36 MAKING A FISHERY. 



readers I would instance a case which occurred 

 to me in which an old keeper on a club water I 

 had fished myself, who had been discharged for 

 drunkenness, and was more than suspected of 

 dishonesty, not only applied for the situation 

 but inclosed a copy of a testimonial from the 

 son of his late employer (how obtained is a 

 mystery), presumably in the hope that the 

 surname being the same the difference in the 

 initials might be overlooked. Perhaps some 

 friend or acquaintance reading the advertisement 

 may recommend a man, and sometimes a keeper 

 taken from such recommendation may turn out 

 well. Altogether the selection of a man for such 

 work is most difficult and haphazard. Some 

 advise that no local man should be taken, some 

 go farther and say that a Scotchman or 

 Yorkshireman is worth at least four of the local 

 south country rustics ; and, without wishing to 

 run down the Hampshire or Wiltshire men, 

 certainly of the two best and most reliable 

 keepers I have known, one is a native of 

 Yorkshire and the other hails from the Land o' 

 Cakes. 



If a second or under keeper is required it is 

 as a rule far better to try and find a man of good 

 character in the nearest village. He must, 

 however, be civil, obliging, take an interest in 

 his work, and on the score of honesty and 



