The Inns are, The Flower-pot, New Inn, and The 
 Magpie ; and the fishermen, Fulker, Clarke and Goddard. 
 From Sunbury some good spinning may be had from the 
 towing-path down to 
 
 HAMPTON. 
 
 The preserve extends 1514 yards from the west end of 
 Garrick's Lawn, including the Tumbling Bay, to the Lower 
 Head Pile below Moulsey Lock and Weir. Some good 
 Roach-fishing is to be had in the neighbourhood of Hampton ; 
 the Perch also are of very fair size. The Inns are, Red Lion 
 and The Bell; and the fishermen, Melbourne, Benn and 
 Snell. Several good Trout are annually taken at Moulsey 
 Weir ; and opposite the Lock-house is a good Barbel pitch. 
 
THE THAMES. 83 
 
 HAMPTON COURT 
 
 is 15 miles from London, on the South-Western Railway. 
 Near this place the Thames is joined by the river Mole, and 
 large quantities of Perch are occasionally taken. In the 
 deep, at the Water Gallery, there are always a few good 
 Trout. The Inns are, The Castle, (at the foot of the bridge) 
 The Mitre, and King's Arms. The fishermen are, Thomas 
 Davis, Sedgewick, Milbourne, Smith and Rockingham. A 
 short distance below Hampton Court is 
 
 THAMES DITTON, 
 
 where a great number of Jack are taken with the spinning- 
 bait. The Inn is the Swan ; and the fishermen, the Taggs 
 and Rogerson. 
 
 KINGSTON 
 
 is about 12 miles from London ; the preserve is 1960 yards 
 in length, extending from the Lower Malt House, at Hamp- 
 ton Wick, to the east end of Mr. Park's Lawn, at Teddington, 
 including the back water, known as the Trolock, in which 
 there is good Jack and Perch-fishing. The fishermen are, 
 Johnson, Brown, Boulton, Clarke and Bradford ; and the 
 Inns, the Jolly Anglers, Oak, &c. Trout are very rarely 
 taken below 
 
 TEDDTNGTON, 
 
 although occasionally a large one is taken at the weir. Below 
 Teddington Weir are some good swims for Roach, Bream and 
 Barbel ; and sometimes Carp are taken of very fair size. 
 The fishermen are, the Kemps, Balden, &c. 
 
 TWICKENHAM. 
 
 The preserve is 410 yards from the west end of Lawn, 
 Pope's Villa, to the Ait. The fishermen are, Coxon and 
 Son, Hall, Harris, etc., and the Inns, Eel Pie House, and 
 King's Head. There is capital Roach and Dace fishing from 
 Twickenham down to 
 
 RICHMOND ; 
 
 but the rise and fall of the tide (which flows as far as Ted- 
 dington Lock) causing an alteration of the depth, and a con- 
 
84 THE THAMES. 
 
 sequent shifting of the float being requisite, the fishing is 
 hardly so pleasant as higher up, where the stream flows more 
 regularly ; besides the annoyance in this quarter of an occa- 
 sional skiff or other pleasure-boat being rowed into your 
 swim by some weak-minded individual who, probably has 
 entered the aforesaid skiff for the first time in his life, and 
 living screwed up his courage by sundry libations, appears 
 consequently in his own eyes, " monarch of all he surveys ;' 
 and thinks it decidediy infra dig. to look in what direction 
 he is rowing. A few of these " betes noirs " are sometimes to 
 be seen about Hampton Court, appearing in the distance like 
 floating windmills ; but they rarely venture higher up the 
 river. 
 
 The preserve extends 700 yards westward of the bridge to 
 Duke of Buccleuch's ; the fishermen are, Brown, Howard, 
 Platt and Carter ; and the Inns, Star and Garter, King's 
 Head, &c. 
 
 Below Richmond is Isleworth, where there is no deep. 
 The Inns are, King's Head, Pigeons, &c. ; and the fishermen, 
 Styles and Platt. 
 
 Below Isleworth there are two preserves mentioned in the 
 old list ; one at Fulham, 30 yards west to 30 yards east of 
 the bridge. And one at Battersea, 10 yards west to 10 
 yards east of the bridge. 
 
 Annexed is a list of the locks, bridges, and principal 
 ferries, with the distances in miles and furlongs from London 
 Bridge, commencing at Richmond, with the usual fall of 
 water in the locks. I believe it will be found as correct as it 
 is possible to be ; for it will be obvious that the height of 
 the water must at times vary considerably, such as during a 
 very dry or very wet season, when the fall in the locks will 
 vary accordingly. The toll (6d.,) allows the punt to pass 
 once up and down again through the lock the same day, but 
 some few of the locks are free. With these remarks, I leave 
 it in the hands of the reader, trusting that he will find it as 
 useful as I have ; and now take leave of the Thames, which 
 from its source, to where it runs into the sea, at the Nore, 
 is about 110 miles, nearly due east, but flows about twice 
 that distance, measuring the windings of the river : 
 
85 
 
 Locks. 
 
 Bridges. 
 
 Distance by Water 
 from 
 London Bridge. 
 
 Fall of Water 
 in Lock. 
 
 
 R' h d 
 
 16 in 2 f 
 
 
 T dd in crton 
 
 
 19 m j 
 
 2 ft. 6 (High) 
 
 
 Kin erst on 
 
 20 m 1 f 
 
 4 ft. 6 (Low) 
 
 Moulsey 
 
 Hampton Court , . . 
 
 23 m. 2 f 
 
 5 ft. 
 
 Sunbury 
 
 
 25 m 3 f 
 
 4 ft 
 
 
 Walton 
 
 28 m 
 
 
 Shepperton 
 
 
 30 m 3 f 
 
 5 ft 3 
 
 Chertsey 
 
 Chertsey 
 
 32 m. 3 f 
 
 3ft. 
 
 I*6ii ton Hook 
 
 
 34 m 3 f 
 
 2 ft 6 
 
 
 Staines 
 
 36 m 1 f 
 
 
 Bells Weir 
 
 
 37 m 2 f 
 
 4 ft 6 
 
 Old Windsor 
 
 
 40 m 1 f 
 
 4 ft 
 
 
 Albert 
 
 41 m 7 f 
 
 
 
 Datchet Railway 
 
 43 m 6 f 
 
 
 "Windsor 
 
 
 44 m 2 f 
 
 5 ft 4 
 
 Boveney 
 
 
 46 m 1 f 
 
 3 ft 6 
 
 Bray 
 
 
 49 m 4f 
 
 1 ft 9 
 
 
 M *d h ad 
 
 51 m 
 
 
 Boulters 
 
 ' 
 
 51 m 6 f 
 
 6 ft. 
 
 ookham 
 
 
 54 m 
 
 4ft 
 
 
 Marlow Rd Railwy 
 
 55 m 4 f 
 
 
 Marlow 
 
 
 58 m 1 f 
 
 5 ft 6 
 
 
 M 1 
 
 58 m 3 f 
 
 
 Temple 
 
 
 59 m 4 f 
 
 4 ft 
 
 Hurley 
 
 
 60 m 3 f 
 
 3 ft 4 
 
 
 Af edinentiam Ferrv 
 
 62 m 
 
 
 Hambledon 
 
 
 64 m 
 
 4 ft 8 
 
 
 Henley 
 
 66 m 5 f 
 
 
 ICftnh 
 
 
 67 m 4 f 
 
 4 ft 6 
 
 
 \Varjjrave Ferry 
 
 69 m 6 f 
 
 
 Shiplake 
 
 
 70 m 3 f 
 
 3 ft 6 
 
 Sonning 
 
 
 73 m 
 
 4 ft 
 
 Caversnam 
 
 K 
 
 75 m 7 f 
 
 4 ft 6" 
 
 
 Oa verso am 
 
 76 m 5 f 
 
 
 INInple Durham 
 
 
 80 m 2 f 
 
 
 \Vhitchurch 
 
 
 82 m 6 f 
 
 3 ft 
 
 
 Basildon Railway 
 
 85 m 5 f 
 
 
 Goring 
 
 
 87 m 
 
 5 ft 
 
 Cleve 
 
 
 87 m 5 f 
 
 3 ft 4 
 
 
 M 1 f d F 
 
 88 m 7 f 
 
 
 Wallingford 
 
 ny... 
 
 92 m 4 f 
 
 1 f t tJ 
 
 
 Wallingford 
 
 93 m 
 
 
 Benson... 
 
 
 94 m. It... 
 
 4 ft 6 
 
86 
 
 Locks. 
 
 Bridges. 
 
 Distance by Water 
 from 
 London Bridge. 
 
 Fall of Water 
 in Lock. 
 
 
 Shillincrford 
 
 95 m 5 f 
 
 
 Day's 
 
 
 98 m. 4 f 
 
 5ft 
 3ft. 
 
 Clifton 
 
 
 101 m 1 f 
 
 
 Appleford Railwy. 
 
 103 m. 1 f 
 
 Cultisim 
 
 104 m 4 f 
 
 7ft. 
 
 
 Abi n crdon 
 
 106 m 6 f. 
 
 Abinsrdon 
 
 
 107 m. 2 f 
 
 6ft. 
 6ft. 
 3ft. 4 
 1 ft. 6 
 3ft. 6 
 1 ft. 
 2ft. 
 1ft. 6 
 1ft. 
 2ft. 6 
 
 i ft. 4 
 
 1ft. 6 
 10 inch.6 
 
 
 
 112 m. 31 
 114 m. 
 
 Iffley 
 
 
 Folly Bridge 
 Ousnev 
 
 Oxford 
 
 115 m. 4f. 
 
 
 116 m 2 f 
 
 Binsey 
 
 
 118 m 2 f 
 
 Godstow 
 
 Godstow 
 
 119 m. 4 f. 
 
 Kind's 
 
 
 120 m. 7f. 
 123 m 
 
 Ensham . . 
 
 Swinford 
 
 Pinkhill 
 
 
 124 m 2 f 
 
 Langley or Skin- 
 H6r's 
 
 
 125 m 3 f 
 
 Ark Island 
 
 
 127 m 2 f 
 
 Cock's or Langley 
 
 
 129 m 2 f 
 
 New 
 
 130 m 4 f 
 
 
 Limbre's 
 
 
 131 m 4 f . 
 
 i ft. 6 
 1ft. 6 
 1ft. 
 1 ft. 2 
 Ilk, 
 
 Shifford 
 
 
 132 m 4 f . 
 
 Duxt'ord 
 
 
 133 m 6 f 
 
 Tenfoot 
 
 
 135 m 3 f 
 
 Kent's 
 
 
 137 m 1 f 
 
 
 Tadpole 
 
 137 m 2 f 
 
 ltu.shv 
 
 
 138 m 1 f 
 
 1ft. 
 1ft. 
 
 Old Nan's 
 
 
 138 m 7 f 
 
 Old Man's 
 
 
 140 m 2 f 
 
 
 Radcot 
 
 141 m. 2f 
 142 m. 4 f 
 
 
 N"ew Lock 
 
 8 inches. 
 2ft. 
 
 2ft. 
 
 West 
 
 
 144 m 4 f 
 
 Buscot . 
 
 
 1 46 m. 6 f. . . 
 
 
 St John's 
 
 147 m 
 
 St John's 
 
 
 147 m 1 f 
 
 2ft. 
 
 
 Lechdale 
 
 147 m 7 f 
 
 Inglesham Weir 
 (immoveable). . . . 
 
 
 148 m 2 f 
 
 
 Hannington 
 Castle Eaton 
 Cricklade..., 
 
 152 m. 3t 
 155 m 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 160 m.... 
 
TRIBUTARIES OF THE THE THAMES. THE LEA. 87 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 TRIBUTARIES OF THE THAMES. THE LEA. 
 
 the various rivers which flow into the Thames, the 
 river Lea is the most valuable to the London Angler. 
 It joins the main river opposite the Greenwich marshes, 
 below the Blackwall Railway, but Jack are very rarely 
 en below 
 
 LEA BRIDGE, 
 
 where some good Perch are occasionally taken with the pater- 
 noster. This water, together with The White House water 
 and Temple Mills, are now rented by Mr. Beresford of The 
 White House, and the annual subscription to the three is 
 fifteen shillings, or without trolling, one shilling per day. 
 Above Lea Bridge, and about 5 miles from town, we come to 
 
 TYLER'S WATER, TOTTENHAM. 
 
 The fishing here is very good; the subscription is one 
 guinea per annum including trolling, or without trolling, one 
 shilling per day. The angler will find good accommodation 
 at The Ferry House, kept by Mr. Noakes. Next to Tyler's, is 
 
 FORD'S WATER, 
 
 the extent of which, is less than a mile ; the subscription is 
 the same as at Tyler's. This water belongs to what is called 
 The Blue House ; beyond this, we come to 
 
 , BLEAK HALL, 
 
 or, Cooke's Ferry, Edmonton. Upwards of two miles of the 
 Lea, and one mile of the mill-stream are preserved, and the 
 angler may make sure of good sport in favourable weather. 
 There are some good Trout taken occasionally with the spin- 
 ning-bait. The annual subscription to this water is one 
 guinea, including trolling, which commences July 1st, and 
 
88 THE LEA 
 
 ends March 1st. Live-bait fishing is allowed from October 
 1st to March 1st. The inn is kept by Mr. Wicks. Next to 
 Bleak Hall, is Mr. Digby's water, at 
 
 CHINGFORD. 
 
 There is excellent Pike, Chub, and Perch-fishing in this 
 part of the Lea ; the subscription for the season being one 
 guinea. There is good accommodation for anglers at Mrs. 
 Bullin's cottage at Chingford, close to the water. The next 
 fishery is at 
 
 PONDER'S END, 
 
 belonging to The Anchor and Pike, rented by Mr. Keid. 
 The length of this water is about two miles and a half, ex- 
 tending as far as Enfield Lock. There is plenty of good Jack- 
 fishing in this water as well as some capital fishing for Perch. 
 The subscription is half a guinea per annum. The next we 
 come to are the 
 
 ENFIELD AND SEWARDSTONE-MILL 
 
 Fisheries ; these are in length about three miles, and have 
 plenty of Pike and Perch, with occasionally Trout. The 
 annual subscription is one guinea. Mr. Metcalfe, of The Swan 
 and Pilce, is the proprietor of the water. The Lea. for the 
 space of about two miles from these fisheries belongs to Go- 
 vernment, and bears the name of the 
 
 ORDNANCE WATERS ; 
 
 permission to fish must be obtained from the Ordnance Office. 
 Large Trout, Pike, and Perch, are taken here, but orders to 
 fish are rather scarce. Above the Government waters, is Mr. 
 Clark's fishery at 
 
 WALTHAM ABBEY. 
 
 This is by rail 14f miles from London, and about 12 miles 
 by road. This fishery includes the Corn-mill stream, the 
 Straits, the Cob-mead, and the Broad-water, together about 
 four miles and a half, and containing plenty of good fish. 
 Two or three seasons since, a Pike was taken in this water, 
 weighing nineteen pounds. The annual subscription is a 
 
THE LEA. 89 
 
 guinea and a half, and Sunday fishing is not allowed. The 
 water at 
 
 CHESHUNT 
 
 is rented by Captain Saunders, the subscription being two 
 guineas per annum. In this part of the Lea some very good 
 Trout, Pike and Barbel are taken. Above this water is 
 King's Weir, part of the 
 
 BROXBOURNE FISHERY, 
 
 where there is some first-rate fishing for Trout, Pike, and 
 Perch. One of the subscribers took with the spinning-bait a 
 fine Trout weighing eight pounds, May 20th, 1859, in the mill 
 stream ; Mr. H. J. Alfred took a very fine Barbel, weighing 
 seven pounds and a half, June 4th, 1859, with a worm ; and 
 I have this season taken three brace of Trout in the day, from 
 this part of the water. The whole of this portion of the Lea, 
 as far as Nazing Marsh, beyond Carthagena Weir, is rented by 
 Mr. J. Beningfield of the Crown Inn, Broxbourne Bridge, 
 who stocks the water every year with upwards of a hundred 
 brace of Jack, besides a great number of fine Trout. The 
 annual subscription is One Guinea including trolling, or Two 
 Guineas with Trout-fishing; (subscribers residing near the 
 fishery pay an extra subscription for Trout). Day tickets for 
 Jack-fishing, Two Shillings. 
 
 The angler who visits this part of the Lea in the hollyhock 
 and dahlia season, should not leave without visiting the Crown, 
 Mr. Beningfield being as justly celebrated for his cultivation 
 and care of those splendid flowers, as for his polite attention 
 to visitors. 
 
 In the upper part of the Broxbourne fishery, in what is 
 termed the Gull, there are some heavy Pike, but they are 
 not often taken. Beyond here is 
 
 PAGE'S WATER, 
 
 where the fishing is similar to that at Broxbourne- The inn 
 is The Fish and Eds, and the subscription is One Guinea per 
 annum. 
 
90 THE LEA. 
 
 THE RYE HOUSE 
 
 Fishery extends from Black Pool to and including Field's 
 Weir on both sides of the river Lea, and from Field's Weir to 
 a point opposite Nazing Mead on the west side ; also from 
 Roy don Road to Field's Weir, in the Old Stort River ; and 
 is, altogether, upwards of three miles in extent. Mr. W. H. 
 Teale, of the Rye House, is the proprietor. The subscription 
 per annum, is One Guinea, including Jack-fishing ; and One 
 Guinea extra for Trout (if the member resides beyond five 
 miles from the fishery ; if within five miles the subscription 
 is Two Guineas for Trout). The Jack season begins August 
 1st, and ends the first Sunday in March, and the fish are 
 remarkably fine. I was Pike-fishing in this water a year or 
 two since, with one of the subscribers, and at the close of the 
 day our take showed one of nearly fourteen pounds, one of 
 seven, and several smaller ones, from two to five pounds each. 
 Beyond the Rye House is the 
 
 AMWELL MAGNA 
 
 Fishery, one of the best subscription waters on the Lea. The 
 club is very limited in number, the subscription at present 
 being eight guineas per annum, which will be increased : the 
 future entrance fee, which is rather heavy, is regulated from 
 time to time by the committee. The water is under the able 
 management of Henry Wix, Esq., the Solicitor to the Fishery 
 being Charles Rivington, Esq. 
 
 Permission to fish is very rarely obtained by non-members, 
 as the subscribers' tickets for friends are very limited in 
 number. Although it can hardly be called a close borough, 
 still it is the closest water on the Lea. The members of the 
 Amwell Club have the exclusive right of fishing from Black 
 Pool above the Rye House to Hertford ; also in the New 
 River near Amwell, where a short time since one of the 
 members took a very fine Trout, weighing six pounds, with 
 the spinning-bait. 
 
 A short distance above Hertford the Lea is joined by the 
 river Maran, a little stream which has its source a few miles 
 from King's Walden, and passes through Panshanger Park 
 before its union with the Lea \ which before receiving this 
 
TRIBUTARIES OF THE THAMES. 91 
 
 addition to its waters, runs through Hatfield Park, the seat 
 of the Marquis of Salisbury. The river here assumes the 
 appearance of a lake, and is full of Pike and Perch, with a 
 very fair quantity of Trout. Above Hatfield is Brocket Hall 
 and Park. Here again the Lea spreads out into a spacious 
 lake, and abounds with large fish. Large Pike have been 
 taken in these waters with the flies mentioned in Chap. IV., 
 especially at Hatfield Park. 
 
 At Wheathampstead, near the paper mills, there is very 
 good fishing. Above here the Lea flows through Luton Park, 
 where there is good Trout and Pike-fishing, in the lakes 
 supplied by the stream which flows past the little town of 
 Luton from Houghton Regis in Bedfordshire, near which 
 village is the source of 
 
 THE LEA, 
 
 C H*A P T E R III. 
 
 TRIBUTARIES OF THE THAMES continued. 
 
 'HE Darent is a small Trout-stream in Kent ; being for 
 the most part strictly preserved, good sport may be 
 had with the fly, fishing very fine with small flies. 
 1 have had some extremely good takes in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Eynsford and Farningham. The Darent joins 
 the Cray, falling into the Thames near Erith. 
 
 The Roden rises between Dunmow and Stanstead, passes 
 Canfield, Chipping Ongar, Chigwell, Woodford, Wanstead, 
 and Ilford, joining the Thames near Barking. 
 
 The Wandle is a Surrey Trout-river, extremely clear and 
 requiring small flies, such as a very small hare's-ear or 
 blue-dun, and the carshalton cocktail. The may-fly is never 
 seen on this river, the greater portion of which ia preserved ; 
 the most noted part where the fishing is free is at Hack- 
 bridge, The Wandle enters the Thames at Wandsworth. 
 
92 TRIBUTARIES OF THE THAMES. 
 
 The Brent rises in the north of Middlesex, runs through 
 Edgware and Hen don ; where there is some good water for 
 Jack, Perch and Roach ; thence to Kingsbury, where the 
 fishery belongs to the Welsh Harp public-house, on the 
 Edgware Road, three miles from Kilburn Gate. At the 
 Kingsbury fishery some large Pike and Perch have been 
 taken ; the annual subscription is one guinea, or half-a-crown 
 a day. The Brent then runs through Greenford, Hanwell, 
 past Osterly Park to Brentford, where it runs into the 
 Thames. 
 
 The Hog's-mill river rises near Epsom, in Surrey, and 
 passing Ewell and Maldon, running into the Thames at 
 Kingston. 
 
 The Mole is formed by the union of several small streams 
 that rise on the borders of Sussex, but is an insignificant 
 stream for some distance after it has left that county, entering 
 Surrey, it passes Horley and Reigate, through Betch worth 
 Park to Dorking. Mickleham, Norbury Park to Leatherhead, 
 where there is some good Trout-fishing. At Pains's-hill Park, 
 near Cobham, there is some very go6d Pike and Perch-fishing, 
 but permission to fish is requisite. The Mole then winds by 
 Esher, and separates into two branches ; one runs by Ember 
 Court, arid enters the Thames near Thames Ditton, the other 
 passes through the little village of East Moulsey, and joins 
 the Thames at Hampton Court. The Chub-fishing is good. 
 
 The Wey has its source about a mile south-west of Alton, 
 in Hampshire ; the river flows through the town, but is a 
 very small stream for a long while after it quits it. The 
 Wey enters Surrey near Farnham, and passing by Godalming, 
 is joined by the Arun and Wey Canal, near Guildford. 
 About a mile beyond Woking is Newark Priory. At Byfleet 
 there is capital fishing in the Park. The Wey then runs by 
 Wey bridge, and enters the Thames, being joined in the latter 
 part of its course by the Basingstoke Canal. There is good 
 fishing in nearly the whole of this river ; some parts are 
 open water, but permission to fish is, in nearly all cases, 
 readily obtainable where the river runs through parks or by 
 farm lands. 
 
 The Bourne Brook rises near Bagshot, and runs by Chob- 
 
TRIBUTARIES OF THE THAMES. 93 
 
 ham, entering the Thames at Ham-Haw Point, near Wey 
 bridge. A branch of the Bourne joins Virginia Water, 
 Windsor Park. 
 
 The Abbey Mill River, which runs at the back of Chertsey 
 and joins the Thames near Chertsey Weir, has some good 
 Jack, Perch and Roach. Permission to fish is required. 
 
 The Colne rises in Hertfordshire, near St. Albans, and 
 flows past Two- waters through New Barnes, Watford and 
 Loudwater to Rickmansworth ; the water here for nearly 
 four miles is preserved by a Club, the number of members 
 being limited ; the subscription is ten guineas per annum. 
 The Trout-fishing here is first-rate ; Pike are occasionally 
 taken,* and very fine Perch. Below Rickmansworth there is 
 good fishing in the Coppermill stream^ which is preserved. 
 The Denham fishery is also very good. At Uxbridge is 
 Barrat's Water, where the Trout run from three to four 
 pounds weight, but being shy require fine fishing. Jack and 
 Perch are also plentiful. The subscription is four guineas 
 per annum. The next is the Thorny-Broad fishery, at West 
 Drayton, where some good Jack and Perch are occasionally 
 taken ; but it is specially noted for large Dace. The water 
 is about two and a half miles in length, but is in some places 
 very weedy. The annual subscription is half-a-guinea. 
 Leaving West Drayton, we come to Colnbrook, and from 
 thence to Staines, where this branch of the Colne falls into 
 the Thames. There are other branches of this river, run- 
 ning near Bedfont, where some good Pike fishing is to be 
 had when the water is high. A Pike was taken here, in 
 1854, weighing twenty pounds. Through Han worth Park, 
 Twickenham, through the grounds of Sir W. Clay, and the 
 Powder-mills at Hounslow, to Isleworth, where it joins the 
 Thames. 
 
 The Wick rises near West Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire, 
 passes High Wycombe, Loudwater, and Woburn, falling into 
 the Thames, near Cookham. 
 
 The Lodden has its source in Hampshire, near Basing- 
 stoke. At Old Basing it feeds some ponds, in which there 
 are some very fine Pike. At Strathfield-Turgis I have 
 taken large Pike with the live bait, but the river here is 
 
94 TRIBUTARIES OF THE THAMES. 
 
 narrow, and permission to fish is required. The angler in 
 this district will find first-rate accommodation at the Wel- 
 lington Arms hotel, near the entrance of the Duke of 
 Wellington's park, at Strathfield-Saye, through which the 
 Lodden runs, and is here formed into a large lake, having a 
 a fine tumbling bay or waterfall, in which Perch have been 
 taken of six pounds weight. An order for fishing this part 
 of the Lodden is only to be had from the Duke, who very 
 rarely grants one ; and, therefore, the angler who is so fortu- 
 nate as to obtain an order, must make much of it. From 
 here the river runs through Berkshire, and joins the Thames 
 below Sonning. Some excellent fishing is to be had at 
 Lodden Bridge. . 
 
 The Kennet rises in Wiltshire, passing Marlborough and 
 Chilton Foliat it enters Berkshire at Hungerford, where the 
 water is preserved by a Club, the annual subscription being 
 two guineas, or half-a-crown per day. From Hungerford the 
 Kennet finds its way to Reading, where it enters the Thames. 
 
 The Pang, a small stream, joins the Thames at Pang- 
 bourne ; and contains a quantity of small Trout. 
 
 The Thame rises on the borders of Buckinghamshire, and 
 entering Oxfordshire near Thame, passes Waterstock, Dray- 
 ton, and Dorchester, and joins the Thames at Shillingford. 
 
 The Cherwell rises on the borders of Warwickshire, and 
 enters Oxfordshire near Claydon, thence past Bambury, 
 Somerton, Skipton, and Water Eaton, to Oxford, below which 
 it enters the Thames. 
 
 The Glyme rises in Oxfordshire, and passes Sandford, 
 Glympton, and Woodstock, through Blenheim Park, where 
 there are some splendid Pike and Perch ; thence joining 
 the Evenlode. 
 
 The Evenlode rises on the borders of Oxfordshire, passes 
 Ascott and Charlbury, to Blenheim, where it is joined by the 
 Glyme, and enters the Thames, near Eynsham. 
 
 The Windrush rises on the borders of Gloucestershire, 
 enters Oxfordshire near Burford, thence past Swinbrook and 
 Witney, to Standlake, near which it joins the Thames. 
 
 The Leach or Lech, rises in Gloucestershire, near North- 
 leach ; flows thence past Southrop to Lechlade, where it 
 enters the Thames. 
 
RIVERS. 95 
 
 The Coin rises a few miles from Seven-Springs, passes by 
 Withington, Coin St. Denis, and Coin St. Aldwins, and 
 through Fairford a course of 23 miles, before it falls into 
 the Thames, above Lechlade. 
 
 The Ray rises in Gloucestershire, and joins the Thames at 
 Cricklade. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 RIVERS. 
 
 The Avon is one of the best Pike rivers in the south of 
 England ; the Trout also are very fine. It rises in Wilt- 
 shire, passes by Amesbury and through Salisbury, near 
 which town there is some first-rate Pike fishing. It enters 
 Hampshire between Downton and Fordingbridge, at which 
 latter place the Pike are on the increase. By takiug up his 
 quarters at the Star Inn, Fordingbridge, where the accom-r 
 modation is excellent, the angler will have good fishing in 
 the Avon, as well as in some other waters near. Ringwood 
 * is a noted station for large fish. At Sopley, the river for 
 some distance is under the management of a Clubland Pike 
 of twenty pounds and upwards ore not uncommon. There 
 are some pools near the Southampton waters, where Salmon 
 are taken in fair numbers by the members of .a club who pre- 
 serve the fishery ; and above these pools, in some waters 
 belonging to Sir H. Fane and Mr. Mills, Pike are sometimes 
 taken as heavy as thirty pounds weight each ; all under six 
 pounds are returned to the water. At Christchurch, also, 
 there is excellent Pike fishing, and below here the Avon 
 enters the English Channel, after flowing through the New 
 Forest, with a beauty that must be seen to be appreciated. 
 
 The Stour rises near Stourton, in Wiltshire, passing Gil- 
 lingham Forest, it runs to Sturminster, in Dorsetshire. At 
 Wimborne it is joined by the Allan, and passing into Hamp- 
 shire, enters the Avon near Christchurch. In some parts of 
 
96 RIVERS. 
 
 this river the Trout are rather numerous, and the Perch are 
 said to be large. The Pike-fishing near Christchurch is very 
 good. 
 
 The Itchen rises in Hampshire, near Alresford, and passes 
 Winchester and Bishopstoke, where about four miles of it are 
 preserved. In this part of the water there is some good 
 Trout and Grayling fishing, and the Pike are also very fine. 
 It then runs past Swathling, into the Southampton water. 
 
 The Test is a noted river in Hampshire ; Whitchurch and 
 Stockbridge are the most noted stations. Extremely fine 
 tackle is required, and a very light hand in throwing the fly. 
 
 The Warwickshire Avon rises near Naseby, in Northamp- 
 tonshire, which county it divides from Leicestershire, and 
 entering Warwickshire near Rugby, winds through Stone- 
 leigh Park, where the river widens into a lake, runs past 
 Guy's Cliff, to Warwick Castle, thence past Charlcote, 
 through a beautiful country to Stratford-on-Avon. It then 
 enters Worcestershire, near Evesham, and passing Pershore 
 and Strensham, joins the Severn at Tewkesbury, where there 
 is good fishing, the Avon being preserved for some distance 
 above here. 
 
 The Severn rises in Montgomeryshire, and joining the 
 Yyrmvy, enters Shropshire, and almost encircles Shrewsbury, 
 where Salmon are occasionally taken. It then runs by Cole- 
 brook Dfle, and enters Worcestershire at Bewdley, thence 
 past Stourport and Worcester, below which place it is joined 
 by the Teme, enters Gloucestershire near Tewkesbury, where 
 it is joined by tjie Avon, and passing Gloucester, is joined by 
 the Stroudwater (.'anal, which is a continuation of the Thames 
 and Severn Canal. The Severn then falls into the Bristol 
 Channel. 
 
 The Wye, Lug, and Teme are the chief rivers of Hereford- 
 shire. The first is noted for its Salmon, Trout, Grayling, 
 Ac. ; and the Teme, especially, in the neighbourhood of 
 Ludlow, being famous for its Grayling. 
 
 The Axe rises near Beaminster, in Dorsetshire, and flows 
 past Axminster and Crewkerne, into the Channel, on the 
 coast of Devonshire. 
 
 There are many good Trout-streams in Devonshire, such 
 
RIVERS. 97 
 
 as the Tamer, Plym, Dart, &c., all requiring fine tackle and 
 rather small flies. 
 
 The Ouse rises in the south of Northamptonshire, near 
 Brackley, enters Buckinghamshire, and passing the town of 
 Buckingham, which it nearly surrounds, runs by Stony 
 Stratford, Haversham, Newport Pagnel and Olney, into Bed- 
 fordshire, near Harrold Hall. From Bromham Hall to 
 Kempston there is first-rate Pike, Perch, and Bream fishing. 
 The Ouse then runs by the town of Bedford, and at Carding- 
 ton and Willington good Jack-fishing is to be had, the stream 
 here being, in parts very slow, the live bait may be used 
 with advantage. Passing Roxton, where it is joined by the 
 Ivel, it runs into Huntingdonshire, near St. Neots, then past 
 the town of Huntingdon and St. Ives into Cambridgeshire by 
 Ely, falling into the sea at King's Lynn, in Norfolk. 
 
 The Nene rises in Northamptonshire, and flows by the 
 town of Northampton ; from Weston Favell to )oddington it 
 is preserved by a club, and good Pike are occasionally taken. 
 It then runs by Thrapston, Oundle, Elton, and Peterborough, 
 and crossing Cambridgeshire, flows into the sea to the west 
 of Lynn. The Nene is noted for large Roach and Eels. 
 
 The Cam has two sources, one rising near Ashwell, and 
 the other bearing the name of Granta, rising near Newport, 
 in Essex ; the latter flows through Linton, Audley End, and 
 Shelford, where there are some good Pike and Berch, and 
 unites with the Cam near Cambridge, above and below which 
 place there is some good trolling, the river being preserved 
 by the Cam Angling Society. About six miles from Cam- 
 bridge, at Waterbeach, the river is again under the care of a 
 club, and good fishing may occasionally be had, as also at 
 Grantchester ; near Harrimere it joins the Ouse, and the 
 united streams pass Downham in Norfolk to King's Lynn, 
 where they fall into the sea. 
 
 The Trent rises on the borders of Cheshire, in the north- 
 west part of Staffordshire, which it crosses in a south-east 
 direction through Stoke-on-Trent and Trentham Park ; at 
 Trentham Hall, there is a painting of a large Pike that was 
 found dead in a jcanal in the park ; it had seized a swan by 
 the head, and their mutual struggles resulted in the death of 
 
98 RIVERS. 
 
 both. The Trent then flows past Rugeley, to the verge of 
 Derbyshire and Leicestershire, where it is joined by the rivers 
 Tame and Meest; passing Burton-on-Trent, it is joined by 
 the Dove ; it then crosses Derbyshire, passing through 
 Donington Park to Sawley, where it is joined by theDerwent 
 and by the Soar, nearer Nottingham ; the river about this 
 town is too much fished to afford any amount of sport ; it 
 then crosses the county of Nottingham in a north-east direc- 
 tion to Newark, whence it flows through part of Lincolnshire, 
 past Gainsborough, and joining the Yorkshire Ouse, the 
 united streams become the Humber. 
 
 The Dove, from its rise in the north-western part of 
 Derbyshire to where it falls into the Trent, forms the boun- 
 dary between that county and Staffordshire. The Trout 
 and Grayling are of fair size, but require very fine fishing. 
 
 The Derwent takes its course past Chatworth, Matlock, 
 and Derby, Mlmg into the Trent. The whole course of this 
 river is about sixty miles. 
 
 The Manifold is also a good Derbyshire river, in which a 
 fair amount of sport may be had with the fly. 
 
 The Yorkshire Ouse rises in the North Riding, and passes 
 Mashani, Ripon, Aldborough to Benningbrough, where it is 
 joined by the Nidd ; thence past York, where it receives the 
 river Ure to Cawood, where it is joined by the Wharfe ; 
 near Hodden, it is joined by the Aire, and below this by 
 the Trent, when it becomes the Humber, and flows into 
 the North Sea. 
 
 The Coquet, North Tyne, Aln and Till are noted rivers in 
 Northumberland ; the three first are good fly-fishing streams 
 but the last is more suitable for spinning. 
 
 The Eden is the principal river in Cumberland and contains 
 some fine Salmon, Trout, &c. 
 
 The Tame rises in the southern part of Staffordshire, and 
 flows near Walsall, past Dray ton Bassett and Tain worth, 
 joining the Trent between Alrewas and Walton-on-Trent. 
 There are few better rivers than this for Pike-fishing ; both 
 Pike and Perch are numerous and large. 
 
 The Stour rises in Kent, flows past Ashford, Canterbury, 
 Minster, and Fordwich, to Sandwich, between which place 
 jmd Ramsgate it falls into the sea. 
 
RIVERS. 99 
 
 The Medway rises on the borders of Sussex, and runs 
 through Penshurst past Tunbridge, where there is good 
 fishing, to Rochester and Chatham, joining the mouth of the 
 Thames at the Nore. 
 
 The Chelmer, which rises in the North of Essex, has some 
 very good Jack and Perch-fishing ; it flows by Thaxsted and 
 Dunmow to Chelmsford, thence to Maldon, where it joins 
 the Blackwater. 
 
 The Blackwater also rises in the north of Essex, and runs 
 by Braintree, Coggeshall, and Witham, where it is joined by 
 the river Brain, and has its exit to the east of Maldon. 
 
 The Stort rises in the north-west of Essex, flows past Stan- 
 etead, Bishop Stortford and Roydon, where the angler will 
 find some good sport, joining the Lea, between Broxboume 
 and the Rye House. 
 
 The Arun rises near Horsham, in Sussex, and is joined in 
 its course by the Arun and Wey Canal, and .by the river 
 Rother (from Hampshire), near Pulborough. Passing Arun- 
 del, it falls into the sea at Little Hampton. This river is 
 especially noted for its Mullets. 
 
 The Ouse rises in the Wealds, passes by Maresfield, Brix- 
 ted, Isfield, and Lewes, falling into the sea at Newhaven. 
 
 The Rother rises in Sussex, near Rotherfield, and flows 
 near Etchingham, Bodiham, Newenden, and Rye ; at Win- 
 chelsea, it is joined by the Breke, and the united streams 
 falling into the great basin to the east of the port of Rye, 
 form Ryehaven. 
 
 The Exe rises in the west of Somerset, at Exmoor, and 
 falls into the sea at Exmouth. There are three associations 
 on this river for preserving the fishing. The water belonging 
 to the Exeter Society is noted for its large fish. 
 
 The Dee rises in Merionethshire, runs by Bala, and 
 entering Denbighshire, passes Llangollen and Wrexham to 
 Chester, and thence to the Irish Sea. This river is noted as 
 much for the beauty of its scenery as for the abundance of 
 its fish, there being plenty of Trout, Pike, Perch, &c., as well 
 as Salmon. 
 
100 LAKES, PONDS, &C. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 LAKES, PONDS, &C. 
 
 Wimbledon Park. The lake in this park contains some 
 very large Pike, Perch, &c., and is strictly preserved ; per- 
 mission to fish is required, and may generally be obtained by 
 writing to the owner. 
 
 Osterly Park, near Ealing. In the grounds is a large 
 lake abounding with large fish, &c. Hofland mentions the 
 circumstance of a Pike weighing over forty pounds being 
 found dead at the side of the lake. It had gorged the head 
 and neck of one of the swans, and the body being rather too 
 large, and the swan rather too powerful, this voracious 
 monster was choked. 
 
 Hatfield Park and Brocket Hall. The lakes in these parks, 
 which are ted by the river Lea, contain some splendid Pike 
 and Perch ; permission may generally be obtained by writing 
 to the noble owners. 
 
 Gatton Park y near Reigate, contains a large lake and pond. 
 These hold a considerable number of fine Pike and Perch ; 
 the pond, which is close to the lake, is full of Perch, many of 
 them of very large size. 
 
 Blenheim Park, the seat of the Duke of Marlborough, 
 is a short distance from Oxford, The waters here, which 
 are fed by the river Glym, contain some very large Pike 
 and Perch, but especially the former, which are some- 
 times taken as high as thirty pounds weight. 
 
 Cleveland Hall, in Staffordshire. -The Pike in the lake 
 here are also large. Mr. Jesse, some years since, took one 
 weighing 28 pounds with the spinning-bait. 
 
 Shardloes, near Amersham, in Buckinghamshire, contains a 
 fine piece of water, with plenty of fish. 
 
 Virginia Water and the Great Lake. An order to fish 
 these splendid preserves is rather difficult to obtain. It may 
 perhaps be procured through the Deputy Ranger (Col. Sey- 
 mour), Holly Grove, Windsor Park, but can only be used 
 when the Royal Family is from Windsor. 
 
LAKES, PONDS, &C. 101 
 
 7/07726 Park, Hampton Court. The ponds (three in num- 
 ber), and the long canal contain some very fine fish. Orders 
 to be obtained at the office of the Master of the Horse. 
 
 Richmond Park. The Penn Ponds contain some good 
 Pike and Perch, but are very weedy. Orders to fish are to 
 be obtained from the Deputy Ranger, Col. Liddell. 
 
 Ruislip Reservoir, between the Pinner and Uxbridge 
 Stations, contains some good Jack and Perch. It belongs to 
 the Grand Junction Canal. 
 
 Godstone, Surrey. There is a lake near this place con- 
 taining some good fish, and here I have had some excellent 
 sport with Pike, both with the live bait and with spinning. 
 There is also good Perch-fishing in some parts of the lake. 
 
 E gleam. There is a good piece of water here, where there 
 is good fishing, especially for Perch. 
 
 Dagenham Breach. This lake, which is situated in the 
 Essex Marshes, has a good supply of Pike, Bream, and large 
 Perch ', the latter have been taken over 4 J pounds in weight. 
 This is a subscription water, day tickets are two shillings, 
 and season tickets one guinea each, and is situated between 
 the Rainham and Barking Stations on the Tilbury Line. 
 
 Wanttead Park. The fishing in the large ponds in this 
 park is excellent; large Pike and Perch are taken. 
 
 ti/aj>t<>n. Lea. This lake, situated near Dartmouth, in 
 Devonshire, contains a great quantity of large Pike and 
 Perch ; permission to fish is obtained from Mr. Pollard, of 
 the Sand's Hotel, which is at the side of the water. The 
 Like is only separated from the sea by the beach, so that sea- 
 bathing is easily attainable. The largest fish are taken in 
 this lake with the spinning-bait, to work which properly a 
 punt is required, for which, including the man, the charge is 
 3s. 6d. per day, The best route is by the Great Western 
 Railway to Totness, thence to Dartmouth, by steamer, and 
 from Dartmouth to Slapton Lea by fly. 
 
 FrencJiam Ponds, near Farnham, in Surrey.- These con- 
 tain immense quantities of Perch, which I think are taken 
 best with the Paternoster, using a live minnow for the bait. 
 If the angler intends doing any execution at all here, he 
 should be provided with, certainly, not less than a hundred 
 
102 LAKES, PONDS, &C. 
 
 of minnows, as ten or twelve dozen Perch may be taken in a 
 day. The keeper at the pond charges about a shilling per 
 day. 
 
 At Ilford, in Essex, there is a lake and a couple of ponds, 
 containing some fine Pike and Perch. I have taken some 
 good Pike here with the live bait, but the water is very 
 weedy. 
 
 Kingsbury Reservoirs, on the Edgware Road, belong to the 
 Welsh Harp Fishery, on the river Brent, which supplies 
 these reservoirs. They contain a great quantity of Jack and 
 Perch, and are in the subscription to the above fishery ; the 
 terms are a guinea per annum, or half-a-crown per day. 
 Punts may be hired for a small sum at the Welsh Harp pub- 
 lie-house, which adjoins the water. 
 
 Stoke Neivington Reservoirs. In these there are some good 
 Jack and Perch ; as many as sixteen of the former have been 
 taken in about a couple of hours. Tickets are obtained from 
 the Directors of the New River Company. 
 
 Horsea Mere and Heigham /Sounds. Two lakes, a few 
 miles north of Yarmouth, have long been celebrated for 
 large Pike and Bream, and bear also the name of the Norfolk 
 Broads. 
 
 The Lakes of Cumberland. Such as Ullswater, Basingth- 
 waite water, Buttermere, Crummock water, and numerous 
 others, are all well supplied with large Pike and Perch, as 
 well as Trout, and some of them contain Char. 
 
 Tlie Lakes of Westmoreland, especially Windermere (which 
 is over 14 miles long, and in some parts nearly two miles 
 broad), are well stocked with fish. 
 
 The Lakes of Lancashire will also afford good sport to the 
 angler ; Esthwaite-water, especially, is noted for large Pike, 
 and Coniston-water is said to produce the best Char in 
 England. 
 
 In Cheshire are many large weirs and pools, which abound 
 with Pike, Perch, &c. 
 
 Of the numerous canals intersecting the country, which 
 contain Jack and Perch, those nearest London, are 
 
 The Surrey Canal, which joins, near New Cross, the 
 remains of the Croydon Canal. Perch and Jack have been 
 taken here in considerable numbers. 
 
LAKES, PONDS, &C. 103 
 
 The Paddington Canal, which joins the Grand Junction 
 Canal ; and 
 
 The Regent's Canal, which runs through Regent's Park, to 
 the basin between Limehouse and Stepney, will afford mode- 
 rate sport for Jack and Perch, but are often netted. 
 
 In the Rye Military Canal, large Pike are often taken. 
 Two or three seasons since I saw one weighing 30 pounds, 
 which was taken in this canal, with a live bait. 
 
 In addition to those before-mentioned, there are rivers, 
 canals, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, &c., innumerable, all over 
 England, in which good fishing may be had. I have merely 
 directed the attention of the angler to the best of those 
 known to me. 
 
 There is good fishing in the lochs and rivers of Scotland 
 and Ireland, with few exceptions ; as also in the Llyns of 
 Wales. These have all been so well described in previous 
 works, such as Hofland's, Stoddart's, &c., that in our present 
 limited space it would be only a repetition of names. 
 
EIDITIOIT, 
 Price Is. 6 d., 
 Post Free for 20 Stamps : 
 A. 
 
 TO 
 
 SPINNING AND TROLLING, 
 
 BY 
 
 Extracts from a notice in " THE FIELD," July 30th, 1859. 
 
 "This is a useful little work on the above subjects, 
 " particularly needed by the tyro in the art of Jack-fishing 
 *****containing plain and simple directions, it cannot fail 
 to prove a manual to the aspirants to Pike-slaying honours 
 *****The directions upon Thames Trout fishing are Avhat 
 they should be, and comprehend all that is necessary in 
 that branch of the art, The list of fishing stations will be 
 found useful even to experienced fishermen. The little 
 book contains numerous illustrations and cuts of tackle, 
 baits, &c., &c., and is certainly a useful contribution to the 
 literature of angling." 
 
 & 30H, 
 
 54, MOORGATE STREET, LONDON. 
 
REQUISITES FOR FISHING. 
 
 REQUISITES 
 
 FOR 
 
 A SALMON FISHER. 
 
 Salmon Rod 
 
 
 s. 
 35 
 
 d. 
 
 
 to 
 
 s. 
 
 80 
 
 d. 
 
 
 Check Winch 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 Silk and Hair Salmon Line... 
 
 ...per yard 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 and 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 Prepared Plaited Silk Line... 
 
 ...per yard 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 arid 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 Treble Gut Casting Lines 
 
 ...per yard 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 Plaited 
 
 ...per yard 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 Extra Strong Single Gut Lines 
 
 ...per yard 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 and 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 Salmon Flies 
 
 each 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 Grilse Flies 
 
 .per dozen 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 to 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 Fly Book % ... 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 Spinning Tackle 
 
 each 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Traces 
 
 each 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Gaff Hook 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 Alfred's Sensation Silver Bait 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Alfred's Pectoral gait 
 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 A TROUT 
 
 FISHER. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 FlvRod 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 Multiplying Winch 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 Silk and Hair Fly Line 
 
 per yard 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 Gut Casting Lines 
 
 ...3 yards 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 and 
 
 1 
 
 .0 
 
 Extra Fin 
 
 e, 3 yards 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 Flies 
 
 per dozen 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 May Flies 
 
 per dozen 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REQUISITES FOB FISHING. 
 
 A TROUT FISHER .continued. 
 
 May Flies, with cork bodies ...per dozen 4 
 
 FlyBook 1 to 5 
 
 Alfred's Improved Spinning Rod 20 to 50 
 
 Check Winch 10 to 16 
 
 Prepared Plaited Silk Line per yard 3 
 
 Spinning Tackle each 1 
 
 Traces each 6 to 3 
 
 Alfred's Pectoral Bait 2 6 and 3 6 
 
 Alfred's Sensation Silver Bait 3s. 4 and 5 
 
 Water Witch 2 
 
 Hawker's Tackle 1 
 
 Francis' Tackle 1 
 
 Trace with " Field " Lead 1 6 
 
 Alfred's Improved Cases, in Japanned 
 Tin, to hold Spinning Tackle, Arti- 
 ficial Baits, &c 3 6 to 21 
 
 Landing Net, with Telescope Handle ... 8 6 to 12 6 
 
 Haversack 3 to 4 6 
 
 A JACK FISHER. 
 
 Alfred's Jack Rod 12 to 40 
 
 Plain Winch 4 to 12 
 
 Prepared Plaited Silk Line per yard 3 
 
 Gorge Hooks each 4 
 
 Spear Gorge Hooks each 6 
 
 Weed Hooks each 6 
 
 Traces each 6 to 2 
 
 Spinning Tackle each 1 
 
REQUISITES FOR FISHING. 
 
 A JACK FISHER. continued. 
 
 Alfred's Sensation Bait 5 to 70 
 
 Alfred's Pectoral Bait 4 6 to ti 
 
 Water Witch 2 to 3 
 
 Pike Flies each 2 to 40 
 
 Single Gimp Hooks per dozen 2 and 2 6 
 
 Live Bait Hooks per dozen 3 6 
 
 Live Bait Float 6 and 9 
 
 Baiting Needle 2 
 
 Live Bait Snap Hooks each 6 to 10 
 
 Spring Snap Hooks each 1 6 
 
 Saddle Live Bait Snap 1 
 
 \jrimp Paternoster 1 6 
 
 Paternoster Hooks per dozen 1 
 
 Gaff Hook 2 to 56 
 
 Case for Gorge Hooks, &c 1 6 to 5 
 
 Tin Case for Spinning Tackle 2 6 to 12 6 
 
 Pike Gag, 5s. 6d. ; Forceps, 2s 7 6 
 
 Haversack 4 6 to 6 6 
 
 Live Bait Kettle 1 to 10 
 
 Live Dace and Gudgeons per dozen 1 
 
 Jack Knife 7 6 tc 12 
 
 Weighing Machine 4 6 to 16 
 
 Drag 1 
 
 A PERCH FISHER. 
 
 Hickory or Bamboo Rod 6 to 24 
 
 Plain Winch 2 to 60 
 
 SilkLine 30 yards 2 
 
REQUISITES FOR FISHING. 
 
 A PERCH FISHER. continued. 
 
 Gut Bottoms 
 
 ....3 yards 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 and 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Gut Hooks 
 
 ..per dozen 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 and 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Cork Floats 
 
 each 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 to 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Paternoster 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 Paternoster Hooks 
 
 .per dozen 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Landing Net and Handle 
 
 from 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 Clearing Ring 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 to 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 Tackle Book ... 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 and 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 Caps , 
 
 . .per dozen 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 Shots 
 
 per box 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 Disgorger .. 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 Live Bait Kettle.. 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 to 
 
 2 
 
 O 1 
 
 Live Minnows 
 
 .per dozen 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 Artificial Worms and Shrimps 
 
 each 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 A BARBEL FISHER. 
 
 Hickory or Bamboo Rod 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 Winch 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 Prepared Plaited Silk Line ... 
 
 ...per yard 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 Otter's Improved " Traveller " 
 
 Float 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gut Lines 
 
 ...per yard 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 and 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 Gut Hooks 
 
 .per dozen 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 and 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 Leger Hooks 
 
 per dozen 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 Legers 
 
 each 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bullets 
 
 .per dozen 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 and 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 A ROACH 
 
 FISHER. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Roach Rod 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 Light Winch 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 t 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REQUISITES FOR FISHING. 
 
 A ROACH FISHER. continued. 
 
 Silk Line ". 20 yards 1 4 
 
 Fine Prepared Plaited Silk Line per yard 3 
 
 Gut Lines * 3 yards 6 and 1 
 
 Extra Fine Gut Lines 3 yards 1 3 
 
 Extra Fine Gut Hooks per dozen 1 6 
 
 Single Hair Lines per yard 2 
 
 Single Hair Hooks per dozen 1 
 
 Taper Quill Floats each 6 and 1 
 
 Tackle Book 2 6 to 8 6 
 
 Landing Net and Handle 3 6 to 8 G 
 
 Clearing Ring - 2 6 
 
 plummets each 1 and 2 
 
 Disgorger 2 
 
 Shot Ptyers , 1 6 
 
 Bait Box ! 01 to 1- 
 
 Bait Bag 2 
 
 SUNDRIES. 
 
 Chub Flies per dozen 3 
 
 Artificial Cockchafers each 6 
 
 Grasshoppers each 6 
 
 Eel Lines each 6 
 
 Gimp per yard 3 
 
 Swivels per dozen 2 6 
 
 Bank Runners (furnished) each 1 6 
 
 Trimmers (furnished) each 2 6 
 
 Globe Nets each 1 
 
 CastingNets 24 to 35 
 
 Plaited Silk Line per yard 2 
 
 Spun Silk Line per yard 1 
 
REQUISITES FOB FISHING. 
 
 Alfred's Long, Light and Stiff Rods, length from 12 to 21 
 feet, 30. to 50s. 
 
 Alfred's celebrated Light Cane Punt Rods, for Thames 
 Fishing, 21s. 
 
 Highly finished Walking Stick Fly and Bottom Rods, with 
 Alfred's improved Elongating Metallic Butt. 
 
 Alfred's improved Pocket Rods, for Fly and Bottom Fishing, 
 highly finished, with Brass, Bronze, Plated and Silver 
 Fittings. 
 
 Winches of every description in Brass, Bronze, Electro-plate 
 and Silver. , 
 
 Tackle Books, furnished from 10s. to 100s. Improved 
 Tackle Cases in Japanned Tin, from 12s. 6d. to 35s. 
 
 Extraordinary fine Silk Worm Gut and extra large Salmon 
 Gut. 
 
 Alfred's celebrated Trout Flies, " Wellington " and " Em- 
 peror," post free, 2s. 6cZ. per dozen. 
 
 Artificial Baits and Insects of every description. 
 
 rtors must mlau Qmtimt. 
 
 Post Office Orders to be made payable at Moorgate 
 
 Street Office, and Cheques to be crossed 
 
 Union Bank of London. 
 
FOURTEEN DAY USE 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHK 
 
 LOAN 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, or 
 
 on the date to which renewed. 
 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
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 (B139s22)476 
 
 General Library 
 
 University of California 
 
 Berkeley 
 
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