THE DOCKS AND PRIVATE WATERS 175 



where fish frequent in these dock-waters is half the 

 game in successfully fishing them. Some anglers have 

 great skill in this matter, and can form very excellent 

 guesses where fish frequent. Close to the shore, or 

 about a couple of feet from it, you are almost sure to 

 meet with fish ; and about the edges or sides of logs of 

 timber, or about the sides of ships that have been long 

 in dock, are likewise excellent spots of water. It is of 

 little use to remain long at one place ; if not successful 

 after a short time, shift your position, and try a fresh 

 piece of water. Shrimps are very excellent bait for 

 perch in the dock-waters — few baits equal them. The 

 hook should be a regular perch-hook, and the shrimp 

 should be placed upon it in such a manner that it may 

 swim well in the water. 



Some dock-fishers use two hooks : the one whipped 

 on the line, three inches or so from the lower hook, the 

 contrary way, that is, the hook towards the float. Two 

 separate kinds of bait can in this case be used — some- 

 times a worm and minnow, and sometimes a shrimp 

 with either. It must be observed that in fishing some 

 parts of the docks the waters are so deep that it is 

 difiicult, and indeed useless, to fish with a float. 



The East and West India Docks are excellent places 

 for the bottom-flsher. A ticket from some of the 

 directors is required, but this is not difficult to obtain. 

 In some of the other docks nearer the city there are 

 quantities of fish, but they are not so easily taken, on 

 account of the obstacles arising from the number of 

 ships in these still waters. The Commercial Docks, at 

 Eotherhithe, where large stocks of timber are kept in the 

 water for years, is a good neighbourhood for rod-fishing. 

 The depth of these docks varies from six to nine feet, 

 and the line of the angler should be adjusted accordingly. 

 Many sportsmen recommend fishing here, and, indeed, 

 in all the dock-water, with a roach-rod, and a running 

 line of plaited silk, not much thicker than a good thread, 

 and a very small float. Take stale bread, and soak it in 

 water ; then squeeze the water out as well as you can 

 with the hand. This must be carefully and cleanly 



