io ROD AND RIVER 



exertion of heading against a strong stream, 

 and be protected from the heat of the sun. 

 Such spots ought not to be too far removed 

 from the shallows on which the fish come out to 

 feed. 



On a portion of the river Wey, in Hampshire, 

 the fishing of which at one time belonged to a 

 relation of mine, the trout would, in the evening, 

 travel for nearly a quarter of a mile to their 

 feeding - ground. I have often, when fishing, 

 seen them pass close by me in dozens, one after 

 the other, on their upward journey, and when 

 they had apparently satisfied themselves, they 

 would in like manner return. They were poor 

 sporting fish, so far as their rising qualities were 

 concerned, and it was necessary to fish for them 

 with a large fly sunk deep under water. When 

 hooked, however, they fought desperately, and 

 were large and beautiful to look at, many of 

 those I caught being nearly three pounds in 

 weight. When cooked, although their flesh was 

 of a lovely red colour, they were quite uneatable. 

 We several times attempted to eat them, for their 

 appearance was all that it should be ; their flavour 

 was, however, too disgusting. This was due, I 

 fancy, to the filthy condition of the river, and its 

 pollution by the paper-mills, etc. It is a sad 

 pity, for in former years the fish were noted for 

 their good qualities, both sporting and edible. 



