4 LONDON ANGLER'S BOOK, 



no chance. I have no hesitation in asserting that a 

 London Angler can take Salmon and Trout in any 

 river in Great Britain as easily as he can take Trout, 

 Dace, and Chub in the rivers near London, and any 

 one sceptical on this score may, if inclined, soon 

 satisfy himself. 



Rain, wind, or weather form no impediment to 

 him, calculating what may be unfavourable to day may 

 to morrow be to their advantage, neither can he know 

 the state of the water he intends fishing in, for it 

 frequently happens that after walking fifteen nay even 

 twenty miles he finds the water out of order, these 

 disappointments he is quite prepared to meet, endur- 

 ing it with a philosophy, he, by the sneers of some 

 is not thought to possess. Quantity is not his object, 

 a brace or two of Jack or Trout, or a dish of Chub, 

 Roach, or Dace will satisfy his utmost desires, unin- 

 terrupted sport, a cheerful company, fresh air and 

 exercise renovate him and prepare him for the ensu- 

 ing duties of the week. 



I alluded at the commencement of this introduction 

 to an incident that introduced me to some of the best 

 Anglers in London, I will now explain that event. 

 Business called me to Guildford, and hearing of the 

 Trout fishing to be obtained near Leatherhead, I made 

 that place in my way home, intending to try my 

 luck there. In the afternoon, I walked by the rive r 

 side to reconnoitre, where I met with an old fly-fisher 

 from London ; being unacquainted with the localities 

 of the stream, 1 asked several questions concerning it, 

 and received from him much friendly information, and 



