Ffy-FiJbing. 83 



of my pifcatorial " rambles and recollections con- 

 ne&ed with the fame river," I muft take leave of 

 thee, fweet Wye, though paft pleafures connected 

 with thy waters flill crowd thick and faft upon my 

 memory. 



There is no river in this part of the country I 

 fhould felecl: in preference to refide near ; ftill the 

 ftranger may vifit it for a week or more together, 

 and leave it grievoufly difappointed. Like all large 

 rivers I have fifhed in, it is very uncertain, more 

 efpecially in refpecl: to trout. Rough fim and 

 laftfprings the tyro may calculate on with cer- 

 tainty in the right feafon, in fufficient number to 

 bring his hand into play; but to know the fa- 

 vourite refort of trout, and the befl ftreams, re- 

 quires a longer acquaintance with the river. There 

 is no better water, that I know of, than that 

 which lies between Bredwardine Bridge and Whit- 

 ney-flats ; and as no brother of the angle need fear 

 any denial of fair riming, may all fuccefs attend 

 thee, whoever thou art, who may feel inclined to 

 bring to a teft the truth of thefe words ! 



