The Thames page 2

Monkey island

formerly the residence of the third Duke of Marlborough, who erected on it the Temple and Pavilion; the latter containing the celebrated Monkey Room, with its numerous paintings of monkeys in various characters, from which the island takes its name. This property is now conducted as an hotel for fishing parties, etc.; the Pike fishing in the neighbourhood being very good.

We now pass the noted Surley Hall, Boveney Lock, and Eton, and arrive at

Windsor

At Eton weir, spinning for Trout and Perch is successfully practised. The Inns are the Crown and Anchor, Three Tuns, Swan, &c., and the fishermen Haynes and Son.

Datohet

is a good station for Barbel-fishing, and some good Trout are occasionally taken here. In April, 1859, one weighing 10 lbs. was taken with the artificial bait. The Inns are the Horse and Groom, Angel and Crown, &c., and the fisherman, George Keene, who has removed to this place from Weybridge. Below Datchet is Old Windsor, "the Bells" of Ouzeley, and Wraysbury, where there is excellent Jack- fishing, especially on the side opposite the towing-path. Passing Magna Charta Island and Runneymead, we come to Bell's Weir, Egham; at this weir there are always a few good Torut, Between Egham and

Staines

the Thames is joined by the river Colne. The Thames, from the City Boundary Stone downwards, is preserved by the Thames Angling Preservation Society, who have succeeded in abolishing netting from this point to Richmond Bridge. The river for this distance therefore is one long preserve, the only nets allowed being a landing-net. and a casting-net 13 feet in circumference for taking baits. We give, however, the dimensions of the original preserves, and the reader should remember that, although the society preserves this portion of the Thames, yet the river is entirely free to the angler, and is protected only against the poacher and netter. The original preserve at Staines, extends 720 yards from the city stone, to 210 yards eastwards of the bridge-:-and there is capital Barbel, Roach, Chub and Gudgeon-fishing. The Inn is the Swan, at the water-side, and the fishermen, Cambers, Years, Fletcher and Amor.

Penton hook

Preserve extends 1150 yards, being from the Guard Piles east ward round the Hook, to the east end of the Lock; there is excellent fishing round the Hook, down to

Laleham

which is a good fly-fishing locality; but there are also some quiet corners where the live bait may be employed for Pike with great success. The Inn is the Horse Shoe, and the fisherman, Sam. Harris. The preserve at

Cherktsey

extends 445 yards, being from the weir to 80 yards eastward of the bridge. At this weir I have taken some fine Trout with the spinning-bait: and there is a small stream called the Abbey Mill River, which joins the Thames at Chertsey, in which some good Perch fishing is to be had. The Inns here are, The Cricketers, &e., and the fishermen Upjohn and Galloway. The " Stank," near Chertsey Bridge, is a noted corner for Jack, where occasionally great execution is done with the live bait.

Weybridge

There is first-rate Jack-fishing above the weir, in a corner at the lower end of the ait; and at the Guard Piles is a noted swim for Barbel and Roach. The preserve extends 800 yards below the weir, and this is one of the finest pieces of fishing-water below Staines. In the deep off Ham Haw Point, where the water averages 20 feet, and even more, in depth, there are some heavy Trout, Pike, Carp and Eels. Ham Deep may also be fished with the live bait for large Pike during the winter months with the greatest success. At the mouth of a small stream known as the Bourne, which here enters the Thames, I have taken some fine perch with the paternoster, and using live minnows for bait. Some little distance below is Hallidays Hole, where great quantities of Bream and Barbel have been taken, and occasionally large Trout. The river Wey joins the Thames at W'eybridge. The Inns are the Lincoln Arms, Crown, Ship, &e., and the fishermen, Richard and John Harris, Edward, John and Charles Keene.

At Chalk Hole, between Weybridge and

Shepperton

there is first-rate Jack-fishing, besides a good pitch for Barbel, Bream and Roach. One afternoon in September, 1862, over ninety pounds weight of Bream were taken by two rods. The preserves at Shepperton are the Upper Deep, 200 yards. The Old Deep, 240 yards east of the Creek Rails; and the Lower Deep, 200 yards east of the Drain. The New Hotel, in Oatland's Park, is seen from this point to great advan tage. The Inn at Shepperton is the Anchor, and the fishermen the Purdues and W. Rogerson. In April and May some good Trout are always to be found near the head of the small islands which stud the river in the neighbourhood of

Halliford

The fishermen here are the Rosewells and Rogerson; and the Inn, The Ship. There are some capital Roach-pitches from Halliford to

Walton

The preserve here extends 250 yards at the east of Tankerville's, and west of the horse-bridge, called Walton Sale. This is a noted place for large Pike, some having been taken here weighing upwards of twenty pounds, with the live bait. From Walton Bridge down to Sunbury Weir is a fine piece of water for Jack-spinning; and the whole water abounds with Bream and Roach. The fishermen are, James Rogerson, George Hone, and the Rosewell's; the Inns are, The Crown, and the Duke's Head.

Sunbury

Weir is a capital place for Trout at the commencement of the season; and late in the year I have taken some large Pike with the live bait, when part of the weir has been shut in so as to form an eddy. The preserve extends 683 yards from the weir eastward, to the east-end pile of the break water. The Inns are. The Flower-pot, New Inn, and The Magpie; and the fishermen, Fulker, Clarke and Goddard. From Sunbury some good spinning may be had from the towing-path down to

Hampton

The preserve extends 1514 yards from the west end of Garrick's Lawn, including the Tumbling Bay, to the Lower Head Pile below Moulsey Lock and Weir. Some good Roach-fishing is to be had in the neighbourhood of Hampton, the Perch also are of very fair size. The Inns are, Red Lion and The Bell: and the fishermen, Melbourne, Benn and Snell. Several good Trout are annually taken at Moulsey Weir; and opposite the Lock house is a good Barbel pitch.

Hampton court

is 15 miles from London, on the South-Western Railway. Near this place the Thames is joined by the river Mole, and large quantities of Perch are occasionally taken. In the deep, at the Water Gallery, there are always a few good Trout. The Inns are, The Castle, (at the foot of the bridge) The Mitre, and King's Arms. The fishermen are, Thomas Davis, Sedgewick. Milbourne, Smith and Rockingham. A short distance below Hampton Court is

Thames ditton

where a great number of Jack are taken with the spinning-bait. The Inn is the Swan; and the fishermen, the Taggs and Rogerson.

Kingston

is about 12 miles from London; the preserve is 1960 yards in length, extending from the Lower Malt House, at Hampton Wick, to the east end of Mr. Park's Lawn, at Teddington, including the back water, known as the Trolock, in which there is good Jack and Perch-fishing. The fishermen are. Johnson, Brown, Boulton, Clarke and Bradford; and the Inns, the Jolly Anglers, Oak, &c. Trout are very rarely taken below

Teddington

although occasionally a large one is taken at the weir. Below Teddington Weir are some good swims for Roach, Bream and Barbel; and sometimes Carp are taken of very fair size. The fishermen are, the Kemps, Balden, &e.

Twickenham

The preserve is 410 yards from the west end of Lawn. Pope's Villa, to the Ait. The fishermen are, Coxon and Son, Hall, Harris, &c., and the Inns, Eel Pie House, and King's Head. There is capital Roach and Dace fishing from Twickenham down to

Richmond

but the rise and fall of the tide (which flows as far as Teddington Lock) causing an alteration of the depth, and a con sequent shifting of the float being requisite, the fishing is hardly so pleasant as higher up, where the stream flows more regularly; besides the annoyance in this quarter of an occasional skiff or other pleasure-boat being rowed into your swim by some weak minded individual who, probably has entered the aforesaid skiff for the first time in his life, and having screwed up his courage by sundry libations, appears consequently in his own eyes, " monarch of all he surveys A and thinks it decidedly infra dig. to look in what direction he is rowing. A few of these "betes noirs" are sometimes to be seen about Hampton Court, appearing in the distance like floating windmills; but they rarely venture higher up the river.

The preserve extends 700 yards westward of the bridge to Duke of Buccleuch's; the fishermen are, Brown, Howard, Platt and Carter; and the Inns, Star and Carter, King's Head, &o.

Below Richmond is Isleworth, where there is no deep. The Inns are. King's Head, Pigeons, &c.; and the fishermen, Styles and Platt.

Below Isleworth there are two preserves mentioned in the old list; one at Fulham, 30 yards west to 30 yards east of the bridge. And one at Battersea, 10 yards west to 10 yards east of the bridge.

Annexed is a list of the locks, bridges, and principal ferries, with the distances in miles and furlongs from London Bridge, commencing at Richmond, with the usual fall of water in the locks. I believe it will be found as correct as it is possible to be; for it will be obvious that the height of the water must at times vary considerably, such as during a very dry or very wet season, when the fall in the locks will vary accordingly. The toll (6d.,) allows the punt to pass once up and down again through the lock the same day, but some few of the locks are free. With these remarks, I leave it in the hands of the reader, trusting that he will find it as useful as I have; and now take leave of the Thames, which from its source, to where it runs into the sea, at the Nore, is about 110 miles, nearly due east, but flows about twice that distance, measuring the windings of the river.