CALAIS. 175 



distinguished men, amongst whom may be mentioned 

 De la Place, Pigault-Lebrun, Real the painter, Francia 

 the traveller, Mollien, etc. 



At Calais, trolling for pike, in the canals which meet 

 near and under its walls, is practised very commonly 

 with good success by the English, particularly by the 

 artisans who are resident in the suburbs of the town. 

 These fish are to be found in great numbers in the 

 neighbourhood, the waters being fed by the marais ; and 

 from the Pont Sanspareil a very curious structure, and 

 well worth a special visit to the harbour at Calais, the 

 angler will meet with no interruption to his amusements; 

 at least no obstacle to it existed in the autumn of 1844. 



Excellent fish are sometimes caught in these waters, 

 averaging from twelve to eighteen pounds weight. On 

 new-year's day, 1843, a friend of ours took nine, and 

 none of them were less than eight pounds each. 



Besides the waters of the canal, there are other small 

 drains leading into them, which are well stocked with 

 fish, but which are occasionally preserved. If, however, 

 a polite application be made to the proprietors, it will 

 seldom experience a refusal. All the long resident 

 anglers at Calais affirm, that the pike-fishing has greatly 

 deteriorated within the last fifteen years. Previous to 

 this period, the canal, for a considerable distance, was 

 taken by an English and a French gentleman, who 

 allowed all parties to fish fairly with the rod in every 

 part of their waters, but invariably prevented or punished 

 netting, and such practices. Since this protection has 

 been withdrawn, netting has increased to a great extent; 

 and hence it is, that those who well remember the ful- 

 ness of the waters in former times, complain so grievously 

 now of their present comparative barrenness. 



