45 



not only for its coarse fish, but also for quantities of 

 sea-trout that frequent it in the autumn months. 



Fishermen have increased so rapidly in the last 

 few years that those who have fishing rights take 

 care of them, and where one could formerly go un- 

 challenged, he now has to ask permission for a day, 

 and very often may consider himself lucky if he gets 

 it. There are now about 180 angling societies in and 

 around London, consisting of nearly 5,000 members, 

 besides a large number of anglers who do not belong 

 to any society ; consequently fish have been becoming 

 more and more scarce year after year, and the 

 increase of population and pollution of rivers have 

 also tended to drive them away. But, in order to 

 supply to some extent the deficiency, artificial breed- 

 ing has become very general. The National Pisci- 

 cultural Society breed and distribute immense numbers 

 of young trout every year. Greater efforts are also 

 being made than formerly to prevent poaching, the 

 destruction of undersized fish, and taking them when 

 out of season ; therefore, the prospects of anglers 

 are beginning to look brighter. 



In describing the where to go fishing, I have 

 alluded more particularly to Hampshire, not only 

 because it is the best part of England for trout, but 

 because it also happens to be the county with which 

 I am best acquainted. 



Throughout the whole of the county, fishing for 

 trout with anything but an artificial fly is considered 

 unsportsmanlike, and is strictly prohibited in all 

 the clubs. 



Still, there are many other localities where, if the 

 angler does not mind going farther afield, good 



