NOTES. 227 



The close season for trout is from the nth of Sep- 

 tember to the 3ist of March following, both days in- 

 clusive. 



For lamperns, ist of April to 24th August, inclusive. 



For all coarse fish, i5th of March to i5th of June, in- 

 clusive, except roach, dace, gudgeon, bleak, and minnows 

 taken as bait for trout. 



No. 25. No person shall fish for, take, or attempt 

 to take by any means whatever in that part of 

 the River Thames as lies above the City Stone at 

 Staines, nor from any vessel in that part of the River 

 Thames as lies between the City Stone and London 

 Bridge, any fish between the expiration of the first hour 

 after sunset and the last hour before sunrise. 



Night-fishing is therefore illegal above the City Stone 

 at Staines, or in " vessels," i.e., punts, boats, &c., below 

 it. Anglers may fish at any hour of the day or night 

 below the City Stone from the bank. 



The sizes for the most important of Thames fish are 

 as follows : 



Pike or Jack. Extreme length, 18 inches. 



Perch . . . . 8 



Chub . . . . 10 



Roach . . . . 7 



Dace . . . . . 6 



Barbel . . . . 16 



Trout . . . . 1 6 



Grayling . . . ,, 12 



Bream ....,, ,, 10 



Carp . . . . 10 



Tench . . . . 8 



Rudd . . . . 6 



Gudgeon . . . 4 



These sizes do not apply to baits ; but no person may 

 have in his possession or under his control more than 

 fifty baits at one time, or take more than fifty on any day. 



Pith, the spinal cord of the bullock, is the best winter 

 bait for chub-fishing. Considerable care must be taken 

 in its preparation. The outer skin must be snipped 



Q 2 



