THAMES TROUT-FISHING. 421 



first time without a kill. But Rosevvell, who was with me then 

 for the last time, urged me to carry on fifty yards further. He 

 had seen some bleak playing ' behind the bush at the head of 

 the Black Hole.' I knew there was always a fish there, and 

 thought it worth trying. Sure enough I killed a four-pounder 

 just at the particular point indicated ; and I well remember with 

 what glee I scrambled ashore and hurried home as fast as chilled 

 limbs would carry me. Never before or since have I fished on 

 such a day. The best chance for spinning on the Thames is 

 doubtless on warm days, with frequent gleams of sun, when the 

 small fish are sporting everywhere, and the trout on the look- 

 out accordingly. 



If the weather be warm and sunny, you need not be fright- 

 ened by a thick water, if it be anything short of the pea-soup 

 complexion. It may be harder to find your fish, but he is 

 surer to take if the bait crosses his sight. In a strong clouded 

 water you will often do well to quit your boat and fish from the 

 shore, guiding your bait in and out of the nooks and hollows of 

 the bank where the stream runs strong in the sunlight. If you 

 know of a good fish usually lying in mid-stream, look to find 

 him in such weather and water feeding at intervals in the 

 nearest shallow bay, and unusually open to conviction. 



In spinning for Thames trout you will frequently take other 

 fish. Pike that have not yet spawned often cut your tackle in 

 April, but nearly as often come to grief themselves. They are 

 feeding sluggishly and daintily, and merely lip the bait. I 

 once killed one of eight pounds on the ist, which lay so dead that 

 my puntsman vowed I was foul of a stump; but it proved to be 

 a female fish, very heavy in roe. Occasionally I have taken a 

 perch in spinning ; many times a chub. Once only I took a 

 barbel ; he weighed about 7^ Ibs., and gave me much trouble 

 at first, and a cruel disappointment towards the close of our 

 struggle, when his peculiar movements left no doubt as to his 

 quality. 



Next to spinning the streams m the early part of the season, 

 I have most enjoyed fly-fishing for Thames trout after mid- 



