26 ANGLING 



left shoulder-blade down to well we will say considerably lower 

 down and all through that yokel pellylewing over Trent bank- 

 side. 



Mr. Hopper can now imagine his readers have had 

 enough of the pellylew business, and they want to know what 

 sport Mr. Hopper has had since he wrote his last notes. 

 Well, Mr. Hopper has certainly grassed some real good ones 

 since he last put pen to paper anent angling matters, but first 

 let him record the demise last autumn of Charlie Hudson, the 

 Trent fisherman, who could fish for carp bream as no other 

 angler could do. Poor old Charlie ! he was good at his beer. 

 " Well, maister, I don't mind a sup ; " that there " sup " 

 meaning two glasses to begin with. When Charlie had put 

 out of sight about ten more of the same measure he would 

 confidentially tell you " he worn't a good hand at his beer now, 

 he couldn't take it." Witchdorter, from the stern of the boat, tips 

 a sly wink at this, and affirms that he is a bibulous old rascal. 

 But Charlie has gone to his rest. Last harvest home polished 

 him off. If he had stuck to his beer he would probably now 

 have been pulling out carp bream of four or five pounds 

 weight, and saying, " This 'ere ain't no putty un," meaning a 

 white bream. Whisky finished him off in about a couple of 

 days, and Trent-side knows him no more. " Friend Brown " 

 purchased Charlie's boat, and many a pull and many a row 

 has Mr. Hopper had with it last back end and this changeable 

 summer (?) of 1890. Well, but Mr. Hopper, what about the 

 fish ? Some rare business in the barbel line this year's visit ; 

 biggest Slbs. Nonsense, say Mr. Hopper's readers. Bosh ! 

 Five-and-a-half pounds took first prize last year for biggest 

 barbel caught in public waters. Well, it's a fact. Mr. 

 Hopper hooked him at 9 p.m., and it was 9-25 p.m. before he 

 was safe in the net. A real beauty ; in splendid condition ; 

 and he fought like the brave fish he was. What did you 

 catch him with, Mr. Hopper ? Why cheese, of course. Do you 

 think Mr. Hopper fishes with worm when the water is fine and 

 clear? Any other good barbel, Mr. Hopper ? Well, yes. Master 

 Hopper, rising 16, landed one the same night pulling dcrtvn the 



