312 THE angler's guide. 



ships from all nations. Proceeding on to the sea, it 

 passes Greenwich, Woolwich, and Gravesend ; below 

 which, it becomes of vast magnitude, and receives the 

 Medway, not far from its mouth. 



In describing the river Thames' fishery, I shall com- 

 mence at Staines, a pleasant market-town, about se- 

 venteen miles west of London -, to which place, the 

 jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor of London over the 

 Thames extends, for the preservation of the river and 

 Fish. At this place, and all other parts of the Thames, 

 under the above jurisdiction, bottom-angling is pro- 

 hibited, under the penalty of £9,0, and loss of rod and 

 line, from the first of March imtil the first of June. 

 March, April, and May, are caWed fence-months ; during 

 which time, all fresh-water Fish cast their spawn. Carp 

 and Trout excepted (Trout spawns about October.) 

 These months are, therefore, properly held sacred, 

 that the future Fish may not be destroyed. 



The principal House at Staines is the Bush. Boats 

 may be hired here, and good sport met with in angling 

 near the bridge : many Barbel, w eighing near twenty 

 pounds each, have been caught here. Between Staines 

 and Laleham, are some places suited to bank-fishing. 



Ldleham 



is a small village, but extremely rural, and plea- 

 santly situated. The river is very narrow and shallow 

 in this part. On these shallows, many Fish are taken 

 by whipping, particularly a delicious Fish called the 

 Skegger, supposed to be of the Salmon species. You 



