SCARCITY OF TROUT. 83 



Most certainly not ; very, very far from it. The 

 reader may, perhaps, require some explanation of 

 the grounds on which I so emphatically make this 

 assertion. 



Since trout-fishing commenced this season, I 

 cannot learn of more than a dozen of the species 

 being captured by anglers, between Penton Hook 

 and Walton, the distance dividing these places, fol- 

 lowing the river, being, at a rough estimate, some 

 half-a-dozen miles, the whole space being occupied 

 by noble reaches, grand rapids, splendid pools, and 

 occasional weirs, none of which are high enough 

 to interrupt a trout's progress when in search of new 

 haunts or fresh spawning grounds. Moreover, the 

 bed of the stream is composed of exactly such 

 qualities of gravel and sand as are deemed the best 

 suited and most attractive, on which to deposit ova, 

 with every prospect of the most favourable hatching 

 out. 



And yet, from this splendid expanse of water 

 although a daily visitor to it, and well acquainted 

 with many of the fishermen I am only able to hear 

 of a dozen trout being taken this season. I insist, 

 therefore, that there must be a reason for the scarcity 

 of these noble fish in water so admirably suited to 

 all their requirements. 



After due consideration and study, I have come to 

 a firm belief that, from the Thames being navigable 

 throughout its course right up to Lechlade, its bosom 

 is so constantly ploughed by tow-boats and steam- 

 launches, that the unfortunate speckled beauties are 

 unable to find a sanctuary for the procreation of 

 their own race. This conclusion may be opposed 

 by interested persons such, for instance, as love to 

 lounge on the deck of a swift steam-launch ; but I 

 feel certain that no person of common sense who 

 watches the disturbance of the water made by these 

 mechanically-propelled boats in their progress 

 G 2 



