200 COARSE FISH. 



paid more attention to these items, trivial though 

 they may seem. I even avoid banging the gates 

 on the weir-platforms, especially on the new iron 

 weirs, as there is no knowing how far the vibration 

 makes itself felt. Thames trout are so knowing 

 that it is no good giving even a half chance away. 

 When punt-fishing, do not place a fish in the well, 

 as he will soon recover much of his vigour if he 

 was lightly hooked, and will bang about and knock 

 his scales off; return him directly if you do not 

 intend to keep him ; if worth setting up, wrap him 

 in newspaper at once. The Thames limit of size is 

 sixteen inches. It is a great pity that fish under 

 four pounds are frequently kept ; for if all small fish, 

 not too deeply hooked, were returned to the river, 

 the stock of trout worth catching would soon in- 

 crease. The fish undoubtedly grow at a great 

 pace ; they live in a big water, and the supply 

 of bleak, minnows, &c., is enormous ; it is this 

 supply that causes Thames trout to neglect flies 

 for fish food, but it has a wonderful effect on their 

 growth. 



Thames trouters should command great patience, 

 quick sight, and the knack, only acquired by long 

 practice, of watching the water for long distances. 

 The eye really educates itself to see fish ; and it is 

 the knowledge of the exact spot in which a trout 

 feeds that often leads to success. Remember the 

 precise spot in which you have taken a trout ; 

 another is almost certain, particularly in weirs, to 

 occupy that place in a short time. A walk along 

 the river-side in the very early morning will fre- 

 quently aid you in finding fish, for all fish are much 

 more on the move before the water is disturbed by 

 boats. 



