THE EIVER LEA. 465 



every description of fresh-water fish found in the Lea; and some fine 

 trout have been taken there during the present month (May, 1856). 

 Hofland says, that in October (more than ten years ago) fifty pounds 

 weight of roach were taken by one rod in one day. INN, the King's 

 Arms, which adjoins Rye-House, and forms part of Mr. and Mrs. Teale's 

 well-conducted establishment. In the spring and summer, Londoners 

 visit this place in thousands, as, besides the river amusements, there 

 are upwards of forty acres of land laid out for amusement on shore, 

 such as cricket, archery, quoits, &c. 



The Eye-House with its ancient tower, battlements, and moat is 

 full of historical interest, and quite worth a visit, if only to examine 

 the locality of the famous Rye-House Plot, and see the room in which the 

 conspirators are supposed to have met. The carved chimney-pieces of 

 the house,and its antique furniture give a genuine character to the scene. 



The river here, in many parts, is very deep and very still, which 

 accounts for the number of roach it produces. The river STOUT de- 

 bouches in this part of the Lea, and at ROYDON, within three miles of 

 Broxbourne, and other places, affords excellent fishing. 



At NAZING, opposite the Rye House, is good fishing for pike and 

 pearch, especially at that part called the Gull. This piece of water 

 was formerly rented by Mr. Acres, a very civil farmer, but now forms 

 part of the Rye House subscription. 



Beyond this, to Ware, the Lea yields good fishing wherever it is 

 accessible, but it is for the most part private property. It flows 

 through AMWELL, which will be remembered by the literary angler 

 as the residence of that celebrated piscatorial poet SCOTT, of Amwell. 

 This village is also interesting as being where Sir Hugh Middleton com- 

 menced his Herculean undertaking the NEW RIVER, the most precious 

 boon ever bestowed on London. A monumental urn marks the spot. 



At Amwell is the AMWELL MAGNA FISHERY, one of the best, if not 

 the very best, of the subscription-waters on the Lea. It is supported by 

 twenty subscribers at four guineas each, and four guineas entrance. 

 Election by ballot, one black ball to exclude ; and all vacancies to 

 be filled up on the first Thursday in July. Henry Wix, Esq., Secretary 

 and Treasurer ; Charles Rivington, Esq., Solicitor to the fishery. The 

 preserve extends, on the Lea, from Black Ditch, in Cowbridge Meads, 

 in the parish of Ware, to Black Pool in the parish of Stanstead, and 

 St. Margaret's ; and the members of this society have alsothe right of 

 fishing in some other waters, including portions of the New River. 



There are some fine trout in that part of the Lea which runs through 

 the grounds of Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire, the seat of Lord Mel- 

 bourne ; it passes from thence to the Marquis of Salisbury's park at 

 HATFIELD, where it assumes the appeai-ance of a lake, and abounds 

 with trout, pike, and pearch. By spinning the minnow, these three 

 fish are sometimes taken alternately, with the same tackle. The 

 Marquis used to fish with large pike-flies and have great sport. Mr. 

 Heseltine has fished there successfully for pike with what he terms his 

 tandem-flies, which are two large flies placed one behind the other. 

 About six miles further on the Lea, at WHEATHAMSTBAD, near Mr. Jones's 

 paper-mills, is excellent fishing, especially for pike; and at Luton Park, 



If H 



