WEST AND SOUTH-WEST COUNTIES 207 



though occasionally some of considerable weight have 

 been taken out of its waters. 



The Test rises out of the north-western section of the 

 county, and falls into the Southampton water. It is a 

 first-rate river of its class. "Whitchurch, fifty-eight miles 

 from London, is one of the chief fishing stations upon it 

 for London sportsmen. Leave to fish has to be obtained, 

 either from the person who keeps the inn, or from some 

 of the neighbouring gentry. Stockbridge is another 

 place of rendezvous for the anglers of this water. The 

 streams of the Test are remarkably clear, and they 

 require the finest tackle that can be obtained, and the 

 lightest hand in throwing the fly. Unless these matters 

 are religiously attended to, the rod-fisher need not visit 

 the Test. 



The Itchen in many of its sections is a good trout- 

 streami, but it demands very careful fishing. A style of 

 angliag such as may be very proper, and successful too, 

 in a mountaia stream ia Wales, or ia the Highlands of 

 Scotland, will not do here. Great lightness of hand and 

 the finest tackle are indispensable in this stream. Salmon 

 are occasionally taken in it, but the trout is the staple 

 commodity of its waters. 



The rivers of Wiltshire will afford a good margin for 

 piscatory sport. A ramble through the country with 

 the rod is both pleasant and improviag. Its chief rivers 

 are the Nadder, the Wylie, the Bourne, and the Kennet. 

 All these waters contaia trout, though not of a large 

 size; and the country they flow through is often ex- 

 tremely beautiful and romantic, and leaves agreeable 

 reminiscences on the mind of the tourist. Smallish 

 flies and fine tackle are required, particularly when the 

 rivers are low, and there is little wind. Small spider- 

 flies are in some streams great favourites with the local 

 sportsmen of the district; the only drawback to their 

 use is, that we lose many of the fish from the very 

 slender hold such hooks have on their mouth. Some 

 sections of these waters are preserved. 



The various rivers of Warwickshire afford good 

 angling both with fly and the minnow. The Avon rises 



