340 MR. T. SOUTHWELL ON THE SMELT IN NORFOLK WATERS. 
Even here the smelting is carried on in a desultory sort of 
way, as a rule, by men of no fixed occupation — Gunners, Eel 
Pickers, Marshmen, and perhaps Poachers. The season is from 
1st September to the 30th Ajnil, and the net used is a “draw-net” 
made of fine cotton or thread, some fifteen or twenty yards in 
length, the prescribed mesh being five-eighths of an inch. These 
nets are beautifully got up, and cost, I am informed, from 70s. 
to 90s. each. 
The number of boats and men employed here is very uncertain, 
depending in a great measure upon^Avhether Smelts are plentiful or 
otherwise. It is probable, however, that there are not more than 
ten or twelve boats, each carrying three men, which make a 
business of smelting, and then, as before said, it is only Avorked 
conjointly Avith some other description of fishing or gunning. 
The fishing extends a short distance up the Waveney to the 
Burgh Castle Cement Works ; very little is done in the North 
Kiver or Bure. Above the Burgh Cement Works, Smelts are not 
alloAved to be taken except by cast-nets betAveen the 10th March 
and the 12th May, and the same bye-laAv applies to the rivers 
Yare and Wensum. The take of Smelts is greatly influenced by 
the Aveather, a long continuance of fine Aveather being very 
favourable to the fishermen, three or four score at a fishing 
is considered a fair catch ; but under exceptionally favourable 
circumstances ten score have been knoAvn to be taken. The 
bulk of the Smelts caught on Breydon, I am informed, find their 
Avay to Norwich and Cambridge, especially to the latter toAvn, 
and very feAv are consumed at Yarmouth, unless the catches 
are large, and the fish exceptionally cheap. I have to thank 
Mr. W. J. Nutman, of Yarmouth, for much information Avith 
regard to the Breydon Smelt Fishery. 
We are apt to arrogate to ourselves greater Avisdom in regulating 
our fisheries than Ave are inclined to accord to our forefathers. In 
this, I think, Ave are unjust, as can be shoAvn by many ancient 
documents. I havm now before me a copy of a set of “Eegulations 
made for the Fresh-Avater Fishermen” of the river Yare, in the 
reign of Philip and Mary (1553 — 58), Avhich might have served as 
a model for our OAvn conservators. Mr. Day has pointed out that 
a mesh Avas legalised for taking Smelts as early as the reign of 
Elizabeth (1558 — 1003), and an Act passed in the thirty-third 
