APPENDIX. railway access to fishing stations.

To begin with, it may be well to state that Norwich itself can be reached from London by two lines of railway—one via Colchester and Ipswich, and the other by Cambridge and Ely, the journey taking from three to four hours. From Norwich, Yarmouth and Lowestoft may be reached in an hour of slow travelling, and as the line runs by the river the whole way, and every station is convenient for fishing purposes, it will be desirable to give a list of them, with remarks upon the adjacent fishing places.

WHITLINGHAM.

This is too close to Norwich for very good fishing, although occasionally the fish seem to head up, and good takes are to be had. Good rowing boats may be obtained at Thorpe Gardens, five minutes’ walk from the station. Omnibuses ply between the Gardens and Norwich every hour. The reach of the old river is very lovely.

BRUNDALL

Is the station for “Coldham Hall,” at which inn visitors can be accommodated. The inn is ten minutes’ walk from the station down the river, and across the ferry. There are plenty of boats, and the place is much frequented. From here down to Buckenham Ferry there are large numbers of pike, and it is customary to row down trailing a bait behind. Roach and bream are plentiful.

BUCKENHAM FERRY.

From this station you have ten minutes’ walk down to the Ferry, where boats are to be obtained, and the fishing generally is good.

CANTLEY.

Close by the station is the “Red House” Inn, where there is good accommodation for visitors. Boats can be had. The fish, as a rule, run larger here than higher up. The water is deep and the tide swift. When the water is fairly clear, some good pike may be had.

REEDHAM.

The “Ferry” Inn is ten minutes’ walk. Good accommodation. The bream run large, so do the perch, of which there used to be large numbers under the ferry boat.

The line divides at Reedham, one part going to Yarmouth and the other to Lowestoft. There is no fishing place on the Yarmouth branch, but on the Lowestoft line there are—

HADDISCOE,

whence the Cut may be fished. Boats are difficult to obtain, but the landlord of the “Bell” Inn, at St. Olave’s bridge, might procure you one. This is the station for Fritton Decoy.

SOMERLEYTON.

This would be an excellent fishing station if boats could be procured, but you cannot rely upon being able to borrow one. The porters at the swing-bridge, or the landlord of the “Duke’s Head,” might direct you where to obtain a boat. I think the latter has one or two. The bream are very large and numerous. The good fishing in this part of the river has been exemplified by Mr. Winch, of Norwich, who has taken 8 stone in a day—five bream weighing 20 lbs., and one bream weighing 6¾ lbs.

OULTON BROAD.

See the last chapter for full information as to this important fishing station.

Another line from Norwich leads to—

WROXHAM.

7 miles. The river is full of roach, bream, perch, and pike, although it is much fished. Boats at Jimpson’s or Whittaker’s, where there is also fair accommodation for visitors. The Broad is a mile and a half down stream, from the bridge. It can be fished by permission only. Tickets to fish on the Broad can be obtained through Mr. C. J. Greene, Fishing Tackle Maker, London Street, Norwich, at 2s. 6d. per boat.

COLTISHALL.

Two miles further. The fishing is much better here than is generally supposed, but boats are not plentiful. Enquire at the waterside who is likely to have one at liberty.

The Eastern and Midlands line runs from Yarmouth through the heart of the Broad District to North Walsham, on the Norwich, Wroxham, and Cromer line. The stations from Yarmouth are—

ORMESBY.

A mile and a half from its Broads, about 200 acres of which are free. The fishing is as good as it can be for pike, rudd, roach, and bream. Boats at the “Eel’s Foot” and “Sportsman’s Arms.” Staying accommodation at the former.

MARTHAM.

Not far from the river Thurne, but the next station is more convenient.

POTTER HEIGHAM.

Inns, the “Falgate” and “Waterman’s Arms,” where there is staying accommodation. Good boats at Applegate’s. The river Thurne and the channels through Heigham Sounds and Hickling swarm with bream, rudd, perch, roach, pike, and eels.

CATFIELD.

The nearest station to Hickling, but not so convenient for boats.

STALHAM.

Barton Broad is within a mile and a half, where the fishing is excellent. Plenty of boats obtainable at the end of the dyke. Inns, the “Maid’s Head” and the “Swan,” both very comfortable. Stalham is a pretty village.

Thence to North Walsham there is no fishing station of interest.

On the direct line between Yarmouth and Lowestoft, St. Olave’s is the nearest station to Fritton.

ACLE

Is now a station on the new line between Norwich and Yarmouth, joining the old line at Brundall.

Of places not accessible by rail, the chief is Horning Ferry, on the Bure, where there is a capital inn to stay at, kept by a good host and sportsman, Mr. Thompson, who can be relied upon to make his visitors comfortable. At Horning village, the “New” Inn deserves mention, and boats can be procured there. Horning is about four miles’ drive from Wroxham, and ten from Norwich.

The reader is requested to look at the Map, and note the relative position of the various places. As to fishing, it can hardly be said that one is better than another, for all are so good.