196 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART |. 



from a Pilchard. And these bastard breed of Roach are 

 now scattered in many rivers: but I think not in the 

 Thames, which I believe affords the largest and fattest in 

 this nation, especially below London-bridge. 1 The Roach 



(1) 1 know not what Roadies are cught below bridge; but above, I am sure 

 lhjr are wry large; for on the I5U> of September, 1754, at Hampton, I caaght 

 on* that ws fourteen inches and an eighth from rye to fork, and in weight 

 Wan rd but mn ouncr of two pound*. 



The ea*on for fihiog for Roach in the Tinmen bfgim about the latter end 

 of Aucust. and continues much longer than It is either pleasant or safe to fish. 

 It requires some skill to hit the tin* of taking then exactly ; for all the summer 

 long they live on the weed, which they do not forsake, for the deeps, till it be- 

 Pmf* putrid, aud that is >ooner or Inter, accord ing as the season is wet or dry ; 

 for you are to know, that much rain hasten* the rottiug of the weed. I say it 

 requite* some skill to hit the time ; for the fishermen who live in all the towus 

 aloac the river, from Cbisvick to Staiort. are. about this time, nightly upon the 

 watch, a* soon a* the Ash cone out. to sweep than away with a drag-net : and 

 or poor patient ansler is left, bailing the ground and adjusting his tackle, to 

 catch thoaa ary fth which, perbap*. the night befoie had been cariied to 



The Thanes, as well above as below London-bridge, was formerly much re. 

 sorted to by London anglers ; and, which is straoge to think on, considering the 

 smptoataotstew of the station, they were used to fish near the starlings of the 

 bndge. This will account for the many Ashiog.tarkle shops tbt were formerly 

 in Crooked laoe. which lead* to the bridge. In the memory of a person not 

 (of since living, a waterman that plied at Essex-tuir*. his name John Rreves, 

 got acomfottable living by attending antlers with his boat : his method was, to 

 watch when the shoal* of Roach came down from the country, and, when he had 

 found then, to go round to his customers and give them notice. Sometimes 

 they ettled opposite the Temple ; at other*, at Black-friars or Queen-httlie ; but 

 oat frequently about the Chalk-bill*. near Loodon.bridge. Hi* hire wa* two 

 shillioc* a tide. A certain aumber of penoos, who were accustomed thus to 

 employ him, raised a sum sufficient to buy him a waterman's coat, and silver 

 bsdga> the imaraii wharaof was. Himself, with an Angler, in his boat ;" and 

 ka had. annually, a BMW coat to the time of his death, which might be about 

 ON y**r ipO. 



Sheppertoo aud Hampton are the place* chiefly resorted to by the Londoners, 

 who angle there in boats : at each there is a large deep, to which Roach are 

 attracted by raaetaut baiting. That at Hampton is opposite the church-yard ; 

 and in that cemetery lie* an angler, upon whose grave-stone is an inscription, 

 BOW nearly effaced , consisting of the** homely line*. 



hi memory of Mr. Themes Tombs, goldsmith, of London, who departed this 

 life Aug. 12th, 1758, aged 63 years. 



Each brother Bob, that sportive pastes here, 

 t' Pan** at this stone, and drop the silent tear, 

 For him who lov'd your harmless sport; 

 Who to this pitch did oft resort ; 

 Who in free converse oft would please, 

 With native humour, mirth and ease ; 

 His action* fora'd upon so just a plan, 

 Ha liv*d a worthy, died an honest man. 



A particular ipot, called a Pitch, from the act of pitching or fattening tne 

 oattnere. 



