124 THE TROUT 



'Till about the year 1868 the only flies used were 

 large ones, tied on No. 8 hooks, 1 Mayflies and moths 

 being the most common artificial ones. Early in the 

 century the " blow line " was introduced from Ire- 

 land, the natural fly on a No. 8 hook being used. 

 For this purpose a hollow cane rod of some 24 feet, 2 

 or even one made of deal, was the general weapon. 

 Nowadays such a proceeding is hardly ever heard 

 of in English rivers. About the year 1860 the tiny 

 "dry" artificial small gnat, and the 10 or n foot 

 rod, which had previously come into use on other 

 smaller streams in England, became the customary 

 system of fishing in the Test. 



' When this river has passed Stockbridge, its bed 

 again becomes of a gravelly nature, but not in so 

 great a degree as above Wherwell, or the upper reaches 

 belonging to Lord Portsmouth and Mr. Portal. Below 

 Romsey trout run to a larger size. 



' The Stockbridge Club I believe to have been 

 founded by Hampshire men. Not so the Leckford, 

 now the Longstock Club. This was created by gentle- 

 men from Northumberland, who came down solely 

 for the Mayfly season ; the Rev. Ogle being the 

 absolute originator, and first Secretary. 



1 See fig. 7, p. 1 06. 



- Is this not an excessive lentrth ? 



