AUGUST 121 



fifteen codling. No doubt the catch would have been 

 larger but for the fact that the artillery were practising 

 with the guns within a mile or two, which, as all sea- 

 fishers know, is apt to put fish off the feed. On the 

 last occasion when our pilot was out he had taken a 

 score and a half of codling up to 61b. in weight, and 

 every indication showed an almost ideal spot for line 

 fishing. The impression one gained was that a night 

 might be very profitably spent on these marks, when 

 probably good codling, and certainly big congers, would 

 be taken. The great objection of course is the fact 

 that one's weather must be picked, as a very little 

 swell will preclude the possibility of fishing here with a 

 small boat, and the long winding channel and small 

 amount of water on the banks makes getting to the 

 ground in a larger vessel a somewhat wearisome 

 proceeding. Moreover, anchoring with a killick or 

 weight is rather a risky proceeding in a larger vessel, 

 and the rough bottom is almost sure to foul the anchor 

 even if nettled, while the jump of the sea breaks the 

 nettle. I found out since that this is a good pollack 

 ground, and fair-sized fish can be taken whiffing with the 

 red rubber sand-eel. It would be well worth anyone's 

 while trying the water with the living sand-eel, 

 especially as a good lot can be easily got for a few pence. 

 The writer was talking over the fishing with a friend 

 who takes his holiday at Llandudno every summer, and 

 he seemed much surprised to hear that any sea-fishing 

 at all was to be obtained. In spite of this there is 

 fine pollacking to be got off Llandudno pier, fish up 

 to 81bs. having been taken with the red rubber eel. 

 The author had several nice little pollack up to 41bs. 

 with ragworm one evening this summer. There is but 

 little doubt that if the local longshoremen are consulted 

 nothing will be found out ; but if one takes the trouble 

 to root out the fishermen, and makes the trip worth 

 their while, fair codling and bass are to be taken in 

 August; while, later on, flatfish (flounders and plaice) 

 are to be caught in the estuary of the Conway as far up 

 as the Suspension Bridge. A first-rate centre for both 



