Thames Trout-Fishing Triumph

Mr. Alfred, jun., of 54 Moorgate Street, City, which is a splendid specimen of Thames trout-fishing. His creel contained thirteen fish in all : one was twelve and a half pounds, one seven, and one five pounds ; and the residue were of more than average size. These were caught by an artificial bait (an imitation of a small gudgeon, manufactured by himself), by trolling. Two of these fine fish are now preserved, and may be seen at the above fishiug-taokle establishment. Such an exploit as this shows that the trout must have now become pretty numerous in the river, and that the late regulations respecting poaching and netting have operated beneficially for the interests of the fair angler. The inns in this place frequented by rod-fishers are the King's Arms, the Ship, and the Lincoln Arms ; and the fishermen are Keen, Purdue, and Milbourne. Chbetsey Bridge is a fair station for the rod. There are some good trout, and a considerable number of perch, jack, and chub. The official list gives four hundred and forty yards of preserved water, extending from the weir to eighty yards eastward of the bridge. The inns are the Cricketers, the Crown, and the Swan and the fishermen, Upjohn and Galloway. Lalkham and Penton Hook are places where good fly-fishing can be obtained. The trout are, on some favourable occasions, taken here in considerable numbers, and some of large size. The waters are preserved for ; THE THAMES 169 the distance of eleven hundred and fifty yards. The inn is the Horse Shoe ; and the fishermen the Messrs. Harris. Staines is now a favourite station for the London sportsman on the Thames. Trout-fishing has greatly improved here of late years. The preserved waters extend two hundred and ten yards east of the bridge. Barbel, roach, chub, and a fair portion of gudgeons are to be caught in this locality. The inns are the Bush, the Angel, and the Swan; and the fishermen, whom we have invariably found very civil and obliging, are Fletcher and Chambers. Windsor has now become a very fair trout station some fine large fish have recently been taken in its waters, both with fly and with natural and artificial minnows. Eton and Surley Hall weirs are favourite spots for good fish. The bridge at Windsor is an excellent place for barbel ; and about Datchet this kind of fish are always more than usually abundant. There are numerous shoals of gudgeons about the Windsor and Eton waters, which we have seen taken in large quantities. The angling stations of Maidenhead, Cookham, Henley, Waegeave, Eeading, Pangbourne Burn, and Streatlt, come all within the reach of the London anglers, and are looked upon as suburban waters for We their especial recreation. refrain from enumerating their individual properties and facilities for piscatory labours ; they all bear a strong family likeness. These angling stations just mentioned are all easily accessible -- by railway conveyance ; and, speaking generally, the farther the angler ascends up the river the greater -- distance he travels towards the higher waters the better will he find this famous stream for the ordinary pur- poses of trout, and especially of fly-fishing. Our limits would not permit us, as we have hastily run over these angling stations on the Thames, to dwell upon the num.erous sources of interest embodied in all of them to the rod-fisher of taste and refinement. There are spots of superlative scenic beauty, and also great -- I70 ANGLING literary and historical interest, interspersed in every direction, which are calculated to awaken in the mind of all imbued with a love and reverence of what is great and interesting, the most thrilling and lively associations. We can scarcely imagine a person fond of the gentle art, and who prosecutes it with a fair share of ardour, who could pass through such interesting localities connected with some of the most stirring incidents of -- our national history as a people and not feel his bosom glow with delight at what every way surrounds him. We believe that fishermen have a large store of this love of excellence ; and sure we are that nothing can so vitally augment the simple pleasures of their craft as to cherish and cultivate it with assiduity and care. OP THE TRIBUTARY STREAMS OF THE THAMES NEAR THE METROPOLIS There are several tributary waters which flow into the Thames, in the neighbourhood of London, where the city anglers can procure a day's pleasant sport at a very small cost of time and money. The rivers Colne and Lea are in the county of Middlesex. The first springs out of Hertfordshire, and has many fishing stations on its banks, some of which are, however, very rigidly preserved. The mills and chemical works situated on its banks have greatly marred the angling. Pike of good size are to be met with, but trout are somewhat scarce. Denham is considered the best trouting spot upon it. The Lea rises out of the county of Bedford, and is the most frequented stream by anglers in the immediate neighbourhood of London. It contains a great variety of fish, and some of them of great weight. It flows through a flat district, and it runs sluggishly; these circumstances are against its ranking among the firstrate trout - streams. There are many fishing stations on its banks, some of which we shall enumerate. The first from the Thames is Temple Mills. This is free water, and many large barbel, roach, and chub TRIBUTARY STREAMS OF THE THAMES 171 are caught here through the season. Gudgeons are hkewise in immense numbers. Trout are scarce. The Whitb HorsB, Hackney Marsh, is a localitymuch frequented. The liberty of fishing here is let out, either by the year or by the day. The subscription for the season is ten shillings and sixpence ; this includes the right of trolling for trout or jack. One shilling is the charge for a day's sport, including fly-fishing and bottom - fishing, but not trolling. There are great numbers of fish here, and some capital sport is occa- sionally obtained. The HoESE AND Geoom, at Lea Bridge, is a very old angling station, having been used as such for upwards of a century. The angler has here the liberty of two miles of water on each side of the house ; and the terms are precisely the same as at the White House. The fish are commonly more numerous here than on any other portion of the river, chiefly on account of the locks being here, and the fish can ascend no farther unless a passage be opened out for them. Sometimes the fish may be seen in immense shoals about the vicinity of the locks, and may readily be taken by even lowering naked hooks among them. Trout of twelve, pike of twenty-five, barbel of nine, and chub of four pounds, have been taken out of the Lea in this locality. A portion of the river above Lea Bridge is free to the angler, but the sport is very indifi'erent. Tottenham Mills is situated five miles from the city, and about a mile farther up the stream is the subscription water of the Blue House. The terms are half a guinea for bottom-fishing, and a guinea for trolling. Bleak Hall is a favourite station. There is an abundance of fishj and some trout of good size may occasionally be hooked ; chiefly, however, by trolling. The subscription is two guineas per annum for both the waters of Bleak Hall and those of Chingfoed. Waltham Abbey is an interesting station; but the chief portion of the river is in the hands of the Government, and permission must be obtained from some of the public servants in the Ordnance Department before 172 ANGLING angling is allowed. The waters are well supplied with, all kinds of fish ; and trout have heen taken with both fly and minnow, of considerable magnitude. Beoxbouenb, Page's Water, and the Rye House are all good stations for bottom-fishing; but a mere sprinkling of trout can only be expected under the most favourable circumstances. The New Eiver is pretty well stocked with roach, dace, and gudgeons, and is commonly open to anglers from the Sluice House, situated about two miles from Islington. On holiday-times it is often amusing to see the scores of young anglers gathered together on the banks of the stream, trying their 'prentice hand on the gentle art. To have the privilege of fishing the reservoirs of the New Eiver Company, tickets must be obtained from some of the officials. FISHING IN the DOCKS AND PRIVATE WATERS The docks about London are to the bottom-fishers in its various localities what the banks of Newfoundland -- are to the regular trading fishmongers a constant and reliable source of supply. The quantities of fish in these shipping reservoirs, estuaries, and canals are surprisingly great ; and the number of rod-fishers who frequent them exceeds all credibility. The majority of the London anglers who make it a point to visit these dead and still waters, obtain a sort of tact or intuitive knowledge of their own, which enables them to gain success in their amusement under the most untoward and discouraging circumstances ; and the zeal, the untiring enthusiasm, the labour, and personal privation, that are witnessed among them every fishing season, would scarcely be credited by anglers in the rural districts of the kingdom, where the sport is so easily and readily obtained and enjoyed. The docks in and about London are so large and numerous, that they contain immense quantities of fish of all kinds, but particularly such as suit the bottomfisher. They are likewise at a commandable and limited THE DOCKS AND PRIVATE WATERS 173 distance, and can consequently be visited without anyserious loss of time or money. All these considerations weigh with the rod-fisher, and naturally induce him to consider these still waters to be a valuable adjunct to the general stock of piscatory recreation. A day at the docks, to many a tradesman in London, is what a stag-hunt, or the Derby Day, is to the aristocratic loungers of St James's. The piscatory citizen talks of it for weeks before, and the pleasure from anticipation is doubtless, were we in a state to make a fair comparison, greater than from actual realisation. But this is something like his usual mode of procedure. He leaves his business for a day, and betakes himself to the New River, or some other spot, to obtain a stock ' of gudgeons for live bait. These he places in a proper vessel for careful preservation. He is very anxious his bait should preserve all their native vitality and sprightliness, and he manifests the most sedulous care to supply them, at regular intervals, with fresh water. When he arrives at his home, he is generally tired and worn out; but still his family must be immediately summoned to look at the finny strangers, ere they take their departure to the wars at an early hour of the morning. The sight is cheering, and full of novelty. The angler pays his gudgeons a visit before he steps into bed, and concludes that the water will keep fresh and invigorating till the appointed hour of rising. His slumbers are broken from the thought of having to rise at such an early hour. He jumps out of bed to see his bait. Perchance some of them seem rather dull and sickly. He tries to procure them another supply of fresh water, but fails. He throws his clothes loosely about him, and off he sets to the street pump in the neighbourhood, and revives the drooping energies of his captives. He starts at three o'clock in a fine June morning, and walks hurriedly to the scene of action at the East or "West India Docks. He gets himself pre- pared, looks at his live gudgeons, which seem pert and lively, and then he throws in his first bait. In a short time he succeeds in killing some perch of great weight, 174 ANGLING and then some jack and bream. If he has fair luck, he will have, in the course of a couple of hours, fifty or sixty pounds weight of fish, of one kind and another. He now takes his breath, and dines; sometimes in a sportsman's fashion, and sometimes he goes to a convenient place of refreshment, and leisurely enjoys himself. He comes home delighted, and all his family are delighted too ; and thus ends one of the long-lookedfor and joyous days of his city life. Now, all this is very healthful, pleasant, and socially improving. To his brother craftsman in the country, the London bottom-fisher may possibly seem a somewhat grotesque personage; but we should remember that in angling, as well as in everything else, a large margin is allowed for different tastes, opinions, and habits, which are really in almost all cases the result of external circumstances, rather than from sheer choice. The love of outdoor sport and amusement is such a powerful and impulsive feeling in human nature, that to suppress it is altogether impossible ; and when men are placed in certain unfavourable positions for its full and healthful exercise, we should express neither surprise nor censoriousness if they deviate a little in the modes of gratifying this instinctive love of external recreation. There are a few general observations or rules which relate to dock-fishing, which we shall take the liberty to state, because they will, we are persuaded, prove useful. In cold east or north-east winds, it is of little use trying for fish in these localities. The finny tribes seem imder such an atmosphere to lie dormant or powerless. The spring tides must also be attended to. When fresh supplies of water rush into the docks from the main body of the river, fish will not feed freely for some days after. West and south-west winds are always favourable to the rod-fisher, and generally guarantee him some share of sport. Even if the wind in any of the quarters be high and boisterous, it will all be in his favour. Shot should be used for perch-fishing, and placed about a couple of feet below the float, and about eight or ten inches from the hook. To know the precise localities THE DOCKS AND PRIVATE WATERS 175 where fish frequent in these dock-waters is half the game in successfully fishing them. Some anglers have great skill in this matter, and can form very excellent guesses where fish frequent. Close to the shore, or about a couple of feet from it, you are almost sure to meet with fish ; and about the edges or sides of logs of timber, or about the sides of ships that have been long in dock, are likewise excellent spots of water. It is of little use to remain long at one place ; if not successful after a short time, shift your position, and try a fresh -- piece of water. Shrimps are very excellent bait for perch in the dock-waters few baits equal them. The hook should be a regular perch-hook, and the shrimp should be placed upon it in such a manner that it may swim well in the water. Some dock-fishers use two hooks : the one whipped on the line, three inches or so from the lower hook, the -- contrary way, that is, the hook towards the float. Two separate kinds of bait can in this case be used some- times a worm and minnow, and sometimes a shrimp with either. It must be observed that in fishing some parts of the docks the waters are so deep that it is difiicult, and indeed useless, to fish with a float. The East and West India Docks are excellent places A for the bottom-flsher. ticket from some of the directors is required, but this is not difficult to obtain. In some of the other docks nearer the city there are quantities of fish, but they are not so easily taken, on account of the obstacles arising from the number of ships in these still waters. The Commercial Docks, at Eotherhithe, where large stocks of timber are kept in the water for years, is a good neighbourhood for rod-fishing. The depth of these docks varies from six to nine feet, and the line of the angler should be adjusted accordingly. Many sportsmen recommend fishing here, and, indeed, in all the dock-water, with a roach-rod, and a running line of plaited silk, not much thicker than a good thread, and a very small float. Take stale bread, and soak it in water ; then squeeze the water out as well as you can with the hand. This must be carefully and cleanly 176 ANGLING kneaded into soft paste to form a bait, which should be put upon a small roach-hook, and should not exceed in size a common pea. Some anglers chew a little bread, and throw it in for ground-bait, before commencing operations. This is considered as a successful entice- ment. At the slightest motion of the float, the angler must give a gentle strike ; if the fish is not secured, he must let the bait drop again into the same place. The striking of fish in these waters should be very gently performed ; for the tackle being very light, and the fish sometimes large, breakage is the natural result of anything like vigorous rashness. When a fish is hooked, the line should be kept straight, for if it be When slackened, the fish will probably get off. there is considerable resistance from the weight of the fish, a little play must be used ; for if you keep him rigidly by the head, his hold will likely give way, and he will be once more at liberty. The adroit management of the line is a great matter, and the proper application of the angler's strength and power to the exigencies of the case constitutes the entire art of bottom-fishing, so far as the mere killing of the fish goes. That part of the art which consists of a knowledge of the localities of various kinds of fish, their habits, their hours of feeding, and the favourable condition of the waters, can only be thoroughly understood by continued practice and careful and systematic observation. There are several private waters, let out by subscription, in the immediate vicinity of London, where bottom-fishing can be obtained. The cost of a day's fishing here is trifling. These localities are very much frequented by such sportsmen as have little time to spare, and who just want a little run out to dissipate the nervous excitement which a close application to city business and duties necessarily produces on many constitutions. There are three of these private fisheries near the Shepherd's Bush, Bayswater, which lies within a sixpenny ride from the Bank of England. They are fair collections of water, have a tolerable stock of barbel, roach, and dace, and there are accommodations for THE DOCKS AND PRIVATE WATERS 177 refreshments. Sometimes rod-fishers succeed in taking away five-and-twenty or thirty pounds weight of fish. The names of these waters are Willow Vale Fishery, Victoria Fishery, and the Star Fisliery. The ordinary charge is one shilling a day. The Kingsbury Fishery is considered a very good one. The subscription is one guinea annually ; and the following are some of the chief regulations of the establishment. Wo day tickets are allowed ; no member's ticket is transferable ; every member must produce his ticket when demanded ; one friend to be iutroduced by a member ; the member to use only two rods, whether alone or accompanied by a' friend; the season to commence on the 1st of May, and to end on the last day of February for perch ; no live or dead bait to be used before the 1st of June; jack-fishing from the 1st of June to the last day of February ; no member to use a trimmer, peg-line, lay-line, or net, except a landing or keep net. We have now entered as fully into a description of those places suitable to the London angler's pursuits as we have been able. "We feel somewhat con�dent that he will find our remarks and instructions of some use. We must now proceed to more distant localities, and descant upon those fishing waters adapted for another -- class of anglers those who aim at the capture of the salmon, the trout, and the pike. It is requisite to premise, that in directing the rod- fisher tohere to go over the varied extent of fishing waters in England and Wales, our observations and descriptions must necessarily be of a very general cast. We cannot descant at any length on many interesting sections of river scenery, admirably fitted to impart to the intellectual angler the most lively and delicate pleasures. So far, however, as the higher branches of the anghng art are concerned, we shall make a point of dwelling, with as much minuteness as possible, upon those places where really good fly-fishing may be readily obtained, and where the sportsman will find pleasure and improvement in passing through them. Large 178 ANGLING districts of monotonous scenery, and of sluggish, waters, must be hastily passed over. Taking London as our point of departure, and the great leading railways as our diverging lines of travelling, we shall direct the angler's attention to the class or series of rivers which are intersected, or nearly approached, by the Eastern Counties Eailway and the Dover and Brighton lines. This will comprehend a large proportion of the eastern and north-eastern sections of England. The travelling angler must always bear in mind that the greater the distance from the metropolis, the better will the fly-fishing be, and the less restriction will be laid upon his movements by means of preserved waters. The very best angling streams are those at the ex- tremities of the kingdom. This is not a first-rate trouting district ; nor, indeed, second-rate either. The class of waters in this direction, including rivers, canals, and estuaries, are better adapted for bottom-fishing than anything else. They contain a great number of perch, chub, roach, pike, eels, and -- gudgeons ; but the hooking of salmon and trout is like angels' visits few and far between. For this kind of ground-angling those eastern and north-eastern localities have long been celebrated ; and many zealous and good anglers contrive to eke out of them a fair modicum of sport, in spite of all the disadvantages under which they labour. If the angler sets out from any of the rivers that the Dover and Brighton Eailways cross or run near to, he will find some share of sport. The county of Surrey has a few trout-streams, though not of the first-rate description. The Wey has some fish in it, both of good size and rich flavour. It runs by Farnham, Godalming, and Guildford, and falls into the Thames at Weybridge. We have found light-coloured flies more successful in this river than any other. There are some fine carp in certain spots of the stream. The Wandle is a clear and interesting water; it springs from the vicinity of Carshalton, which is twelve miles from the metropolis. PROVINCIAL RIVERS 179 and enters the Thames at Wandsworth. It is preserved in many sections of its waters, but trout of twelve pounds have occasionally been captured in this stream. The Cray enters the Thames between "Woolwich and Dartford, and is of little importance. The Mole contains but a small number of trout, but a good sprinkling of A pike, and some of very large size. few years ago one was taken near Bletchworth Castle which weighed twenty-five pounds. The county of Kent has but few streams worthy of general notice ; neither would we advise