NOTES. 251 



The Lower Thames may be defined as that part of the 

 river between the City Stone at Staines and 

 Teddington, or Richmond, Lock. This stretch Notes 

 of the river produces far better sport in the late l" w'er 

 autumn, winter, and spring, than in the sum- Thames 

 merj in summer, the river is incessantly dis- 

 turbed by boats and launches, though the launches 

 seldom interfere with fishing in the backwaters. Staines 

 Bridge is a short distance below the City Stone, Bell 

 Weir is above it. This weir is a magnificent one for all 

 sorts of fish, particularly trout and barbel ; but it wants a 

 lot of knowing, the bottom is so foul. The nearest 

 stations are Staines and Egham. There is a good place 

 for barbel-fishing from the concrete steps just above the 

 lock, but anglers must have a weir-pass to enable them 

 to fish this spot. Below the weir, nearly to „ . 

 Staines Bridge, is excellent chub- and barbel- 

 water. Immediately below the bridge there is a good 

 roach-swim, which must be fished from a punt. Hone is 

 one of the best Staines fishermen. All the water from 

 Staines to Penton Hook is good for barbel, but it is 

 much disturbed by launches. Some distance below 

 Staines there is a fine shallow for fly-fishing ; and on the 

 towing-path side, there is an excellent swim for roach- 

 fishing in the winter when the water is high and coloured. 

 The spot may be known by a small house on the oppo- 

 site side of the river, which has a large fish as a weather- 

 cock, and is called the Half-way House. The swim is 

 sandy and shallow ; bread-crust is particularly killing in 

 this spot, fishing close to the bank. Penton pgjjt^^ 

 Hook is one of the best fishing stations on the Hook 

 lower river ; swims of every description abound, 

 deeps, shallows, eddies and still water afford swims to 

 suit every sort of fish and fishing. Just below the first, or 

 upper, pile above the lock, there is a very deep eddy ; this 

 may be legered with ease from a punt tied in a steady 

 position to the first or second pile. The hole alongside 

 the camp-sheathing on the left-hand side of the river 

 (looking down stream) is very deep, and may be fished 

 beautifully with a long roach-rod. just below the little 

 footbridge that crosses the overflow, which is dry when 

 the river is low, the river-bed sinks rapidly, and the 

 current is consequently very strong, being most difficult 



