102 ANGLING. 



other portion of the river, chiefly on account of the locks being 

 here, and the fish can ascend no further 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 

 tak HI out of the Lea in this locality. 



A portion of the river above Lea Bridge is free to the angler, but 

 ihe sport is very indifferent. 



TOTTENHAM MILLS is situated five miles from the city, and 

 about a mile further 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 

 fish ; 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 CHINGFORD. 



WALTHAM ABBEY ^is an interesting station; but the chief 

 portion of the river is in the hands of the Government, and permis- 

 sion must be obtained from some of > the public servants in the 

 ordnance department, before angling is allowed. The waters are 

 well supplied with all kinds of fish and trout have been taken with 

 both fly and minnow, of considerable magnitude. 



BROXBOURNE, PAGE'S WATER, and the RYE HOUSE, are all 

 good stations for bottom-fishing ; but a mere sprinkling of trout 

 can only be expecte^ under the most favourable circumstances. 



The NEW RIVER is pretty well stocked with roach, dace, and 

 gudgeons, and is commonly open to anglers from the Sluice Home, 

 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 

 River 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, is 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 



