The Handbook to the Rivers and Broads of Norfolk & Suffolk Part 12

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 s.h.i.+ft 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 fis.h.i.+ng 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 r.e.t.a.r.ds the onward motion of the float, the bait is more easily taken, and the swims are not pa.s.sed so rapidly.

BREAM.

_1. Where found at different periods of the year_?

During summer, on the Yare, princ.i.p.ally between Langley d.y.k.e and Reedham; in winter often found in good quant.i.ty 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 quant.i.ties 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 b.a.l.l.s, 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 fis.h.i.+ng, 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 fis.h.i.+ng 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 quant.i.ty 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 fis.h.i.+ng 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 fis.h.i.+ng for bream, the bait should always drag on the bottom.