FISHES AND PISHING. 217 



pounds; this method of estimating the weight of 

 trout must be erroneous, as much depends upon the 

 superior food to be found in some rivers, beyond what 

 is in others, whereby the flesh of the fish becomes 

 more or less compact and solid. 



In 1846 many most eulogistic observations were 

 made in a sporting journal, stating that a certain 

 tackle-maker had made some flies of an improved 

 description, which proved eminently successful in the 

 Thames. I knew the person referred to, and thinking 

 he might have found some novelty, which had proved 

 as attractive as was represented, I went to his shop, 

 to purchase some of these killing flies. The proprie- 

 tor was out, but his wife, who knew me well, showed 

 me some palmers, made of red and black hackles, 

 with dark bodies ribbed with gold, similar to many 

 I had already. I was disappointed, as there was 

 nothing new about them, being similar, only not so 

 good, in my opinion, as some given to me between 

 thirty and forty years before, by Mr. Brand, before- 

 mentioned. However, as I had caused trouble, I 

 proceeded to look out a few; meantime, the good 

 lady assured me that, " The hooks were not common 

 hooks, but were made purposely, and peculiarly well 

 hammered and tempered, and that the bodies of the 

 flies were ribbed with real gold'^ I saw the fallacy 

 of these attempts to impose upon me, and impress 



