4 WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



It is said that, as President of the Anglers 1 

 Association, I have helped much to multiply anglers. 

 I hope it is true, for I think every man should love 

 some kind of sport. It is with this feeling I am about 

 to try to give such information of my rambles in 

 search of sport and pleasure as may help to spread 

 anglers out to new spots on our little islands, so 

 that I may not be reproached for helping to gather 

 them in particular places to the discomfort of old 

 stagers there who knew of them long before I did. 



It is nearly thirty years since that, at a meeting 

 of the Piscatorial Society, I was told by the chair- 

 man that the plans I advocated, if successful, would 

 inevitably multiply anglers until quiet, enjoyable 

 fishing near London would be a thing of the past. 

 I remember well the eloquence with which he 

 persuaded the meeting to his views as to the pro- 

 bable harmful effects of any cheapening of railway 

 tickets for anglers, and how nearly I, too, was 

 inclined, while under his persuasive personality, to 

 vote against my own proposals. 



During the ten days that followed this meeting 

 I had the best of opportunities to consider more 

 fully the arguments which had so nearly converted 

 me. How I spent those happy days, and the 

 result of my cogitations, may be gathered from a 

 cutting which I take from the Fishing Gazette of 

 that time, and which reads as follows : 



" After all my wanderings, numerous successes and number- 

 less failures, I am pleased to return to grand, incomparable Old 



