44 



was under the carrier bridge that crossed the river below 

 the tan-yard, which is built over the river. It was said 

 this fish knew the sound of the dinner-bell, for he came 

 out most days while the men were at dinner, as they were 

 accustomed to feed him. He would swallow a small 

 boiled potato ; if more than one were thrown to him, he 

 would go down the stream and take it as it met him. He 

 would also take pieces of bread or meat, with^which the 

 men occasionally baited a hook, but which he passed as 

 if he did not see it. The men tried him with every bait 

 they could think of, but he avoided them all, and it was 

 remarkable how soon he detected the finest gut line. But 

 with all his wariness he was caught at last, I was told, with 

 rod and line, baited with half a boiled potato, having been 

 starved for several days. I am glad to hear they have 

 formed a club upon this river; but unless the commoners 

 can be bought off the stream, I am quite sure the club 

 will only be preserving fish for them. I have proved this. 

 When Toms and Mathews held the water they tried hard 

 to get a good stock of trout, but failed ; which is not 

 surprising, for I have seen the commoners fishing, 

 as they called it, some by wiring, others with spears 

 and night lines, and many netting it. Some twenty years 

 ago, when I first went to the Kennett, it was four o'clock 

 when I arrived, and that same evening I got several brace 

 of good fish with the orange palmer, one or two being 

 over two pounds, while fishing from the bridge to the 

 mill. 



I visited Hungerford for a number of years, generally 

 meeting with good sport. I was there in June, 1865, and 



