SOME BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 199 



The waterway has always been attractive to 

 boating men and also to anglers, as it is reputed 

 to be not only well stocked with roach, bream, 

 and perch, but to contain a few pike. 



For the sum of, I think, two shillings per week, 

 leave and license is granted to angle for any of the 

 above fish, but leave and license is granted also to 

 rowing boats on the canal, and so shallow is it, 

 as a rule, that the oar-blades churn up the mud at 

 each stroke. Moreover, the fast -growing weeds 

 which threaten to fill up the channel are periodi- 

 cally cut, and foul the water. As the trippers in 

 their gondolas, " Youth on the prow, and Pleasure 

 at the helm," pass the wretched angler on the 

 bank, spoiling his swim and sending his float out 

 of sight, unparliamentary language is provoked, 

 and the proverbial "gentleness " of Izaak Walton's 

 art is belied. 



Then, after a while, a water-bailiff appears, 

 from nowhere in particular (as is the wont of all 

 keepers), and demands to see your ticket. Skilfully 

 throwing out hints as to the best pitches, the best 

 bait, and where to obtain it, &c., he sticks to the 

 angler's side, until the latter, maddened by his 

 persistency, pulls a coin of the realm out of his 

 pocket and gives it to the bailiff, who, thus 

 satisfied, takes his leave. 



