The Handbook to the Rivers and Broads of Norfolk & Suffolk Part 11

There are several preservation societies, of which the Yare Preservation Society is the chief. Mr. C. J. Greene, of London Street, Norwich, Fis.h.i.+ng 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 furnis.h.i.+ng 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 a.s.sisting them in their efforts to make these waters the best public fis.h.i.+ng 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 d.y.k.e leading from Oulton Broad. In winter they appear generally to retire to the deep waters, and are sometimes found in good quant.i.ty 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 b.a.l.l.s 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 quant.i.ty 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 fis.h.i.+ng 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 fis.h.i.+ng.

_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 fis.h.i.+ng 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 s.p.a.ce 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 fis.h.i.+ng.

_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 compa.s.s. Fish may undoubtedly be taken in clear water and in good quant.i.ty, 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 fis.h.i.+ng. Have found a pair of lawn-tennis shoes or slippers very good to wear in a boat when fis.h.i.+ng, 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, princ.i.p.ally 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 s.p.a.ce of time, and numerous catches of from two to four stone in an afternoon's fis.h.i.+ng; also more than a bushel by measure one afternoon with a friend fis.h.i.+ng in the d.y.k.e 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 fis.h.i.+ng 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 fis.h.i.+ng 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.