104 ANGLING. 



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 circum- 

 stances, rather than from sheer choice. The love of out-door 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 rail 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 under 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 where fish frequent in 

 these dock-waters, is half the game in successfully fishing them. 

 Some anglers have great skill m 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. 



Somje dock-fishers use two hooks the one whipped on the line, 

 three rnches 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 sometimes 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 difficult, and 

 indeed useless, to fish with a float. 



The East and West India Docks are excellent places for the 

 bottom-fisher. A ticket from some of the directors fe 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 



