FISHES AND FISHING. 6l 



strong enough to go to the sea ; and as it is an un- 

 doubted fact that salmon bred in a river will return 

 to the same stream, or some of its tributaries, in 

 spite of very great obstacles, there is a probability that 

 this species of fish may become once more a visitor to* 

 the Thames, though I fear the traffic on the river, 

 and its filthy state, are against it ; but Mr. Boccius 

 says that would not be an unsurmountable difficulty, 

 as the fish travel at night. The same plan might also 

 be tried with a greater chance of success in the river 

 Lea, provided free passage be afi'orded to them, as to 

 reach this river the fish would not have to traverse 

 the Pool : heavy penalties should be inflicted on any 

 person fishing for them with nets, within three to 

 five years. The Thames and Lea might also be well 

 stocked with trout in like manner, fishermen being 

 prevented from netting for them. 



That the river Lea had its share of salmon, is an 

 undoubted fact ; the gentleman who set me up with 

 tackle for bottom fishing, before-mentioned, caught 

 one with a worm, at the White House fishery, about 

 eighty years ago, which weighed ten pounds. A 

 person angling in the Pool, at Eromley, for dace, 

 with a gut line, and No. 9 hook, caught hold of a 

 large fish, which bade fair to break his tackle ; he, 

 having no winch, allowed his rod to go into the 

 water. Mr. Baker, then at the mill, lent him a 



