146 DAYS AMONG THE PIKE AND PERCH 



Sept. 2nd, 1889. Made a start, rigged up a few of my 

 two treble flights, with the extra side treble, and the long 

 zinc strip (see p. 61), tried the pool at the foot of the 

 Rymers flats near Houghton Wale, and got one fish only, 

 3 Ibs. 14 ozs. 



Sept. iqth. Did not go again till to-day; spun all the 

 water from Hartford downwards, using both natural and 

 artificial baits ; got three on small dead roach and two on 

 the Clipper ; largest 4! Ibs., the five went 20 Ibs. Water 

 bright, but a nice breeze was blowing. 



Sept. 2ist. Again took out the spinning rod, as a good 

 rain had coloured up the river ; but pike were not on the 

 feed ; got two fish towards the evening ; one on the Clipper, 

 the other on my old spoons. They weighed 3^ Ibs. each. 



Oct. 6th. Went down stream towards Hemingford, 

 tried small roach on my favourite flight ; got two fish, just 

 8 Ibs. the two. Water was clouded, and wind blowing 

 pretty strongly. Saw a bittern, which Harry Rout shot 

 two days later ; a wanton act that upset my usually placid 

 temper. 



Oct. 8th. This day went round the Port Holme, Hunting- 

 don ; had eight runs, and landed six fish, small roach for 

 bait, and my usual flight ; weather calm and water a lot 

 brighter ; only two fish worth keeping, 7 Ibs. the two. 



Oct. gth. Having another half-day to spare, I again 

 visited Port Holme and the West Meadow, using same 

 tackle and small roach for bait, spinning ; wind blowing half 

 a gale, water inclined to rise, and colour slightly. Landed 

 four nice jack, largest 5 Ibs. 16 Ibs. in all. 



Oct. loth. Was so pleased with the previous day's sport 

 that I was again tempted to go out, but a 2\ Ibs. fish, 

 which was duly returned, only rewarded me. 



Oct. i$th. Still no luck ; four hours' hard work with 

 natural and artificial baits, only got one fish, and it was less 

 than the one taken on the loth ; returned it. 



Oct. i$th. Went all round the Port Holme and the West 

 Meadow ; had seven runs ; unlucky day in one sense, as 



