FISHING GENERALLY.

In the rivers it is customary to fish in 10 to 14 feet of water, and the shortness of the swims necessitates the line being heavily weighted, in order that it may sink rapidly. The floats are necessarily large, particularly when used for the lower reaches, where there is a considerable tidal current. The boats are moored in a line with the stream, not across it, as on the Thames, and the swims are thus very short. For the upper and clearer waters, the Nottingham system of angling might be advisable, but in the more turbid lower reaches the Norfolk style is practically the best. Worms are used for bream, and paste for roach. Worms are procurable at some of the tackle shops, but anglers will do well to provide them for themselves if possible.

Boats are charged for at the rate of from 1s. to 2s. a-day, but are rather rough concerns, except at Oulton.

Ground-bait, consisting chiefly of meal and clay, is largely used, but a place is rarely baited beforehand. As there is ample choice of stations, always moor so that the wind is at your back, and you will thus have smooth water in front of you.

Small roach as bait for pike, are procurable at most of the waterside inns, at 1s. to 1s. 6d. a score, but to get the best sport obtain fish from other waters, particularly dace and gudgeon.

Pike are, of course, the chief fish in Norfolk, and are plentiful everywhere. In the rivers they do not run very large, a ten-pound fish being considered a good one, but in a few years’ time, with the freedom from netting the rivers now enjoy, we may expect some very large ones to be caught in the rivers. In private waters there are veritable monsters, but the stranger is not likely to make acquaintance with them.

Live-baiting and spinning with a spoon, or artificial bait trailed behind a boat, are the usual modes of fishing for pike in Norfolk. Trolling with a dead gorge, and spinning with a dead bait by casting, as in the Thames, are comparatively rarely practised, although I believe that in some portions of the rivers these methods would “pay.” I have seen fly-fishing for pike practised with success here, and I firmly believe that on some of the shallower Broads it would be very deadly.

Perch are only locally common wherever there is a suitable bottom for them, as at Irstead Shoals and Hickling, and in some portions of the Bure and Waveney, but they run to a large size, and are sometimes caught between three and four pounds in weight.

Bream are most common of all, and may be caught by hundreds and the stone weight. They run up to five and six pounds in weight, and a take by two rods in a day of 150, averaging half-a-pound apiece, is not a rare event.

Roach are very numerous and large, many running close to two pounds in weight.

Rudd are beautiful game fish, common in some of the Broads, particularly Ormesby, and give rare sport if you get among a shoal of them.

Eels are, of course, present in any number, and “babbing” for them, with a bunch of worms threaded on to worsted, is not a bad way of passing a warm night.

Tench are common, but are not often caught with a rod and line. They are taken in bow nets, and run very large. In hot weather, in June, they may be taken by the hand as they bask in the shallow water among the weeds. Some fishermen are very skilful in this particular mode of catching them.

Carp are caught sometimes, but not often, although there are plenty of them.

Dace and gudgeon are not so frequently caught in the navigable waters as other fish.

Chub and barbel are unknown in the Broad District.

The bream are so excessively abundant that they spoil the fishing for other fish, notably for perch, and I think it would be an excellent thing if the different preservation societies would set apart a few days each year for systematic netting to thin the bream, replacing the other fish, and selling those retained. What is the good to anglers of catching thousands of small bream? Are not a score over a pound weight each better than ten-score fingerlings? Judicious thinning out, under proper supervision, would have a most beneficial effect on the size of the fish generally.

There are several preservation societies, of which the Yare Preservation Society is the chief. Mr. C. J. Greene, of London Street, Norwich, Fishing Tackle Maker, is the honorary secretary. The objects of these societies are to abolish netting and poaching, and protect the river for fair angling. The subscriptions are nominal (5s.), and yet they are supported entirely by local efforts. As a rule, none of the anglers from London and other distant parts, who come down to Norfolk and have the best of sport, contribute anything to the societies which are instrumental in furnishing them with sport. This is exceedingly shabby of visitors here, and I trust that those who have been induced to visit the Broads through my writings will at least make the small return to Norfolk anglers of assisting them in their efforts to make these waters the best public fishing places in the kingdom.

There are a few professional fishermen to be hired by the angler. “Professor” Day, of Richmond Hill, Norwich, is one of the best, and knows every inch of water, and there are some good men at Oulton.

Strangers frequently complain that they cannot meet with the excellent sport which falls to the lot of the local anglers, and I remember Mr. Cholmondeley Pennel being immensely dispirited at his non-success on our waters. I lately interviewed a local gentleman who is well known as a successful fisherman, and I append my questions and his remarks thereon, which will afford some valuable information.

ROACH.

1. Where found at different periods of the year?

Throughout the summer the entire length of our local streams where the water is fresh and not salt or brackish; the finest fish and greatest number between Cantley and Coldham Hall, on the Yare; large numbers also in the dyke leading from Oulton Broad. In winter they appear generally to retire to the deep waters, and are sometimes found in good quantity about Thorpe Broad, and may be angled for with success in deep spots on the Bure and other waters.

2. Best periods to fish for them?

July to October, but good catches may often be had in November, and during the winter and early spring months by any expert angler who doesn’t mind the cold.

3. What time of day at different seasons?

As a rule, but few fish are caught during the middle of the day; this is especially the case in bright warm weather. On dull, “close” days, however, they will often bite freely throughout the day. The morning up to about 11.30, and from 3 to 6 or 7 p.m. are undoubtedly the best times to fish during summer, and in winter almost any time up to sunset.

4. What depth of water?

As a rule, the best fish are found during summer in the deepest water, and should not be angled for on the Yare at a less depth than nine or ten feet. On the Bure the deepest spots that can be found. In March or April shallower waters should be tried.

5. How affected by the tide?

Variously. Sometimes an angler gets all his fish on the up tide, and at other times on the ebb. I, however, suspect that certain local formations of the river bed, have much to do with this.

6. What ground-bait?

The best I have ever used is composed of bran, bread, and boiled wheat, in fair proportions, made up into firm balls about the size of an orange. One of these thrown in occasionally, and now and then a few grains of boiled wheat will generally suffice to keep a good quantity of fish about your boat.

7. Are places ever baited beforehand?

Not often for roach. Believe this is done occasionally by some, but have never practised it myself.

8. What baits are most successful?

During summer the most successful baits are well-boiled wheat and paste, red or white, in such clear waters as the Waveney and the upper reaches of Bure, etc. White paste is best on the Yare, the red always kills the best fish. In autumn, gentles, and later on brandlings and gentles, or better still, small red worms, “blood.” There are many other baits used with good success occasionally, but these are by far the most reliable.

9. What kind of rod?

For tight-line fishing in the deep waters of the Yare, the rod should be light, stiff, and from 15 to 18 feet in length. For running tackle a shorter rod will do, and for this I prefer one of hickory. Should recommend cane for the longer kind.

10. Number of hook?

When the fish are of fair size, I use No. 9, at other times Nos. 10 or 12. Those known amongst anglers as “Crystal,” are excellent for roach fishing.

11. Is running tackle advisable?

Running tackle is decidedly preferable for such deep, strong waters as those between Coldham Hall and Reedham. For the slower waters of the Bure and the upper reaches of the Yare, I do not consider that running tackle has any advantages worth naming.

12. Do you use gut or hair, and what kind of line?

For deep-water fishing I always attach nine feet of gut to my line; six feet moderately stout and three feet fine drawn. Line, a fine braided silk. A light, well-shotted line of this kind has many advantages, especially on a windy day.

13. What kind of float?

Quill at all times. For deep swift waters, a large pelican or swan quill, for slower and shallower waters a much smaller one.

14. Is line heavily shotted?

For deep waters I use a float carrying upwards of 20 medium-sized shot. These are placed on a space of about a foot, the bottom one not nearer than about three feet from the hook, with just one shot on the gut attached to hook. This arrangement ensures the bait being carried swiftly to the bottom and kept steady, very important items in roach fishing.

15. Is float best attached by lower end only?

Yes, this plan which has been in practice with the “Norwich School” for many years past is decidedly the best, and admits of much more neatness and accuracy in striking a fish than when the float is attached by upper end as well as lower.

16. Do you strike at first dip?

When good fish are on the feed, the float is first affected by a slight tremulous movement, and almost immediately settles down, generally in a slanting direction; the moment to strike is just as the settling down commences. This, however, requires a large amount of practice and some keen observation before an angler becomes expert. Sudden perky bites indicate small fish, and these are often the most difficult to catch.

17. Are the fish much affected by change of wind, rain, thick water, etc., and is there any rule on this head?

Have always found a S.W. to N.W. wind the most favourable, especially when the water is “grey” or thick, and have had capital sport with a moderate east wind, but never when it has blown strongly from that quarter, and the old maxim

“When the wind blows from the east The fish bite the least, When the wind’s from the west The fish bite the best,”

contains a great truth in small compass. Fish may undoubtedly be taken in clear water and in good quantity, but running tackle and fine, and extreme caution are necessary.

18. Do you find that movement in the boat, noise, or loud talking frightens the fish?

Loud talking or laughter in the boat does not appear to intimidate the fish, but knocking or any disturbance which communicates a vibration to the water is decidedly objectionable, especially in shallower streams, and often causes a great interruption to the fishing. Have found a pair of lawn-tennis shoes or slippers very good to wear in a boat when fishing, for this reason.

19. Name some of the best catches you have made or know of.

I do not chronicle my catches, so can give no dates; but have had some fine catches within the past five or six years, principally on the Yare. On one occasion, at Buckenham, with a friend, six stone [160] between 2.30 and 7 p.m.; another time upwards of five stone in about the same space of time, and numerous catches of from two to four stone in an afternoon’s fishing; also more than a bushel by measure one afternoon with a friend fishing in the dyke leading to Oulton Broad. This was in the first week of September, 1879.

20. What is the reason of the non-success of strange anglers which is so noticeable?

Ignorance of the general requirements of tackle suitable for fishing in our waters, and also of the modus operandi, one of the chief reasons being a want of knowledge of the right depth at which to fish, which could easily be known by simply “plumbing” the depth. By way of instance, I have on several occasions found strangers fishing on the Yare in 12 or 14 feet of water, with their baits only about four or five feet below the surface, and at the same time wondering that anglers close by should be catching plenty of fish when they could get none. Baits, too, are doubtless used which, although very good for some streams or waters, are of very little use with us.

N.B.—“When the wind blows strong and the waves roll high,” it is often very difficult to fish or even to detect a bite. This is very tantalising, and not infrequently happens through a shift in the wind when you are in a capital “swim.” The remedy for this is to put on a nice light ledger, with about three hooks, and with which excellent sport may sometimes be had when it would be impossible to fish in any other way.

In float fishing for roach, the bait should be just touching the bottom. A good plan adopted by some is to fish with two hooks, the bottom one dragging on the bottom, and the upper one about three or four inches clear of the bottom. This is an advantage in fast streams, as it retards the onward motion of the float, the bait is more easily taken, and the swims are not passed so rapidly.

BREAM.

1. Where found at different periods of the year?

During summer, on the Yare, principally between Langley Dyke and Reedham; in winter often found in good quantity in the vicinity of Thorpe Broad and about Carrow and Trowse Hythe. On the Bure they appear to congregate in the deep waters of the Broads in winter, and make their appearance about the end of May and through the summer on the river.

2. Best periods to fish for them?

July and August.

3. What time of day at different seasons?

Good catches of bream are often had in early morning. I have, on the other hand, had capital sport by moonlight.

For further notes, see answer to same question on “Roach.”

4. What depth of water?

The deepest waters and quietest eddies are, as a rule, the best; but I have caught large quantities of fine bream at Wroxham, on the Bure, in not more than four feet and a half of water.

5. How affected by the tide?

Generally speaking, the most fish are taken from about half an hour before high water to half an hour after. For further notes, see “Roach.”

6. What ground-bait?

Boiled maize, boiled barley grains, barley meal made up into balls, chopped worms, boiled rice. This latter and grains I have found very killing on the Bure.

7. Are places ever baited beforehand?

Mostly overnight, where there is a fair opportunity of doing so. This mode is very telling on Broads and other still waters.

8. What baits are most successful?

For large fish at Cantley, Reedham, Somerleyton, and other deep swift waters, ledger fishing, with the tail end of a lobworm on the hook, is a capital bait. Generally speaking, however, I have found “brandlings” the most killing, and have found a brandling with a gentle placed on the point of the hook will sometimes be taken readily when no other bait would be touched. Red paste is often very killing on the Bure.

9. What kind of rod?

Strong and stiff cane or hickory, 15 to 18 feet long, with a good stout top joint, on the Yare. Shorter will do on the Bure.

10. Number of hook?

The finest catch I ever had was with No. 12 hooks. This was, however, in comparatively shallow water. Should say that No. 7 or 8 would be very good sizes for bream fishing generally.

11. Is running tackle advisable?

See “Roach.”

12. Do you use gut or hair, and what kind of line?

See “Roach.”

13. What kind of float?

See “Roach.”

14. Is line heavily shotted?

In a similar way to that recommended for roach, but having the bulk of shot placed nearer the hook, it being necessary that the bait should “drag” the bottom.

15. Is float best attached by lower end only?

As the bream bites more slowly and certain than the roach, this is quite immaterial. I prefer float attached top and bottom.

16. Do you strike at first dip?

A bream bite affects the float with a slight bobbing motion for a few seconds, he then runs off with it, and slides it down slantingly; strike as he runs off with the bait or the float is about to disappear, and you are sure of him.

17. Are the fish much affected by change of wind, rain, thick water, etc., and is there any rule on this head?

Bream are rarely taken in any quantity when the waters are very clear. See “Roach.”

18. Is legering successfully practised for large bream, and what is the best modus operandi?

In such rapid waters as those at Reedham, Somerleyton, etc.—no other mode of fishing for bream can be practised with any success worth naming—ledgers for attaching to line may be purchased at any tackle shop at 1s. each, and the modus operandi is very simple, and by no means scientific. The rod requires to be very strong and of fair length, and three or four rods may be used from one boat at the same time.

19. Do you find that movement in the boat, noise, or loud talking frightens the fish?

Bream are very sensitive to noise, especially knocking in the boat, which invariably sends them off for an indefinite period, and should therefore be most carefully avoided.

20. Name some of the best catches you have made or known of.

About ten years ago, had, in company with a friend, a catch of 17 stone in one day on Wroxham Broad, and with only one rod each. Have heard of many catches from time to time of from 4 to 10 or 12 stone, but am unable now to give names or dates.

21. What is the reason of the non-success of strange anglers which is so noticeable?

See “Roach.”

N.B. In fishing for bream, the bait should always drag on the bottom.