THE CARP. 67 



a startling plunge. A permit for a day's fishing in 

 the Large Waters of Richmond Park can be 

 obtained by writing to Mr Sawyer, Richmond 

 Park. The fishing-season is closed on the 31st 

 March until the 1st July, and no fishing is allowed 

 on Sundays, or after nine p m. Wimbledon Park 

 Lake is an excellent place for carp-fishing, wimbie- 

 though it is now considerably fished. d°" 

 Tickets are obtainable from Mr. Garlick, Wimbledon 

 Lake, and the lake is easily reached from Waterloo 

 or stations on the underground railway. I hear 

 the ground bait has altered the depth of " Carp 

 corner " of late years ! Some years ago, I got 

 several carp out of the Rushmere Pond, on 

 Wimbledon Common, a place that does not look at 

 all " carpy," but I never had one there after seven 

 o'clock in the morning or before three a.m., or over 

 three pounds in weight. 



Carp can be kept alive for a long while in damp 

 moss, or if the gills be occasionally wetted ; they 

 can thus be conveyed alive for long distances with- 

 out much trouble. I advise anyone who can fish jn 

 water known to hold carp to give the water a good 

 trial at night, fishing close to the edge, and keeping 

 away from the rod. Bait a place some little time 

 beforehand, and be prepared to exert considerable 

 patience, and your pains will most probably be 

 rewarded with a splendid fish. A carp of seven 

 pounds or over is very handsome when set up, and 

 to get one nowadays of that size is worth trouble. 

 Leger, whenever possible, without a bullet or 

 weight of any sort on the line, letting the weight of 

 the bait carry the line out. Where the water is 

 fairly free of weeds, two hooks may be used, and 

 the extra weight will help a great deal in the 



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