MISCELLANEOUS FISHING WATERS. 481 



weighing together 21 pounds; and in December, 1843, he stocked the 

 pond with 45 jack, netted out of the Thames, so that possibly good 

 fish are still there; but we know that they are seldom caught. The 

 fishing is free. There are three other ponds on the Common. The one 

 near the church, from which during two or three hot days in July very 

 heavy carp may be taken with the red worm ; and there are those who, 

 fishing betimes in the morning, have taken 10 to 15 pounds' weight of 

 fish. The third pond is at the back of the Windmill public house, 

 where heavy roach, pearch, and gudgeon are often taken. The fourth 

 pond, the only other one worth mentioning, is on the right of the 

 Common (from London), partially covered with willows and other trees. 

 This is called, par excellence, " the pearch pond." 



On WANDSWORTH COMMON, at the back of Mr. Wilson's, there is a 

 pond, with three or four islands in the centre, which we believe has 

 been liberally stocked by that gentleman, and who appears rather 

 pleased than otherwise to see the angler enjoying his sport there. 



KUISLTP RESERVOIR, (belonging to the Grand Junction Canal) mid- 

 way between the Uxbridge and the Pinner stations, is well stored with 

 fish. The subscription 30s. for a year, or 42s. for a transferable ticket. 

 Live bait, &c., provided. This water is (or used to be) strictly preserved 

 by F. Deane, Esq., Escott Hall. Unfortunately it is drawn off once 

 a year, and the fish have to save themselves in a deep hole of about 

 two acres in extent. 



In RICHMOND PARK the "Penn Ponds" are well stored with pike, 

 pearch, carp, and other fish, but it is now rather difficult to obtain permis- 

 sion to angle there. Application must be made to Colonel Liddle 

 (Deputy Ranger), Gloucester Lodge, Richmond Park. 



At SLOUGH there is a MILL-POND, seen to the right of the railway-line 

 going from London, where there is very good pearch and pike fishing. 

 Day-tickets are charged 2s. 6d. 



The SERPENTINE, in Hyde Park, contains large carp, tench, pearch, 

 roach, eels, and bream, but they are difficult to catch, and the sport 

 seldom repays the patience bestowed. Permission to fish is in general 

 readily granted by the Ranger. 



The ORNAMENTAL WATER in the Regent's Park is now open to the 

 public, where quantities of small pearch, gudgeon, &c., are taken by 

 juvenile anglers ; also carp, occasionally fine. Permission to fish in the 

 enclosed part must be obtained from the Ranger, but much of the 

 water is public. 



The HAMPSTEAD PONDS are well known to the London angler, and 

 contain some good pearch, not easily caught. There is no restriction 

 to the fishing. 



DAGENHAM BREACH, a large pool of water in the Essex Marshes, 9 

 miles from London, near the Thames (opposite the Half-way House to 

 Gravesend), is a favourite resort of London anglers, and contains an 

 abundance of rudd, bream, large pearch, jack, roach, carp, tench, and 

 eels. This water is open to subscribers at 3 1. Is. for the season, day- 

 tickets at 2s. It is an excellent place to initiate the young angler, as 

 the fish bite freely. But when caught they are not worth cooking, a* 

 the waters are very impure, sometimes offensive. 



I i 



