196 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



wrong direction, when the very same stream, higher up 

 the country above the mills and sluices, would afford 

 him excellent sport. 



This is a favourite spot with English residents in this 

 part of France. The river Lys, which takes its rise at 

 Lisbourg near Fruges in the Pas de Calais, runs through 

 the town and forms one of the leading branches of the 

 Scheldt. The method of fishing it effectually is to 

 commence at Fruges, a small town about twelve miles 

 above Therouanne, and sixteen from St. Omer. The 

 bottom of the river is firm and good, much superior to 

 that of the Aa; and the trout, although not of larger 

 size nor so numerous, are, nevertheless, better in quality 

 than the majority of those found in the latter river. 



The Lys, from its source to Therouanne, abounds with 

 gentle and rippling streams ; and when the waters are in 

 good condition, the trout will take the fly greedily. 

 The red and black palmer, the red hackle and drake 

 wing, and the vermilion palmer, are effective flies on 

 these waters, in May, June, and July. 



The best part of the water, in our opinion, is from the 

 mill at the village of Coyecques to Therouanne, where 

 some beautiful streams either for fly or bait are of con- 

 tinual occurrence. The sport, on this river is, however, 

 considerably marred by the practice of illegal netting, for 

 which the nature of the waters and the bed of the river 

 afford every facility, 



The scenery on many parts of the stream, particularly 

 above Therouanne, is extremely interesting and beauti- 

 ful. The houses and the cottages, and pretty picturesque 

 churches of the straggling villages are so embosomed in 



