The Broads as a Sporting Centre.
To the greater bulk of the thousands who visit the Broads season after
season the great water-ways of Norfolk and Suffolk are an attractive
summer holiday resort—that and that only. The all-round excellence and
great variety of sport obtainable throughout the year is known only to a
comparatively small number, and is indulged in by but few even of those.
Probably summer sailing will remain the principal pastime—it is possibly
the most enjoyable—on these waters for all time. And with good reason.
Granted some knowledge of sailing craft and decent care in navigation,
absolute safety is assured for even the smallest craft. The numerous
regattas offer opportunities for the more skilful to prove their skill
in friendly competition before admiring associates. Scores of miles of
rivers and acres upon acres of broads are open to all—expert and novice
alike. Equally enjoyable, in the opinion of many, is a holiday spent on
a wherry, and not a few parties “swear by” the keen pleasure associated
with a holiday under canvas, “camping out.” Inseparable from all is
angling. And what a variety of anglers one meets with on the Broads!
They fish from wherries, from yachts, from boats, from the bank, and,
indeed, from any and every point of vantage. They use all sorts of
tackling, from the boy’s polished ash-wood rod and ready furnished
line—evidently purchased merely for the holiday and the fun of the
thing—to the perfectly tapered roach pole and line of gossamer fineness,
greatly prized tackling handled by an expert, who means fishing in all
seriousness. Not infrequently a young couple, “pegged down” in very
close proximity and evidently preoccupied with some other matter nearer
and dearer than angling, allow the rod at their feet to angle for
itself—which is, perhaps, the very best thing they can do if they really
wish to catch fish.
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