i62 ANGLING 



Indeed, few people have any just conception of the 

 prevalence of angling hahits and ideas in London, 

 unless some degree of attention has been paid to the 

 subject. 



The range of waters to which the London anglers are 

 chiefly confined, and which suit their ideas and modes 

 of fishing, is but very limited, though, on the whole, 

 abounding with sport, and a great variety of fish. The 

 Thames, and its tributaries, with the various canals 

 and docks, form the staple resources of this numerous 

 and enthusiastic class of piscatorians. We shall proceed 

 to enumerate the various localities where the angler 

 may find pleasure in, and scope for, the exercise of his 

 art. 



THE THAMES 



" Glide gently, thus for ever glide, 

 Thames ! that anglers all may see 

 As lovely visions by thy side, 

 As now, fair river, come to me. 

 Oh, glide, fair stream, for ever so, 

 Thy quiet soul on aU bestowing. 

 Till all our minds for ever flow 

 As thy deep waters now are flowing.'' 



The Thames is a most magnificent river, both for the 

 extent of its range and the immense variety and nimiber 

 of its fish. It springs out of Gloucestershire, and for 

 some distance goes under the name of the Churn, and 

 it has an entire run of upwards of three hundred miles. 

 The angling stations upon it are very numerous, and 

 greatly diversified in their angling capabilities; and 

 we shall now proceed to point out some of the chief of 

 them, as fully as our limits will permit. 



Battbesea Bridge used a few years ago to be a 

 somewhat favourite locality for the perch, barbel, chub, 

 eel, lamprey, roach, dace, blank, and ruffe; but now, 

 chiefly, perhaps, from the increased steamboat traflfio, 

 the fishing is not considered so good. Both sahnon and 

 trout have been taken here with the rod, and of great 

 weight and delicious flavour; but these captures are 



