28 FISHING FOR PLEASURE 



its right bank for a considerable distance as far 

 up, in fact, as the fine suspension bridge. 



The Ithon is the most tantalizing stream I 

 ever saw lovely in most parts, and in some 

 spots exquisitely beautiful and picturesque in 

 its surroundings; it is, from a fly fisher's stand- 

 point, the most unfishable river imaginable. 



Now I thought I would try my landlord's 

 lower water, for he holds many a mile which I 

 had not yet seen ; he assured me that the river 

 was full of fish, but he did not tell me of the 

 difficulties in the way not being a fisherman, 

 he knew nothing of them. 



On his advice, I took a trap about four miles 

 down to Newbridge old church; from thence 

 upwards, I was told that all but the first meadow 

 adjoining the road was perfectly free to me, on 

 this side of the river only. I am quite sure that 

 our landlord had seen this part of the river from 

 the opposite meadows only; in fact, I may 

 almost say I defy him to traverse this side, close 

 to the water, for any distance it really cannot 

 be done. I should like to describe, as plainly 

 and as literally as I can, what happened to me 

 on that eventful day. 



It was on Wednesday, August 5th, a morning 

 so threatening of rain that I thought my rain- 

 proof "slip on" indispensable; it proved only 

 an encumbrance, for the day was hot and fine. 

 I was driven down to the old church. I was told 



