■i, \ ' '/.y -^o 'y^;' . ''/.''': ■/. ■ ItR^iiiilliiiii V 'ill i Q/. raaip ©IF THE M^TEKS ^ THE TO THE HORSE AND GROOM, LEA BRIDGE, AND WHITE HOUSE FISHERIES ; DESCRIBING THE PRINCIPAL SWIMS, SUITABLE TACKLE, METHODS, BAITS, AND Sccottti (Slrttion. LONDON : PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. BROWN, Engraver, &c, 14, NIOHOLL SQUARE, CRIPPLEGATE, « 1841. LEA BRIDGE. A 2 112 V ''C If art of the water, barbel, roach, and dace may be seen in shoals. No. 6, — Boai Hole Swim, for gudgeon ; it is five feet in depth. No. 7, 8, 9. —The Paddock. Gudgeon Swims, or by legering from any of which, fine barbel and chub are taken. No. 10. — Chub Stand, for chub, barbel, and roach ; it is seven feet in depth. No. 11. — Garden Swim, close to the turnstile ; this is a noted swim for large roach, dace, and perch ; it is seven feet in depth ; opposite to which is that famous place, known as Taylor's Hole, which can only be got at by legering ; it abounds with large barbel and chub. No. 12 and 13. — Gudgeon Swims. No. 14 and 15. — Broad's Hole, containing two swims, celebrated for large barlxl, chub, and dace. 15 they vary from eight to nine feet in depth ; the bait to be dropped close to the shelve. Barbel, lOlb. weight, have been taken here. No. 16. — Salter's Swim, here the same description of fish are to be found ; it is seven feet in depth. No. 17. — Hardy's Swim, seven feet in depth, and the same kinds of fish are taken as those last named. From this, for the next three-hundred yards, on both sides of the river, many roach, perch, and gudgeon swims will be found. The water between this and 18 is celebrated for the numerous large pike taken every season. j^o. 18. — Will be known by its position on the map, it IS a favorite roach swim, one of the best in the water in the spring months, and is about five feet depth. Fish as far out as possible. m Nos. 19, 20, and 21. — Are called the Long Swims. No. 19 contain barbel, chub, roach, and dace, and is eight feet in depth. No 20 is a roach swim, and is 6 feet in depth. B 2 16 No 21, roach and gudgeon; five feet in depth. Between this and No. 22, a number of gudgeon swims will be found ; as also a punt, for the exclusive use of those frequenting the water, to cross the river, if re- quired. Fine jack are also taken here, among the weeds. No. 22. — (Opposite Johnson's Swim), is a good swim for roach, and is five feet in depth. Nos. 23, 24, 25, and 26. — This piece of water, many years known the FRIENDS, has been long celebrated tor its roach swims. Chub and carp are also taken here ; the depths vary from five to eight feet. No. 27. — Clay Hole Swim, for chub, roach, and dace, is eight feet in depth. No. 28. — Clay Hole Eddy; same fish and depth as last. Between tliis and the next, many gudgeon swims will be found No. 29. — Clark's Ditch Hole, long famed for its large carp, numbers of which are taken, particularly in April, May and June, by using plain paste, eiilier 17 leger or float fishing ; this swim also abounds with large roach. Fish on the edge of eddy. On either side fine pike are taken. Cro«!sing Clark's Ditch, we come to Nos. 30, 31, and 35. — Opposite the Potaioe Hole, which contain fine carp, barbel, chub, and roach ; the depth of these swims are about nine feet. No. 33. — Bush or Clay Hole, which is a good place for the same kind of fish as those last mentioned, is eight feet in depth. We now cross the river, and commence on the western bank, being — No. 34. — Which is called the Last Swim ; famed for carp, barbel, chub, roach, and dace; the depth is eight feet. Fish out as far as possible. No. 35. — The Dead Eddy ; this is a noted place for carp, chub, roach, and perch, and is twelve feet in depth. Between this and the next swim, are several fine holes for the same kind of fish. For one-hundred yards up the stream, pike are taken. B 3 18 Nos. 36 and 37. — Potatoe Hole, (situated opposite swims, 30, 31, and 32, before mentioned), here are two excellent swims for large barbel, carp, and chub ; the depth varies from eight to nine feet ; tlie bait to be dropped close to the shelve. Carp, 12lbs. weight have been taken here, and many barbel, from 21bs. to lOlbs. ; several were taken last season, among which may be mentioned : on Tuesday, April 21st, Mr. Curtis killed one carp, upwards of 91bs., two others, about 4lbs. each. Thursday, the 23rd, one 7^1bs, two others, 3lbs. each ; and on Saturday, the 25tli, No. 38. — Carp Hole, for leger fishing, is nine feet in depth. Nos. 39 and 40. — Opposite Clark's Ditch, are good swims for roach and bream ; fine carp are also taken by legering ; they are from six to seven feet in depth. From this to the next, (or say one-hundred yards up the stream) will be found many fine spots for perch fishing. No. 41. — Opposite the Clay Hole Swim, chub and gudgeon are taken. 19 No. 42. — Opposite the Friends, is a famous ehub hole, ten feet in depth. No. 43. — Johnson'i S^^'im; there is no better swim than this in the water for large barbel, chub, roach, and dace ; the depth is ten feet. This being a rapid heavy swim, requires a large quill float. Fish mid stream. Many instances might be men- tioned of fish, taken out of this as well as other swims, both as to size and quantity, but as we wish to be as brief as possible, suffice it to say, that a few specimens may be seen stuffed, at the house. Last season a youth, with a day ticket, took a barbel here, weighing I21bs. 2ozs. Nos. 44 and 45. — Excellent swims for chub and barbel ; fine carp are also taken at 45 ; they are from six to seven feetjn depth. Nos. 46, 47, and 48. — Are situated opposite the Long Swims ; they contain roach ; the depth varies from four to six feet. Nos. 49, 50, and 51. — Roach and gudgeon swims; and are from five to eight feet in depth. E 4 20 Having brought the reader back to the Canal, we now proceed to a description of the White House Water. i1 HOMEllTON MARSHES. WHITE HOUSE FISHERY The White House is pleasantly situated between Stratford and the Lea Bridge, bordering on the parishes of Hackney and Homerton ; it possesses the same advantages in reference to the fresh supply from the Thames, and contains the same kind of fish as the water just mentioned ; it is surrounded by a pleasant and enlivening scenery, the tranquility and quietness of which, is disturbed only by the soft song of the birds, or the gentle murmuring of the silvery Lea. In addition to the swims marked on the map, which we are about to describe, many others may be found, especially for roach, dace, and gudgeon. 24 No. 1. — Carp Swim : tliis is a fine, deep, and steady swim for fish of that kind ; heavy roach are also taken here, from about August to November ; carp feed here from March till October, but best towards evening, especially if it is warm and still ; there are two ways of fishing for them, the first, which is considered the most killing, is with a strong rod, sixteen to eighteen feet, with thirty yards of running line, to which, attach about three feet of strong gut, having upon it three triangular hooks, about ten inches apart, covering each with a piece of well worked bread paste, as big as the top of the finger, and having the leger lead on the end of the running line, just above the gut, throw the baits as near the middle as possible. By baiting one of the hooks with red worms, there is a good chance of taking either barbel, perch, or eels. The other method is with the same rod and running line, and about seven feet of fine gut, tip capped float, taking about thirty small shots, No. 8 hook, with a short shank, upon which put a piece of paste the size of a large pea, which let touch or drag the bottom. Chub are often taken while thus fishing. No. 2. — Smith's Swim : this is an excellent swim for large barbel, both early and late in the season, but 25 particularly in the month of March. Tnere are two at the house stuffed, (among many others including chub, perch, roach, &c. taken at other swims), one of which weighing eleven, and the otlier fourteen pounds ; there is at this swim a shelf, under which they often run and secure themselves against all the art and strength of the angler. This swim may be likewise fished with success for carp, chub, eels. &c. and is equally good for barbel, in the autumn, when they are fished for with graves and gentles. Many barbel have already been taken this spring ; one, nine pounds weight. Roach may also be taken here at the end of the season, when they are making for the deeps . It is about seven feet in depth. No. 3. — Tub Swim : this swim, corresponding with its name, is a deep gulphy hole, having a stand which projects over the water several feet. To float fish it, use running tackle and a strong gut line, be- tween eight and nine feet in length, with a float, taking a good quantity of shots , and fish out as far as con- venient. You may ground bait with either graves, gentles, or paste, and bait your hook with the same, which should be a No. 8 ; and having plumbed your depth, let it gently touch the bottom. Heavy chub, barbel, carp, and large roach may be taken thus, 26 especially if the weather is cold and the fish are in the deeps. In general, however, this swim is fished with the leger baits for chub, carp, eels, &c. as directed at No. 1. Nos. 4 and 5. — Roach Swims : the latter of which is the best. It may be known by its position on the map, and by a white stone sunk at the edge of the bank. From twelve to sixteen dozen of fine roach have been taken here in a day, by one person, but this only can be done by a skilful angler, and with tackle and baits as described in the remarks. It is about five feet in depth. No. 6. — Gudgeon Swim : tliis is a noted swim for gudgeons. There are several other scours in the water equally good ; but as this is the first we come to, we shall make here what few observations may be neces- sary for those who do not understand much about gudgeon fishing. This swim, as may be seen in the cut of the house, is fished from a boat, with a short rod^ about ten feet in length, a single hair line, about four feet and a half, with a small float, and a very fine wire hook, a No. 12. Plumb your depth, and let your bait, which must be a blood worm, drag one inch on 27 the bottom. You will be provided with a rake from the house, with which you rake up the sand and gravel from the bottom of the stream, at the beginning of your swim. This gives the water a thick and coloured appearance, and the gudgeons drive in amongst it to search after whatever food they can find. Perform this operation about every twenty minutes, and let your bait swim down in the clouded water. If the d ay is warm and they are on the feed, you may thus take many dozens of them, having a bite almost every swim. This tackle and method must be employed at all other scours in these waters, wheneA er you fish ex- pressly for gudgeons. Nos, 7 and 8. — Gudgeon Swims : these are excellent summer swims. Barbel, chub, roach, dace, &c. may be taken here, from May till October, but they are fished chiefly for barbel when the weather is warm ; as also Nos. 11, 12, and the Rounds. As barbel and chub are always to be met with at all tliese swims, those who fish there should always use running tackle, unlesSjthey fish them expressly for roach and dace, (with which they generally abound,) when they may use ex- actly the same tackle as described for roach. If, how- ever, while thus fishing, they have a favorite float carried c 2 28 away, break a top joint, or lose five or six hooks in the course of the evening, they must not repine, as such misfortunes are very common when the barbel are on the feed in these waters. The tackle and baits for these summer swims are described in the re- marks. The length of gut for most of them should be about five feet. No. 9. — This is a neat little swim for gudgeon, perch, roach, dace, bleak, &c. ; for gudgeon in particular, at the first of the season. Use the same tackle and bait as described at No. 6, with the exception of your rod, whtch must here be sixteen feet, If you fish it for roach, use a roach hook, and bait the same as No, 5. This is an excellent swim for a beginner. Your line must be five feet and a half. No. 10. — Post Swim : this is a good place for roach and dace fishing. In the summer, ground bait with bran and gentles, baiting the hook with a live gentle ; let tlie bait just touch tlie bottom. It is four feet in depth. No. 11. — Land Mju-k : having before spoken of this ns a barbel swim, it is but necessary to observe, that it 29 is a quick eddy, about four feet and a half in depth, and has at the end an excellent scour for dace. There is in fact no swim in the water where more dace can be taken. If you fish it expressly for them, fish near the end where it is most shallow, and if the water is coloured, you may use a very fine gut line, although you will not have so much sport as by using a single hair. When you fish it for barbel, fish rather close in, and in the deepest part. Ground bait for either dace or barbel as before directed. No. 12. — Gudgeon Swim : this is another swim for those who are fond of taking small fry — gudgeon and bleak in particular. Six dozen of them have been taken in two hours, by using a light rod, a single hair line, a No. 12 hook, baited with a blood worm, and raking the bottom as directed at No. 6. It is four feet in depth, and requires to be fished not far out, with your hook drs^ing on the bottom about two inches. Good roach may also be taken here, by fishing exactly the same as described at No. 5. Having passed the City marks, and crossed the c3 30 Wliite bridge, we turn towards the White House again, and the first swim we arrive at is No. 13. — Porridge Pot: there is no better swim in . this part of the water for barbel than this, as a summer swim. The writer has taken five here be- fore breakfast. It is five feet in depth, and must be fished out. Many chub, and roach are also taken here. Between this and the rounds, there are two or three spots for roach, dace, and gudgeon. Nos. 14, 15, 16, and 17.— The Rounds : tliese swims are all equally good, and as mentioned at Nos. 7 and 8, are to be fished with the same tackle and baits. Endeavour to keep off the water as much as possible, as there is here very little shelter, and the swims being upon a scour, the water is in general very clear. Make it a rule, wherever fish are, to keep the shadow off the water, for one might as well at- tempt to take fish in a mash tub, unless previously placed therein, as to take them in a shallow swim when the water is clear, and persons are in a con- tinual move on the bank of the stream. How often may be seen, an angler (as he calls him- 31 self) standing over the water, as close as he possibly can, with a long rod, a coarse fine, and a float as large as a small bottle, canting it first one way and then the other, walking first here and then there, to the great disap- pointment of himself and the utter annoyance of ^1 those who may be fishing near him. To ascertain the quick-sightedness and timidity of fish, let any person when the water is clear, walk close along the bank of the stream and look at the water nearest him ; he will find, that as he advances, the fish shoot away, from which it is evident that they always fly from any move- able appearance. What sport, then, can such persons as we speak of expect, when they not only drive away every fish worth taking witli their appearance, and lashing the water with their heavy tackle, as to make even the minnows fly before them ? Bear this in mind, especially when fishing at these narrow swims, that slyness and cunning, however they may be censured when exercised in other engagements, are much to be commended when employed in the art of angling. No. 14 is the most shallow of these swims, conse- quently it is to be preferred when the day is warm. No. 15 is about six mches deeper; No. 16 deeper still ; and No. 17 the deepest. Five feet of gut will c 4 32 however answer for them all, as the length between the float and the rod requires to be longer tfian for roach fishing. Still, not too much, as it prevents the quickness of the strike ; two feet is sufficient, but soqper fish with more than draw the gut through the top joint, however neatly it may be fastened to your running line. — Many a good fish has been lost by doing this at a shallow swim. Nos. 18 and 19. — Garden swims: both of these swims may be fished either for gudgeon in the spring, or roach and dace in the summer. No. 18 is three feet deep, and No. 19 two feet and a half. We now come back to the water above the house, where it is much deeper than below ; consequently the heaviest fish are generally taken out of it. These swims are to be preferred in the early and late months of the season, or when the weather is cold. No. 20.— Hole Swim : this with No. 22, 26, and the last swim, may be spoken of as one ; as the same tackle, baits, and methods, will answer for each of them. They are mostly fished for barbel, carp, and chub, with which, towards the latter end of the season, 33 they generally abound. We have seen many excellent fish taken at No. 22. They have been taken at al) these swims^ varying from nine pounds down to three pounds. Let your rod for these swims be full eighteen feet, as with a long rod you have so mifck more power over a hea^y fish. Your running line should be strong, and your gut the best you can pro- cure ; in length eight feet and a half, with a float taking forty shots : use the barbel hooks before spoken of, and bait with either graves or geatles, ground baiting with the same. These swims may be likewise fished with the leger baits for carp and chub, as described at No. 1. They may also be fished successfully for roach, Nos. 22 and 26 in particular. No, 21. — New Swim: this is an excellent spot for roach, corresponding in all respects to those nearly opposite, and requires to be fished exactly according to the instructions there given. Dace and chub may be taken here by using gentles or graves. This swim is four feet in depth . No. 22. — Tinker's Holt: having just spoken of this swim, we merely mention it in rotation. When fishing it for barbel and chub, fish as far out as you 34 can conveniently, dropping your bait just at the ex- tremity of the willow, at your right hand. When you fish it for roach, the distance is not particular. No. 23. — Bush Swim : This is the best swim in the water for perch ; great numbers are taken here especially in the month of March. Those who are fond of perch fishing will meet with good sport here, by using a gut line, six feet and a half in length, a float, and a No. 5 hook baited with a live minnow, and fishing at what depth they please. But the com- mon way to fish it, is with two No, 7 hooks, one a foot above the other, and baited with well scoured red worms, the bottom one touching the ground. This is the way to take a quantity of small ones ; but be sure that your line is strong while thus fishing, as you are very likely to hook either carp, chub, or eels, for which this swim is good. Many roach may also be taken here when the perch are away, for which, if you fish, you must take bait and tackle accordingly. Near here will be found three or four good swims for roach. No. 24. — Point Swim, and No. 25, Royal George : ihese are both excellent roach swims, equal, if not superior, to any of the others for heavy roach. Carp are also frequently hooked here, but seldom killed, in consequence of the fineness of the roach tackle. Those therefore, who wish to try here for carp, must use a fine gut line and running tackle, or the leger baits, accord- ing to the directions given at No. 1 . No. 24 is five feet deep, and No. 25 eight feet. If you fish them expressly for carp, use the same ground bait as directed for roach, and give No. 25 the preference. No. 26. — Ovens Mouth : having made remarks upon this swim before, it is but necessary to observe, that when you fish here for barbel, let your float ride rather close in, just over the eddy, and take care that you do not miss any of the bites at the end of the swim, as it is generally there you hook your fish. This should indeed be made a rule while fishing the swims in these waters, as they in general run shoal at the end ; and it is this that makes them so good ; for the ground bait settling upon the shoal, keeps in the swim, and the fish being busy about it, it is there that they take the bait. We know not, in fact, of any waters possessing so many shoal swims as these, occasioned by the winding of the stream ; for as may be seen by the map, most of the swims are 36 just after a bend, and are no doubt made shoal, in « great measure, by the continual settUng of what- ever the water brings down with it during floods, &c. Hence it is that the fisli are always to be found in search of food at these particular places This swim is eight feet in depth. No. 27. — Last swim: of this, the only observation necessary to be made, (having before spoken of it), is that it is seven feet and a half in depth and requires to be fished out as far as convenient. 3r RZSMARBLS ON FISHING THE "WATEItS. The writer does not wish to be considered so pre- sumptuous as to give his fellow subscribers instructions as to the best tackle, methods, and baits, for taking fish at the Lea, being fully aware, that there are many who know much more on the subject ; but feeling as- sured, that this book will fall into the hands of those who have only a day to spare now and then, and there- fore, little opportunity for a practical knowledge of the art, he would only make a few observations upon the baits, &c. for such fish as persons so situated usually endeavour to take. Roach fishing is a pleasant part of the sport, and may be pursued with great success, especially in the months of April, May, August, and September; from twelve to twenty pounds have frequently been taken by one person. The rod should be from sixteen to D 38 eighteen feet in length, made of the lightest cane that can be got, the whole of it not weighing more, or much more, than one pound. The line to be of fine round single horse hair, with about four inches of silk or thread at the top to loop it to the rod, (this prevents the dry hair from snapping, when you strike, and likewise enables you to do so with more nicety). The float, swanks quill, taking about twenty small shots to sink it within a quarter of an inch of the bottom. The hook, a No. 10, made of very fine wire, short shank, tied neatly on with fine waxed silk.* After plumbing the depth quietly, do not have more than a foot of hair between the float and top of the rod ; having as- certained which, keep the plummet on the line, and drawing it a little to the side, lay the rod on the bank, in such a position as to keep the line in the water, and quite tight, while you now make the paste, as follows : take a piece of bread from the inside of a penny loaf, one day old, with clean hands, dip it quickly into the water, then squeeze all the water from it, work it with the thumb and finger of your right hand, in the palm of your left, for about seven or * The articles described can be obtained at any respectable Ashing tackle raauufacturers, and is much better than having the trouble to make them- 39 eight minutes, when it will be of a proper consistency for the hook, upon which use a bit about the size of a pea.f The ground bait necessar}', may be mixed at home, in the following manner : for a day's sport, say the middle of a half-quartern loaf, soak it in water for a few minutes, put it into a dish and add about two quarts of bran, work them well together, till it be- comes a stiff and heavy paste, this throw into the water, in pieces as big as a walnut, just above the float, first putting in a small pebble to cause them to sink better ; having thrown in several to begin with, commence fishing, dropping the bait into the water as gently as possible, holding the point of the rod over the float, a little to the right, so that none of the line hangs slack in the water. When you see a bite, strike quickly with your hand, not with your arm, as the least touch is sufficient to hook them ; when you have hit a good fish, be not too hast)', but keep him under the point of the rod, till you can bring him to your landing net, recollecting that it is only the pliability of the rod and the elastic quality of the single hair, that enables you, with judgment, to kill a fish of any size, with such a fine and delicate apparatus. -j- !■ April, they will sometimes take a blood worm in preference. 40 Barbel and chub fishing is a fine part of the sport, on account of the gameness of the fish. It is necessary to state, that the mode of taking them differs in the early months to the latter part of the season. A stout rod, running line, strong even gut, must be used at either time, and to take them in March or April, two strong No. 6 hooks, ten inches apart, a tip capped float, carrying about forty small shots ; the end hook to drag six inches on the bottom, and both baited with well scoured marsh worms. At this season of the year, having hooked a fish, you may be almost confi- dent it is a good one, consequently skill is required ; keep the rod well elevated above him, and if he runs from the swim, follow after him, giving him line if required occasionally, if possible, bringing his open mouth to the top of the water, and when sufficiently exhausted, bring him to your landing net. Leger fishing is also practised with great success. Another way of taking these fish, is necessary from May till October (at the same time, roach, dace, perch, &c. &c. are frequently taken), is as follows : a cane rod, if strong, will do, with winch fittings, &c., ^he tioat, the same kind as before mentioned, carrying 41 about thirty small shots ; the running line, plaited silk ; the gut, strong and round, without a blemish ; and the hook, a No. 9, made for barbel fishing, let it drag three or four inches on the bottom ; the bait must be either gentles or graves, ground baiting with the same ; if you prefer gentles, three or four pints will be necessary for a day's sport, with two quarts of bran, to be mixed thus : take some clay, of a good consistency (which is very plentiful at all the swims), and roll it in the bran, making round balls about the size of an orange ; with the handle of the trowel, make a cavity nearly through them, fill them about half full with gentles, and having closed them up moderately, throw them into the water about two feet higher up the stream than where you drop in your bait ; the hook to be baited with three gentles, the blackest and dirtiest you can find among the ground bait. The other method is, with graves, viz. : take about two pounds of the whitest that can be got, and having broken them up small, pour over them as much boiling water as to moderately cover them ; let them soak for a quarter of an hour, then add two quarts of bran, mix them together, put it into a bag; and when at the water, mix clay therewith, work all well together. 42 and throw them into the water in balls, as before men- tioned. For the hook, put on three or four pieces not quite so big as a sixpence, and if you add a small gentle to the point, it will make the bait look the more complete ; while thus ground-baiting you may use a bait of all gentles, graves, or a small red worm, ac- cording to which they seem most to prefer. Should the fish make for the weeds it is better to try the strength of the tackle, than to give too much line. While fishing in the manner described, the other kinds of smaller fish are usually taken. nAVNTS FOR JACK AND PZSS, IV BOTB -WATERS. Although so few are marked in the map, there are many others which a troller might find and per- haps prefer. THE FZ.T'-FXSBER will also perceive those parts where he can practice that delightful part of the sport, under the head of chub rise. 43 It has been truly observed, 'that the Lea is the finishing school for anglers ;' there is no river where the real lover of angling could find such pleasure and recreation. What, for instance, would it be for a skilful angler, if he could go to the water with any common tackle and any sort of bait, and with it pull out fish as fast as he could unhook them? It might please him for an hour by way of a change, but his pleasure would then be at an end. That which the true angler finds in the sport, arises from the nicety of the apparatus which must be used, and the cunning of the arts which must be put into practice to accomplish his end. And there are no fisheries which afford more room for the exercise of skill than those of which we have been speaking, where the water is clear, the fish consequently shy, and the food plentiful. If the lovers of the art who may meet with this little book, will give it a just and deliberate trial, they will be of the same opinion. There is also good eel fishing from May till August. 44 TKll §(y][Bi(g[^a[PTQ(2)[i^ to either water is 10s. 6d per annum, or by the day one shilling; Lockers, if required, from 3s. 6d. per annum. Every Refreshment can be obtained, as regards Dinners, Sfc. The omnibus to Clapton Gate is the nearest to the Horse and Groom, and the one to the Marsh Gate, Homerton, to the White House, by either of which the charge is 6d.onlv. B 000 002 688