254 HAPPY HUNTING-GROUNDS 



net, a bright shapely trout of about three-quarters of 

 a pound, just over the limit. The Lambourne does 

 not grow such monsters as the neighbouring Kennet, 

 into which it discharges, where there are giants indeed. 

 There fish of five pounds are quite common, and a 

 twelve-pounder was taken under Newbury Bridge in 

 the very middle of the town not a week ago by what 

 means I had rather not say ; but there are compensa- 

 tions, as the fishing in the larger stream is practically 

 confined to a glorious carnival of some three weeks' 

 duration when the May-fly is up, while the little 

 Lambourne gives sport from May until well into 

 September. The post-mortem is soon made, and shows 

 that the fish has been taking a few duns, but that the 

 staple of his food has consisted of small round water- 

 snails, swallowed shells and all, and he is deposited 

 with a couple of handfuls of fresh grass in the bottom 

 of the bag. 



Let me in passing recommend such of my brother 

 anglers as have not already adopted the practice, 

 always to clean their fish as soon as caught. From a 

 culinary point of view the flesh benefits enormously, 

 and valuable oracles may be read, as of old, from the 

 spirantia exta. For south-country anglers I cannot 

 urge the further advantage that it lightens the bag, 

 but there have been days in Norway, and on the 

 Deveron in spring, when I have been glad of a really 

 material diminution of a welcome but heavy burden. 



To-day I am not destined to catch anything more 

 before I go through the gate just above the foot-bridge 

 that connects the two portions of the garden at River- 

 side, and pass out into the open water-meadow. I 

 have put down one rising fish, but the only thing I 



