THE THAMES 163 



but very rare. The fishing becomes a little improved 

 between this spot and Putney Bridge, vrhere the 

 assistance of boats can be procured at a shilling an 

 hour, and sixpence for each succeeding hour. Large 

 quantities of bottom-fish are often taken here with 

 the rod ; but the state of the weather, and the condition 

 of the river and its tidal movements, exercise a great 

 influence over the feeding of numerous kinds of fish in 

 these ranges of water. We have known an angler, in 

 the space of an hour, take perch to the weight of sixty 

 pounds, while at another time he has fished two entire 

 days consecutively and not seen a single fish of any 

 kind. 



At Beentfoed there is often fair sport to be obtained 

 off a place called the Aits. There have been trout 

 occasionally taken here with the minnow, but they are 

 scarce. Perch, barbel, dace, and gudgeons are tolerably 

 plentiful. 



Richmond is a good and favourite locality for the 

 rod-fisher, and there are many expert piscatorians in 

 this district, who know every inch of the water and 

 every hour of the day when it is probable that certain 

 fish can be obtained. There is a favourite stretch of 

 water of considerable depth above the bridge, extending 

 for about two hundred yards, where barbel are some- 

 times taken of great weight and numbers. August 

 and October are the chief months for complete success 

 in this locality. At the loeir, dace are taken in great 

 quantities, and so likewise are gudgeons. It is requisite 

 to notice here that the preserved waters extend six 

 hundred and eighty-three yards from the weir, eastward, 

 to the east end pile of the breakwater. The inns at 

 Richmond are numerous ; but the chief resort of anglers 

 is at the King's Head, near the bridge; the Pigeons, 

 near the Duke of Buccleuch's; the White Cross, the 

 Greyhound, the Roebuck. The fishermen, who will 

 give all manner of assistance to the angler, are George 

 Piatt, C. Brown, and G. Howard. 



If the angler who visits Richmond wishes to employ 

 his time to the best advantage, he must pay great 



