98 ANGLING. 



choice old spots that yielded shelter for fish, and where they 

 could at all times be found lay the rod-fisher. The prime portion 

 of the season for gudgeon-fishing is from June till August. There 

 is a portion of the water preserved here, extending seventy yards 

 eastward, and thirty yards westward of the bridge. The inns 

 commonly frequented by angling parties here are the White Hart, 

 the Swan, and the Anglers ; and the fishermen are William Bolton, 

 Robert Brown, and William Clarke. 



THAMES DITTON, opposite Hampton Court, is a locality enjoying 

 a high reputation among anglers tor almost all kinds of fish with. 

 which the river abounds. The rod-fisher's movements are con- 

 siderably hampered here, from a large section of the water being 

 very strictly preserved. The range of deep water opposite Lord 

 St. Leonards 5 house, to the extent of five hundred and twelve 

 yards, is in this predicament- and likewise the deep, reach- 

 ing two hundred and fifty yards from Keene's wharf. The inns 

 are the Swan, and the Crown and Anchor; and the fishermen. 

 William and Henry Tagg. 



HAMPTON COURT contains a fine reach of angling water, under 

 preservation, and extends, according to official authority, two 

 hundred and seventy yards from Weir Moulsey Lock to Lower 

 Head Pile. This range of water can be fished either from the 

 banks, or in a punt. It contains a number of fine perch and 

 barbel, and some trout of considerable size have been taken out 

 of it of late years. The inns are the Castle, and the Mitre ; and 

 the fishermen, William Wisdom, and Thomas Davis. 



HAMPTON is about a mile from the last station, and is a very 

 interesting village. There is good fishing water here, and barbel 

 and roach are plentiful ; there is a fair sprinkling of gudgeons, and 

 some odd trout. According to authority, the preserved waters 

 extend nine hundred and sixty yards from the west end of 

 Garrick's Lawn to the Tumbling Bay. This village used formerly 

 to be a very favourite locality for anglers. It was here that we 

 have upon record a remarkable instance of piscatory enthusiasm 

 and patience. Sir John Hawkins, who was himself a great angler, 

 and edited a fine edition of Walton's works, relates an anecdote of 

 a gentleman who came to reside here for the facility of enjoying 

 his fishing sports. Sir John says, " Living some years ago in a 

 village on the banks of the Thames, I was used in the summer 

 months to be much out in a boat on the river. It chanced that at 

 Hampton, where I had been for a few days, I frequently passed an. 

 elderly gentleman in his boat, who appeared to be fishing at 

 different stations for barbel. After a few salutations had passed 

 between us,, and we were become a little better acquainted, I took 

 the occasion to inquire of him what diversion he had met with. 

 "Sir," said he, "I have had but bad luck to-day, for I fish for 

 barbel, and you know they are not to be caught like gudgeons." 

 " It is very true," answered I, " but what you want in tale you 

 make up in weight." "Why, sir," said he, "that is just as it 



