EXPERIENCES & REMINISCENCES. 159 



Only a few years ago, when dace fishing, Mr. Hopper used to 

 catch two gudgeon to every five dace. McNab and Mr. 

 Hopper also landed a few nice chub, the largest, 2f Ibs., falling to 

 Mr. Hopper, but McNab landed the greatest quantity. The 

 river was very clear indeed, and floating for barbel was found 

 to be useless, however " fine " one fished. The float was there- 

 fore taken off after being given a good trial, and " legering " or 

 " plumbing " as some call it resorted to. By this kind of fishing 

 the gut lies on the bed of the river and is not so likely to attract 

 the fishes' attention as when suspended in clear water. Mr. 

 Hopper should add that the barbel were captured in about 

 ii feet of water, and the bream in a swim 24 feet deep. Of 

 course a " running*" float was used in this depth of water so 

 much for McNab's and Mr. Hopper's Trent-side outing. Sport 

 was not bad. It may be termed fairly moderate, which means 

 that it cannot compare with the sport of a few years ago. 



With regard to trout fishing, the local becks have run low 

 during the summer months, and in consequence Mr. Hopper 

 has only had his fly rod out once or twice. He had one fair 

 catch, the largest trout being just a pound and a quarter, 

 but the big store fish are caught with the worm and other baits 

 by individuals who shall be nameless, but who pride themselves 

 on being " skilful fly fishers." Big deeds of angling prowess 

 are oft related at sundry bars, but Mr. Hopper generally knows 

 what bait has accounted for the monsters. Mr. Hopper has, 

 however, had one glorious day this year with his fly rod ; he had 

 secured a "permit" restricted to the artificial fly only, over 

 four miles of preserved water in a Lincolnshire town some 

 distance from Grimsby. Mr. Hopper left by the quarter to six 

 a.m. train and was fishing by half-past eight. The water was 

 very clear and the stream rapid, but until he came to a bend in 

 the river where the wind caught the river and raised a ripple he 

 could do no good. Then the friendly ripple helped him, and 

 when Mr. Hopper put up his rod at half-past three he had 

 landed 20 brace of trout in 80 yards of water. He was only 

 bound to return two brace for want of size, but returned six 



