THE DOCKS AND PEIVATE WATERS. 105 



easily taken, on account of the obstacles arising from the number 

 of ships in these still waters. The Commercial Docks, at Rother- 

 hithe, 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-\vaters, 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 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 in it for ground bait, before commencing operations. This 

 is considered as a successful enticement. 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 per- 

 formed ; 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 slackened, the fish will probably get off. When there 

 is considerable resistance from the weight of the fish, a little plar 

 must be used ; for if you keep him rigidly by the head, his hold 

 will likely give way, and lie 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 caiipe obtainec 1 

 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 excite- 

 ment which a close application to city business and duties necessa- 

 rily 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 refreshments. Some- 

 times rod-fishers succeed in taking away five-and-twenty or thirty 

 pounds weight of fish. The names of these waters are, Willow 

 Tale Fishery, Victoria Fishery, and the Star Fishery. The ordinary 

 charge is one shilling a day. 



The Kingsbury Fishery is considered a very good one. The sub- 



