Out of the Chalk. 75 



down the stream. By this change of policy he got amongst 

 the trout, and killed three, averaging perhaps half a pound, 

 in the course of the two hours during which I was a silent 

 observer. The boy, as I was leaving, returned with four 

 others worse than himself and a hideous-looking stableman, 

 and commenced aggressive action by shying pebbles and 

 volleys of dry peas into the water. I should hope for the 

 sake of the free-fishers who take advantage of these few 

 yards of open ford that this annoyance does not often occur, 

 for I have been told many enthusiasts walk a dozen miles 

 in order to be at the spot by daylight. Driving over the 

 bridge you may often see some very good fish rising within 

 the compass of a long downward cast. 



The Wandle trout require the tiniest of flies and the finest 

 of tackle. With these, and with the utmost skill, you seldom 

 obtain much sport during the daytime. It is an error to 

 suppose, as I have repeatedly been informed, that the river 

 is never discoloured. The water flows from the chalk strata, 

 and receives but little addition from immediate rainfalls; but 

 drains and gutters communicating with the roads cannot fail 

 to bring down a certain amount of discolouring matter, and 

 at times, soon after heavy showers, the water becomes foul. 

 But near its sources to an extraordinary extent it speedily 

 resumes its normal clearness. 



A local resident, to whose efforts in fish culture I shall 

 refer presently, in his delightful book entitled " My Garden," 

 says — " The Wandle taken as a whole is the perfection of a 

 river ; its water is as bright as crystal, and is purity itself. It 

 does not overflow with rain, nor is it deficient in dry weather. 

 It does not freeze in winter, nor does it become very hot in 

 summer. It has existed through all historic times ; and as 

 long as the chalk retains its porosity, and is protected by 

 a bed of clay underneath, and a bed of blue clay on that 



