THE THAMES. 99 



happens. It is true, I like the sport, and like to catch fish, but 

 my great delight is going after them. I'll tell you what/ 3 con- 

 tinued he, " I am a man in years, and have been used to the sea 

 all my life (he had been a London captain), but I mean to go no 

 more ; and I have bought that little house which you see there, 

 for the sake of fishing. I get into this boat (which he was then 

 mopping) on a Monday morning, and fish on till Saturday night for 

 barbel, as I told you, lor that is my delight : and this I have done 

 for a month together, and in all that while 1 have not had a single 

 bite." 



The best months for fishing in this locality are September, 

 October, and November, and the water should be full, and not too 

 clear. The inns for refreshment are the Red Lion, and the Bell ; 

 and the fishermen are the families of the Milbournes, and the 

 Benns, Will. Chambers, and J. Snell. 



SUNBURY is situated on the Middlesex side of the river, and 

 there are often very fine trout taken in the waters of the vicinity, 

 particularly near the weir. Gudgeons are plentiful, and_ afford 

 the angler considerable amusement. The preserved district ex- 

 tends six hundred and eighty-three yards from the weir, eastward, 

 to the east end pile of the breakwater. The inns are the Flower 

 Pot, the Magpie, and the Castle ; and the fishermen are Goddard, 

 Fulcher, and Johnson. 



WALTON is another fishing station, situated on the Surrey side 

 of the Thames, and is eighteen miles from London. ^ There is some 

 fine deep stretches of water here, but part of it is preserved. 

 Large barbel are caught, and there is a good stock of dace, 

 roach, and chub. Trout are scarce, but when they have been 

 taken, have generally been of very heavy weight. The inn is 

 the Duke's Head; and the fishermen Thomas and George 

 Rogerson. 



SHEPPERTON has some extensive ranges of deep water, full of 

 fine perch, chub, and jack. Both sides of the river can be pleasantly 

 fished from the banks. There are three districts or sections of 

 preserved water here. There is good accommodation for travellers, 

 and steady and obliging fishermen. 



WEYBRIDGE is_ about twenty miles from the metropolis, and is 

 an excellent locality for genuine fishing purposes. Trout are often 

 pretty plentiful. At the time we are penning these lines we have 

 seen a capture of this fish made, on an angling excursion, by Mr. 

 Alfred, jun., of 54, Moorgate Street, City, which is a splendid 

 specimen of Thames trout-fishing. His creel contained thirteen 

 fish in all; one was ttoelve and a half pounds, one seven, and one 

 five pounds; and the residue were of more than average size. 

 These were caught by an artificial bait (an imitation of a small 

 gudgeon, manufactured by himself), by trolling. Two of these 

 fine fish are now preserved, and may be seen at the above fishing- 

 tackle establishment. Such an exploit as this shows that the trout 

 must have now become pretty numerous in the river, and that the 



