NOVEMBER 173 



That the float-fishing method of catching flounders is 

 not new the writer is well aware, although up till three 

 years ago hardly an angler at the Thames mouth had 

 ever heard of such a thing. That it is deadly many now 

 know, as several anglers have killed large bags by this 

 method. On one occasion in 1899 the writer and a 

 friend took over seven dozen sizable fish ; and many 

 others which would have been gladly retained as speci- 

 mens by the " sportsmen " of Southend Pier were 

 returned to their native element. 



This season, four of us (two novices) with paternoster 

 ledger and float tackle took thirteen dozen, one dozen 

 over lilb. each. 



And now a last word as to boating. In my opinion 

 this place is unsafe for persons not knowing the 

 peculiarities to go out unaccompanied, as the tide is fre- 

 quently just awash on the flats, and sufficient depth is 

 only obtainable in the gut, the only marks for which are 

 single branches of trees stuck in the mudbank every 

 hundred yards or so. If caught in the dusk with a 

 rapidly-falling tide, unpleasantness or even danger would 

 be bound to accrue. I asked one of the men, when we 

 were returning one night, how he knew where we were. 

 He said by the splash of the oar in the water, and that 

 he kept near the steep bank so that if his oar went into 

 deeper water he could tell the difference in the sound it 

 made when striking the water. 



Surely, while this is the case, and experts can only find 

 their way with difficulty, amateurs should be very careful 

 and take no risks. The moral is to take Leigh boatmen ; 

 they are good and trustworthy. 



In conclusion, any angler intending to try Leigh, who 

 has never been before, should write and tell one of the 

 boatmen to prepare for him, mentioning what sort of 

 bait he wants ; or he should send word to Mr. Holm- 

 wood, the proprietor of the Ship Hotel, asking him to 

 arrange. This is specially needful if the angler wishes 

 to stay all night or for a day or two, as the accommoda- 

 tion is limited. Plenty of good bait both lug and 

 shrimps, can be got, but notice must be given a day or 

 two beforehand. 



