NOVEMBER 169 



lighter gut being used on the bottom tackle. The lead 

 used in the run of tide was only enough to keep the baits 

 dribbling along the bottom, so that the least pull would 

 lift it, and thus be transmitted to the rod top. In deepish 

 waters (from 10ft to 18ft.) this tackle worked admirably, 

 and even in shallow water was not to be despised when 

 the tide ran strong ; in slack water, however, in the 

 shallows, it required to be cast out and gradually 

 worked towards the boat, so that the flounder following 

 the moving bait might be induced to lay hold. Thus 

 worked it certainly killed a fair number of fish, and 

 hooked fish well if they were feeding freely. During last 

 season, however, whether owing to climatic changes, or 

 possibly arising out of the persistent fishing taking place, 

 the flounders off Leigh and Southend, although feeding, 

 seemed to be biting a little shyly. 



During the last two visits I have seen three old hooks 

 and portions of tackle taken from the mouths of 

 flounders who have fallen a victim to self or companion's 

 gear. Of course, we all know that sea fish, as a rule, are 

 not shy ; but even the boldest of created beings is 

 inclined to learn wisdom by experience, and flounders are 

 possibly, under modern conditions, to be considered 

 under the headings of both sea and fresh-water fishes. 

 Be that as it may, the fact remains that during the 

 slacks last winter, in the shallows, more fish have been 

 pricked than hooked with all paternoster and leger 

 tackles. It will be noticed that the phrase " in the 

 shallows " is used. In the writer's opinion, half the 

 sport of flounder fishing arises from the fact that the 

 fish may be taken in shallow water, and, indeed, seem to 

 prefer such water. Thus, at Leigh, in the spring tides 

 the best sport may be had on the flats inshore, from two 

 hours before until two hours after high water, and during 

 the neap tides two hours before to two hours after the 

 low water may be profitably spent at the lower end of 

 the Ray. During all this fishing there is no necessity to 

 at any time fish in a greater depth than 12ft., and the 

 majority of the time in about 4ft. to 6ft. 



In such a depth during slack water, float-tackle has 



