10 ANGLING. 



does not know the river, and cannot see the fish, and 

 has no one to ask, then he had better look along the 

 bank and see where the grass is worn from the long stand- 

 ing of feet, where a few grains of bran may be left, 

 or the paper that wrapped the sandwich has been cast 

 aside, and then let him look narrowly about and he will 

 doubtless find a swim. Failing in all this a swim neither 

 too deep nor too shallow, with sheltering weeds not far 

 off, or some place of refuge very handy should be selected. 

 If he selects one or two, and baits them, as advised in 

 still fishing, good ! If he can bait them two or three 

 nights before, better still ! but in that case he must sleep 

 like a Bristol merchant, with one eye open, or some rival 

 may accidentally appropriate the result of his baiting 

 than which few things in fishing are more exasperating. 

 Some of the puntsmen on the Thames, in places where 

 there is any strong rivalry, sometimes do this. But it is a 

 low, mean thing to do, and only one degree better than 

 picking a man's pocket ; indeed, as far as the honourable 

 feeling in the matter goes, it is worse, and I never would 

 permit such a thing, or employ any man who did it ; but 

 the rivalry that exists among Thames anglers through 

 club prizes and " weighing in " has caused a good deal of 

 objectionable work in this way. The same care is requisite 

 in bank fishing as in pond fishing quiet and unobtrusive- 

 ness are very essential to sport. 



In bottom fishing from a punt the process is slightly 

 different. The pitch being chosen, the punt fixed on the 

 Thames this is done across the stream; on the Norfolk 

 rivers with the stream ; on the Trent slightly askew the 

 depth is taken, the bait cast in (this usually is made up in 

 large balls either mixed with clay or without) ; a rod of 

 from ten to twelve feet is used, and as much line as the 



