THE BEST KINDS OF FISH FOR EIVERS. 117 



fish comes into many of our rivers in vast shoals with 

 the earliest winter floods ; the water being somewhat 

 fresher and clearer at that time, it has not yet aban- 

 doned the Thames, but is taken in large quantities at 

 the various locks ; at Teddington and Moulsey are 

 the chief fisheries. The fish are chiefly bought up 

 by the Dutch long-line fishers, who cut them into 

 short lengths to bait their spillets with, the bait 

 being very tough and bright and attractive to the 

 fish. Large sums of money are often shared amongst 

 the Teddington fishermen as the produce of their 

 fishing. The fish are taken in wheels or basket-traps, 

 similar in make to the eel-traps, and many thousands 

 are often taken in a night. As a table fish they are 

 certainly liked by some people. At Worcester they 

 are potted and are in great request. I cannot say 

 that I appreciate them, however, having tried them 

 in various ways. They are rather rich and strong- 

 flavoured. Perhaps, when marinated (baked in vine- 

 gar, bay-leaves, and spice), they are better than in 

 any other form ; and even then I do not think the 

 operations of the Dutch fishermen deprive us of any 

 considerable delicacy. One thing I may say in con- 

 nexion with them, viz. the offal makes capital bait 

 for barbel. Certainly it is not nearly so desirable a 

 table-fish as its larger congener. 



