RIVERS. 95 



The Coin rises a few miles from Seven-Springs, passes by 

 Withington, Coin St. Denis, and Coin St. Aldwins, and 

 through Fairford a course of 23 miles, before it falls into 

 the Thames, above Lechlade. 



The Ray rises in Gloucestershire, and joins the Thames at 

 Cricklade. 



CHAPTER IV. 



RIVERS. 



The Avon is one of the best Pike rivers in the south of 

 England ; the Trout also are very fine. It rises in Wilt- 

 shire, passes by Amesbury and through Salisbury, near 

 which town there is some first-rate Pike fishing. It enters 

 Hampshire between Downton and Fordingbridge, at which 

 latter place the Pike are on the increase. By takiug up his 

 quarters at the Star Inn, Fordingbridge, where the accom-r 

 modation is excellent, the angler will have good fishing in 

 the Avon, as well as in some other waters near. Ringwood 

 * is a noted station for large fish. At Sopley, the river for 

 some distance is under the management of a Clubland Pike 

 of twenty pounds and upwards ore not uncommon. There 

 are some pools near the Southampton waters, where Salmon 

 are taken in fair numbers by the members of .a club who pre- 

 serve the fishery ; and above these pools, in some waters 

 belonging to Sir H. Fane and Mr. Mills, Pike are sometimes 

 taken as heavy as thirty pounds weight each ; all under six 

 pounds are returned to the water. At Christchurch, also, 

 there is excellent Pike fishing, and below here the Avon 

 enters the English Channel, after flowing through the New 

 Forest, with a beauty that must be seen to be appreciated. 



The Stour rises near Stourton, in Wiltshire, passing Gil- 

 lingham Forest, it runs to Sturminster, in Dorsetshire. At 

 Wimborne it is joined by the Allan, and passing into Hamp- 

 shire, enters the Avon near Christchurch. In some parts of 



