130 ANGLING. 



tory renown. ^Most English anglers who have visited it of recent 

 years, speak highly of it, and contrast it favourably with any other 

 portion of the British Isles. 



In placing before the reader's attention a sort of running' or 

 statistical account of its rivers and lakes, it is of consequence, to 

 the English tourist especially, that we arrange our remarks under 

 the heads of the separate counties of Wales. The awkwardness 

 of Welsh names, to most English and Scotch ears, renders this 

 plan both requisite and useful. The country designations are 

 familiar, but the town and river districts are not so. 



FLINTSHIRE. 



On the supposition that the rod-fisher purposes visiting North 

 Wales first, and that he proceeds from England, there are two 

 leading routes open to his choice by Chester, and by Shrewsbury. 

 Either of these main thoroughfares will bring him to the chief 

 angling waters in this county ; but that by Chester is much the 

 nearest. 



And here we may be allowed to observe at the outset, that there 

 are two or three matters of some importance to all persons who 

 travel in Wales, and which may require their attention. In the 

 first place, in reference to an angler, if he wishes to fish the 

 country properly, and to enjoy his tour, by cultivating along with 

 his special amusement a love of the sublime and beautiful in 

 scenery and landscape, he will do well to travel on foot. This 

 is by far the most agreeable and independent method of skimming 

 along the course of rivers, and getting through a great portion of 

 fishing water in quick time. It very often happens, particularly in 

 such a country as Wales, that two or more rivers are separated 

 from each other only by a few miles, as the crow flies, but which 

 would require a circuitous route of lorty or fifty miles, either by 

 horse or coach, ere they could be visited in succession. This is 

 an important consideration: and the more the rod-fisher gets 

 experienced in countries lite Wales, the more will he find it 

 administer to his profit and pleasure to cultivate his pedestrian 

 powers. Walking gives a wonderful facility to angling amuse- 

 ments, by taking us out of beaten tracts, and enabling us to visit 

 unfrequented waters. 



The roads are generally good throughout Wales, especially in 

 the northern section of it ; and the inns, and places for refresh- 

 ment, numerous, comfortable, and reasonable. There are mail 

 and day coaches in many parts ; as well as post-horses and cars. 

 Guides are likewise to be had by inquiring at the principal inns 

 throughout the country who are generally very steady, and rather 

 intelligent men ; and are often able to impart to the angler some 

 useful information about the course of particular rivers, and the 

 best localities for fishing them. 



