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CHAPTER II 



ROUND THE BRITISH AND IRISH COASTS 



THERE are two classes of sea fishing, the one incidental to 

 a yachting cruise or the annual migration to the sea coast ; 

 the other, the more serious undertaking of the keen sportsman 

 who, regardless of distance, simply seeks the place where he 

 can reap the greatest profit from his skill and endeavours. 

 Those who prosecute the sea fishing of the first description 

 necessarily have to put up with whatever sport chances to be 

 forthcoming, so the remarks in this chapter may be considered 

 as mainly intended for those whose chief object in visiting the 

 coast is sport. 



It is a melancholy thing for me to say, because I happen 

 to live in a southern county, but the further one travels from 

 London the better the fishing seems to become. Indeed I 

 once saw a mathematical formula purporting to give the exact 

 increase in the weight of fish taken in a day, caused by every 

 additional mile placed between the sea fisher and the metro- 

 polis. Without being quite so precise, I certainly must say 

 that to get the best fishing it is necessary for those living in 

 the south-east of England to travel somewhat far afield. 



In sea fishing, locality and season are of great importance. 

 A reader of my little book, 'Angling in Salt Water,' wrote a 

 reproachful letter informing me that he had trailed over many 

 miles of mud banks with all the baits and tackle recommended 

 for pollack, but had not caught a single fish. I ventured to 



