PUNT FISHING. 27 



quired position, with the punt straight across 

 the stream. 



" The fixing of a punt is by no means so easy 

 a task as might be imagined. It requires a 

 peculiar knack, which is only to be acquired by 

 a good deal of practice ; and many experienced 

 anglers are unable properly to fix a punt for 

 themselves. We recommend the young angler 

 not to attempt to fix his punt for himself, but 

 to engage the services of some man or boy who 

 is an adept at the work. The services of such 

 a person can readily be procured for a trifle, 

 and then the angler can proceed in safety and 

 without loss of time. 



" Every punt is, or ought to be, provided with 

 a wooden box or locker, fixed athwart the punt, 

 near the head, and about a foot and a half in 

 width. In this the angler can conveniently 

 place his tackle, bait, &c. There is also another 

 receptacle of about the same dimensions, with 

 a small iron grating at the bottom : this is the 

 well, and into it the fish are placed as soon as 

 they are caught. The iron grating admits a 

 continual supply of fresh water, and thus the 

 fish may be kept in a first-rate condition, if 

 necessary, throughout the whole of a summer's 

 day. We would here remark, that as the iron 

 grating at the bottom of the well is movable, 

 it is as well to see that it is securely in its place. 

 We have known a couple of anglers, after a long 

 and successful day's fishing, during which the 

 proceeds had been from time to time dropped 

 into this receptacle, astonished beyond measure 

 at finding not a single fish in the well- The 



