Excerpt from Angling Resorts Near London: The Thames and the Lea

First-class rodsters who affect this fishing more than any other. Let us now hark back to the house, and go up the towpath the other way towards St. Margaret's. The first crack place reached is the water-cress bed swim, about one hundred yards from the bridge, and twenty yards past where the pipes, carrying the surplus water from the cress beds, run in to the main stream. The best place is, however, the first well-trodden spot that is struck upon, and there is not much chance of its being mistaken. Here there is an excellent bottom, very level, and free from weed, and capital fishing can generally be obtained. Strangers fishing here should bear in mind that an old donkey, one of the most artful and cussed of his race, is nearly always on the prowl up and down the towing path, and that, if he is given but half a chance, groundbait and paste, gentles and bran, all vanish in an instant. I have heard that an angler who objected to the disposal of his bait for the day in this summary manner, got kicked into the river for his pains, whilst Neddy quietly pouched the groundbait before he could scramble out again. There are several good swims between this point and the first big bend in the stream, which is known as the October Hole, why, I know not, but capital fish are lurking in its depths, and a bit of cheese paste, neatly put on a triangle hook, is very likely to ensnare a venerable old chub or two from the middle of the stream. It is an awkward place, though, for legering, for the bottom is full of the toughest roots and weeds, water candocks with.

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