STACK 
 
 ANNEX 
 
 5 
 
 061 
 
 564 
 
 vxtt
 
 !mat0rial 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE FISHERMAN'S POCKET COMPANION. 
 
 GEOEGE BAGNALL. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 R. J. KENXETT, 14, YORK STREET, 'COVEXT GARDEN, W.C. 
 1865.
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PRINTED BY JAMES HCMPHBEYS, 
 26, BKYDGES STREET, COYEST GARDEN, TV.C.
 
 TO THE 
 
 RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF COVENTRY. 
 
 MY LORD, 
 
 I am tempted to hope that your kindness, which 
 conferred upon me the high distinction and honour of de- 
 dicating my humble work to your Lordship, may moot with 
 a partial recompense in its perusal ; and in expressing my 
 thanks for the privilege extended, and the boon accorded. 1 
 trust that in its pages your Lordship may find amusement to 
 while away a vacant hour. 
 
 I am, 
 
 With the deepest respect, 
 
 Your Lordship's most obliged and obedient servant, 
 GEORGE BAGNALL. 
 
 2067013
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 UNDER various designations, such as Guides, Handbooks, 
 Companions. &c., numerous books have, from time to 
 time, been compiled on the subject of Angling, and 
 when the author began this series of articles, it was 
 his intention to confine his productions to the columns 
 of the popular paper in which they have at intervals 
 appeared ; but when he became aware that his writings 
 were eagerly sought for and favourably noticed, acting 
 upon the advice and suggestions of several literary and 
 other friends, he determined to reproduce them, with 
 additions and alterations, in a volume. 
 
 It has been his aim to render to the Fisherman all 
 the assistance in his power, so far as it can be given in 
 a book of this limited size, but yet, to say nothing which 
 may not, directly or indirectly, be of practical utility. 
 
 To dilate upon the nature of the work would be 
 superfluous. What it is, or what it aims to be, will be 
 clearly seen from a perusal of its contents. The author 
 would only add that he submits his book to the friendly 
 criticism of an indulgent pubh'c ; convinced that if it 
 but moderately answer the end proposed, it will be
 
 favourably regarded, and will secure that approbation 
 which is the main solace of those who labour in the 
 cause of generaHnstruction ana amusement, in however 
 humble a sphere. 
 
 He cannot, however, co nclude these remarks without 
 thanking those friends who have taken an interest in 
 the advent'of this little work, and cannot here refrain 
 from acknowledging the very valuable hints and sugges- 
 tions made to him by Charles Jones, Esq., an experienced 
 and most scientific fisherman ; and also to those who 
 have, or may hereafter take the trouble to point out 
 any defects or deficiencies ; for he hopes thereby to be 
 stimulated in his endeavours to render future editions, 
 should they be called for, still more worthy of public 
 approbation. 
 
 GEO. BAGNALL. 
 LONDOX, December, 1864.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 INTRODUCTION 1 
 
 CHAPTER L PIKE 5 
 
 IL PIKE (continued) 13 
 
 EL PIKE (concluded) 18 
 
 ., IV. ROACH 23 
 
 V. PERCH . .... 30 
 
 AT. CARP 39 
 
 VTL THE TROUT 43 
 
 "VTIL CHUB . * 48 
 
 IX. BARBEL 54 
 
 X. DACE 58 
 
 ., XI. BREAM 62 
 
 XIL GUDGEON 66 
 
 XTTT. THE KEJTNETT AND AVON ... 70 
 
 XTV. DATCHET 74
 
 VI CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. THE EEL , 79 
 
 XVI THE GRAYLING . . . . . 83 
 
 FISHING STATIONS THE THAMES 88 
 
 THE LEA 92 
 
 THE DOCKS 94 
 
 THE NEW RIVER .... 95 
 
 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS 98
 
 INTEODUCTION. 
 
 ANGLING, perhaps, admits of greater variety and change than 
 any pastime of the present day or former ages, as regards the 
 latitude given in the selection of the species of the glittering 
 tribe on which to try your art, and also in the diversity of 
 picturesque scenes, from the level and wooded landscape to the 
 stern and rugged mountain districts where the haunts of the 
 fisherman abound. Nor is it the subdued and extremely pacific 
 occupation which some of the rougher Nimrods imagine ; for 
 although I would not for a moment venture to say that it affords 
 the thrilling and animating delights of fox-hunting, which has 
 been compared in its delirious excitement and concomitant 
 dangers to warfare, yet there is still a degree of nerve and 
 physical strength required to land the larger descriptions of 
 fish; whilst the sport ofttimes assumes a higher character, and 
 becomes (as in fly-fishing for trout or salmon) a trial of skill and 
 calculation between the struggling captive and his would-be 
 conqueror. 
 
 Nor in contrasting angling with other sports does it lose by 
 the comparison ; for although cricket ranks among the foremost 
 as an athletic and healthy exercise, it is a mere local diversion 
 compared to the one now treated of ; for he who throws his fly to- 
 day in the classic Cam or silvery Arrow may perchance, aiew days 
 after, wet his line in the glorious Rhine or " blue Moselle.'' " In 
 India's burning clime" the angler may be observed following his
 
 favourite amusement ; and whilst at the Antipodes another of 
 the fraternity may be plying his pleasing craft, a brother in the 
 gentle art may be viewed baiting his hook npon the banks of 
 the gigantic Amazon. One great advantage it certainly possesses 
 that of being hi season nearly all the year round ; and when 
 the blue smoke of the sportsman's double barrel is no more seen 
 curling over the stubble-which late concealed the speckled covey, 
 or when the thrilling " view halloa " and huntsman's horn no 
 longer make the "welkin ring," the disciple of old Izaak is un- 
 disturbed in his enjoyment. Its antiquity is greater than either 
 of the two glorious sports alluded to, for although we read that 
 Esau was a mighty hunter, the fox is not specified as the object 
 of the chase, whilst from the same authority we learn that fishing, 
 even in those primitive days, was an ordinary pursuit. 
 
 As fishing is an attractive and fashionable amusement, I 
 purpose in this little work to speak of those species that furnish 
 seasonable sport, touching a little upon their habits and charac- 
 teristics; and after describing the tackle, baits, &c., necessary for 
 their capture, proceed to mention favourable spots where the 
 student or proficient may meet with success. And it may not be 
 out of place here to remark that an acquaintance with the habits 
 and nature of the prey you are in quest of is absolutely requisite 
 to ensure good sport The trapper in the grand and awe- 
 inspiring backwoods would find but an indifferent reward for the 
 difficulties and dangers of his isolated position, did he not study 
 attentively the "manners and customs' 1 of the various animals 
 whose glossy skins he covets; and the same remark holds good 
 relative to the deerstalker in the glens and forests of the sister 
 kingdom. The daring hunter of the bison or buffalo on the 
 uiighty prairie the ardent pursuer of the " king of beasts" or 
 the ferocious tiger on the arid plains of Central Africa and the 
 juiet and contemplative disciple of old Izaak on the picturesque 
 banks of the stream, are each and all indebted to the same study 
 for the success that attends their endeavours.
 
 INTRODUCTION*. 3 
 
 Has the re ader never in after life, when, perchance, the cares 
 of this troubled existence have strewn silvery threads prematurely 
 upon his brow, reverted to the happy hours when, as a schoolboy, 
 ho passed his half holiday by the side of some well-known stream, 
 and with home-made tackle ensnared the prey, or waited patiently 
 hours for one "glorious nibble, " in those placid moments of quiet 
 reverie perhaps foreshadowing his future course through the stormy 
 world, or dreaming of brilliant prospects and pleasing pictures; 
 which experience, alas ! in manhood sadly dissolves ? Does he not 
 remember when advancing boyhood has called him from the 
 pursuit of bull-head or tittlebat, the glee with which he has 
 paraded his first perch or roach, or the pride with which he has 
 displayed his initiative jack which stuffed, is promoted by a 
 fond parent to a post of honour in the parlour, forming henceforth 
 one of the household gods, and becoming an object of reverential 
 awe to the younger olive branches ? Lurks there in his mind no 
 quiet nook where he could always drop upon a brace of trout to 
 furnish a delicious addition to the usual homely fare when a 
 friend of the family has unexpectedly "popped in ?" and does there 
 not still float upon his remembrance visions of green fields, leafy 
 trees, and winding streams, where hours of unalloyed happiness 
 have been indulged in, the recollection of which almost tempt 
 him to exclaim, " Oh ! would I were a boy again ?" 
 
 The object with which the present work has been written is 
 while'studiously attending to every detail of a practical nature, 
 to relieve somewhat the dull minutiae by occasionally diversifying 
 them with local or historical allusions ; and if it renders a perusal 
 less tedious, it will increase the satisfaction and realise the 
 wish of 
 
 THE AUTHOR.
 
 CHAPTER L 
 PIKE (Esox Lucius.) 
 
 VSThere rushes tall their slender stems display, 
 
 And close-wove branches shut out heaven's bright ray ; 
 
 Where tangled weeds a covert safe prepare, 
 
 He makes his home, and forms his cunning lair. 
 
 With keen glance sweeping oft the turgid flood, 
 
 Impatient to commence his feast of blood, 
 
 Oh ! hapless all, and most ill-fated they, 
 
 Approaching near, by chance, or sportive play; 
 
 His cruel eye surveys and spareth not 
 
 The silvery dace, or trout with ruby spot ; 
 
 The jaw erpansive, armed with daggers sharp, 
 
 Engulfs the timid roach, the golden carp. 
 
 Swift as an eagle's flight he cleaves his way, 
 
 Eemorseless, seizing on the shrinking prey; 
 
 Retiring then, his dappled sides imbued 
 
 With blood, the pirate seeks his solitude : AUTHOR. 
 
 When the great lexicographer made use of the splenetic obser- 
 vation relative to the art or occupation of an angler viz., that it 
 consisted in ' holding a piece of stick and a thread, a worm at 
 one end and a fool at the other," he had evidently been baited 
 by his toady Boswell, and consequently disgorged a sentence 
 which from one of inferior grade in the literary -world would 
 have been received with the ridicule which its absurdity merited, 
 or the indifference its folly might create. I very much question 
 whether the irritable and pompous, nevertheless great and re- 
 markable, man would have refused, when a poor schoolmaster, a 
 plate of small fry from one of his pupils, albeit caught with the 
 stick and thread above alluded to. Circumstances alter cases, 
 and an observation from an unknown countryman would create'
 
 6 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 scarcely any notice, whilst a sentence uttered by the associate of 
 Goldsmith, Garrick, and others of equal celebrity, -would attain 
 an immortality, however undeserved. 
 
 Angling is not only a scientific occupation, but one that greatly 
 invigorates the system, at the same time allowing the mind that 
 rest from business cares or literary pursuits so highly necessary : 
 for every bow requires a relaxation of its tension, or would other- 
 wise snap. It embraces physical as well as mental advantages ; 
 and whilst the excitement of the race-course depends upon ideas 
 and conflicting emotions which affect the brain, nothing tends 
 more to restore the failing energies of the body than rambling 
 rod in hand through the wooded and beauteous districts of the 
 Midland Counties, or amidst the bold and rugged scenery of the 
 North. In every age. all classes have more or less indulged in it, 
 and the disciples of the immortal Izaak Walton have emulated 
 his enthusiasm, not only in his day, but our own, and the truant 
 schoolboy may be seen impaling his moss-scoured worm, whose 
 red nose may tempt the impetuous perch, in juxtaposition to the 
 patrician statesman, who. whilome escaping from political cares. 
 casts his line for the kingly salmon. It requires a delicacy of 
 manipulation. " a touch how exquisitely fine," and the same 
 nervous arm that can cast a fly 'neath the shelving rock where 
 lurks the spotted trout could flich a bluebottle off the flank of 
 his near leader on a warm day in June. 
 
 The pike, commonly called from his attributes the fresh-water 
 shark, is the unsparing terror and tyrant of the waters in which 
 he reigns ; he is an extremely noble and handsome specimen of 
 the piscatory tribe, long, well proportioned, with cavernous jaws 
 ever ready to engulf the hapless prey which his daring and 
 courage impel him to attack ; a beautiful eye, more approaching 
 the human than that of any other fish, and with dagger-like and 
 formidable teeth sloping inward, which render it most difficult 
 for any captive once encased therein to escape his doom. His 
 mottled sides forcibly remind me of a dappled grey horse, and 
 his velocity when hooked rivals, if not surpasses, the speed of 
 the quadruped alluded to. 
 
 This fish attains an enormous size ; in fact, is one of the largest 
 of the fresh-water tribe, although his growth is comparatively
 
 PIKE. i 
 
 slow until he reaches about the -weight of two pounds, when he 
 increases with great rapidity, and becomes, according to some 
 authors, " very like a whale " in bulk. It is very amusing indeed 
 to note the various degrees of size accorded him, varying (as the 
 whim or caprice of the writer leads him) from 30lb to 3001b. It 
 is seldom, however, they are found to exceed the former. His 
 longevity also is great, and many amusing anecdotes are told, and 
 fabulous accounts read, relative to this attribute which he pos- 
 sesses. An author (Gesner, I fancy.) speaks of one caught about 
 the fourteenth century, which, from some distinctive mark, must 
 have seen some 250 years roll down the gulf of time ; but, of 
 course, the reader looks upon all such statements as absurd, and 
 views them with the suspicion attached to the legends relative to 
 carp, which fish has been represented as rivalling Methusaleh in 
 hoary honours. 
 
 In point of voracity, he is unequalled, not even respecting his 
 own species, but, cannibal-like, enjoying a meal upon the body of 
 a near relative with the same gratification that he would feast 
 upon a stranger ; and it is no unusual circumstance for the 
 fisherman, after capturing one of tolerable size, to find another 
 (also a good fish) entombed in his capacious interior. In fact, an 
 instance once occurred to myself when trolling at the Old 'Welsh 
 Harp : I had a run, and after due time struck the fish, which 
 proved a small one. As I was drawing him in, another I should 
 imagine about Gib or 71b seized him ; I let him take it, and gave 
 extra tune, knowing that the hook was powerless, when, after 
 .considerable play, just as I was on the point of landing him, he 
 acted as'ifle fish did in the case of Jonah threw him up. and dis- 
 appointed me of my catch ! 
 
 Those caught in rivers are esteemed more highly, in a gastro- 
 nomic sense, than those taken in ponds or preserves, the quality 
 of the water no doubt causing the difference ; but, as a rule, none 
 are to be despised when properly served up. They differ from 
 the generality of the finny race by not swimming in shoals, being 
 for the most part found singly until the end of the season, when, 
 feeling the claims of nature in common with all, they are usually 
 to be met with in pairs. 
 
 Thf In-ceding season commences about the end of February.
 
 8 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 and the sportsman, of course, ceases to fish until the end of June 
 or July, as the weather may be open or severe, it being well 
 known that the milder the season the more forward the fish, 
 and the angler can judge and act as appearances indicate. As 
 a practical fisherman, I may observe that the waters are not 
 sufficiently guarded at this season, many unprincipled fellows 
 being on the look-out when the fish are in the narrows, and take 
 them full of spawn, the produce of which might furnish future 
 sport to true brethren of the craft ; and it would be well for 
 owners and lessees to provide extra watchers at this period, and 
 not for the sake of a little mistaken economy, allow such rascally 
 depredations to be perpetrated. 
 
 The spawning time over, and legitimate fishing having com- 
 menced, separated from his love he will be found lurking 
 amongst the weeds, surly and solitary, ready to dart upon any 
 object, from the golden-eyed frog to the prickly perch, that may 
 have the audacity to intrude upon his domains, and, minus ny- 
 thing more substantial, alleviating the cravings of hunger by 
 disposing of the flags, reeds, and rushes which compose his lair, 
 and to which he is by no means indifferent ; but as the season 
 advances, he seeks the stream, and takes up his habitation be- 
 neath overhanging bushes, at the sides of weir aprons, or any 
 log, or trunks of trees which afford protection. 
 
 In such spots the angler will find him until the season is again 
 closing, when in happy companionship with the object of his 
 choice he seeks the back waters of rivers, and the narrows of 
 ponds and preserves ; and although at this time they are consi- 
 dered fair game, the owners of such properties would sf/;dy then- 
 interest more by leaving them undisturbed, as they are on the point 
 of pairing off ; and at such an interesting period who would wish to 
 be interfered with ? I may observe that when under four pounds 
 weight they are denominated Jack, above that, Pike, although 
 the one name or other is used indiscriminately. 
 
 But should you lure 
 
 From his dark haunt beneath the tangled roots 
 Of pendent trees, the monarch of the stream, 
 Behoves you then to ply your flne^ art.
 
 PIKE. 
 
 Although I have substituted " stream " for " brook " in these 
 lines, and the great poet was discoursing in" his own sweet 
 measures of trout and not pike, yet the -words are equally appli- 
 cable to the latter, as the tangled roots of trees constitute some 
 of his favourite haunts ; and it may not be malapropos here to 
 observe that anglers frequently, when fishing for trout, find their 
 bait disposed of by jack. The practised hand, however, soon 
 detects the difference, as the pike at once rushes to the shelter of 
 his stronghold, whilst the more beautiful and speckled denizen 
 of the stream leaps from the water in frantic efforts to escape, 
 his spotted and elegant body twisting in evolutions which all 
 must pronounce graceful, albeit the contortions are caused by 
 pain, happily of short continuance. Furious as the pike is in his 
 voracity when on feed, when satisfied it is a most difficult matter 
 to tempt him, even by offering to his appeased appetite the most 
 luscious morsel ; yet in these moments of repletion his ravenous 
 nature unfolds itself, for he will play and toy with the bait, 
 unable to gorge, yet unwilling to leave it. and I believe at such 
 times, did he possess the power, he would imitate the Roman of 
 old, and disencumber his stomach of its contents to enable him to 
 gratify his sensuality by filling it afresh. To dismiss finally 
 this disgusting trait in his character when hungry, he will 
 select as victims, rats, ducks, moorhens, and even young geese 
 and swans ; he is then no epicure, but will regale on offal with 
 the same gusto that a Lucullus would upon peacock's brains. 
 
 The pike possesses some peculiarities. He seldom wanders far 
 from his haunts, and will frequently remain motionless, or 
 nearly so, in the stream for weeks together. Some time ago, I 
 noticed one in the New River that maintained the same position 
 for a fortnight, refusing every species of nourishment in the 
 shape of bait that I constantly offered to his notice. Upon pay- 
 ing him my accustomed visit one day, I found that he had been 
 hooked fouL and captured by a person who had attained an 
 unenviable notoriety for performances of that description an 
 ignoble method of taking a noble fish. Apropos of foul hooking, 
 the late Rev. Anthony Wareing, of Isleworth doubtless known 
 during his lifetime to many of my readers as a most scientific 
 angler and thorough sportsman, also an active member of the
 
 10 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 Thames Angling Preservation Society was trying for barbel in 
 Hampton Deeps, when, unconsciously of course, he foul hooked a 
 fish -which he knew at once to be of a different species to the one 
 in quest of. By an exertion of skill, fineness of manipulation, 
 and a thorough knowledge of his art, he succeeded at last in 
 killing him some miles from the scene of the first engagement, 
 and found it to be a pike of some 121b weight Having the hap- 
 piness to include the nephews of the reverend gentleman among 
 my friends, they have kindly permitted this allusion to an unusual 
 and extraordinary performance, although the scientific operator 
 has long since passed to the world of dreams. Requiescat in 
 pace ! 
 
 Various modes are adopted to capture this fish viz., spinning, 
 trolling, live-bait fishing, ledger and snap fishing, exclusive of 
 trimmers and land-lines, which, however, are not included in 
 my category, as they are not used in fair angling, although 
 much in request by keepers, poachers, <tc. Taking them in the 
 order named, I proceed to speak of spinning, and to illustrate 
 it as lucidly as possible, the novice in the art should procure a 
 strong pliant rod (one made of hickory is the best) provided 
 with running tackle ; a check which is preferable, as it pre- 
 vents the line running out too fast and becoming entangled, and 
 one with a folding handle is most convenient to carry in the 
 pocket Attach to your line a trace of either gut or gimp, with 
 swivel, according to the condition of the water, and although 
 some fishermen think it out of all character to use a single gut 
 trace when fishing for pike, yet, from experience, I contend 
 that it is perfectly serviceable in all respects, if you play your 
 captive properly ; and, as a rule, the angler will take more fish 
 with gut than any other trace, as it approaches so nearly the 
 colour of the water when bright that it is scarcely perceptible, 
 a great desideratum where the fish are shy. About two feet from 
 your hook attach swan-shot in quantities as may be required 
 according to the rapidity of the water, in order to sink your 
 bait, and append a flight of hooks, consisting of three triangles 
 and a lip hook, to a piece of gimp ; this is the old-fashioned way, 
 but for my own use I prefer two triangles, a lip and tail hook. 
 Bait with gudgeon, dace, or roach, dace for choice if the water
 
 PIKE. 11 
 
 is bright ; pass the single hook through the bone about an inch 
 from the end of the tail, then run the triangles through the 
 body, so as to form a curve, the barbs being inside ; take a turn 
 with the gimp round the arm of the lip hook before attaching it 
 to the bait as it keeps it steady, and when the fish bites strike 
 immediately. Great care must be taken in playing him, as 
 being generally caught by the lips or mouth, he is liable to break 
 away if not properly nursed. It requires great nicety and 
 practice to bait a flight properly, and as no theory will teach the 
 inexperienced angler, I would recommend him to take a few 
 lessons from a Thames puntsman. In throwing your line plant 
 the rod firmly against your side, then with a gentle swing 
 deliver the bait, first judging the distance, and if you point the 
 end of your rod in the direction you wish it to take, you will 
 find that it falls in the place required. 
 
 If the reader would wish to prove the effect of the foregoing 
 remarks, I would recommend him to take a trip to Maiden- 
 head, and fish the part of the river between there and Surly 
 Hall ; and imagining that such is the case, the first place where 
 he is almost certain to meet with success is Bray Weir. Floating 
 thence on the bosom of the majestic Thames, he may come to 
 an anchor, and a luncheon also, at Monkey Island, which is a 
 good half-way house from his starting point and Windsor ; and 
 if tired of his piscatory amusement, he may for an hour indulge 
 his curiosity and love of the antique by inspecting relics of ages 
 long since passed away. Dropping slowly down, the Waltonian 
 disciple will find some fine stretches of water between this 
 island and his destination ; and trusting that his sport will be 
 commensurate with his expectations, I will do the jackal's duty 
 on this occasion, and hasten forward to order the dinner he must 
 so urgently require. Surly Hall, evidently so named from the 
 unamiable characteristics of a former occupant, is situated upon 
 the bank of the river, about half an hour's walk from Windsor, 
 and is a great meet for Etonians, many of our greatest statesmen, 
 poets, and other men of genius, having doubtless here enjoyed 
 their duck feasts with a gusto which none save a schoolboy can 
 understand. 
 
 Having taken due care of the victualling department, without
 
 12 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 which the mind becomes flaccid and irritable, the aspirant for 
 fishing honours may be tempted to stroll into the old town, or 
 visit the many objects of historical interest in the vicinity. 
 Contemplating the castle, he may wander back to the time 
 when our warrior kings held court there, and although the joust 
 and tournament has long given place to more peaceful pursuits, 
 yet the glories of former ages still linger round the spot hallowed 
 and dignified in our time as the residence of our beloved Queen 
 and future king. 
 
 Having endeavoured to depict (in language, perchance, too 
 ambiguous) the requisite observances to be followed in spinning 
 for jack, I would once more remind my reader that a few prac- 
 tical lessons are worth pages of theoretical instruction, and to 
 procure that needful experience, advise him to seek the tuition 
 of a Thames fisherman, who will render him every justice; 
 recommending him, at the same time, to notice what has been 
 written relative to the nature and habits of this fish, as by 
 making use of that information the risks incurred in endeavouring 
 to capture him will be considerably diminished.
 
 13 
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 PIKE { Continued.) 
 
 I LEFT the reader, after fishing the water between Maidenhead 
 and Windsor, enjoying his otium cum diynitate in that rare old 
 town, and as spinning had been the order of the day on that 
 occasion. I purpose on this to speak of trolling ; and although 
 the technicalities and instruction requisite in treating with the 
 subject are necessarily dry reading, yet, when the student has 
 waded through them and become tolerably proficient in the 
 art, he will be enabled, more particularly in the summer months, 
 to seek the river bank, or following the course of the winding 
 stream through scenery at once beautiful and imposing, to 
 realise the poetry of angling ; the days of probation will soon 
 expire, and one good catch will prove a panacea for the hours 
 passed in studying the initiatory rudiments of the " gentle 
 craft" 
 
 Trolling is the method generally adopted at the commencement 
 of the season in fishing for jack, the water being at that time 
 full of weeds, rendering it a difficult matter to spin. To accom- 
 plish this object, select a short stout rod of hickory, provided 
 with extra-sized rings. I prefer them sufficiently large to pass a 
 shilling through, and of equal dimensions all up the rod ; this 
 may appear large to anglers accustomed to look at the rods in 
 shop windows, but during a run I have lost many a good fish on 
 account of the line getting in a kink, and the rings being small, 
 refusing to pass it A good eight-plait silk line is generally 
 used, but there is a better description made of Russian braid. 
 This line is equally strong, runs much more freely, and can be 
 
 c
 
 14 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 obtained for half the price ; when well dressed it will be found 
 unexceptionable, as regards durability and efficiency. The 
 snrue winch used in spinning will answer the purpose now dis- 
 cussed, and as in my remarks on spinning I considered a gut 
 trace with swivels equal to any emergency, I would recommend 
 one in the present instance about eighteen inches in length, and 
 a gorge hook i.e., a double hook leaded.* I may here remark 
 that it is advisable to use the smallest quantity of lead that 
 suffices to carry your bait out, as it drops noiselessly in the 
 water, and there is little splash to frighten the fish. The gorge 
 hooks purchased at fishing tackle shops are ofttimes clumsily 
 made, a large ring of brass wire being usually left, on which 
 to attach your gimp ; this is not required, as it only tears your 
 bait, and renders it soon unserviceable. The mode I adopt is to 
 make fast to the wire underneath the lead ; this allows the gimp 
 to come out free from all obstruction, and causes no injury to 
 the bait To furnish the hook, take a baiting needle and pass it 
 in at the mouth, carefully inserting it through the body, and 
 bring it out between the fork of the tail. Some anglers bind the 
 gimp and tail together with thread or silk, but that will be found 
 unnecessary and superfluous. 
 
 The baits vary according to the condition of the water, but 
 that being generally bright and calm in the earlier months of 
 the season, I prefer gudgeon ; and all who have studied the 
 nature of the bait alluded to, know that its natural position is on 
 the bottom, and pike being particularly fond of them, they prove 
 an attractive inducement for him to' feed; the body also being 
 round, and the scales not easily rubbing off, it retains it's good 
 appearance and freshness longer than many others. Roach and 
 dace are also excellent incentives to tempt the appetite of the 
 prey, more particularly when the water is thick. Furnished with 
 these appliances, which constitute all that is required, repair to 
 the water-side, endeavouring, if possible, to get the wind to your 
 back, or, as a sailor would say, "keep to windward," as it assists 
 in carrying your line out ; and to commence operations, cast your 
 
 * It is always my plan to attach gimp at each end of the swivel, in the 
 middle of the trace, then tie the gut on to the gimp, which will prevent the 
 wear and tear, and cause it to last much longer.
 
 PIKE. 15 
 
 bait in near shore, where there are any roots or weeds that will 
 afford covering for the fish you are trying for ; then pull it 
 gently towards you, imitating as near as possible the natural 
 movements of the bait you are using. When you recover the 
 line, cast it a few yards further, and continue to increase the 
 distance each time, taking care that while your bait is in the 
 water you pay out sufficient for your next throw ; this will 
 prevent the line getting entangled ; be careful also to watch it 
 narrowly as it approaches the shallows, as jack will follow 
 sometimes a considerable distance, and only snap when he 
 think.s that the coveted morsel is eluding his grasp. 
 
 Trolling is particularly efficacious in still waters, as ponds, 
 lakes, reservoirs, or the broad parts of rivers interspersed with 
 patches of weeds, bulrushes, water-lilies, &c., which are fine 
 haunts for jack ; and it differs from spinning, inasmuch that you 
 need not dread such obstacles, for should you get foul of them, 
 by properly handling and gently shaking your line when drawing 
 it towards you, it will pass securely and uninjured. When you 
 have a run, which is known by experiencing a sudden jerk or 
 shake, drop the point of the rod and pay out the line so as to 
 offer no resistance to the fish (for if checked he will immediately 
 leave the bait) until he stops, after which allow him ten minutes 
 to gorge, or in fact longer, as many good fish are frequently lost 
 by striking too soon. When hooked, take care to prevent the 
 struggling tyrant from reaching the weeds, to which he ever 
 attempts to rush ; should he gain them, the reward of your skill 
 and perseverance is lost. 
 
 As I generally point out a locality for the reader to practise 
 what I have endeavoured theoretically to teach, perhaps on the 
 present occasion he will join me in a day at the Welsh Harp, 
 Kingsbury, a subscription water, and comprising also a reservoir 
 belonging to the Kegent's Canal Company. This water is always 
 well stocked, although perhaps it supplies more devotees to the 
 piscatory art with amusement than any other near London, as 
 the river Brent, which flows into it, is strictly preserved by the 
 noble owners of the adjacent property some miles up, and during 
 the flood-time the currents breaking down the dams, &c., carry 
 with them the fish in great quantities, and here, after their
 
 16 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 various difficulties and dangers by flood, if not by field, they find 
 a secure asylum. 
 
 Presuming tbat we have arrived at our destination, I plead 
 guilty to being sufficiently mundane in my attributes to pro- 
 pose and seriously recommend a substantial breakfast, quali- 
 fied with a drain of cognac, before carrying out the meditated 
 onslaught against our scaly opponents, and supposing it duly 
 discussed, with a " sly glance " at our overalls, pocket pistols, 
 pouch, and never-to-be-forgotten short pipe, we will start 
 across the fields for Cool Duck Bridge, crossing which, and 
 turning to the right, we will proceed to the end of the 
 water in that direction, and fish it back to the bridge. And here 
 I may remark that horned cattle, in the shape of cows, with an 
 occasional bull, luxuriate in these fields and "pastures new," and 
 it is not inadvisable to keep the weather eye tolerably expanded, 
 as their movements sometimes assume a belligerent attitude ; 
 and a friend of mine, upon one untimely day, was compelled to 
 leave rod, kit, and grub basket, and seek, in ignominious flight, 
 an escape from a daring charge and bull rush made by the 
 enemy ; he afterwards confessed to never having been so 
 frightened and cowed in his life. 
 
 Having disposed of the water to the bridge, fish round to the 
 head, and this in flood-time really presents a beautiful appear- 
 ance ; in fact, many who delight not in the recreation we are 
 indulging in, have travelled miles to witness the cascade, or more 
 correctly speaking, cataract, which, boiling, hissing, and roaring 
 in its might, well repays the visit it has attracted. Falling in 
 immense volumes it dashes itself against lai-ge blocks of Portland 
 stone, and then, in seething masses, falls step by step, surrounded 
 with fantastic spray, until it finds an outlet in the old dried up 
 bed of the river Brent. 
 
 Fishing round the head, and proceeding through the meadows, 
 we shall arrive at the road ; and if the angler has not had enough 
 of it which I imagine he must have had there is a favourite 
 piece of water on the right, which I well remember afforded me 
 the best day's sport that ever fell to my lot. 'SS'ell do I remem- 
 ber, one lovely July morning, repairing with two friends to this 
 favourite haunt of fishermen, and at the close of a day's perfect
 
 PIKE. 17 
 
 enjoyment, we counted amongst us thirty-four jack, although 
 some, unfortunately, were so small that, had they not gorged 
 the bait, they would have been returned to their own element. 
 One pleasing portion of trolling consists in the fact that you are 
 perfectly oblivious as to the size of your fish until you have 
 struck him ; consequently the excitement is the same, be he 
 great or small, although, of course, a shade of disappointment 
 falls upon you when he proves of diminutive dimensions. 
 
 Having placed the reader in possession of all that is requisite, 
 and most that appertains to this branch of pike fishing, I again 
 entreat him to practise, as much as possible, baiting his hook and 
 throwing the line, whilst I initiate him into the mysteries of live- 
 bait and snap fishing. 
 
 C2
 
 CHAPTER m. 
 PIKE ( Concluded.^) 
 
 IT is with regret that I must here bid adieu to the noble fish 
 whose habits, haunts, and nature have, I trust, afforded the reader 
 some little amusement and instruction. His courage and savage 
 daring have quite installed him as first favourite with me, and I 
 ever thought that there was something great and warrior-like in 
 the struggles with which he contests every inch of ground, his 
 expanded jaws, garnished with dagger-like teeth, which dare any 
 near approach, and the almost human eye which hurls defiance 
 upon you to the last The scourge of his fellows, he roams the 
 waters like a pirate, giving no quarter, and exhibiting no mercy, 
 lording it over all the finny race, and only surrendering to his 
 natural enemy, man, when his failing strength admits of no 
 further resistance. 
 
 I could well fill many more pages with anecdotes and incidents 
 connected with this fish, but space warns me that little tune exists 
 to treat with others of more insignificant species, though I must 
 find room to relate a circumstance which occurred to a friend of 
 mine, which will illustrate his voracious and daring characteristics. 
 Has the reader ever been to that pretty suburban spot Ilford ? 
 If BO, he may have noticed a lake romantically situated in a park. 
 which also contains an ancient and time-honoured mansion, said 
 once to have been the residence of a relative of the great and 
 celebrated Cardinal Wolsey ; and, en passant, I may observe that 
 in the vinery upon this estate the parent tree flourished (and I 
 believe still does.) from a shoot of which sprung that noble and 
 well-known vine at Hampton Court ; in fact, the scenery and
 
 PKfi. 19 
 
 beauty of the locality, and the associations connected with it. 
 render it a very desirable place for any one to visit who is bent 
 upon a day's quiet ruralising. To return, however, to the subject : 
 my friend was trolling for jack in the lake alluded to, and hooked 
 one which he imagined, when playing in, to be about 41b or olb : 
 secure of his catch, he was leisurely landing it, when an obstruction 
 and sudden jerk made him fancy that he had fouled a submerged 
 root, or other dangerous impediment ; but, after some delay, he 
 recovered a few feet of his line, and then became aware that 
 something alive had fastened upon the fish he had already hooked. 
 An hour's play and careful adroitness brought the object to view, 
 when he discovered that an immense pike had seized the one he 
 first struck across the back, as a terrier would a rat, and was 
 holding on like the demon himself. So resolutely did he cling to 
 his prize that my friend was enabled to play him in sufficiently 
 near for the keeper, who came to his assistance, to reach him 
 with the landing-net ; but imagine his surprise, disappointment 
 and chagrin, when, through over nervousness or some other cause 
 on the part of his assistant, he beheld the monster loose his hold 
 when partially in the net and plunge again into the depths of 
 the lake. Upon landing the small one, the indentations of his 
 assailant's teeth were plainly visible on both sides, and he was 
 lacerated by the tenacity with which his enemy stuck to him : 
 whilst, to commemorate the affair, he now occupies a dignified 
 position amongst other spoils which have rewarded his captor's 
 prowess. 
 
 Having previously treated of trolling and spinning, it now 
 becomes my pleasing duty to initiate the reader into the art of 
 live-bait and snap fishing, which will reel up the various modes 
 practised in trying for pike, although I regret to say that many 
 pin-sue unsportsmanlike methods of capturing him, such as 
 trimmers, night-lines, &c., which I strongly denounce as being 
 unworthy a disciple of the great Walton. For live-bait fishing, 
 take an ordinary jack rod, with winch and running tackle ; but 
 as in this case you generally fish down stream underneath the 
 boughs, use gimp trace, leaded double hook, and large cork 
 float. Attach your hook to the needle, and taking the bait, 
 either dace, roach, or gudgeon (choosing a nice lively one), pass
 
 20 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 it under the skin of the side, about an inch from the gills, inter- 
 secting the skin and flesh for about an inch and a half, and 
 being very careful not to injure any vital part. Although this 
 appears a cruel performance, yet the subject of the operation 
 does not seem to object to it, if you may judge from the in- 
 creased velocity of his movements ; joking apart, however, the 
 pain, if any, is soon over, and antiquity justifies the custom. 
 Imagining that the river Thames is selected on this occasion, 
 procure the assistance of a punt, and drop the line over the side, 
 allowing the stream to carry it down some ten or twenty yards, 
 as the case may be, fishing well under the boughs and outside 
 the beds of rushes, &c. If you try in still waters, keep well out 
 of sight, and fish outside any overhanging bushes where the 
 water is deep, and you think it a likely place for the fish to lurk. 
 Trolling, however, I prefer to live-bait fishing in ponds, although 
 the method now discussed is perhaps the most destructive of any. 
 In bank river fishing try near the sides, as it is perfectly useless 
 to attempt mid-stream, as jack always prefer the shelter afforded 
 by flags, rushes, or any debris found there. When you have a 
 run, which your float will immediately denote by being taken 
 under, or carried up stream, allow plenty of time to gorge, 
 treating him hi all respects as though you were trolling with 
 dead bait 
 
 Snap fishing is so called from striking directly the fish takes 
 the bait, and there are various hooks used in practising it, al- 
 though the rod and other tackle is the same as required in live- 
 bait. One description of hook is the snap, which is a large 
 single hook, to which is attached a small one which is passed 
 through the bait, allowing the large one to hang loosely by the 
 side, and whilst taking good hold, it is requisite not to inflict any 
 vital injury. Another sort is the double snap, which, as its 
 name implies, consists of two large hooks with small one at- 
 tached, and this, from experience, I prefer, as, having a double 
 chance, you are not so liable to lose your fish. There is still 
 another, denominated the spring snap, being two large hooks, 
 upon the shanks of which runs a band or ring which is acted 
 upon by the line, and the arms being of an elastic nature, similar 
 to a watch spring, they expand or contract as the ring shifts up
 
 PIKE. 21 
 
 or down. This hook is supposed to be the most killing, but from 
 its great span it misses as many as it catches, and never finds a 
 nook in my fishing kit. 
 
 These details, although lucid to one versed in the craft, must 
 be very ambiguous to the learner. I would, therefore, advise 
 the tyro to purchase one of each sort and bait them according 
 to these directions, or, as I previously recommended, seek the 
 tuition of a practical man. Snap fishing is particularly useful 
 where the prey run small, as not gorging the bait and being 
 consequently uninjured, the under-sized may be returned to 
 their watery home ; and I wish this method was more generally 
 followed, as many fish are destroyed which afford neither sport 
 nor edible enjoyment, and it would be of great benefit if mem- 
 bers of clubs would practise snap fishing for a season occasion- 
 ally, as was done by the habitues of Clarke's subscription water 
 at Waltham. 
 
 We will take the celebrated Rye House as the locality to in- 
 troduce the reader to a day's live-bait fishing; so, using the 
 unromantic rail from Shoreditch, we will alight at St. Margaret's, 
 and the water will be found in the immediate vicinity of the 
 station. Here, wandering by the side of ' the sweet sunny 
 banks of the Lea," allow your bait to work gently down stream 
 until you arrive at a point where signboards direct the piscato- 
 rian to public houses in the neighbourhood (Oh ! blessed sight !) 
 and this is a favourite place, where the angler is almost sure to 
 take a fish. Thence we proceed to the black pool, where some 
 of the finest fish are taken that are to be found hi the river ; 
 lower down we come to the water-cress beds, and the water 
 being discoloured from that cause, affords a favourite haunt for 
 jack. Passing the old Rye House, there is good fishing to the 
 railway bridge, and in the season this is a famous spot for chub. 
 You now approach the weir, and after trying all the water in 
 the pool, the sportsman will find he has had quite enough of it, 
 and will require no solicitation to induce him to accompany me 
 to the house in quest of requisite refreshment, for which the in- 
 ward man has long been craving. 
 
 And here I could well expatiate upon the venerable remnants 
 of former ages which the various buildings belonging to the old
 
 22 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 Rye House present to the observer the huge banquetting-room, 
 where Cavalier and Roundhead oft have feasted, and the sombre 
 dungeons, whose moss-grown stone has doubtless been watered 
 with many a captive's burning tears. Like every other relic of 
 times gone by, within the reach of Cockneydom, portions of 
 this historical and interesting edifice are spoilt by the attempts 
 made to modernise them, but sufficient still remains to impress 
 the mind, and bring to the recollection important epochs in the 
 history of our country ; and if tiring of retrospection, and it is 
 summer-time, the chances are that some bean-feast or excursion 
 has brought down many of our East End beauties, who never 
 refuse a courteous demand for their hand in the '' light fantastic 
 dance." Whilst some send the feathery arrow upon its devious 
 flight to the target, others seek honour with the deadly rifle, 
 and skittles, bowls, quoits, and gymnastics afford all a chance of 
 amusement. The laughing and blushing girl, mounted upon 
 the ragged-coated screw or patient Jerusalem, anon shows suffi- 
 cient of a well-turned ancle to fire the imagination, whilst the 
 sedate mamma, seduced so far from her propriety as to indulge 
 in a swing, with her legs strapped together, defies alike the 
 inquisitive glance and the prying look.
 
 23 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 ROACH (Cyprinus rutilus.~) 
 
 With silvery scale, and ruby fln, 
 
 Body deep, yet somewhat thin, 
 
 Forked tail, arched back, flrm flesh and white, 
 
 A beauteous picture, pleasing sight, 
 
 Where the stream is brightly dancing, 
 
 Ever swiftly, nimbly glancing, 
 
 Cunning as a fox, and shy 
 
 Delusive morsel passing by 
 
 Yet, when hooked, well flghteth he, 
 
 Yielding most unwillingly. 
 
 The tackle frail he sorely tries, 
 
 And, struggling to the last, he dies. AUTHOR. 
 
 It is an old saying that there is but one step from the sublimo 
 to the ridiculous, and in proceeding from pike to treat of roach, 
 I feel that I am undergoing that retrogression, and the homely 
 proverb, relative to comparisons being odious, appears to me in 
 this instance gifted with extreme truth. However, I must not too 
 much decry my subject, and, although standing in the position 
 of a man who, after portraying the points and descanting upon 
 the glossy coat and condition of a race-horse or hunter, has to 
 eulogise the pretensions and attributes of a moke, I will endeavour 
 to make the best of my somewhat meagre topic ; and, in truth, the 
 fish now spoken of possesses many recommendations to favour. 
 He is finely shaped, and the silvery scales, affording a pleasing 
 contrast to his ruby fins, endow him with personal attractions 
 which very many of his brethren of the flood cannot boast of ; in 
 fact, amongst chub, bream, and other dusky and sombre-coloured 
 fish, he is quite an Adonis. Neither is ho quite deficient in
 
 24 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 courage, and although denominated hy the great authority, 
 Walton, as the " fresh-water sheep," yet in some months of the 
 year he will rise boldly to the fly, whilst his cunning, under 
 almost every circumstance, renders him in my opinion quite 
 undeserving of the imputation cast upon his character. 
 
 The fecundity of the female is perfectly surprising, and, of 
 course, accounts for the immense quantities found in all the 
 lakes, rivers, and waters of Europe a fact commemorated by 
 the quaint Michael Drayton in the following line 
 
 " The roach whose common kind to every flood doth fall ; " 
 
 and it is notorious that in some localities the inhabitants, dis- 
 daining them as food, use them to increase the fertility of the 
 land, and they form, I believe, an efficacious manure for that 
 purpose. The New River is literally alive with them, and when 
 a portion of it was netted some two years ago, immense quanti- 
 ties were taken out between Islington and the ' Sluice House," 
 and this brings to my mind an incident that occurred to a gentle- 
 man fishing for roach in this neighbourhood with a single hair. 
 He was landing one about three or four ounces, when it was taken 
 by a jack about 21b ; he let go his rod and ultimately captured 
 him without his tackle parting. I have mentioned this to several 
 fishermen, but must observe that they generally receive the 
 intelligence by closing the dexter optic, and pointing with the 
 thumb towards some imaginary object over the left shoulder; yet, 
 notwithstanding these silent negations of my veracity, it is never- 
 theless true. Of all who pursue piscatorial crusades against the 
 roach. London fishermen are, I believe, the most dexterous, as 
 they usually use the single hair, and with this kill large quan- 
 tities. Even the very young aspirants to the art shine in this 
 particular fishing ; and it will often create surprise and elicit 
 admiration to view the ragged urchin whipping them out one 
 after the other with his home-made rod and tackle, using 
 nothing for bait but a portion of the rude crust which perhaps 
 constitutes his own and only humble repast These boys ofttimes 
 find willing customers for the booty amongst richer but less 
 skilful anglers, who, green in the matter as yet, wish nevertheless
 
 HOACH. 1'.". 
 
 to gratify their friends' eyes and own vanity by passing them off 
 as their well-merited and hard-earned spoils. 
 
 As before observed, he is a handsome fish, being deep, rather 
 thin, and curving in towards the abdomen, with arched back and 
 scales of silvery tint, inclining to yellow, but of a darker hue 
 towards the upper part. His tail is somewhat forked, and his 
 fins red, from which circumstance I believe he takes his name 
 a corruption of the word rovge. He is gregarious in his habits, 
 swimming in large shoals, and feeding upon -worms, grubs, 
 herbs, and many kinds of water plants. His flesh is vei'y white 
 and firm, and although not highly esteemed in England, is in 
 great request in many parts of Europe. I confess that when taken 
 out of muddy ponds and rivers a certain earthy taste appertains 
 to him, but that is not perceptible when caught from clear 
 streams ; and even this drawback to the epicurean's enjoyment 
 may be destroyed by proper cooking, which, perhaps, accounts 
 for him being held in greater estimation by the French than 
 ourselves, as their superiority in all that belongs to the gastro- 
 nomic art would enable them to furnish a luscious dish from a 
 more undelectable source. His weight rarely exceeds l^lb to 21b, 
 and one of sis or eight ounces is thought a good fish ; in fact, those 
 of the dimensions first named are exceptional cases. In many parts 
 of the Continent, however, he is said to attain a much greater 
 size, but I cannot vouch for the truth of the statement. Although 
 found in foul and muddy waters, he delights in clear and sunny 
 streams, where his extreme shyness renders it necessary to 
 exercise great caution in fishing for him, as he will view sus- 
 piciously any bait, however tempting, if anything leads him to 
 imagine it is unnatural in this respect displaying the attributes 
 of a fox rather than of a sheep. 
 
 Roach spawn about the middle of May, and are immensely 
 fruitful; when engaged in this natural avocation, they seek the 
 narrow and shallow parts, where weeds, grass, and aqueous plants 
 are to be met with, and in such places dispose of their burden, 
 and after an interval of three or four weeks they are considered 
 fair game for the sportsman. About the months of August and 
 September, however, he affords capital sport ; being strong 
 and in good condition, he will then puzzle the angler. . 
 
 D
 
 :.'ij PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 tackle is of such slender description that nicety and care are 
 requisite in landing him when hooked, and it is absolutely 
 necessary to keep out of sight, and throw your line noiselessly, 
 as his timidity is so great that although well on feed he shrinks 
 from the threatened danger, with almost certain prescience of the 
 latent deception. Has the reader ever observed a shoal of them 
 in a bright clear stream ? If at that time he chews a portion of 
 bread and throws it in, he will perceive them greedily devouring 
 it, and contesting together for every morsel; their shining 
 bodies and red fins, glancing in various evolutions, affording a 
 very pleasing picture. Let him bait a hook with a bit of paste 
 and drop it amongst them, and he will discover that they will 
 closely inspect and sail around it, allowing it to touch the nose, 
 yet never attempting to take it, until one perchance more daring 
 and hungry than his fellows, in sheer desperation snatches at the 
 treacherous snare, and so meets his doom. 
 
 During the hot months they are to be found in the shallows 
 and on gravelly bottoms ; but as the days become cclder they 
 seek the deep heavy waters, and this is the best time for taking 
 them ; and to effect the desired object the following baits will, I 
 believe, be found the most useful : for still waters, when the 
 weather is hot, paste, tinted according to some tastes red ; but I 
 prefer using saffron until it assumes a primrose hue, and they 
 will frequently take this when the common bread paste is 
 refused. It is necessary hi the preparation to observe cleanli- 
 ness, as fish invariably object to baits of a dirty description. 
 Worms are also in request, but I dislike them unless there is a 
 heavy rush of water after flood-time ; but gentles I think the 
 best throughout the season for river and pond fishing, for inde- 
 pendently of being tempting to the prey, they retain hold of the 
 hook longer than any other. When you see them lurking 
 amongst the weeds in sultry weather, a common housefly sub- 
 merged about an inch may cause him to bite; and although 
 many other incentives are adopted, those enumerated will be 
 found all that are necessary. 
 
 The great desideratum in roach float fishing is to plumb the 
 depth properly, as you must let your bait just clear the bottom : 
 but inledger fishing, which is a very killing way in the first part
 
 ROACH. 27 
 
 of the season, treat him similarly to barbel, with the exception 
 that your line must be very fine gut with hair hook, leaded in 
 proportion. 
 
 For ground-bait use bread and bran kneaded together to the 
 consistency of paste, and if the water is rapid, make them into 
 balls, placing a stone inside to sink them. Carrion gentles are, 
 however, the best at all seasons, mixed with clay and bran. 
 
 There is a species of fish known in England as the rudd, which 
 is more numerous, however, in other European rivers. Great 
 diversity of opinion exists as to his breed, in fact, it would 
 puzzle any one satisfactorily to determine from what source 
 he sprung ; for, whilst some imagine that no bar sinister 
 throws a shade over his family escutcheon, others impute 
 his existence to amorous dalliance between the roach and bream, 
 and, if I mistake not, " old Izaak " had a similar idea relative to 
 him. Again, many imagine that his advent can be traced to the 
 illicit loves of the carp and roach, although I incline to the 
 opinion that the former is too sluggish in his nature to pursue 
 with any degree of fervour even amorous propensities ; but leaving 
 others to argue relative to his primogeniture, I will dismiss him 
 and his family affairs with the remarks, that he attains a large 
 size upon the Continent, and in his habits, nature, &c., closely 
 resembles the roach in propria persona, and may be angled" for in 
 accordance with the rules laid down for the capture of that 
 fish. 
 
 There are two ways of trying for roach ; if from a punt, use 
 a short rod, either cane or hickory, gut line, cork float, and hair 
 hook. I always prefer running tackle in punt fishing, aa you 
 may fall across a barbel or other denizen of the waters, when it 
 will be found useful. Most Thames fishermen use gut hooks, 
 but I believe they would take more fish with hair, and have 
 occasion to display their skill in a greater degree. For bank 
 fishing, procure a rod about twenty-one feet long, a white cane 
 is preferable, a hair line and hook, with a patent quill or porcu- 
 pine float, according to the water. I invariably use a quill from 
 the " fretful porcupine," but if the water is heavy take a float 
 that will carry shot sufficient to keep your bait upon the bottom. 
 In pond fishing, I would ever advise the angler to retain the
 
 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 porcupine quill, and be sparing of his shot, as the more undis- 
 turbed the water is the greater his chance of success. 
 
 The eye must be keen and observant in watching the float, 
 and the hand ever ready to strike the instant he bites, and with 
 the elbow pressed closely against the ribs or side, a turn of the 
 wrist will secure him, although many throw the hapless victim 
 over their heads, thus showing little knowledge of the art. In 
 still waters a tight line may be used with effect ; a cross-stick is 
 also efficacious i.e., a piece of wood about the size of half a 
 lucifer, fixed to your line about eighteen inches from your 
 float ; then wind the line taut upon the winch, so that the cross- 
 piece comes up to the top ring of the rod, and enables you to 
 strike the fish without the risk of losing him by having a quan- 
 tity of slack line. 
 
 Having now put the reader in possession of everything neces- 
 sary as regards the baits, tackle, and habits and nature of the 
 roach, I will proceed to show those who please to accompany me 
 a day's sport. 
 
 Has the reader ever visited the old-fashioned village of 
 Enfield, with its ancient coaching houses, alas ! for many years 
 unused, and gradually falling to decay; its picturesque and 
 lovely walks ; the time-honoured and ivy clad church, grey with 
 age, and the witness of so many scenes of youthful joy and 
 agonising sorrow ? for to that beauteous locality I now solicit his 
 companionship ; and presuming that, disdaining the unromantic 
 rail, we have pursued the " even tenor of our way " through the 
 green lanes, after a ramble diversified by scenery of surpassing 
 beauty, we arrive at a well-known establishment kept by host 
 Jarvis. After recruiting the constitution with the liquids and 
 viands which I can pronounce always A 1, cross the little 
 bridge opposite the house, and proceed along the main road until 
 you again meet the New River, where it passes underneath the 
 road ; then, crossing over a stile to the left, you will arrive at 
 the most delightful spot that ever met the vision of an angler 
 when bent upon the destruction of the finny tribe, or that a 
 lover would choose when intent upon breathing " the still small 
 voice of love" into the perchance not unwilling ear of his 
 mistress. Here the glancing and silvery stream is arched over
 
 ROACH. '20 
 
 with luxuriant foliage, which, overhanging on either side, forms 
 almost a continuous avenue; and the song of the thrush or 
 sacred robin anon filling the silent air, forms a scene that the 
 most worldly and matter-of-fact personage could not survey 
 unmoved. The best swim is at a point of land where the stream 
 divides, fishing well over the other side ; another good locale is 
 the other end of the island, where the waters are re-united. There 
 is also good fishing further up the river towards Clay Hill ; and 
 although the angler may meet with good sport in all these 
 places, yet the first is my favourite spot.
 
 30 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 PERCH (Percafluviatilis.} 
 
 In shady nook, sequestered dell. 
 Where tortuous streams melodious swell ; 
 "Where arching branches intercept 
 The wandering ray, which oft hath crept 
 Through foliage dense, anon to stray, 
 And o'er the water's bosom play 
 Upon the lake's broad grassy side, 
 Where tall trees rear their heads in pride,. 
 And, ere the summer's day is past, 
 Quaint shadows o'er the blue ware cast ; 
 Within the stern and rocky gorge, 
 Where rivers dark their wild ways forge ; 
 Through dreary glen and tangled brake, 
 Where torrents hoarse harsh echoes wake, 
 Prepared for sport, our way we take, 
 To ply our craft. AUTHOR 
 
 It is ever more pleasing to write upon an attractive subject 
 than one which requires flattering and eulogistic language to 
 varnish over its defects or to supply its deficiencies. Who could 
 not expatiate with delight upon the exquisite proportions or 
 lovely features of the full-blooded Andalusian, or jetty-eyed 
 Spanish maiden, or descant with fervour upon the voluptuous 
 contour or sparkling beauty of the " maids of merrie England V" 
 But to reverse the picture who would feel his brain warm with 
 enthusiasm, or heart glow with sensibility, whilst portraying the 
 characteristics of the thick-lipped Nubian, or discoursing of the 
 habits of the flat-headed Hottentot ? The eye which brightens 
 as we survey the noble and intelligent thorough-bred, lacks its 
 lustre when viewing the patient Jerusalem ; and the rainbow-
 
 PERCH. 31 
 
 plumaged bird of a tropical clime is regarded with interest, 
 whilst the smoke-dried London sparrow is passed by unobserved. 
 It is equally so with fishing, and I approach the subject of the 
 present paper with pleasurable feelings, unknown when speaking 
 or writing of other and inferior species, such as bream, chub, 
 roach, aim iiiiikis aliis. 
 
 The perch is a noble, finely formed, daring, and handsome fish, 
 partaking of many of the attributes and qualities of the fresh- 
 water shark, to whom in dash and boldness he is but Jittle 
 inferior. In fact, you might reasonably imagine that he had 
 selected " the terror of the waters " for his prototype, so earnestly 
 does he appear to affect his manners and follow his example. 
 He is a most worthy lieutenant of the mighty pike, and although 
 not sufficiently powerful to contend with him for the masteiy 
 ;md dominion of the stream, yet he roves the waters a sort of 
 inferior buccaneer, and defies the arch-pirate himself to attack 
 his striped and beautiful body, armed by the chevaux de frise 
 Nature has gifted him with, in the shape of his dagger-like 
 dorsal fin. If, impelled by severe hunger, the jack attempts his 
 destruction, he rarely escapes the fatal penalty of his hardihood ; 
 his throat being pierced by the fine and bony stilettoes, the prey 
 becomes immovable, and suffocation embraces in a common fate 
 the captor and his victim. 
 
 They differ much in appearance at the periods when they are 
 in season or otherwise. When performing the dictates of Nature 
 and casting their spawn, which takes place about May or June, 
 they become of a dark, dull, dead colour, shorn of beauty, and 
 retain scarcely any vestige of former splendour ; but a month or 
 two afterwards they regain their condition, and present a beau- 
 tiful sight as rapidly darting through the water the dorsal fin is 
 raised like an almost transparent sail over their curved backs, 
 affording a most pleasing contrast to the " black and gold " of 
 their deep and glittering bodies. 
 
 The perch, is gregarious in its nature, generally preferring 
 deep holes in rivers flowing with an easy current, banks partially 
 undermined, or where the water runs heavy and in gentle 
 eddies. They are fond of feeding upon the grubs which infest 
 old timber, and are frequently to be met with close to citing
 
 32 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 shedding, or, in other words, the boarding vrhich supports the 
 dilapidated banks, also at the tails of locks, old bridges, mill 
 tails, or, in fact, any partially submerged woodwork, such as logs, 
 trunks of old trees, &c. 
 
 There are various baits used in fishing for perch viz., gudgeon, 
 minnow, almost any small fry, worms, &c. If the fish run large, 
 take a strong gut line, gut hook, commonly called a perch hook, 
 with cork float, and bait with a lively gudgeon. Some fishermen 
 hook the bait through the back fin ; another mode, and the one 
 I prefer, is passing the barb through his upper lip. For the 
 generality of perch fishing use minnows : a favourite bait with 
 him, also, is the brandling worm, found in old dung heaps. 
 
 In fishing with live-bait you may occasionally find that a jack 
 endeavours to deprive the perch of the delusive meal, but you 
 may easily tell when such is the case by the action of your float, 
 as the fresh-water shark will at once make rapid tracks, whilst 
 the smaller inhabitant of the pond or river, albeit partaking of 
 many of his attributes, causes it to bob before he eventually dis- 
 poses of the delectable but insidious morsel. Stone loach is also 
 another good bait, and is to be found in bright shallow streams 
 underneath the banks and stones, from which circumstance I 
 presume it takes its name. 
 
 Being now upon the subject of baits, I may observe that in all 
 fishing great care should be taken in having them fresh and 
 lively, and if using worms be sure that they are well scoured ; 
 if the distance to your rendezvous requires it, occasionally give 
 your live-bait fresh water, as that will be the means of keeping 
 them vigorous. Nothing tempts a fish more than your live-bait 
 working well, for if it lies in a half lifeless state, it does not 
 attract the attention of the prey you are in search of. 
 
 Being of a greedy and ravenous nature there is no difficulty in 
 hooking him, as he will at once gorge the bait, affording a marked 
 contrast to the roach, and other species which will duly be treated 
 with. He is a game fish, and will afford the angler two or three 
 good rushes (if large), and being for the most part caught in 
 heavy water, the resistance caused in consequence gives him 
 greater power ; he is also very tenacious of life. Care must be 
 taken when landed in handling him, otherwise your fingers will
 
 PEKCH. 33 
 
 come to grief, his back fin being armed with dagger-like prickles, 
 which all-wise Nature has given him to afford protection from 
 his more gigantic adversaries. A paternoster line is by some a 
 favourite mode of fishing for perch, but I disapprove of it, as not 
 being in accordance with my ideas of fair angling. 
 
 Having now glanced at the principal spots where the perch 
 may be met with, and given the uninitiated an idea of the baits 
 most likely to suit his voracious appetite, stating at the same 
 time my belief that he is one of the best fresh-water fish, properly 
 cooked, in an epicurean point of view, I will seek the reader's 
 imaginative society for a day in Betchworth Park, to accomplish 
 which object the meet shall be fixed at London Bridge Station, 
 and from thence by the business-like, unromantic rail to Boxhill, 
 in Surrey, a distance of some twenty or thirty miles. 
 
 Leaving our palpitating iron horse (an unmistakable "roarer" 
 he !) we emerge from the station, and towering in solemn majesty 
 above us the heights of Boxhill burst upon the view, covered for 
 the most part with the variegated foliage of the mellow autumn, 
 interspersed with undulating patches of mossy verdure, whose 
 green tint hath defied the approaching whiter, whilst some tracts 
 are seen bare and scathed, as though the scorching gleam of 
 heaven's artillery had swept over them, or the breath of the 
 destroying angel had withered then- luxuriance, '-like those 
 blasted pines, wrecks of a single whiter." 
 
 This is, perhaps, one of the most beautiful localities near London, 
 or, I may say, in England. The splendid and superb scenery 
 which may be contemplated from the hill, might well enrapture 
 the most indifferent and cold-blooded beholder, whilst the lovely 
 walks upon the hill itself might conjure up feelings of romance 
 and felicitous ideality, especially if shared by one whose gentle 
 nature could reciprocate such sentiments ; nor are literary and 
 poetical associations wanting to complete the charm, for here 
 Hazlitt indulged in many of his wonted reveries, and Keats 
 composed several of his sweetest poems. 
 
 About a mile distant from the foot of the hill lies the town of 
 Dorking, embedded in luxuriant groves, and surrounded by 
 winding walks of unrivalled beauty, bounded in parts by walls 
 cut hi the red sandstone, but covered by the tendrils of the wild
 
 34 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 strawberry and other sweet-scented plants, in others enclosed 
 and partially arched over by the flowering hedgerows. Forget- 
 ful of our mission, we could while away hours on this delightful 
 spot, or, flinging down our rod and leaving the finny race secure 
 in their undisturbed retreats, start through the lovely landscape 
 on a walk to Leith Hill, some six miles distant, only to be more 
 enchanted on our arrival by the gorgeous view to be witnessed 
 from its summit ; but discarding such ideas let us take the route 
 to the left, and leaving Dorking, with its romantic walks, white 
 fowls, and whiter skinned damsels, to the pen of the tourist, 
 pursue the even tenor of our way towards Betchworth Park, 
 preparatory to which we will call in at the Old Punch Bowl, and 
 imbibe a portion of the celebrated Reigate ale to circulate the 
 blood and comfort the stomach, and, e n passant, permit me to 
 observe that nothing tends to create that effect sooner than good 
 old ale, ever the favourite beverage of the ' ; Tony Wellers " (but 
 a few, alas ! now remain), and better judges I am sure did not 
 exist Invigorated by the pleasing process we proceed by the 
 Castle Mill (where, by the bye, I have caught some fine bream), 
 through a picturesque lane to Betchworth Park, with its noble 
 avenues of lime trees and magnificient Spanish chesnuts many 
 of which must have attained some four or five hundred years of 
 mature age still in their prune, whilst the perchance fair forms 
 who planted them have become impalpable dust, and the marble 
 record of their virtues hath crumbled to decay. Through the 
 Park where these gigantic trees lift their heads to heaven, the 
 sullen and sluggish Mole pursues its tortuous course ; its dark 
 water seemingly conscious of having just issued from the 
 cavernous earth, and half ashamed of the beams of the autumn 
 sun which play upon its dreary bosom. The river in this locality 
 is for the most part foul, many trees having either fallen into it 
 from decay, been blown down, or carried here by floods, afford- 
 ing favourite haunts for different varieties of fish, including the 
 one we are now dwelling upon. 
 
 These obstacles, of course, make the angler's amusement rather 
 tiresome and difficult, but a little patience will overcome them, 
 and all will be forgotten when he lands a two or three pound 
 fish, which he has every chance of doing if he be not discouraged
 
 PERCH. 35 
 
 by the occasional breakages of his tackle, which can soon be 
 renovated from the stock which it behoves every good fisherman 
 to have on hand. 
 
 Abundant sport may be anticipated, as the water is absolutely 
 alive with its glittering inhabitants, and the spot is little known 
 to those who pass their hours in pursuing " the gentle angler's 
 craft." The ruins of old Betchworth Castle still offer their time- 
 beaten walls to the beetling tempest, but little save a misshapen 
 mass is now remaining of the lordly edifice, where oft the 
 minstrel's lay hath charmed the ear of beauty, or the armed heel 
 of the warrior has awoke the slumbering echoes of the lengthened 
 corridor or silent courtyard ; and in the present nursery ground, 
 which was once the castle gardens, the reader will find the best 
 spots to pursue his piscatorial pastime. 
 
 The first time I visited this beautiful and romantic neighbour- 
 hood, I was accompanied by a friend to whom all the picturesque 
 walks and. interesting scenes were quite familiar ; and amongst 
 other objects of note he pointed out to me a dilapidated house in 
 Dorking, said to have been the habitation of Mason, the author 
 of " Self Knowledge," and an enormous chesnut tree in Betch- 
 worth Park, which six or eight men might fruitlessly attempt to 
 span. Being better acquainted than myself with the water, we 
 had a friendly bet relative to the weight of fish we might each 
 secure in a given time ; and I am forcibly reminded of the fact 
 that although fishing for perch, I won the wager by killing a 
 jack over three pounds, baiting, at the same time, with gudgeon. 
 There are other favourite spots near London where perch may 
 be met with in abundance, and if the reader will join me in a 
 very agreeable stroll, we will, in nautical phraseology, take our 
 departure from the Manor House in the Green Lanes. To the 
 pent-up Londoner there is something refreshing and delightful 
 in the very name, so suggestive of sloping banks, luxuriant 
 hedgerows, and sheltering, overhanging trees, and truly these 
 and greater attractions grace the walk we now purpose to in- 
 dulge in, for half an hour brings us to River House, a mansion 
 whose lawns dotted with scarlet geraniums and other autumnal 
 flowers, fringe the banks of the stream, which here presents a 
 most beautiful and serpentine appearance. Standing upon the
 
 36 PISCATCPJAL RAMBLES. 
 
 bridge, one of the most striking and magnificient views meets 
 the eye that can he found near London. On either hand alter- 
 nate vales, in which repose the happy homestead and peaceful 
 hamlet ; and hilly tracts, thickly wooded, are bounde d only by 
 the horizon ; while peeping from the rich and gorgeous foliage, 
 whose deep green is studded by the russet tint which proclaims 
 the fading year, the spires of some eight or ten churches add 
 grace and beauty to the scene. 
 
 On the left towers the edifice which surmounts the rising 
 ground of Alexandra Park, and quietly slumbering in the 
 valley at its foot, the eye, rests upon the extensive structure 
 appropriated to the unfortunate inmates of the asylum at 
 Colney Hatch, relative to which, however, I will speak no 
 more, as it may be my fate at some future period to pen 
 notes' from the spot. Proceeding in a straight line through 
 this pleasing scenery, twenty minutes' walk brings us into the 
 main road, which runs through the "Towne of Tattenham," 
 and the " Seven Sisters " at once attract our attention 
 and solicitude. Who has not read Dickens's '-Five Sisters of 
 York?" The Seven Sisters of Tottenham have scarcely a less 
 extended notoriety, for every one has heard of the fair beings 
 who planted the seven elm trees, whose number corresponded 
 with the sweet sisterhood ; that as the trees grew in luxuriance 
 so did the maids in beauty, and as the budding foliage bloomed, 
 so were the charms and graces of the sisters developed, until 
 one of the plants, by some freak of Nature, forsook the lines of 
 proportion which marked its fair growth, and gradually became 
 gnarled and twisted, and even so did the beauteous one who 
 planted it decline from her comeliness and elegant shape, and 
 assume the tortuous and uneven appearance of the tree. But 
 four out of the seven trees now possess vitality ; three, battered 
 and blasted by the tempests of ages, have succumbed to the 
 "consumer of all things," and their blackened trunks alone 
 attest the truth of the legend ; but as though to perpetuate the 
 romantic incident, some years ago seven other elms were planted 
 by the same number of sisters close to the old ones, and no 
 doubt succeeding generations will gaze upon them when they in 
 turn shall be shivered and branchless, and when the happy and
 
 PERCH. 3f 
 
 girlish forms who planted them shall be infinitesimal particles of 
 Nature's waste. 
 
 Shaking off the melancholy feelings engendered by these 
 thoughts, we follow our noses and the straight road through very 
 .ancient Tottenham, the principal objects of interest being a pound, 
 seated within which, in the memorable barrow, a little imagina- 
 tion might fancy dear old Pickwick ; an antiquated well whose 
 tiled covering might well be taken for the tile of a Spanish 
 muleteer or an Italian brigand, so closely do the shapes resemble 
 each other ; and a row of houses, so near in size and appearance 
 to a string of rabbit hutches, that I cannot resist appending the 
 following information, conveyed to whosover listeth by a tablet 
 attached, viz : " 1600. Balthasar Sanchez, borne in Spayne, in 
 the cittie of Sherez, in Estramadura, is the fownder of these 
 eyght almes howses. for the releefe of eyght poore men and 
 women of this towne of Tattenham high Crasse." Peace to hist 
 manes ! 
 
 A mile and a half further on, and rare old Edmonton opens its 
 arms and public-houses also to welcome us ; but disregarding 
 all others we " repair unto the Bell at Edmonton," albeit not in 
 a " chaise and pair,'' as did the worthy spouse and relatives of the 
 immortal Gilpin. I would defy the pure and aqueous shade of 
 Father Mathew to pass this far-famed hostelrie without calling 
 in to pledge the memory of the " citizen of credit and renown " 
 and the poet who so inimitably sung his adventures. The sign 
 represents him at that interesting and exciting moment when 
 
 " Away went hat and wig ; 
 
 He little thought when he set out, 
 
 Of running such a rig." 
 
 We peer through the window from whence the thrifty wife 
 beheld the discomfiture of her heroic lord and master, when she 
 pulled out half a crown to bribe the post-boy to start in pursuit, 
 and as each incident of the eventful ride flashes across our mind, 
 if any one of modern days seeks to emulate that, his clever eques- 
 trian feat we fondly hope 
 
 " That when he next doth rido abroad, 
 We may he there to see."
 
 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 But the sun now warns us that too much time has already been 
 cut to waste, so with one more glass to warm up old recollections, 
 and casting a last fond look at Gilpin on his short-docked " cock- 
 tail" we issue forth, and striking down Watery Lane, put on the 
 steam, and a brisk walk of half an hour brings us to the Barge 
 House fishery, a notification upon the exterior of which informs 
 us that a guinea per annum, paid in advance, or one shilling per 
 diem, are the terms upon which the sportsman may gratify his 
 penchant, and that rules and regulations can be seen at the bar. 
 
 Entering the edifice we find the said bar to be about the size 
 of a moderate pulpit, and almost as gloomy, but the bright-eyed 
 landlady in her low and close-fitting bodice presents a marked 
 contrast to a parson in his sacerdotal robes ; and the feathery 
 bipeds and smoke-dried hams giving promise of a savoury break- 
 fast, I will instantly enter into conference with our charming 
 hostess upon the subject of its preparation, whilst you, kind 
 reader, who have so far accompanied me, go and look at the 
 water, and may your selection of a swim be a successful one.
 
 39 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 CARP (Cyprinus carpio.') 
 
 Where willows bending o'er the stream, 
 
 Throw shapes fantastic in Sol's beam, 
 
 And broad-leafed water-lilies tax 
 
 The well-pleased eye with flowers of wax : 
 
 "When lurid, sunny rays conspire, 
 
 To tinge the lake with glowing fire, 
 
 And calmly, softly, 'sweetly sleep, 
 
 The shallow pond, and river deep, 
 
 Behold the carp of golden hue 
 
 Disporting every warm hour through. 
 
 In vain the luscious morsel's thrown, 
 
 Each artful wile his fears disown, 
 
 Nor tempting bait, nor fair pretence, 
 
 Can rouse him from his indolence. AUTHOR. 
 
 The carp is highly esteemed for its luscious and delicate flesh 
 by loFers of the gastronomic art, and is perhaps a greater 
 favourite with our Gallic neighbours than ourselves, as carp 
 ponds were as necessary addenda to a chateau in France as 
 kitchen gardens are to our English mansions. As an instance of 
 the above I may mention the celebrated palace of Fontainebleau, 
 where numbers may be seen struggling together, and leaping 
 over each other in their endeavours to secure the bread which 
 the visitors distribute amongst ^them. They will exist longer 
 out of their natural element than any other inhabitant of the 
 waters, except the eel, and have been conveyed alivo hundreds 
 of miles when packed in wet grass or straw which has occasionally 
 been damped. I well recollect, some years ago, having a day at 
 the old Starfield Lake water at Starch Green (which has, I believe, 
 now been done away with), and after a few hours' good sport, 
 upon unpacking the spoil on my arrival at home, they appeared
 
 4:0 PISCATORIAL RAMHI.RS- 
 
 quite lively, and performed various antics upon the table, although 
 some seven or eight hours had elapsed since they were taken, 
 and the grass in which they were enveloped had not been 
 freshened. Many fabulous statements exist as to the age of this 
 fish. Buffon mentions them as attaining some hundred and fifty 
 years, and other writers make them out as almost rivalling 
 Methuselah ; but after deducting very liberal discount, he is 
 doubtless gifted with extreme longevity. The weight of this 
 fish varies in different countries. In many parts of the Conti- 
 nent they approach a size perfectly monstrous. But the sus- 
 picion which is attached to his age naturally rests upon this 
 subject, some authors making him in bulk but little inferior to 
 the celebrated whale which engulfed Jonah. 
 
 The carp is an inhabitant of ponds, lakes, and rivers, but is 
 very rarely found in the latter, and then only in those whose 
 currents are sluggish ; the breeding places are for the most part 
 amongst the weeds and plants which infest ponds, and the 
 female is extremely prolific, in many instances the spawn nearly 
 equalling the weight of the fish itself. To any angler who 
 wishes to rival Job in the Christian-like virtue of patience, I 
 would recommend a few days' pursuit of this fresh-water fox," 
 as he is the most subtle and wary of fish, and the most difficult 
 to catch ; perhaps an appropriate motto for the occasion might 
 be CARPB diem. He frequents deep holes, and when the weather 
 is warm lurks among weeds, old candock leaves, and water- 
 lilies, and it requires the labour of hours to allure him from his 
 retreat. He will seldom bite in very cold weather, his nose being 
 then buried in the mud, with his tail nearly perpendicular, as 
 though it pleased him to try the acrobatic feat of standing upon 
 his head ; but in the warm months fish for him early and late, and 
 the following will, I believe, be the best method to adopt in endea- 
 vouring to capture him : Choose that part of the water where it 
 runs deep hi shore, procure a wattled hurdle to screen you from 
 observation, having taken care to ground-bait the spot some days 
 previously, as he requires a deal of coaxing: and to attain that 
 object take blood, chickens' entrails, bran, fresh cow-dung, and 
 mould, which, being well mixed together, distribute over the 
 spot, and the sweet-scented and delectable compound will in all
 
 CARP. 41 
 
 probability attract his immediate attention. Sweet bread pus to* 
 is also a desirable bait, dispersed in lumps about the size of hens' 
 eggs ; and tufts of fresh grass will also bring them together, as 
 carp frequently feed upon that and many aquatic plants. I may 
 also enumerate grains and boiled malt as being efficacious allure- 
 ments. 
 
 Your rod should be long and strong in proportion, with a good 
 stiff top-joint ; I prefer whalebone, as it will give to your fish. 
 You require running tackle, strong gut line, light porcupine, 
 float, or one of the patent quills ; and using a perch hook, bait 
 with red worm, gentles dipped in honey, or sweet paste. Fish 
 on the bottom, and when you get a bite give the fish time to 
 turn before you strike, as he is leather-mouthed and has his 
 teeth is his throat. When hooked, keep him as far from the 
 weeds as possible. 
 
 " At once he darts along 
 
 Deep struck, and runs out all the lengthened line, 
 Then seeks the farthest ooze, the sheltering weed, 
 The caverned bank, his old secure abode," 
 
 and lead him out of your swim, still keeping him under water, 
 so that he may not impart ny alarm to his companions. After 
 playing him some minutes he will become exhausted, and you 
 can easily land him, with or without the aid of a net, which, 
 however, it is requisite to have with you. This method the 
 angler will find the best in the earlier months, as it is based on 
 practical knowledge ; and if ho is to be caught, this is the most 
 certain way to take him. 
 
 In the more advanced and hot months of the season you may 
 frequently hear them making that peculiar sucking noise among 
 the water-lilies and other aquatic plants usually found in still 
 waters, and the best way to secure them then is to take strong 
 rod and line, and after baiting with a grasshopper, drop your 
 shot upon the leaves, about a foot of the lino being under water ; 
 directly the fish bites lift him bodily out, for if he once gets 
 amongst the weed^s your tackle must part and your prey be lost. 
 As a concluding remark, I may observe that few species of fish 
 
 * I.e., honey and bread blended. 
 E2
 
 42 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 afford the angler better sport when hooked, or when cooked a 
 more delicious repast. 
 
 The Tench (Tinea vulgaris) I have classed with the carp, as 
 great analogy exists between them in habits, periods of spawn- 
 ing, and localities in which they are to be found. The best time 
 to take them is June, July, and August ; for bait, use lob. red. 
 or flag worms, and green gentles ; choose that part of the water 
 where land-drains empty themselves, or in fact any foul water, 
 and after or during a shower you will probably meet with the 
 best success. Use the same tackle as in carp fishing, but 
 you need not- be so particular in keeping yourself concealed, as 
 they are by no means of so shy a nature. In ponds where they 
 are numerous a great quantity may easily be caught, but it is 
 useless to angle for them when the water is low and clear ; the 
 thicker it is the better. 
 
 This fish has been by some authors styled " the physician," 
 and is supposed by many to possess curative properties. The 
 jack, for instance, is supposed to seek relief from wounds by 
 rubbing against it ; and it is affirmed that the fresh-water shark 
 in consequence allows him to escape with impunity. Those 
 who are credulous enough to believe this may do so ; for my 
 part I fancy that Jack, when on feed, would swallow him with 
 as little compunction as an alderman would a basin of turtle. 
 
 Places abound near London where this fish may be met with, 
 but it is useless to particularise any spot where the angler may 
 procure them, as they are chiefly upon private property, to the 
 owners of which I am indebted frequently for the privilege of 
 fishing. 
 
 In conclusion, the following homely couplet contains informa- 
 tion which perchance may enlighten a portion of my readers, 
 viz., 
 
 " Hops and turkeys, carp and beer, 
 Came into England all in a year."
 
 43 
 
 CHAPTER VH 
 THE TKOUT (Salmo fario.") 
 
 Where streamlets boast cascade or waterfall, 
 
 And lure the ear with murmurs musical, 
 
 Where banks o'erhanging, coverts safe subscribe, 
 
 Lurks this Adonis of the flnny tribe. 
 
 Oh ! beauteous he, adorned with ruby spot, 
 
 Such graceful shape none other owns I wot ; 
 
 Proportions fair enchain the well-pleased eye, 
 
 And admiration greets his symmetry, 
 
 When in the brook the mayfly dips his wing, 
 
 Or poised above the dragon's fluttering, 
 
 When the kingfishers in bright varied hue, 
 
 The microscopic insect swift pursue ; 
 
 With agile bound, and on his prey intent, 
 
 With wondrous leap he spurns his element ; 
 
 A moment seen, the blue wave then divides, 
 
 And closes o'er his rainbow-tinted sides. AUTHOK. 
 
 Unworthy is my pen to depict in appropriately glowing lan- 
 gnage this beautiful denizen of the lake and stream ; more beautiful 
 in his ruby spots and rainbow-tinted hues than any other species 
 that cleave the waters, his symmetrical shape and elegant 
 contour stamp him as unexceptionally the Adonis of every kind 
 whose home is in the sluggish pond or rapid river. In the 
 water, every motion is gracef ul ; and even his contortions when 
 hooked display elegance in their painful evolutions. Gifted 
 above his fellows in the gorgeous colours which adorn his ex- 
 terior, and the symmetrical proportions, finely and nicely 
 developed, which his frame alone can boast, he is at the same 
 time superior to all others in intellect. 
 
 He is patrician in his tastes and attributes, exclusive in his 
 enjoyments, an epicurean in his choice of food; selects the
 
 44 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 clearest streams, and those most free from scnm and .filth, in 
 which to disport his beauteous form, and altogether abstains 
 from low and vulgar habits indulged in by other inhabitants of 
 the waters. To sum up his qualifications, he occupies the high 
 and dignified position among his fraternity that an Admirable 
 Crichton or a Chesterfield would among Bosjesmans. 
 
 Delighting in the most romantic and pellucid streams, he leads 
 his pursuers through scenery of a variegated and imposing 
 character, whether it be found in the level and picturesque dis- 
 tricts of the Midland Counties, where the waters which compose 
 his haunts wind amongst umbrageous foliage, which ever and 
 anon conceal the stream from the sun's bright rays ; or in the 
 bold and ragged North, where the tortuous river pursues its 
 broken and uneven course amongst rocks, cascades, and boulders, 
 forming a picture somewhat sterner, but not less gratifying to 
 the piscatorial disciple. 
 
 Fly fishing for trout, to bottom fishing, may be viewed in the 
 same proportion that badger hunting stands to the pursuit of 
 the wild boar or " solemn elephant," I mean as regards the ex- 
 citement engendered by the chase; for of course there is no 
 analogy between the two diversions, the latter depending for 
 success upon physical courage and daring, whilst fly fishing calls 
 into play mental powers, great nicety of manipulation and dex- 
 terity, and at the same time gives the adversary a chance for 
 his life ; for, placing his power, vigour, and the probabilities of 
 his escape against the fineness of the tackle with which you seek 
 his destruction, the combat assumes the semblance of equality. 
 This, of course, does not hold good as regards trolling. Without 
 wishing to depreciate bottom fishing, or discourage those devoted 
 to its pursuit, I am ever, nevertheless, prepared to hear the fly- 
 fisher speak in rather sarcastic terms of the former amusement, 
 and I know many at the present time who, although most enthu- 
 siastic and sedulous in following with the fly their enjoyment, 
 would not upon any consideration impale the red-nosed worm to 
 tempt the voracious perch, or bait the hook with paste to seduce 
 the distrustful roach. Again, there are thousands of good and 
 scientific fishermen who, expert to a degree at every other de- 
 scription of angling, have never thrown a fly in their lives ; and
 
 THE TROUT. 4") 
 
 perhaps, after all, the homely saying may hold good here, and 
 every one to his taste" apply to fishing as it did to the old lady 
 when she embraced her cow. 
 
 Many fly-fishers go to the extent of ignoring trolling and 
 worm fishing in Mo, thus following in the steps of Thompson ; 
 but whether it be from the feelings of commiseration which 
 doubtless actuated the gentle and kind-hearted poet I know 
 not, but should incline to the opinion that it is because the 
 two last-mentioned methods lack the science and fine touch so 
 essentially necessary to ensure success when trying with the 
 ' well dissembled fly," which mode alone constitutes the life 
 and soul of some anglers' existence, and renders the sport at 
 once absorbing, enticing, and completely fascinating. 
 
 The trout, like most other fish, exhibits some peculiarities. 
 They appear to keep up a certain order and discipline, and may 
 be observed frequently, in clear streams, in regular bands, form- 
 ing ranks, and seemingly in battle array, the largest taking the 
 lead, and the others falling in according to their size, the smallest 
 being, quite properly, in the rear. They will occasionally retain 
 the same position for a length of time ; weeks even will elapse 
 and they will remain still in statu quo. Again, they appear to 
 have their own domains, and have a strict regard for the laws of 
 meum and tuum ; in fact, they seldom poach on each others' pre- 
 serves. If they leave their favourite stations in quest of food, 
 they always find their way home again, and this is an important 
 fact for the young angler to notice, as I have ever impressed 
 upon my readers the necessity of studying the habits of the prey 
 they seek, as that knowledge greatly facilitates success. Another 
 trait in bis character is the extreme tenderness and affection 
 which he displays towards his partner in pairing-time. No lover 
 ever was more solicitous for the comfort, or attentive to the 
 wants of his mistress than is our speckled friend to the object of 
 his choice. From about the middle of June to the end of July 
 the bond of affection is unbroken; together they roam the 
 waters in quest of food, which the male invariably allows his 
 love to partake of first, and inseparable and amorous, the same 
 feelings, thoughts, and impulses appear to actuate and govern 
 both. Again, he seems to be a sort of piscatorial barometer, and
 
 46 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 frequently foretells forthcoming storms, as though for him 
 " coming events cast their shadows before," and at such times he 
 will obstinately refuse to take the worm or snap the fly. They 
 also present great uniformity in size, those taken from the same 
 stream or river seldom varying much. The same rules which 
 govern the salmon in spawning-time influence the trout ; in fact, 
 at this period there is great analogy between them. They both 
 seek the most retired waters flowing over gravelly bottoms, and 
 as near the source of the river or torrent as they can approach ; 
 and to accomplish this object the trout will overcome almost in- 
 surmountable obstacles, and urged forward by the dictates of a 
 never-erring Nature, will emulate the salmon in the vigour and 
 agility of his leaps. It becomes frequently a matter of utter 
 surprise to imagine, however, how the female can contrive to reach 
 the spot where spawn is seen ; and nothing save the require* 
 ments of Nature would, I am sure, cause her to tempt the diffi- 
 culties and dangers which environ her in gaining the coveted 
 locality. The haunts of the trout in streams are under cover of 
 any large stones, roots of trees, bushes, and overhanging banks ; 
 and in rivers they lurk near old weir aprons, trunks of trees, 
 the timber of old bridges, and any debris that affords protection, 
 and, as before observed, retain with undeviating tenacity that 
 position of the water they have selected as their own. 
 
 Fly fishing is, without the slightest doubt, the greatest feature 
 of angling, and immense practice is required to enable the 
 learner to throw the fly with the requisite precision ; in fact, I 
 think that the art should be studied and overcome when the 
 student is young, as at that age difficulties are surmounted 
 which manhood in vain attempts to subdue. It is divested of all 
 labour, and the inconveniences attendant upon carrying baits, 
 alive and dead, worm-bags, &c., are here avoided. Furnished 
 with a fly-book, creel, and rod, the enthusiast and aspirant for 
 Waltonian honours may wend his way through the length and 
 breadth of the land, gaining health and strength by his peram- 
 bulations, and enriching his mind and embellishing his taste by 
 intercourse with the lovely scenes and sylvan glades through 
 which he wanders. If tiring of his pursuit ho may bring forth 
 his sketch-book, and whilst transferring to its page a semblance
 
 THE TROUT. 47 
 
 of the landscape he admires, exclaim with the poet, "Who can 
 paint like Nature ? " 
 
 So much diversity of opinion exists, and ever has, relative to 
 the proper fly to be used, that I shall merely observe that the 
 fish in many cases is not half so fastidious or particular as the 
 piscator, and that he will take indiscriminately, when on feed, 
 flies of various kinds and opposing colours. Let the fisherman 
 study Nature, and observe when he arrives at the water the 
 description of fly that flutters over its surface, and if the fish 
 are rising to them and refuse his own, let him manage to catch 
 one of them, and imitate it as nearly as he can. Sometimes the 
 fish are very cunning, and refuse a//, however seductive. I have 
 known, in these instances, that a grub or caterpillar placed on 
 the hook, and dropped carelessly from a stone or bank under- 
 neath which he lurks, has thrown him off his guard, and effected 
 his immediate capture, from the natural manner in which it fell 
 into the water. 
 
 When hooked, the struggle commences, and he leaps from the 
 water in his endeavours to escape the barb 
 
 " And flies aloft and flounces round the pool, 
 Indignant of the guile," 
 
 Give him immediate line, and watch each movement with scru- 
 pulous care, or your fragile tackle parting, your victim will be 
 lost, and yourself left a prey to chagrin and concomitant ill 
 temper. After exciting and scientific play he succumbs to your 
 skill turns upon his side, 
 
 " And, to his fate abandoned, to the shore 
 You gaily drag your unresisting prize." 
 
 I would recommend the reader to peruse the following lines of 
 our sweet poet, as they indicate the best spots where sport may 
 be obtained, and in transcribing them take leave of this favourite 
 branch of the gentle art : 
 
 " Just in the dubious point where with the pool 
 Is mix'd the trembling stream, or where it boils 
 Around the stone, or from the hollow'd bank 
 Reverted plays in undulating flow, 
 There throw, nice judging, the delusive fly."
 
 48 
 
 CHAPTER TIE. 
 
 By gentle stream, or river bold, 
 Where Nature's charms their gifts unfold. 
 Where leaps the trout, or grayling plays, 
 We while away sweet summer days ; 
 With bait deceptive to allure 
 The glittering tribe from waters pure ; 
 The timid roach, voracious pike. 
 Impetuous perch, we freely strike ; 
 The silvery dace, the cunning carp, 
 The lazy bream, and barbel sharp, 
 Withdrawn from pool or limpid rill, 
 In turn succumb to tact or skill. 
 
 The chub, relative to whom I propose to offer a few observa- 
 tions, is a powerful, well-built specimen of his kind, and affords 
 fine amusement and sport to his captor. He frequently runs to 
 a large size, and has been caught in the Thames of 41b and 61 b 
 weight and in Continental waters is said to attain even much 
 greater proportions. However, those of IJlb to 31b weight are 
 very good fish, and will, when hooked, dart across the stream, 
 and furnish half an hour's play before you secure them. In a 
 gastronomic sense they are almost useless, requiring cooking of 
 no mean order, and sauces hot and piquant to render them fit to 
 appease the appetite even of a ploughman or costermonger. 
 
 They are gregarious, and very prolific, and deposit their eggs 
 upon the sandy and gravelly bottoms of the shallows about 
 April, and occupy some eight or ten days in thus obeying the 
 behests of Nature. In habits they are similar to many of their 
 confreres of the flood, delighting in quiet holes, retiring beneath 
 overhanging banks, hiding under old timbers, piles, weir aprons,
 
 CHUB. 49 
 
 or ruins of any description, and are, withal, the shyest of the 
 glittering tribe. They may frequently be observed basking like 
 carp in the sun upon the surface of the water ; and at such 
 times many unsportmanlike sneaks snare them in a similar 
 manner to jack, but all true fishermen will deprecate such a vile 
 proceeding. 
 
 For tackle, use about the same as described for carp, and the 
 same groumd-bait will be all that is requisite. Occasionally, 
 when large, they will take a minnow or a frog, but the most 
 tempting baits are doubtless lob worms, cheese, wasp grubs, 
 gentles, and pith, alias the spinal marrow taken from sheep or 
 bullocks. Where the water is perfectly bright, however, my 
 favourite mode is with a fly-rod and black beetle, to attract his 
 attention and pander to his appetite ; and were I called upon 
 to select the most killing bait, it would be the black beetle 
 or a bee. Gently drop the disgusting insect over the covert 
 where he lurks, yourself carefully keeping out of sight ; and his 
 struggles, and the slight circles or ripples caused by the quiver- 
 ing wings, will tempt the prey to rise slowly and in a dignified 
 manner, and leisurely he will suck in the tempting (?) morsel, 
 and find to his astonishment the barb fast in his maw. 
 
 They abound in the Thames, Colne, and most rivers, and will 
 take better in the morning and evening, as they seldom feed when 
 the sun is on the water, and the fisherman will find that when he 
 has secured one or two, he will have to change his swim, as they 
 soon ''smell a rat," and are not often to be had on that suit. 
 There are some good chub holes near the railway bridge at 
 Windsor, and Kingston Deeps; Hampton, and in fact, most 
 fishing stations on the river boast of them in plenty ; but if the 
 reader will join me in a delightful and suburban walk, I will 
 guarantee him three or four brace, nearer home than he 
 imagines. 
 
 Brightly and beautifully broke the morning upon which, at a 
 very early hour, I found myself at i: merrie Islington." There 
 is an old and famous "public," yclept the Thatched House, in the 
 Lower Road, and adjoining the New River where it takes an 
 underground course, to emerge, alas ! no more to the light of 
 day. Henceforth its sinuous track winds, not between green 
 
 F
 
 50 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 and refreshing banks, but in immense cast-iron cylinders. Well, 
 close to the above-named Thatched House is a famous chub 
 hole, and on this particular morn, provided with a few beetles 
 (of which vile inhabitant of the earth I think my domicile could 
 supply all the piscators this side the Ganges), I stood upon the 
 wood-work which covers their lair, and completely out of sight 
 myself, dropped the noxious insect between the iron bars. The 
 Cerberus who keeps watch over this portion of the company's 
 waters was yet placidly sleeping within a rod's length of me, but 
 half a minute had not elapsed, ere the quiet suck of the fish an- 
 nounced my success, and the struggling captive was safe in my 
 basket. Two others quickly joined their companion, and know- 
 ing that it was useless to try for more, I abdicated my position, 
 just as the custos was drawing up his blind. 
 
 Proud of my conquest (stolen apples were ever sweetest at 
 school) I proceeded along Willow Row, and passing Campanile 
 Cottage, once the residence of the witty and celebrated Charles 
 Lamb, find myself upon Willow Bridge, another spot where chub 
 do mostly congregate. Here, a friendly disposed "blue-bottle," 
 whose number I must not divulge, after sipping of the contents 
 of my flask, pointed out a hole, from which I quickly extracted 
 a one-pounder, and following his advice, to make myself scarce, 
 I turn to the left over the bridge, and find myself gazing with 
 intense intei'est upon old Canonbury Tower. 
 
 In a momen^ chub fishing and all else is forgotten, as in the 
 square brick turret before me I recognise the favourite country 
 seat of the great and virgin (?) queen. From the summit, round 
 which runs an iron railing, one may readily imagine that she has 
 frequently peered into the garden below, to see if the daring 
 Essex or chivalrous Raleigh were paying too attentive court to her 
 beauteous maids of honour ; or but little stretch of fancy might 
 picture that selfsame garden, enclosed by its high walls, the 
 scene of many love passages in her own tumultuous existence. 
 Here, perchance, Raleigh fain would have climbed, " but that he 
 feared to fall ; " or Essex and Leicester, perchance, in the 
 arbours or recesses of the grounds, have forgotten the respect 
 due to the queen in the adoration paid to the mistress. But a 
 few brief years, and this great queen, the ruler of empires,
 
 CHUB. 51 
 
 whose armies subjugated kingdoms, and whose navy destroyed 
 armadas, and transferred the " broom " from the mast-head of 
 their adversaries to their own, was cowering hi a dingy corner, 
 where shortly afterwards she breathed in agony the memorable 
 words (her last), " All my possessions for one moment of time !" 
 Sic transit, fyc, 
 
 Saddened by these reflections, I leave the "ivy-mantled 
 tower, " and recruiting my sjnrits with some procured at the 
 Canonbury Castle, nearly opposite, proceed at a rapid pace 
 onward, and passing Highbury Barn, dive into the Vale, and 
 find myself on the banks of the New River once more, with 
 Dead Man's Lane on my right, and the Sluice House direct in 
 front. There used to be formerly good fishing here, and even 
 now occasionally some good chub, roach, and even tench are 
 to be met with ; but knowing a far better locale to suit my pur- 
 pose, I just drop in at the bar, en passant, with no other object in 
 view, I entreat the reader to believe, save that of inspecting a 
 stuffed specimen of a tench, weighing 21b 7oz, caught by host 
 Davcy, and a fine jack, over lOlb, taken close to the house. 
 The beautiful gardens and cricket field attached to the " public " 
 are quite deserted ; remnants of cigars, bottles, and an occa- 
 sional riband torn from some fair one's dress in the whirling 
 waltz, merely suggesting the conviviality and amusement of the 
 evening past ; and emerging from the shade of the noble elms 
 which throw their branches of luxuriant foliage over the grounds, 
 Hornsey Wood House crowns the hill before me. Who has not 
 dropped his ' blue rock " or " sparrow twittering " at this well- 
 known spot ? For generations it has been a favourite locale for 
 lovers of the " trigger, " and weekly the report of the double 
 smooth bore, or the deadly rifle, conjure up echoes in the sur- 
 rounding beautiful scenery. Keeping to the right, I arrive at 
 the Manor House, where once our gracious Queen alighted, an<! 
 turn down the road leading to Xewington Green, and striking 
 into the lane which tends to Abney Park Cemetery from which 
 interesting place the Lord preserve me ! I come to an anchor 
 on a wooden bridge, and drop my triangle hook, on which the 
 " beadle " is struggling for the last time, hi quest of my prey. 
 And here, instead of extracting a chub from the hole, I was
 
 52 PISCATORIAL BAUBLES. 
 
 nearly put into it myself; for intent upon my occupation. I 
 heard no approaching and insidious footsteps ; but just as my 
 bait began to give evidence of a bite, a heavy hand laid upon my 
 shoulder caused me to start ; and turning, I beheld an image 
 clothed in the " blue and silver " of the company's " colours." 
 My flask the sop never before offered in vain to these watch- 
 dogs was gloomily refused. I searched my pockets for the 
 order I knew well was not there, and, instead, produced a florin, 
 which I poised in a seducing -way upon my fore finger. " Every 
 man has his price," said the shrewd TVilkes, but this Cerberus 
 had none ; so being unencumbered with kit or rod, and withal 
 fleet of foot, I took to my heels, and the conservator being out of 
 condition, and deficient of staying qualities, I fairly left him 
 " standing still " in the race, and beat him out of sight 
 
 Should the reader, however, prefer a more extended trip, I 
 should be happy of his companionship to the Euston Square 
 Station, and from thence by the fretful, snorting, fussy, and, to 
 me, disagreeable rail (nothing to beat the old four-horse coach) to 
 "Watford, alighting at which locality we will wend our pleasing 
 way through a prettily wooded and rather romantic and pic- 
 turesque country by Cassio Park, the seat of a descendant of the 
 chivalrous but unfortunate Essex, and skirting the park, and 
 passing by its ancient and " ivy-mantled " lodge, after a walk of 
 three or four miles we shall arrive at a preserve on the property 
 of Lord Ebury, at Rickmansworth, and there make our first cast 
 in the winding Colne. As chub is the prey we are in quest of, the 
 water should of course be perfectly bright, and as a first induce- 
 ment to the coveted prize, let us bait a triangle hook with 
 cheese, using a stout gut line and cork float I may here ob- 
 serve that where the fish run large a minnow with a perch hook 
 is frequently a desirable bait Choose deep holes, where the 
 banks are undermined or overhang the water, or the depths 
 under the old weir aprons, care being taken when you strike 
 your fish to keep him well iu hand, and down stream, otherwise 
 he will madly struggle to regain the shelter of his lurking-place 
 under the old piles. Once there, all is lost 
 
 If cheese or minnow fail to tempt the finny object of your 
 perseverance, and you have a fly-rod, which it is always advis-
 
 CHUB. 
 
 able to carry when out for a day's chub fishing, attach a light 
 palmer, coachman, or any light-coloured fly you may happen to 
 have with you (it is useless to encumber the mind of the young 
 angler with too many technicalities) ; or in the event of not 
 having any, a grasshopper, bee, or blue-bottle may have the effect 
 of pandering to his epicurean appetite. 
 
 Arrived at the -water, after one or two swims with the first 
 bait alluded to (cheese), I succeeded in hooking a fine chub, over 
 21b. Experientia docct ! and knowing that after securing one 
 the chances were that others would be shy in tackling the bait) 
 I dropped down to a favourite spot beneath the old weir, and by 
 constantly changing the swims, succeeded in about four hours in 
 capturing seven and a half brace, weighing over fifteen pounds ; 
 and thinking that every true angler should be satisfied with that 
 success, at the same time strenuously denouncing " pot hunting," 
 I repaired to the Old Boat Inn. to appease the cravings of the 
 inward man, and solace myself with the steaming glass and 
 fragrant weed. .
 
 CHAPTER DL 
 BARBEL (Barbus vuJfjaris.'} 
 
 "Where torrents fierce a hollow rude mil form, 
 Or holes exist, scooped out by chance or storm, 
 E'er delving deep where mud and filth abound, 
 The bearded barbel seeks his choicest ground. 
 By Nature framed to " grub" in quest of food, 
 His nose disturbs the brightness of the flood, 
 Yet, when the hook, insidious, causes pain, 
 He darts away, then turning flies again. 
 With vigour taxes he, the sportsman's skill, 
 With no mean strength, and active, stubborn will, 
 And when all power is lost resistance o'er, 
 Unwilling still you drag him to the shore. AUTHOR. 
 
 The barbel, although not highly esteemed by those whose taste 
 in edible matters has an epicurean tendency, still affords fine 
 and exciting sport to the angler, as he is possessed of great 
 strength, and swims with a rapidity seldom attained by many of 
 his brethren of the flood, lie is to be found generally in the 
 deep parts of rivers which have been scooped out by the current, 
 or in any holes which may abound in the streams you are fish- 
 ing. He forcibly reminds me in his habits of a young porker 
 before the ring is inserted in his nasal cartilage, as, like that 
 animal, he is continually grubbing up the soil and mud in quest 
 of insects, worms, and any other description of food found at the 
 bottom of the river he inhabits. He is gregarious in his nature. 
 and evidently takes his name from the beard or wattles which 
 hang about bis mouth, which, together with his upper jaw, con- 
 siderably extending over the lower, gives him a very strange 
 and remarkable appearance. The Thames is, beyond doubt, the 
 most renowned river in England for barbel, it being no unusual
 
 BAKBEL. 55 
 
 occurrence for fishermen, in the height of the season, to take 
 from seventy to a hundred pounds -weight of this fish ; and I 
 may observe that the months of July, August, September, and 
 October are the best in -which to capture them, and you may 
 frequently drop across a nine or ten pounder at the close of the 
 season. 
 
 One of the best localities on the river Thames is Staines, in 
 the boat-house swims, or where the old wood and piles still exist 
 which once formed part of the ancient bridge, now superseded 
 by the present elegant modern structure ; and it is worthy of 
 remark that this fish, like the chub, is fond of lurking under 
 banks, and any sunken timber, large stones, or anything capable 
 of affording protection. Halliford and Hampton Deeps are 
 favourite spots for barbel, also Twickenham ; and these I prefer, 
 as, independent of yielding good sport, they teem with associa- 
 tions of an interesting and poetical nature. 
 
 A sine qua nan in fishing for this species of the piscatory tribe 
 is to well ground-bait overnight, or, in fact, two or three conse- 
 cutive days before ; and to attain this object instruct your 
 fisherman to procure several quarts of worms to distribute over 
 the spot, and if some are cut up and mixed with bran and clay 
 balls, so much the better ; amongst other baits in constant use, I 
 may enumerate greaves, gentles, &c. &c. 
 
 There are several methods of trying for this bearded leviathan 
 of the river, and inter o/i'o, ledger fishing ; for which purpose 
 take a good stout rod, such as you would use for perch or jack, 
 provided with winch and running tackle, attaching a twisted gut 
 line, upon which run a bullet weighing one or two ounces. 
 About a foot from where you fasten the hook fix, a swan-shot, 
 which will prevent the bullet from limning on to your bait ; the 
 arm of your hook should be about an inch and a half in length, 
 and care should be taken that the extremities of the worm are 
 left free to play in a natural manner, which is often tempting to 
 the prey ; also, that the whole of the hook is properly covered. 
 A clay ball is also of great benefit, and as it should contain 
 gentles and other ground-bait, -which continually working out 
 attract the fish, is a most seductive mode of entrapping him. 
 
 In my estimation, however, the best course to pursue in fishing
 
 56 t PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 for barbel is the folio-wing: take a cork float, from which 
 cut off both ends of the quill level -with the surface, thus afford- 
 ing your line free passage and uninterrupted play ; use a small 
 bullet or a few shots to sink your bait to the bottom, the action 
 of the water will carry both bait and float down stream, care 
 being taken that the line is kept well in hand, working it be- 
 tween the finger and thumb. By this means you can detect 
 the slightest touch of a fish, work twice the water which you 
 can in the ordinary course, and make a greater certainty of 
 securing him. 
 
 Once hooked, he requires (if large) most skilful handling, and 
 being strong and vigorous, good sport may be anticipated, keep- 
 ing him well in hand, yet allowing him necessary play ; but on 
 no consideration permit your captive to regain the shelter of the 
 weeds or rocks, or it will be a considerable period ere you recover 
 him perchance not at all. 
 
 Having, I trust, given the reader a tolerable idea of the habits 
 of this fish, the most likely spots to find him, and the baits best 
 adapted to ensure success, I solicit my reader's companionship 
 to that delightful spot upon the banks of the Thames 
 Twickenham. 
 
 At an early hour, from the Waterloo Station, let us again seek 
 the aid of the iron road, and stopping a few minutes at Richmond 
 Station (and that is too long, for the edifice closely resembles the 
 sheds used in straw-yards to protect their equine tenants), we 
 proceed to our destination, and alighting, walk through the town, 
 which, although not boasting of any historical or romantic re- 
 miniscences, still is a pretty and pleasing place. Having duly 
 consigned my charge to the care of the fisherman, and seen 
 them in the well-appointed punt on their way to a ground-baited 
 and favourite spot. I will for the present, leave them in the 
 enjoyment of their piscatory pursuit whilst I revive old memories 
 by gazing upon objects hallowed by fond associations, and with 
 that idea first seek the habitation where once dwelt the immortal 
 Pope. Awaking from the reverie induced by the thought that 
 fickle Nature had given so frail and disfigured a tenement to 
 contain so glorious and sublime a mind, I drop down the gentle 
 stream and view the fairest of England's daughters engaged in
 
 the healthy occupation of urging their fairy boats o'er the bosom 
 of the water, the graceful and voluptuous attitudes called into 
 play by the exercise promoting the most passionate and ardent 
 admiration, each elegant movement stamping them as more lithe 
 than the sculls grasped by their tiny hands, and forming in their 
 many-tinted garbs, aided by the drooping branches of the over- 
 hanging trees, a scene of beauty rarely surpassed. 
 
 Floating past the residence of the Due d'Aumale, -which con- 
 jures up thoughts of the king and schoolmaster, together with 
 the somewhat absurd boastings of his sailor son, the celebrated 
 and well-known Richmond Hill enlarges upon the view, where 
 the humble yet beauteous " lass," memorable in song, once at- 
 tracted a kingly lover ; and scorning to fly from a mental con- 
 templation of her charms, to dwell upon the commonplace and 
 edible comforts of Eel Pie Island, I will imagine, whilst inhaling 
 the aroma of my Virginian weed, that I can still hear the echoes 
 of her footsteps upon the hill which she has immortalised !
 
 58 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 DACE (Cyprinus Leucisciis.) 
 
 When o'er the distant hill the sun's pure ray 
 Wakes slumbering earth to life, and valleys gleam 
 With cot and homestead rising from the dream 
 
 Of softening sleep to hail the opening day ; 
 
 When heedless footsteps sweep the dewy field, 
 
 And sweet-voiced songsters early tribute yield ; 
 
 When subtle spider's web from thorn to thorn 
 
 Glistens with diamonds in the fragrant morn, 
 
 Fragile to view, as though a breath would stir 
 
 And sweep away the flne-drawn gossamer; 
 
 When milk-maids, whose loop'd kirtle fails to hide 
 The graceful leg and swelling bosom, trip 
 
 O'er velvet lawn and grassy pasture wide. 
 With form voluptuous, and with ruby lip, 
 
 These are the hours the treacherous line to throw, 
 
 And seek the prey where stream or rivers flow. AUTHOR. 
 
 The dace is a handsome, finely formed fish for his size, of a 
 bright silvery hue, and really affords such pastime and sport 
 that he is a great favourite with many fishermen. Very prolific, 
 they are found in great abundance in most rivers, and are alike 
 indifferent to all waters, be they shallow or deep, rapid or 
 sluggish, although they prefer the former ; and bright streams 
 would be their choice before those which are turbid. He swims 
 with the greatest rapidity, and yields to his captor with consider- 
 able reluctance ; in fact, to use an expressive epithet generally 
 applied to the unfortunates who are consigned to the tender 
 mercies of Calcraft, "he dies game." 
 
 He is a good trial fish for the young aspirant to try his hand 
 upon, before flying at the nobler salmon or trout This will 
 give him confidence, add keenness to his eye, and impart a free-
 
 DACE. 69 
 
 dom and certainty to his manipulation, so desirable and requisite 
 before trying for those grand and imposing species. The same 
 tackle as used in roach fishing is all that is required, the finer 
 the better ; and for baits, gentles and small red-nosed worms mil 
 supply sufficiently the exigencies of the case, and as they bite 
 freely, large catches can be made ; whilst, as I before observed, 
 his activity and strength render him an opponent by no means 
 to be despised. Nor is he in any respect an undesirable addition 
 to the table of the Ion vivant, for fried in butter, with a liberal 
 sprinkle of cayenne, he may tempt the failing appetite at the 
 morning meal, and is really a delicate and palatable fish. 
 
 They are to be found in any quantity at most fishing stations 
 on the Thames, and well do I recollect a day replete with enjoy- 
 ment, spent in the society of my most esteemed fishing chum, 
 in trying for this interesting and lively denizen of the stream. 
 We fixed upon Hampton, about fifteen miles from London, and 
 situated opposite the mouth of the river Mole, as a delightful 
 and favourable spot to advance our ends, and, taking time by 
 the forelock, a principle which I would strenuously urge every 
 fisherman to adopt, a lovely day found us " eager for the fray " 
 in the pleasing locality mentioned. 
 
 Entering the punt, we soon commenced operations hi the 
 " deeps," ground-baiting with gentles and worms, amalgamated 
 with clay. The water, however, was too bright, and the fish 
 very shy, so a considerable time elapsed before anything like 
 sport rewarded our patience. The dace then began to feed, and 
 the splash of their fall into the well of the punt proclaimed the 
 success attendant upon our endeavours, as for a tune roach fol- 
 lowed dace, and vice versa, much to our satisfaction and content- 
 ment An incident of an agreeable nature which occurred to my 
 friend, who is a most expert and scientific fisherman, relieved 
 the somewhat monotonous sport. Fancying that he had a touch, 
 and striking, he at once became aware that a good fish was 
 trying conclusions with him, and from the power displayed, 
 put him down as a four or five pounder. A trial of skill on the 
 one side and strength and activity on the other now commenced 
 man versus fish, and strange as the contrast appears, both on 
 an equality, for, placing the fineness of the tackle against the
 
 GO PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 power of the finny adversary, it was, in fact, 6 to 4 on the latter. 
 Three-quarters of an hour's careful play found the engagement 
 still pending ; the human combatant slightly nervous and impa- 
 tient the hero of the river still unconquered. Twenty minutes 
 more, and the shortening line gave evidence of weakened powers 
 on the side of the enemy, and the odds veered round to 2 to 1 
 (offered) on the biped, who from this point of the battle increased 
 his advantage, and foot by foot played in his struggling and 
 game adversary, until, secured in the meshes of the landing-net, 
 he proved to be a barbel, about 2lb weight, foul hooked beneath 
 his ventral fin, which of course gave him additional power in 
 the water, and rendered the performance of my friend a very 
 extraordinary and successful one. 
 
 ' What do you say that the house where dwelt the immortal 
 Garrick ?'' Fish on then, my friend, and catch anything, from a 
 sprat to one the size of that celebrity that Jonah swallowed, I 
 care not For myself I will while away the remainder of the day 
 in dreaming of him who once by his presence consecrated the 
 edifice, and renew in imagination my intimacy with the gigantic 
 minds who were his friends and contemporaries. And truly that 
 is Hampton House, formerly the elegant villa of David Garrick. 
 In those extensive grounds how frequently he has wandered, 
 perchance nurturing scintillations of genius, which, bursting into 
 a flame, thrilled and transfixed his astounded audience ! Upon 
 that lawn, whereon laughing and beautiful girls, glowing with 
 youthful blood and healthful excitement are now playing the 
 modern and fashionable game of croquet and whose graceful 
 attitudes, called into being by the exercise, develope charms a 
 Venus might envy upon that grassy plot how often has he 
 reasoned with the pompous and surly Johnson, or trifled with the 
 mercurial and improvident Goldsmith perhaps sympathising 
 with the former upon the calamity which gave Radselas to the 
 world, or congratulating the latter upon the success of that prince 
 of comedies, " She Stoops to Conquer," or that work which will 
 last as long as the hills, ' The Vicar of Wakefield." That fabric 
 near the river he erected to the god of his idolatry, Shakespeare, 
 the bard whose inspirations he so fully embodied, and whose 
 beauties he so truthfully delineated. This was his sanctum
 
 DACE. 61 
 
 sanctorum, where he would retire to meditate upon successes 
 accomplished, or prepare for the glories he had yet to achieve. 
 
 But I must leave reluctantly these delightful recollections, for 
 there are more attractions in this neighbourhood at which I 
 would glance, and which among them is so likely to conjure up 
 vivid ideas as Hampton Court, for ever associated with Wolsey, 
 the profound and subtle statesman, the wily and luxurious 
 priest ? Built by him upon a scale of magnificence hitherto 
 unknown at that age, it is somewhere said that he arranged 300 
 silk beds for strangers who arrived from foreign countries to 
 court his regard, or pay a tribute to his genius ; and after squan- 
 dering immense sums to stock it with gold and silver plate, he 
 presented it to his Royal master, Henry \JLLL. a most regal 
 gift How the " bluff Hal " repaid him, the historical reader 
 well knows ; but what must have been the feelings of the great 
 cardinal, when shorn of his magnificence, contemned by the 
 menials his bounty had fattened, and reproved by the prince 
 whose throne he had consolidated, and to whose vices he had 
 pandered, he exclaimed in bitterness of spirit, " Had I but served 
 my God half as faithfully as I have my king, he would not now 
 desert me in my hour of need ! " 
 
 To attempt a description of this superb building is simply 
 absurd, so I will dismiss the subject by remarking that the pri- 
 mitive edifice was taken partially down and rebuilt by Sir 
 Christopher Wren, and that the park and gardens are some three 
 or four miles in circumference. 
 
 Retiirning from a walk in the beautifully wooded park, where 
 ever and anon the graceful deer glance across your path, and 
 then are lost in the umbrageous foliage, now adorned by the gold 
 and brown of the fading year, I found my friend somewhat im- 
 patient at my protracted absence ; but a little soothing syrup, in 
 the shape of a well-turned compliment relative to the artistic 
 manner in which he landed the barbel, soon made things all 
 right, and with a tolerable catch we prepared to seek the empire 
 city, not however without turning many " a last fond look " upon 
 the beautiful scenery we were leaving for the dubious atmo- 
 sphere of London.
 
 62 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 BREAM (Abramis brama.) 
 
 Broad to the view, and long, yet flat and thin, 
 
 With foul exterior and with anal fln ; 
 
 No savoury taste the flesh so coarse attends, 
 
 Though handsome contour with his vigour blends. 
 
 Crafty and sly, oft rising to the bait, 
 
 "When lifts the float at once you strike him straight '. 
 
 Yet soon succumbing, he the fight declines, 
 
 And owns the hand that skill and power combines. AUTHOR. 
 
 The bream is a member, although an unworthy one, of the 
 carp family, and is frequently called carp bream. Like that fish 
 it is an inhabitant of ponds and lakes, and frequents the still and 
 deepest parts of rivers. It exhibits the peculiarity of an anal 
 tin, which, beginning at the vent, extends nearly to the tail, 
 which is forked ; and it is also remarkable for having a very 
 small mouth and extremely foul exterior, whilst the flesh is 
 coarse and almost without flavour, in fact it requires an expert 
 and apt disciple of Kitchener or Soyer to render it sufficiently 
 palatable or savoury to be enjoyed with anything approaching to 
 relish. It is esteemed more favourably by our neighbours 
 "over the water;" but I need scarcely remind my readers that so 
 completely versed are the French in gastronomic science, that 
 they can concoct a tolerable repast out of a pair of leathern 
 " continuations." 
 
 The angler -would imagine that he had caught a much larger 
 fish at first glance, but when he is weighed there is a great 
 falling off, as he is very thin in proportion to his length and 
 breadth ; still, when viewed sideways he is fine and handsome-
 
 BREAM. 63 
 
 looking. The female is extremely prolific, and in ponds will 
 breed so fast as to cause annihilation to other species through 
 absolute starvation. I may also remark that the bream is a sly, 
 crafty fish, and generally swims in shoals. 
 
 It is usual to ground-bait for him, and I think that boiled 
 barley and rice, mixed with bran, will be found most efficacious -. 
 also carrion gentles, and, as in other cases, this should be done 
 overnight Similar tackle should be used as in carp or tench 
 fishing, but a gut roach hook or one a little larger is requisite, 
 as owing to the small size of his mouth you would otherwise, 
 miss him ; and as a general rule I prefer small hooks, in propor- 
 tion to the size of the fish you are trying for ; in fact, the larger 
 descriptions are now almost exploded amongst fishermen, our 
 manufacturers having considerably improved in the quality of 
 material and finish. For bait, use a large red worm, well 
 scoured, or liver gentles, and these will be found as attractive as 
 any ; let your worm just touch the bottom, but with a gentle fish 
 about an inch off ; and when you observe a touch, let him take 
 the float some distance before you strike. This fish will some- 
 times rise with the bait, and cause your float to lift, which will 
 at once show that none save a bream is attacking the dainty 
 morsel ; in this case strike immediately. He affords the angler 
 very poor sport, as after a few rushes he will turn upon his side 
 and render himself captive without further resistance ; but the 
 great quantity that may be taken will console the fisherman for 
 want of excitement, more especially if the motto be "qumttitw 
 non qualitas.'" 
 
 There are many localities near London where these fish abound, 
 and one most easy of access, and where good sport is sure to be 
 obtained, is the Grand Surrey Docks, where, upon payment of u 
 shilling, an order may be procured for the day, or half a guinea 
 will frank the reader for the whole season. In the mast ponds 
 they are most numerous, and if there is a difference I prefer 
 No. 4, but they swarm in either, and occasionally the angler may 
 take a fine carp, an agreeable episode in his day's pleasure. 
 The Commercial Docks are also alive with them, but here a 
 director's order is necessary, which, however, may easily be 
 obtained.
 
 64 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 Dagenham Lake is another famous spot, and to reach it an 
 hour's ride on the Eastern Counties Railway will take you to 
 Rainham Station. Alighting there, a walk across the marshes 
 will bring you to the object of your wishes, and upon payment 
 of a shilling, fifty or sixty pounds weight may be taken ; in fact, 
 it is no unusual occurrence for the angler to catch more than he 
 cares to be troubled with in his walk back to the station. Foul 
 although as a rule these fish are, in this water they are most 
 intolerably so ; but whether their filthy and repulsive state arises 
 from the water or other causes is a matter of opinion and 
 speculation. At a small beer-shop near the fishery, an old 
 couple dwell, whose united ages amount to 172 years, from 
 which circumstance it may be inferred that, if the water is foul, 
 the air is salubrious, or that they have " pursued the even tenor 
 of their way," remote from the fast living and excitements which 
 prevail in large towns. 
 
 About the best station on the Thames for a day's sport is 
 Weybridge, and thither I will beg the reader to accompany me, 
 as he will possess two advantages in choosing this locality viz., 
 that if he is unsuccessful in the river, he can try the lake in 
 Oatlands Park, permission being easily obtained for that purpose. 
 Leaving the railway station, half an hour's stroll will bring you 
 to the town of Weybridge, and the first thing that attracts the 
 eye and freshens the heart is a monument erected to the good 
 and charitable Duchess of York, by the grateful inhabitants. 
 Oatlands Park was formerly the seat of that beautiful and 
 virtuous being and her husband ; although now I believe that 
 the noble domains have been purchased by an hotel company, 
 whose evident object is (unlike the angler's) the pursuit of loaves 
 as well as fishes, and where formerly the great and noble assem- 
 bled, and intellect and beauty alone dwelt, trade and money- 
 making now usurps the sway. The bacchanalian song is or will 
 be heard, where once the soft tones of the guitar floated upon 
 the air, and the love song or serenade has given place to sounds 
 of a more vinous nature. The surrounding country is very 
 beautiful, and the scenery delightful. 
 
 As the object of the reader, however, is not to dwell upon 
 historical reminiscences or natural and picturesque scenes, I
 
 BREAM. 65 
 
 would recommend him at once to put himself under the care of a 
 <aiide, who will conduct him to the best swims, and, if possible, 
 ensure him the most favourable success, and at the same time 
 impressing upon him the fact that although at this station more 
 (lr)h may be taken in one day (when on feed) than the well of 
 the punt will hold, yet, vice versa, some days and weeks elapse 
 wherein the angler is most truly unfortunate and unsuccessful.
 
 66 
 
 CHAPTER XH. 
 GUDGEON {Cyprinus Gobio.) 
 
 Where on the shallow gleams the yellow sand, 
 
 And pebbles white adorn the golden strand, 
 
 There, brightly glancing, and in myriads, teem 
 
 This pleasing species of the winding stream. 
 
 In shape cylindrical, and pale brown back, 
 
 With sides of silver, and with spots of black ; 
 
 Diminutive, he yet will sport ensure 
 
 With savoury flesh he tempts the epicure ; 
 
 Affords the tyro practice, to make good 
 
 His hand, unskilled in mystics of the flood ; 
 
 Yet, hapless he ! when in the meshes caught, 
 
 For cruel, direful purpose he ia sought : 
 
 On hook impaled, to tempt the daring pike, 
 
 Or lure the perch, impetuous to strike 
 
 Unable to retreat, with fear consumed, 
 
 In cavern'd maw his writhing form's entombed I AUTHOR. 
 
 Although diminutive in size, the gudgeon is by no means to 
 be viewed with contempt or derision ; for not only is he a well- 
 shaped and tolerably good-looking fish, but is also most valuable, 
 as affording fine practice for the beginner. He averages about 
 five inches in length, with back of brownish hue, spotted, as is 
 the tail also, with black ; while his sides and belly are of silver. 
 The upper jaw is somewhat longer than the lower, and short 
 wattles, with forked tail, will about complete his description. 
 Though abounding in all rivers, they prefer the sluggish to 
 those of greater rapidity, and generally, like perch, swim in 
 shoals. They spawn about May, and select stones and gravelly 
 bottoms among which to deposit their burdens. 
 
 For tackle, tako a light cane rod, hair line, porcupine, or
 
 GUDGEON. 07 
 
 patent quill float, and small No. 10 hook, baiting with gentle or 
 blood -worm ; fish on the bottom, and strike when you have a 
 bite, as they take the bait very freely. Any fisherman may be 
 completely satisfied with the sport they show, as when once 
 among them you pull one out every swim, and such success is 
 of course pleasing. Try for them on the shallows, with gravelly 
 or .sandy bottoms, as they are somewhat fastidious, and eschew 
 mud and filth in toto, and in all weathers and seasons they will 
 bite greedily. Of a prolific nature, they abound in the Colne, 
 Lea, New River, and in fact, all others ; although, perhaps, they 
 run larger in the Thames, which stream is, beyond doubt, the 
 most preferable when you are in quest of them. 
 
 They differ from many others, such as chub, bream, barbel, 
 &c,, in forming a very excellent and delicious dish, as the flesh 
 is firm, white, and very digestible, not possessing to such an 
 extent that earthy taste which characterises the roach, and other 
 species. In many Continental waters they exist in great pro- 
 fusion ; the river Seine especially teems with them, and they 
 are highly appreciated by the Parisians ; in fact, almost dis- 
 puting the premiership with the national frog. 
 
 There are large quantities caught to supply piscators for jack 
 and perch fishing, as he is a great favourite for both trolling and 
 live-bait ; and I prefer him to any other description, inasmuch 
 as he keeps fresh, the scales retain their brightness longer, and 
 the prey knows well where to seek him ; and for this purpose he 
 can be procured at almost any fishing-tackle shop ; and if the 
 reader wishes to try his gastronomic qualities without the 
 trouble of catching him, any weight of them are easily obtained. 
 
 When fishing for gudgeon, a rake is absolutely necessaiy, with 
 which to disturb the bottom, as it acts in a manner as attractive 
 as ground-bait, and many times, when out trying for dace and 
 unsuccessful in the deeps, I have pursued this plan on the 
 shallows, and returned laden with spoil. This is not generally 
 known as regards dace, but is a very killing mode of taking 
 them. You may sometimes hook a good perch on these 
 occasions, and your tackle being so frail, the arduous matter 
 you have to secure him will cause an agreeable interlude in 
 your day's pastime. Many favourable spots are known, where
 
 68 PISCATOBIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 the expense of a punt may be avoided ; Hampton is one, where 
 for sixpence you can fish all day, in fact, at any station on the 
 river good sport may be met with. 
 
 Among the various localities in the neighbourhood of London, 
 perhaps a more delightful one could not be selected for reducing 
 the theory of the foregoing remarks to practice than Richmond, 
 which has truly been characterised as the " finest village in the 
 British dominions," its ancient name, Sheen, implying as much, 
 and signifying, in the Saxon tongue, " resplendent/' 
 
 Such charming scenery endows this spots that the first or 
 second Edward built a palace in the neighbourhood, and the 
 historical student may have discovered that here the brave 
 Edward HI. died of grief for the loss of his son, the heroic and 
 gallant Black Prince. Here, also, succumbed to the great 
 destroyer the queen of Richard II., to whom the fair ones of 
 England are indebted for the graceful attitude they now exhibit 
 on horseback, instead of the masculine, and I should say some- 
 what uncomfortable, position they formerly occupied, Anne 
 having invented the side-saddle. 
 
 From this period until 1400 the palace underwent great 
 changes, being destroyed and rebuilt at the caprice of the 
 intervening sovereigns. In that year Henry "VTL erected a most 
 magnificent structure, and decreed that the village should hence- 
 forth be called Richmond, in commemoration of the title he held 
 before obtaining the crown. Here the virgin queen, the 
 magnanimous Elizabeth, was imprisoned for some time during 
 the brief reign of her heartless sister, and upon this spot her 
 great and illustrious career was brought to a close by death. At 
 Richmond, abounding in such historical and national associations, 
 was educated the volatile king who is notorious as "having 
 never said a foolish thing, and never done a wise one ; '' and 
 strange as it may appear, a bishop is said to have been his 
 tutor; not that he inculcated many theological doctrines or 
 moral sentiments, if we are to judge from the gay life and 
 amorous propensities of the ' nierrie monarch." Who, however, 
 can severely censure his free and luxurious mode of living, 
 when, emerging from the difficulties of exile, he found himself 
 king of a great nation, glorying in its reinstated Constitution,
 
 GUDGEON. 69 
 
 which had been upset by the Roundhead colonel, Cromwell? 
 Thoughts now crowd upon us of the frail and fair Nell Gwynne, 
 and the dark and fiery Portsmouth ; and the witty Charles now 
 surrounded by every costly luxury, who was once glad to share 
 the coarse crust with a humble peasant. Truly, time brings to 
 light strange events. 
 
 From the contemplation of courts and kings we revert to that 
 sweet delineator of Nature, the poet Thompson, who resided here 
 at Rossdale House ; and in the beautiful gardens attached to the 
 mansion was an alcove, wherein he composed some of his most 
 charming measures. Above it was inscribed the words, 
 
 " Here Thompa n sung the seasons and their change." 
 
 I extract the following, which may interest my readers, from 
 an old work : " Thompson was buried at the west end of the 
 north aisle of Richmond Church. There was nothing to point 
 out the spot of his interment, till a brass tablet, with the 
 following inscription, was put up by the Earl of Buchan : ' In 
 the earth below this tablet are the remains of James Thompson, 
 author of the beautiful poems entitled, 'The Seasons,' 'The 
 Castle of Indolence,' &c., who died at Richmond, on the 27th of 
 August, and was buried there on the 29th O.S., 1748. The Earl 
 of Buchan, unwilling that so good a man and sweet a poet should 
 be without a memorial, has denoted the place of his interment 
 for the satisfaction of his admirers, in the year of our Lord, 
 1792." 
 
 I cannot pay a more graceful tribute to the memory of the 
 poet than by concluding this chapter with his own sweet lines, 
 so descriptive of the luxuriant prospect : 
 
 " Say, shall we ascend 
 Thy hill, delightful Sheen ? Here let us sweep 
 
 The boundless landscape. Now the raptured eye 
 Exulting, swift to huge Augusta send ; 
 Now to the sister hills* that skirt her plain, 
 To lofty Harrow now, and now to where 
 Majestic Windsor lifts his princely brow." 
 
 Highgate and Hampstead.
 
 70 
 
 CHAPTER 
 THE KENNETT AND AVON. 
 
 " We hold communion with sweet Nature's self 
 In plying our dear craft" 
 
 " Once more upon the waters, and once more," sang the im- 
 mortal poet, and although " no wave bounds beneath me like a 
 steed that knows his rider," yet in an humble and subdued form 
 I experience a pleasure in throwing a line into the glassy bosom 
 of the stream, when others tempt the dangers and terrors of the 
 mighty deep. Fishing is a pacific amusement, and particularly 
 pleasing to all who delight in the calm solitudes where Xature 
 reigns fragrant and beautiful, and her luxuriance is displayed 
 in endless variety and innumerable shapes, which throw a repose 
 over the mind agitated by business cares or the troubles of this 
 chequered existence. Man naturally seeks a channel in which 
 to direct his energies and pursuits. War, the chase, racing, 
 form the nobler and perhaps the more seductive and entrancing 
 occupations to which he may devote his attributes ; yet deep 
 delight is ofttimes found in the silent and sequestered dell, 
 where lurks the graceful trout ; or on the banks of the noble 
 Tiver, where the fresh-water shark, with ravenous fury and 
 daring courage, causes you to exercise care, nerve, and judgment 
 in drawing him from the domain in which he reigns despotic 
 and triumphant. The "dead shot" may traverse the stubble, 
 and drop his bird left and right with keen enjoyment ; or the 
 Nimrod may felicitate himself upon riding straightest across 
 country, and after leading a well-appointed field, congratulate 
 himself upon being " first in ;" but I question if his satisfaction 

 
 THE KENN-ETT AND AVO*. 71 
 
 is greater than that of the Piscator who presents his friend with 
 a good dish of fish upon his return from a ' Ramble " replete with 
 pleasurable incidents and endowed with healthy enjoyment 
 
 Hearing that good sport was to be obtained for jack and trout, 
 in the neighbourhood of Xewbury and Reading. I and my fishing 
 chum overhauled our kits, and providing ourselves with live-bait, 
 in the shape of minnows, gudgeon, and dace, took an early train 
 from Paddington, and alighting at Aldennaston Station, pro- 
 ceeded to the Hare and Hounds, Beenham, a distance of about 
 half a mile, which spot had been recommended to us by an old 
 disciple of the rod as the best locale, and a half-way house 
 between Newbury and Reading. After breakfast, we tried the 
 Kennett round the locks, in the close vicinity of Aldermaston, 
 for jack; but after some hours fruitlessly employed (only 
 securing one fish,) we adjourned to dinner, and consulted our 
 landlord as to ulterior proceedings, as our object was taking fish. 
 Following his instructions, we crossed the river by the swing 
 bridge, and walking through the fields, arrived at a splendid 
 piece of water, and prepared to wipe out previous failures by 
 attempting here a good catch. However, the fates were against 
 us, and we were again compelled to seek our fortune lower down 
 the river, which entailed half an hour's walk, in consequence of 
 having to make a considerable detour to avoid trespassing upon 
 the flourishing crops. The spot reached, however, rewarded our 
 perseverance, and as this was the principal locality where we 
 obtained sport, I proceed to give an account of the water, and 
 the mode of fishing adopted. 
 
 The water being very bright and weedy, so that it would be 
 impossible to spin, large masses of bulrushes and other aquatic 
 plants completely choking a great portion of it, I fancied it a 
 favourable spot to try with live-bait and accordingly proceeded 
 to attach the requisite tackle, which I delineate. A strong 
 hickory rod, large rings to allow the line to pass to freely, with 
 about sixty or eighty yards of silk or Russian braid (which latter 
 I prefer,) large plugged cork float, gimp trace, with swivel, gimp 
 double hooks, and bait with a nice lively dace or gudgeon. 
 And to bait your hook, observe the following directions : Pass 
 the loop of your hook through the eye of your baiting needle,
 
 72 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 then with the bait in the palm of the left hand, with the head 
 towards you, pass the needle half an inch below the gill, and 
 just beneath the skin, bringing it out about an inch from the 
 tail, care being taken not to injure the bait, as the more lively it 
 is the greater the chance of its success. Unfortunately, the 
 water now spoken of is crammed with bulrushes, so tough and 
 abundant that I lost two good fish, as directly they took the bait 
 they struck into them to gorge, and it was impossible to draw 
 them from their covert, in consequence of the line being en- 
 tangled round the sterna. Not to be foiled, however, I attached 
 a snap hook, and with this captured four fish, averaging 31b 
 each, in an hour and a quarter. 
 
 My friend, who was roach fishing some little distance off, with 
 a woeful countenance here informed me that something evidently 
 as large as a Newfoundland dog was taking his fish as soon as 
 hooked, besides making free with a favourite float, &c. To 
 attempt to relieve him from his difficulty I repaired to the spot, 
 placing the gudgeon with which I had ^>een fishing in the kettle 
 to keep him fresh, and avoid the loss of time in baiting again, 
 and dropped him in the swim that had proved so unfortunate to 
 my friend. About the second cast, away went the float at 
 railway speed, and it required all my dexterity to pay out fast 
 enough to avoid checking him. Before half the usual gorging 
 time had elapsed, away went the line again, when I immediately 
 pulled in the slack, and struck him hard, upon which he 
 instantly darted down stream into the rapid water, and all 
 attempts to turn him were ineffectual until he arrived at a bed 
 of weeds some forty yards distant, on the other side the water, 
 where he stopped, and I found it impossible to remove him. 
 
 This was a position that required a council of war ; and after 
 an astute consultation, made more brilliant by referring to our 
 flasks, which caused the brain to strike upon almost impossible 
 expedients, we determined upon the following viz.. I despatched 
 my friend over the bridge to the opposite side, provided with a 
 drag hook and line attached, thinking that if I gave the enemy 
 more line he would make further down stream, and that my 
 companion might have the opportunity of casting the drag over 
 the line, and thus draw the fish to him. This turned out
 
 THE KENNETT ANT) A VOX. 73 
 
 exactly as I anticipated, and landing him in accordance with our 
 wishes, he proved to be a fine fellow, approaching 81b, hi excel- 
 lent condition. The piscatorial wanderer would do well to 
 carry out 'this modus operandi in any similar difficulty. 
 
 My friend resuming his roach fishing in the still water at the 
 side of the weir, hooked three trout, two of which, however, 
 broke away, the third captured weighed about 21b ; so, thinking 
 a change advisable, I rigged the following tackle, and proceeded 
 to try for them : A fine silk running line, gut trace, with 
 swivels, and well leaded, a flight of hooks, consisting of two 
 triangles, a lip, and good-sized tail hook, and baited with a nice- 
 sized minnow. After trying some little time, I struck a good 
 fish, and played him in twice, when he broke from the hook, 
 which misfortune, I imagine, was caused by it not getting a 
 good hold, the mouth of this fish being very hard and bony. 
 However, nine jack, a few good trout and perch, and any quantity 
 of roach, rewarded our endeavours, which sport may tempt any 
 of my readers to try the water when their inclination prompts 
 them, and by following the hints here given, they may meet with 
 like success. 
 
 Repairing to our hostelrie, we concluded a delightful trip by 
 taking in the viands and strong waters so excellently provided 
 by our obliging landlord, host Charlton, and I doubt not but the 
 same good cheer and civility will be extended to future piscatora 
 as was to ourselves.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 DATCHET. 
 
 ALTHOUGH looked upon by many as an inferior species, the 
 roach in my opinion is a very handsome fellow, affording no 
 mean sport to the fisherman, and when cooked with sufficient 
 care, and by those acquainted with the culinary art, forming a 
 most agreeable addition to the breakfast-table. Characterised 
 by the father of angling, the renowned " old Izaak," as the 
 fresh-water sheep, he does not, however, seem deserving of the 
 stigma cast upon his tribe, for shy as he doubtless is by nature, 
 he will take the bait freely and with avidity, and being gifted 
 with great strength in the water, will carry on the combat with 
 determination, and if of a tolerable size, will yield only after 
 considerable resistance, and when his struggles have jeopardised 
 the frail tackle used in his subjugation. A most delightful 
 appearance they present when the water is clear, glancing and 
 darting in shining groups after any object that attracts their 
 attention or appetite ; their silvery scales and ruby fins supply- 
 ing a picture at once beautiful and pleasing. At such times, 
 however, it is almost useless to attempt his capture, for although 
 he will seize a morsel of bread which may be thrown to him, 
 place a portion upon a hook and offer it to his notice, and you 
 will perceive that after a careful inspection, instinct or reason 
 (who shall decide which ?) will induce him to reject the deceitful 
 offering, as though he had an immediate perception of the latent 
 lure. 
 
 The finer the tackle used in trying for him the better. A 
 light flexible rod of bamboo, fine hair line and single hair hook.
 
 DATCHET. 7." 
 
 with thin quill or small cork float, will be found most applicable 
 to the necessities of the case ; although I believe that the hair 
 hook is more used to show the superior skill or adroitness of the 
 fisherman than because it is absolutely requisite, for fine gut 
 will suit each occasion, and supply every emergency. Gentles 
 for Thames fishing, and paste for more placid waters, are alone 
 requisite, and if the fisherman will plumb his depth with care, 
 and try about one or two inches from the bottom, and with ;i 
 turn of the wrist strike the moment he has a touch, no doubt he 
 will be successful, taking care, however, to keep his prey under 
 water when playing him in, otherwise to his chagrin, the 
 "thread, how exquisitely fine," will part, and the loss of the fish 
 and hook add to the mortification of the disconcerted piscator. 
 
 These observations are not malapropos, as a west-country 
 friend expressed a wish to experience some roach fishing, of 
 which he had heard so much indicative of the expertness and 
 fine manipulation of London fishermen ; and I determined to 
 jrratify him if possible, and for that purpose sought a spot where 
 they are to be met with and captured, if procurable anywhere in 
 the river. The eight o'clock train from Waterloo station duly 
 deposited us, after an hour's " durance vile," at Datchet, some 
 three or four miles from the Royal town of Windsor, and in the 
 immediate vicinity of the drain which empties into the Thames 
 the delectable refuse and sewerage of that famous town. For the 
 moderate disbursement of half a crown, we procured a punt, and 
 dispensing with the services of an assistant, cross the river, and 
 moor our ill-shapen boat stem and stern some fifteen or twenty 
 yards from the drain aforesaid, and about six or eight feet from 
 the bank. And here let me warn the reader that upon no 
 pretence whatever must he allow his unwary foot to stray for 
 an instant upon the bank which forms the boundary of the 
 Home Park, sacred to the privacy of our beloved sovereign. 
 Byron beautifully exclaims "Stop! for thy tread is on an 
 empire's dust!" and if no such solemn reflection causes the 
 hapless fisherman to arrest his progress, yet if he has any wish 
 to enjoy his freedom unmolested, I would recommend him to 
 beat a hasty retreat to his ark, hi this case a resting-place to 
 him as truly as it was to the dove of old, otherwise he will find
 
 76 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 himself in the grasp of a custos wearing our gracious Queen's 
 livery, and if he -were an arch-conspirator plotting against the 
 State, or a Guy Fawkes attempting the conflagration of Windsor 
 Castle, he could not be subjected to more rigorous treatment. 
 
 Throwing in our ground-bait a compound of clay and 
 gentles a few yards up stream, I carefully plumbed the depth, 
 and arranging everything for my friend comme il faut, started 
 him fairly upon his pursuit. Impaling my gentle, preparatory 
 to commencing operations myself, I was startled by an expletive, 
 sounding very much like a curse, "not loud, but deep," and 
 looking up, beheld the vacant eye of my friend fixed upon the 
 end of the line where the hook was, and where the fish should 
 have been. The affair was plain at once ; he had a bite, and 
 striking with a jerk sufficient to secure a twenty-pound jack, 
 his tackle of course had immediately parted. "Observe my 
 float attentively," I said, " and gain a little knowledge from my 
 modus operandi." Scarcely had the sentence been uttered when 
 the bobbing cork indicated a bite ; a turn of the wrist, and the 
 tightened line told that he was hooked ; and keeping him under 
 water, half a minute's play landed a nice fish of three-quarters 
 of a pound. 
 
 " I do not call this fishing," exclaimed my friend, somewhat 
 nettled at my success, "this is simply child's play, and as 
 different from proceedings in my county as rat killing is to 
 elephant shooting. Who would pursue with the deadly tube 
 a smoke-dried sparrow, when he could encounter danger and 
 risk by following with the rifled barrel the king of birds through 
 mountain fastnesses and over towering crags? and I vow the 
 disparity is as great between your fishing and mine." "And 
 pray what may be your mode of following the gentle art ? " I 
 asked, somewhat amused by his earnest manner, and dropping 
 into the well of the punt another half-pounder. "I will tell 
 you," he replied, " and then judge for yourself who has the best 
 sport, you or L 
 
 "Imagine, when a gale of wind sweeping round the Lizard 
 Point throws the seething waves in foaming masses into Mounts 
 Bay imagine then, that taking a boat we pull against both 
 wind and tide some four miles out and expecting every moment
 
 to be driven from our moorings, fish, fathoms deep, for skate, 
 lolb or 201b weight, or guonard, 31b or 41b ; when the heaving 
 bosom of the ocean, lashed almost to fury, compels you to use 
 a lead weighing at least a pound to sink your bait, not a 
 miserable gentle upon a three-hair line, but a slice of pilchard 
 upon a hook large enough to bear your weight, and a cord 
 strong enough to hang you," he spoke the last words rather 
 maliciously. " This I call sport, not unallied with danger, for 
 your frail craft becomes at times so insecure and precarious that 
 it is imprudent even to sneeze, and dangerous to indulge in a 
 cough ; and when carried by the excitement far into the night, 
 at last, with some hundreds weight of fish we start homeward, 
 imagine how the hot blood glows in our veins as the boat dances 
 from one phosphorescent wave to the other, and great skill and 
 care is requisite to prevent us being driven broadside on the 
 beach, and hopelessly engulfed by the retreating billows. Think 
 of that, I say, and then draw a comparison between that 
 situation and the one you now enjoy, sitting in a miserable punt, 
 with not a breath of air to disturb the calm surface of the water ; 
 put Uiat in the ' briar-root ' which I perceive you are preparing, 
 and then see how it will draw." 
 
 I must confess that the words of my friend made some 
 impression upon me. The idea of fishing in "the dark and 
 deep blue ocean," especially when there was sufficient danger to 
 give additional excitement, seemed surrounded by charms 
 unknown in the usual routine of our sport In vain I attempted 
 to urge upon him that brute force was merely required in the 
 case he had so eloquently quoted, while quickness of eye, 
 dexterity of hand, and fineness of touch, were essential to ensure 
 success in our mode of fishing ; he would not listen to it, and my 
 argument was considerably weakened by certain misgivings 
 entertained by myself upon the subject After some little delay 
 he consented to try again, and was tolerably successful, and 
 although the wind to an extent spoilt our fun, yet a very fair 
 catch restored the equanimity disturbed somewhat by our late 
 discussion, and when we sought the comforts of this life in the 
 primitive and old-fashioned ' public " at Datchet, some fourteen 
 pounds of good fish rewarded our patience. 
 
 H2
 
 78 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 The river in this part is very beautiful in fact, a pull to 
 Windsor is replete with varied and striking scenery ; the park 
 now clad in sober russet on the one side, and picturesque villas 
 and spreading lawns on the other, charming the eye, whilst an 
 occasional Eton " eight oar " dashing by, or a boat laden with 
 fair and beauteous women increase the pleasures of the 
 situation; and I would earnestly recommend my readers to 
 visit the locale in question.
 
 79 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 THE EEL (Anguilla vulgaris.) 
 
 Connecting liak between the fish and snake, 
 
 In form how wonderful how strange in make ; 
 
 With smooth exterior, yet body scaled, 
 
 In thee creating, Nature nearly failed. 
 
 How like a serpent to the outward view, 
 
 Yet no internal attributes accrue j 
 
 From stream to stream migrating, when the grass 
 
 With bells of dew affords a ready pass ; 
 
 In flesh how delicate, yet filth allays 
 
 Thy appetite in mud drag out thy days. 
 
 Gifted with life prolonged, the darksome hole 
 
 Becomes thy home a kind of river mole 
 
 From which protruding head would grasp the prey 
 
 Too closely roving in thy slimy way. ACTHOK. 
 
 What sliall I call you, strange and nondescript being? Ex- 
 ternally like a snake, .or the veritable serpent that gammoned 
 Mrs. Eve from her propriety, yet in the internal organs and 
 characteristics of the skeleton, how -widely different ; a duality, 
 yet in appearance but one ; in nature to an extent amphibious 
 for authorities avow that they migrate in considerable numbers, 
 and that some time elapses during their progress from one river 
 to another. Strange and startling sight it must be, to view an 
 army of the slimy creatures wriggling their tortuous way through 
 meadows covered with dew, which doubtless assists their un- 
 natural progress. I confess that such a spectacle would tend to 
 upset my equanimity, and while I doubt not the truth of the 
 statement, hope never to be an eye-witness of its veracity. 
 
 The eel is an inhabitant not only of rivers and stagnant
 
 80 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 waters, but also salt lakes and marshes ; almost all waters, both 
 in England and on the Continent, abound with them. They are 
 distinguished by great uniformity of colour, and by the lower 
 jaw being considerably elongated beyond the upper ; small, 
 graceful, pointed head, and eyes which possess the peculiarity of 
 being covered by a skin which is attached to the common 
 integument of the body. 
 
 Eccentric not only in habits, but make, the fins have con- 
 tinuous growth, the back being connected with the tail, and that 
 also with the vent fin. Both jaws are furnished with rows of 
 stiletto-like teeth, fine, and particularly sharp, which the reader 
 can discover by inserting his finger. The colour of his back is 
 olive brown, belly of silver, and pectoral fins tinged with red. 
 We come now to his greatest peculiarity. Underneath the 
 glutinous substance which covers his body, and which has 
 engendered the old proverb, " as slippery as an eel," are con- 
 cealed small scales, not perceptible when alive, but when 
 divested of his skin, and it has become pefectly dry, they are 
 very easily distinguised. Truly he is a funny fellow. I question 
 if anything in nature is so tenacious of life as the eel ; when 
 deprived of head and tail he still exists, and will exhibit 
 muscular movement when hours have elapsed, and, indeed, when 
 partially cooked. 
 
 By nature viviparous, they bring forth quantities of young 
 about the commencement of autumn, for the most part of very 
 diminutive size, and when I say that they attain a venerable age, 
 and in the cold weather bury themselves over a foot and a half 
 in the mud, I believe that I have touched upon most of their 
 characteristics and peculiarities, with the exception of stating 
 what most of my readers have already discovered that they are 
 most nutritious, and more particularly beneficial to those who 
 suffer from or are inclined to pulmonary affections, or those 
 whose failing strength requires restoration. Like most fish and 
 animals who exist upon filth and offal, their flesh boasts of great 
 flavour and whiteness. A most paradoxical state of things. 
 
 There are various modes of taking them, and inter alia, lay 
 lines, bobbing, and sniggling. Taking them in the order, named, 
 for lay lines take any piece of strong cord, furnished with a
 
 THE EEL. 81 
 
 quantity of hooks, and bait with well-scoured lob worms, small 
 fish, or, hi fact, any offal ; and the hot summer months, and 
 towards evening, will be found the most favourable time to try 
 for them. For bobbing, thread lob worms upon a piece of 
 worsted three or four yards long, then loop them up in hanks of 
 about four or five inches ; tie them in the middle, and attach 
 them to a strong piece of whip-cord. A few inches above the 
 worms fix lead, about a pound weight, then fasten the lot to a 
 strong pole, and you are ready to commence. Fish from a punt, 
 which is the best and safest method, as you are not so liable to 
 lose your fish, and you will soon become aware when they bite 
 by the tugs which the pole denotes. After giving due time, 
 pull up gently, as a jerk might cause them to let go, and they 
 will drop off into the punt 
 
 Sniggling is another and most successful mode, practised as 
 follows : Take a strong line (whip-cord is the best,) gimp hook, 
 and forked stick, about eight or ten feet long. Bait your hook 
 with a good lively lob worm, and place the line easily in the 
 cleft of the stick about two inches from the bait, and drop the 
 worm into the hole where he lurks. His head always being near 
 the aperture, he will draw it in, and after giving him a little 
 time you will secure him, your tackle being sufficiently strong 
 for that purpose. As he possesses great power in his stronghold, 
 it is sometimes a matter of time, and frequently a case of " pull 
 baker, pull devil." The best places to find him are in the holes 
 of banks, under weirs, mills, flood-gates, &c. In the docks they 
 run of a different colour to those in rivers, being darker on the 
 back, with yellowish belly, and these are not so highly esteemed 
 in a gastronomic sense as the silver description. 
 
 Large quantities can be taken "at one fell swoop" in the 
 following manner : Procure a sack, in which place any offal, 
 blood, chickens' guts, &c. ; distend the opening with a piece of 
 cane or wire, care being taken to have a running string, by 
 means of -which you can close the mouth. Sink this in any 
 locality where they " most do congregate," and you can take two 
 hundred weight at a time. This is considered poaching, and not 
 in accordance with the rules of fair fishing ; but bobbing and 
 sniggling are almost as bad, and I do not view the eel as being
 
 82 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 entitled to the same fair play as other fish, as he is a cross-bred, 
 indescribable fellow, almost verging on the lusvs naturae, and 
 holds the same equivocal position in the stream that a stoat or 
 weasel does on land ; for whilst the latter sucks the eggs and 
 destroys the young birds, the slippery subject of this chapter 
 plays the demon with the spawn of fish, which would otherwise 
 afford the sportsman amusement.
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 THE GRAYLING (Thymattus vulgaris.) 
 
 He loves the river with the water clear, 
 
 Where cascade musical falls on the ear ; 
 
 Bottom of gravel, or of rock composed, 
 
 And streams and pools, alternate, are opposed. 
 
 In shape most graceful, spots of green and gold, 
 
 Silver and blue, their various hues unfold; 
 
 With body tapering, and red-tipped fln, 
 
 The shoulders thick, and at the tail how thin ; 
 
 Belated to the trout and yet how wide 
 
 A difference the two will oft divide ! 
 
 When out of season trout, the grayling's best; 
 
 We war on one, and let the other rest AUTHOR. 
 
 The grayling, who belongs to the sabnonidce family, is very 
 similar in habits and nature to the trout, delighting in clear and 
 swift rivers, and swimming with the greatest rapidity. Like 
 his beautiful relative, he boasts of an elegant figure, but is some- 
 what longer and flatter, although rarely exceeding sixteen or 
 eighteen inches. He exhibits a graceful head, small and pointed. 
 The lateral line is straight, and in colour he is of a silvery grey 
 on the sides, but when first caught, most beautifully spotted with 
 green, blue, gold, and black. The eyes protrude in anything but 
 a pleasing manner, nor does the mouth boast of any beauty to 
 attract attention, but is, on the contrary, a drawback to bis 
 otherwise attractive appearance. The spawning-time is in April 
 and May, and in October and November he is in most perfect 
 condition, thus denoting a marked contrast to his relative, the 
 trout, with whom, however, he assimilates, in preferring streams 
 with gravelly and rocky bottoms, A greedy feeder, he rises ut
 
 84 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 the fly with the greatest eagerness, and worms, grubs, and every 
 description of aquatic insect are taken by him in a manner border- 
 ing on the voracious. Nor are these the only objects which 
 attract his appetite, for he labours under the suspicion of being 
 partial to the roe of other species of his confreres of the flood. 
 I make no apology for transcribing the following passage from 
 our great authority, the renowned " old Izaak," who, although 
 many of his dogmas are now exploded, is still looked up to as 
 the father of the gentle craft He says, " of grubs for grayling, 
 the ash grub, which is plump, milk white, bent round from head 
 to tail, and exceedingly tender, with a round head ; or the dock 
 worm or grub, of a pale yellow, longer, lanker, and tougher than 
 the other, with rows of feet all down his belly, and a red head 
 also, are the best I say for grayling, be'cause although a trout 
 will take both these, the ash grub especially, yet he does not do 
 it so freely as the other, and I have usually taken ten graylings 
 for one trout with that bait ; though if a trout come, I have 
 observed that he is commonly a very good one." 
 
 As observed previously, he is in finest condition in October 
 and November, and consequently those months are the best to 
 try for him, although such is the firmness and edible quality of 
 his flesh, that it is difficult to catch him in any month when he 
 is not prepared in every way to gratify the taste, or pander to 
 the fastidious requirements, of the bon vivant ; and many go so 
 far as to assert that he equals in gastronomic properties his 
 cousin, the trout, who is, in my humble opinion and judgment, 
 the most dainty that is brought within range of the culinary 
 art 
 
 Easily as th smaller ones are taken with the fly, which I 
 account for by the fact that they principally frequent the shallows 
 and streams, yet I believe that the best mode to be adopted in 
 trying for the larger description, who are to be found in deeper 
 water and pools, is with the worm or maggot ; and here I doubt 
 not that the reprehension of my brethren of the rod who alone 
 swear by the fly, and ignore bottom fishing in toto, will fall 
 upon my devoted head ; but I must bear their reproofs 
 with a mild and Christian-like spirit, acknowledging, at the 
 same time, the vast superiority of _the one over the other.
 
 THE GRAYLING. 85 
 
 Trying for him then in the deeper waters, I would recommend 
 ground-bait to be used to attract them together, and almost 
 anything will accomplish the required object Grubs of every 
 description whether from the tree or cabbage-plant it matters 
 not worms, gentles, &c., will be found sufficiently enticing. 
 Allow your bait to touch the ground, and use tackle simDar to 
 that required for roach. When you have a bite, the greatest 
 nicety and care is requisite in killing him, for he is most liable 
 to slip his hold, and it requires fine manipulation to secure him, 
 if he runs of any size. I would advise the reader to pursue the 
 same tactics as adopted with the roach, especially as the tackle 
 is so fine ; keep him under water, and allow him, if he wishes 
 it, plenty of time and line also, playing him in with great care, 
 and ever remembering to be provided with a landing net, a most 
 necessary addition to your kit. He has the reputation of being 
 a craven-hearted fish, succumbing easily when tackled ; but I 
 rather view this aspersion upon his character as a weak inven- 
 tion of the enemy. Walton states that when in perfect condition 
 he is very black about his head, gills, and back, with belly of 
 dark grey, tinted with black spots, from which circumstance he 
 concludes is derived his name of " umber." 
 
 They are to be met with in tolerably abundant quantities in 
 Hampshire and Wiltshire ; but after all, Yorkshire famous for 
 lovers, breeders, and judges of horseflesh is more celebrated for 
 its trout and grayling streams than any other county ; and to 
 particularise one or two, I will first mention the river Ure, and 
 again, to narrow the limit, will fix upon that portion of it which 
 flows near Masham, a market town about twenty miles from 
 Richmond, as being perhaps the most auspiciou's spot for a 
 fisherman to wet his fly in all Yorkshire. About a mile from 
 Masham is situated the beautiful and romantic edifice, formerly 
 the seat of the late Admiral Harcourt, a name familiar to all 
 sportsmen, and associated with Ellington, the winner of the Derby, 
 and Gildermire, who ran a dead heat with Governess for the 
 Oaks. Swinton Castle, for such is the name of the magnificent 
 structure, is embedded in a splendidly wooded park, well stocked 
 with deer, and embellished with a lake whereon aquatic birds of 
 choice plumage and rare breed play at " ducks and drakes " in 
 
 i
 
 86 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 undisturbed enjoyment. Wandering through the estate is a 
 stream denominated the Burn, a tributary -of the river Ure, and 
 this is par excellence the most favoured spot for trout and 
 grayling. 
 
 Yorkshiremen, as a body, have perhaps a greater horror of 
 bottom fishing than any other class, yet still I think that they 
 might descend from the altitude of their conceit, occasionally to 
 perform upon the grayling as we southern fishermen would, 
 seeing that he is in the most perfect condition when fly fishing 
 is entirely disposed of ; yet they are most killing hands with the 
 fly, and I must pause here to pay a tribute to the skill of Mr. 
 Thomas Glave, the brother of a most intimate friend of mine, and 
 a gentleman who has not only attained the highest celebrity at 
 Masham, but has also contributed many valuable papers upon 
 fly fishing, and the nature and habits of trout and gray- 
 ling, to several journals of note. Every favourite haunt of the 
 former, or nook where the latter lurks, is perfectly familiar to 
 him, and when bent upon a day's fishing, a glance at the sky, 
 and direction of the wind, is sufficient to enable him to decide 
 upon the fly requisite for the occasion. Every allurement to 
 entice and stratagem to sorrcumvent (as Hawke Eye would say) 
 the prey he is well up in when they are very shy, by allowing 
 his maggot to drop in a natural way from a stone or overhanging 
 bank, and other insidious and artful snares. The Burn, which 
 is principally the happy fishing ground, being densely wooded 
 in fact, almost shut in during the season by overhanging branches 
 causes much trouble to the piscator, although, of course, 
 rendering it a more valuable water for the speckled enemy ; and 
 the distance and accuracy of bis casts, under the difficulties 
 attendant, is somewhat marvellous, at least to a bottom-fisher. 
 A line tapering from six, four, two, until it concludes with a 
 single hair, is used by him in performing upon the .unsuspecting 
 and hapless victims, and the red hackle, with grub well 
 toughened in sand for the tail bait, and imitations of any other 
 he sees hovering over the stream at the time supply the rest of 
 the flight Upon one occasion a sedate rat, quietly " taking an 
 observation" from a stone upon the opposite side of the stream, 
 attracted his attention, whereupon he made a bet that he would
 
 THE GRAYLING. 87 
 
 secure him, and at the second cast actually landed the astonished 
 quadruped. In my piscatorial experience I have heard of a. 
 2lb jack being taken when roach fishing, and an animal of the 
 same genus as the one mentioned above being "nabbed" while 
 trying for chub with cheese ; (do you " smell a rat," reader ?) 
 but certainly the fact of one of the vicious vermin being caught 
 with a single hair hook rather astonishes my weak nerves, and 
 is, to say the least of it, a somewhat uncommon and dexterous 
 performance. 
 
 The Kibble, in its course through Yorkshire, is a great stream 
 for grayling, and trout also ; but perhaps the Swale, -which 
 springs from a mountainous district in Westmorland, boasts of 
 greater attractions to the flyfisher. That portion of the river 
 which flows by Richmond (famous for its magnificent scenery, 
 and the moors whereon so many fleet racers have been trained, 
 and from whence they have been led to glorious victories), i.s 
 justly celebrated for its grayling fishing, and Catterick Bridge is 
 also a well-known station.
 
 88 
 
 FISHING STATIONS. 
 
 THE THAMES. 
 
 THIS noble and truly magnificent river, the source of which is 
 in Gloucestershire, and which extends in its sinuous course some 
 three or four hundred miles, boasts of capabilities and facilities 
 to gratify the fisherman in a greater degree than any other 
 stream in Europe. The gorgeous scenery and historical re- 
 collections engendered by the various structures upon its banks 
 fail not to charm the wanderer, whether he be a student of 
 Nature, or merely a quiet piscator seeking a day's amusement in 
 seducing from its broad bosom its glittering inhabitants. The 
 most lofty poets, the most renowned actors, who have " held a 
 mirror up to Nature," and the most exalted and subtle statesmen, 
 have, one and all, sought upon its banks the retirement and 
 quietude so necessary to re-invigorate the body and strengthen 
 the mind worn out by constant application and wearisome 
 study. At Twickenham, Pope sang his sweetest strains of poesy ; 
 at Hampton, Garrick composed his masterpieces ; and by pro- 
 longed assiduity, perfected himself in that art, the delineation 
 of which electrified the world. At Windsor, a long line of 
 warlike monarchs upheld the barbaric splendour and grandeur 
 of feudal ages ; whilst Hampton Court Palace is a monument of 
 an ambitious prelate's greatness, and a silent witness of his dis- 
 grace and downfall. Thompson sang the glories of beauteous 
 Richmond, and the same well-known delightful spot now contains 
 the ashes of " the poet of the seasons ; '' 'twas here that the 
 great Elizabeth breathed her last troubled sigh, and the more
 
 FISHING STATIONS THE THAMES. K 
 
 Iminble, but not less lovely " lass," became the heroine of one of 
 our sweet English ballads, which will vibrate upon the heart 
 and live in the spirit for ages to come. 
 
 To dwell upon these subjects, however, requires time and 
 space not accorded to me ; so bidding them adieu with regret, I 
 proceed to enumerate a few of the principal fishing stations 
 where the object of this little work catching fish can be 
 successfully carried out. I observe no order or regularity in 
 naming them, but dot them down as they occur to my recollection. 
 
 BRENTFORD, situated about seven miles from London. Dace, 
 perch, and barbel are abundant, and occasionally trout may be 
 met with. Great historical interest attaches to this place, for 
 here, in the eleventh century, Edmund Ironsides defeated the 
 Danes, and Charles L obtained, in 1642, a victory over the 
 Roundheads. 
 
 RICHMOND, in Surrey, about nine miles from London, boasts of 
 scenery of the most beautiful description. As observed pre- 
 viously, Queen Elizabeth died here ; Edward I. or IL built a 
 palace, which was destroyed by fire and rebuilt by Henry "VTL, 
 who altered the name of the village from Sheen to Richmond, 
 in honour of the title he held before grasping the crown. It is 
 a most favourite fishing station, and almost every species are 
 found in abundance. 
 
 KINGSTON, a market town in Surrey, about eleven miles from 
 London. According to ancient traditions this place takes its 
 name from the circumstance of some of our Saxon kings being 
 crowned here, and the ceremony being performed upon a large 
 stone ; hence the name of Kingstone. It is a fine spot for barbel, 
 perch, dace, &c., although many think the fishing not so good 
 as it was before the old bridge was removed. 
 
 TEDDINGTON, a village in Middlesex, twelve miles from London. 
 It takes its name from the Saxon, Tycl-end-ton, signifying " the 
 end of the tide," which does not flow above it Barbel here are 
 found in large quantities, and great size. Every other species 
 are also to be secured in this locality. 
 
 TWICKENHAM, celebrated, and justly too, as the residence of 
 the immortal author of " The Rape of the Lock," is about tert 
 miles from London. Nor is it less famous for having been the 
 12
 
 90 PISCATORIAL pAMTU/Ra. 
 
 scene of the declining days of the great actress, Mrs. Clive, who 
 lived here in a cottage presented to her by Horace Walpole, who 
 also wrote in her honour the following expressive lines : 
 
 " Ye Smiles and Jests, still hover round, 
 This is Mirth's consecrated ground ; 
 Here lived the laughter-loving dame, 
 A matchlets actress, Clive her name. 
 The Comic Muse with her retired, 
 And ehed a tear when she expired." 
 
 It is much resorted to hy fishermen, and in the deeps plenty of 
 sport may be obtained. 
 
 HAMPTON, a village in Middlesex, about fifteen miles from 
 London, is famous for having been the residence of the great 
 Garrick, whose house, and the temple he built to Shakespeare in 
 his garden, still remain in statu quo. First-rate sport for barbel, 
 roach, gudgeon, &c., is here ensured, and the same remark 
 applies to 
 
 THAMES Drrrox, opposite Hampton Court, which enjoys a high 
 reputation for affording the piscator successful amusement 
 
 WALTOX is another very favourite station on the Surrey side 
 of the river, about eighteen miles from London. Large quantities 
 of barbel, roach, chub, dace, &c., can here be met with. 
 
 SUXBOKY, a village in Middlesex, about seventeen miles from 
 London. Some fine trout are taken in this place, near the weir, 
 and also gudgeons are to be met with in profusion. 
 
 SHEPPERTOX, also in Middlesex, nineteen miles from London. 
 Fine bank fishing can be had here, and there are also deeps 
 where perch, jack, chub, and other species abound. 
 
 WEYBRIDGE, in Surrey, about four miles from Hampton 
 Court, takes its name from a bridge formerly erected here over 
 the river Wey. Several charming seats and beautiful scenery 
 have made this place famous ; it is also a favourite fishing 
 station, and some fine trout are often taken here. 
 
 CHERTSEY, a market town in Surrey, about twenty miles from 
 London, boasts of historical reminiscences of no mean order. 
 It was here, according to Camden, that Julius Caesar first 
 crossed the Thames when he subjugated Britain. Here
 
 PISHINO STATIONS THE THAMES. 91 
 
 also was an abbey, where Henry VL was interred, although 
 afterwards removed to Windsor. A leaden coffin was also 
 discovered in this spot, containing the body of a woman quite 
 fresh, supposed to have been buried previous to the Conquest. 
 It is a good station for the rod ; trout^ jack, perch, &c., &c., 
 being plentiful. 
 
 STAINES, a market town in Middlesex, seventeen miles 
 from London. Here stands, or stood, London mark-stone, 
 the ancient boundary to the jurisdiction of the City of London 
 on the Thames. It is a well-known and most desirable locality 
 for lovers of the craft, and barbel, roach, chub, and gudgeon are 
 plentiful. 
 
 WINDSOR, a borough town in Berks, twenty-two miles from 
 London. Its ancient name was Windleshora, signifying "winding 
 shore," hence Windsor. The noble castle was built by William 
 the Conqueror, one of many erected by the same monarch as 
 strongholds of security. It was partially demolished by 
 Edward HI., and rebuilt by him under the superintendence of 
 the celebrated William of Wykeham, afterwards Bishop of 
 Winchester. Various additions and alterations were made by 
 succeeding kings, principally by Henry VHL, Elizabeth, and 
 Charles H., who entirely changed the appearance of the greatest 
 portion of it, and erected a magazine of arms. The principal 
 terrace, perhaps the noblest walk in Europe, is 1870 feet in 
 length. 
 
 Here in a vault are interred " bluff Hal," and his queen, Jane 
 Seymour ; Charles L, and a daughter of Queen Anne ; also 
 Henry VL and Edward IV. ; and I must close this brief allusion 
 to the glorious castle by quoting the beautiful lines of Popo 
 upon the two last-named monarchs : 
 
 " Let softer strains ill-fated Henry mourn, 
 And palms eternal flourish round his urn ; 
 Here, o'er the martyr-king the marble weeps, 
 And fast beside him, once-feared Edward sleeps, 
 Whom not th' extended Albion could contain, 
 From old Belerium to the northern main: 
 The grave unites where e'en the great find rest, 
 And blended lie th' oppressor and opprest"
 
 92 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 LALEILVM. in Middlesex, between Shepperton and Staines, 
 boasts of scenery of a most attractive nature, and has always 
 been a locality much sought after by fishermen. Some good 
 trout are taken occasionally, and the various species usually in 
 request by bottom-fishers are plentiful. 
 
 In the outlying districts we find Maidenhead, Reading, 
 Cookham, cum multis a/as, and all within easy distance of 
 London : but leaving now this subject I proceed to give a passing 
 notice of 
 
 THE LEA. 
 
 THIS river rises out of Seagrave Marsh, in the south of 
 Bedfordshire, and flows by Hertford and Ware, from which latter 
 place it is navigable to London. " The sweet sunny banks of 
 the Lea" are not wanting in pleasing scenery or poetical 
 associations. Pope mentions it in the following expressive 
 line: 
 
 " The gulf y Lea his sedgy tresses rears," 
 
 and it is the boundary between the counties of Essex and 
 Middlesex. The chemical works and mills upon its banks are 
 sad drawbacks to the fishing facilities it would otherwise boast 
 of; still, many species are captured in considerable quantities, 
 with the exception of trout, and if they are met with anywhere 
 it will be at Denham. This river has oi late years been so 
 poached, netted, and otherwise unfairly treated, that its re- 
 putation as a good fishing stream has sadly deteriorated ; but 
 the following will be found the best places for the fisherman to 
 exercise his skill : 
 
 TEMPLE MILLS. Roach, barbel, chub, and gudgeon, during the 
 season, can be taken freely ; and being within an hour's walk of 
 London, it is a favourite spot. 
 
 THE WHITE HOUSE, on Hackney Marsh, belonging to the 
 highly respected Mr. Beresford, is a much frequented and well- 
 known locality for anglers. There is a fine collection of various 
 kinds of fish taken in the neighbourhood, preserved with great
 
 FISHING STATIOXS THE LEA. 93 
 
 care, in the parlour of the house in question. Every description 
 of the inhabitants of the stream are to be met with in profusion, 
 and Mr. George Beresford, who is as killing a hand with the gun 
 as he is successful with the rod, can produce, for the inspection 
 of the curious, specimens of many rare birds shot by him upon 
 the marshes. Civility, attention, and every facility to ensure 
 good sport is afforded by the obliging proprietor, and a visit will 
 well repay the piscatorial aspirant. A guinea for the season 
 embraces all fishing, or a shilling per diem includes every 
 branch, save trolling. 
 
 THE HORSE AND GBOOM. For upwards of a century a famous 
 spot. About two miles of water on each side are at the disposal 
 of the fisherman, and the terms are the same as at the station 
 named above. Being in the vicinity of the locks, fish are 
 plentiful. 
 
 TOTTENHAM MILLS and BLEAK HALL are also within easy 
 distance of town, and well-known favourite places, plentifully 
 supplied with all kinds and species. 
 
 WALTHAM ABBEY is a spot teeming with historical recol- 
 lections, and is situate twelve miles from London. King Harold 
 here founded a magnificent abbey, in honour of a cross supposed 
 to have been placed in this spot by miraculous agency, and from 
 that circumstance the western portion is called Waltham Cross. 
 The tower of the church was erected in the reign of Queen 
 Mary, and the ruins of the abbey denote that it was of Gothic 
 architecture. Henry ILL, to avoid the expenses of a court, lived 
 in it, and granted to the town of Waltham a market and a fair. 
 King Harold and his two brothers, after the famous but fatal 
 battle of Hastings, where they all fell, was interred in the 
 ancient church, although some traditions assert that he was not 
 slain, but lived as a monk, unknown save to a few, in the abbey 
 for years after the Conquest. History, however, negatives this 
 legend. A plain stone was said to cover his remains, with this 
 solemn and brief inscription, "Harold Infelix," and a stone 
 coffin was found in Elizabeth's reign, and supposed to be his, the 
 skeleton in which crumbled to dust upon exposure to the air. 
 About a century ago another leaden one was discovered, con- 
 taining, as imagined, the bones of one of his brothers. Of
 
 94: PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 course, doubt of a grave nature is attached to these siirmises, but 
 be they true or false, we can only breathe the old tale, "Sic 
 transit gloria mundi !" 
 
 THE RYE HOUSE. Built in the reign of Henry VL, and 
 memorable in history as the scene of the plot laid for the 
 assassination of the witty monarch, Charles II., the ringleader in 
 which, Rumbold, had formerly served in Cromwell's army. 
 Among the conspirators we find the illustrious names of Mon- 
 mouth (ill-fated yet accomplished duke !) Russell, Essex, 
 Howard, Sidney, and Hampden ; but it is a question if much, 
 save idle talk, took place at their various seditious meetings, 
 although the unfortunate Colonel Walcot, with many others, 
 lost their heads in consequence. 
 
 This is, perhaps, the most favourite of all suburban waters, 
 and not only does the fisherman frequent it, but thousands of 
 Londoners, bent upon enjoyment and holiday-making, visit it in 
 the summer season the beautiful grounds affording every 
 facility for the pleasure-seeker, and every variety of game 
 ensuring hilarity. The old banquetting-room, the ancient 
 cave, and the general appearance of the semi-modern building, 
 inspire respect and attention ; whilst, to keep to the more 
 legitimate object of the present work, the fishing capabilities are 
 of the highest order. 
 
 THE DOCKS 
 
 Are to London anglers a never-failing source of amusement and 
 recreation; and as they for the most part swarm with every 
 variety of the finny race, they yield good sport. The East and 
 West India Docks are first-rate localities, and can easily be 
 entered by those desirous of a day's fishing, an order from a 
 director being obtained without any difficulty. A shilling per 
 rod is the usual charge in the others, and the only thing advis- 
 able to notice, is the direction of the winds, and the state of the 
 tides. In east or north-east winds but little success attends the 
 efforts of the fisherman, and during the spring tides, when
 
 FISHING STATIONS THE NEW RIVER. 95 
 
 supplies of water find their way into the dock^ fish will not feed 
 for some days together. 
 
 There are also several private subscription-waters near 
 London, where the bottom-fisher can find any quantity of 
 sport, and perhaps the best is the Kingsbury or Welsh Harp 
 fishery, a large lake, well stocked with perch, jack, roach, &c., 
 and which forms also an extensive reservoir, belonging to the 
 Regent's Canal Company. 
 
 Perhaps, in concluding this brief notice of the principal fishing 
 stations near London, it would be as well to make passing 
 mention of 
 
 THE NEW RIVER, 
 
 Which was, as the historical reader no doubt is aware, brought to 
 London from Herts by the indomitable perseverance and private 
 enterprise of Mr. Hugh Middleton, afterwards knighted by 
 Charles II. He commenced this arduous yet necessary under- 
 taking in the third year of the reign of James I., and after 
 surmounting numerous obstacles, and bringing the water as far 
 as Enfield, he was brought to a standstill for want of funds. 
 Applying to the City to assist him in prosecuting the enterprise, 
 and being subjected to a refusal, he made application to the 
 King, who upon receiving one moiety of the undertaking, agreed 
 to pay half the expense, and all went on with vigour and success. 
 On Michaelmas day, 1G13, the water was brought into the basin 
 at the New River Head, Islington, in the presence of Sir Thomas 
 Middleton, the projector's brother, and a grand concourse of nobles. 
 In 1G19 it was incorporated, under the name of the New River 
 Company; and the first dividend of .11. 9s. Id. per share was 
 declared in 1C33. The affairs of the Company, however, pro- 
 gressed so unfavourably that the " nierrie monarch,'' despairing 
 of its success, agreed to give up his share in consideration of an 
 annual rental of 500 paid to himself and heirs, a proceeding he 
 had soon cause to regret, for the shares continued to increase in
 
 96 riSCATCKIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 value, until they have reached the fabulous price they are now 
 quoted at 
 
 Its fishing capabilities are great, even in the immediate 
 neighbourhood of " merrie Islington," the inhabitants of the 
 stream swarm in endless variety, and until recent years, fish of 
 large size were taken in the river by Colebrook Row, now, alas ! 
 covered over. Plenty of roach and jack are still to be found in 
 the water as it winds by Willow Row and the Marquis Road, in 
 which former place is situated the house once occupied by the 
 witty Charles Lamb, while a few hundred yards to the north of 
 the latter may be viewed old Canonbury Tower, an ancient 
 edifice, supposed to have been built by William Bolton, in the 
 reign of Henry "VJLLL Being a Prior of the Canons of St 
 Bartholomew, Smithfield, from him it took its name. Canonbury 
 i.e^ Canon's House. Edward VI. afterwards granted the manor 
 to John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, whose ambition, involving 
 not only his own ruin, but that of his daughter-in-law, the 
 beauteous Lady Jane Grey, it was upon his execution bestowed 
 upon Sir John Spencer, Alderman, of London, whose riches and 
 honours eventually turned him mad. The brick tower, still 
 remaining, is fifty-eight feet high and seventeen feet square, and 
 externally and internally retains great part of its olden style and 
 appearance. 
 
 Pursuing its course, we come to the Sluice House, a favourite 
 resort of Londoners, to whom the beautiful gardens and cricket 
 fields attached prove great attractions, and where also good 
 fishing can be met with. This ancient and well-known esta- 
 blishment is in the occupation of Mr. Davey, himself a first-rate 
 fisherman, from whom every information relative to the water, 
 &c., can be procured ; and a little farther on, we approach 
 Highbury Park Tavern, the gardens attached to which skirt 
 the river's edge, and where bleak in any quantity can be 
 taken with the fly in the season. Crossing the road, leading 
 from Xewington Green to the Manor House, we come to a beau- 
 tiful mansion and extensive grounds, belonging to Cresswell, 
 Esq. ; and the portion of the river which winds through this fine 
 estate boasts of every species of fish, from the tyrant of the 
 stream, jack, to the shy and timid roach; while under the bridges
 
 LONDON FISHIXG CLUBS. !7 
 
 lurk chub of large size. It is needless to particularise further 
 this river, in which the aspirant or adept may procure good 
 sport at a convenient distance from the Metropolis, and whose 
 banks teem with scenery of a pleasing nature, and are charac- 
 terised by villas and seats of a romantic description. 
 
 London fishermen form a numerous and most important body 
 of sportsmen, and are, perhaps, the most skilful and scientific 
 manipulators with the rod in the world. There are many clubs 
 in existence which encourage the love of angling, and the 
 members are expert to a degree in all that appertains to the 
 river or stream, in a piscatorial sense. The oldest and most re- 
 nowned is the Walton and Cotton, which boasts of a magnificent 
 collection of fish, the proceeds of the enterprise and perseverance 
 of its members. It is held at the Crown and Woolpaek, St. John's 
 Street Road; and I have no doubt but that the honorary secre- 
 tary. Charles Stalain, Esq., would grant any fisherman an oppor- 
 tunity of inspecting it. 
 
 Knowing the pleasure which anglers feel in viewing- fine 
 specimens of the glittering tribe, I am empowered by Mr. Jones, 
 of King Street, Snow Hill, and a member of the Walton Club, to 
 signify his inclination to give any of his brethren of the rod the 
 entree to his private collection, perhaps as fine as any in London ; 
 and I may add that the whole of the fish in question are the 
 victims of his own prowess, which speaks well for his skill and 
 science as a fisherman.
 
 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 For fishing, use dark habiliments, as fish are very shy. and 
 distinguish light apparel easily. Always overhaul your kit 
 previous to a day's amusement, and he careful not to burden 
 yourself with too much useless tackle, as it not only incommodes 
 you, but looks anything but sportsmanlike. 
 
 You can easily find out the best baits to use, and -what the fish 
 are feeding upon, by cutting one open and investigating the 
 contents of his stomach. Take advantage of any shelter the 
 locality affords, as fish are by nature timid and easily disturbed, 
 and you may readily stand some distance from the bank, as it is 
 only requisite to retain an uninterrupted view of your float. 
 
 You will find that the best mode of fishing with the fly is 
 down the river, and not up stream, neither will it be necessary 
 for you to make many casts in one spot, either with the fly or 
 vrorm, for in a short period the fish will either offer to take the 
 bait or not stir at all. If you would have them bite freely and 
 without suspicion, you must offer to their notice such baits as 
 they are naturally inclined for, and in such a manner as they 
 are accustomed to. Watch the fly upon the water, and imitate it 
 as nearly as possible. 
 
 In rivers disturbed by rain, with a little breeze, the fish will 
 be found in the pools and deeps ; but if the wind be light and 
 the water clear, they will be met with in the swift streams. 
 
 Fish if possible with the sun at your back, and when making 
 a cast do not allow your line to touch the water. Let the line 
 be twice as long as the rod, unless the banks are too much
 
 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. i'. 
 
 encumbered to peiinit a fair cast In clear streams use a small 
 ny, but in muddy waters a larger one is requisite. A quick eye 
 and active hand are indispensable, to strike with the rising of 
 the fish, and in clear waters, and still places with little stream, 
 cast your fly across the river and let it sink a little, then draw 
 it back with the current. 
 
 Two persons in a punt are quite sufficient, if more, not only 
 are they in each other's way, but the boat being low occasions 
 a rush of water underneath and at the sides by no means 
 desirable ; and again, in leaning forward to strike, the extra 
 weight has a tendency to disturb the water and frighten the 
 fish. This applies particularly to roach fishing. 
 
 Although fishermen are generally an enthusiastic race, yet it 
 is by no means desirable to rush heedlessly into danger, either 
 by sitting upon damp grass, or keeping out in rough weather 
 without sufficient protection ; or the Waltonian aspirant will 
 assuredly secure, if not his fish, at least that complaint to which 
 most fishermen's flesh is heir viz., rheumatism. 
 
 Preserve unruffled your equanimity, and after losing a good 
 fish, instead of giving way to pardonable ill temper, calmly 
 prepare to replace the lost tackle in a sportsmanlike manner; 
 and always keep in your kit a piece of cobbler's wax, fine silk, 
 and india rubber, as in the event of any mishap, you have the 
 means at hand to make good the damage. 
 
 After using trolling lines, always dry them well, as it prevents 
 them rotting, and dress them occasionally, as it preserves them ; 
 and for this purpose beeswax is as good as anything, as it is 
 easily applied, creates no offensive filth, prevents friction as the 
 line rushes through the rings, and does away with the disagree- 
 ables attendant upon kinking. 
 
 A civil and obliging demeanour is ever the best, especially 
 with young fishermen. Avoid undue interference with any 
 other piscator you may happen to meet in your peregrinations, 
 nor be too ready to criticise his tackle, or mode of performing 
 upon the finny race. As a body, fishermen are proverbially 
 courteous and obliging, ever willing to afford assistance or 
 instruction to the tyro seeking the one, or desirous of the other ; 
 in fact, it is an amiable and friendly occupation altogether.
 
 100 PISCATORIAL RAMBLES. 
 
 It will be seen that the, present work is almost entirely 
 devoted to bottom fishing, yet it is my intention, if another 
 edition is called for. to treat with fly fishing in all its branches, 
 having a hope that the thorough and finished sportsman, who 
 writes upon all field sports under tlu 1 itmn d<- plume of "Benjamin 
 Budaud," will assist me with his valuable experience, and in- 
 dubitable knowledge, upon points, where no false pride prevents 
 me acknowledging myself by no means au fait, in addition to 
 which the introduction of other valuable matter is contem- 
 plated, comprising historical allusions to, and local descriptions 
 of, the most interesting fishing localities in England. 
 
 London: Printed by JAMES HUMPHKEVS. 26, Bryiiges Street, CoveufGardeu.
 
 000 037 932