A LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2010, 1 September 1892, Page 32

A LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Jock Scott, — The Thames trout fishing has been 'very poor, and but few anglers have troubled the fish— in fact our river is now so cut up by traffic from April to October that fishing in the navigable parts is anything but pleasant. Dozens of steam and electric launches daily pass this place. A nice trout of s|lb was brought in here the day before yesterday, picked up in a dying state. On examination I found a severe mark on one side of the head, evidently done by the screw of a launch. The person who picked this fish up caught a six-pounder yesterday. Barbel are the principal fish sought for now, and the other day a student at Eton College (Mr Ranken) had a splendid specimen weighing 10£lb. We expect it in to-morrow from the taxidermists. What a reminder of schoolboy's happy days will this be to him when he is an "old boy." The largest I ever caught was B£lb— just outside here— but have had a great many. One night Mr Francis Francis, late editor of Field, fishing with me opposite this place got 15. The bridge was crowded and, to their surprise, when he had done every one was thrown back into the river. Unless a friend asks for a fish I always throw them back — they are such poor eating. Our best flavoured fish is the eel, and they are good when properly " dodged." I saw one sent to the Queen out of this river ; weighed 61b soz, the best I have had being 4-lb lloz. Our trout are quite a lottery, some are miserable eating —more like an old carp than a trout— while others are creamy, of good colour, and above all have a good flavour. • ... We are having a deal of rain just now, and whilst I write the river is like a sea, there being qjite a galo on. Tom i its, of whom a great number come here to see the castle, are looking very unhappy. Her Majesty left this morning, and to the surprise of everyone when the royal standard was lowered — which is done the moment the royal train gets over the river into the next county— up went the Union Jack. I happened ta be the castle way, and asked two press friends what it meant, and it appears that the Marquis of Lome is now Governor of the Tower, and in future the Union Jack is to fly when her Majesty is not in residence. This is rather prettier than the flagless pole, at least for visitors', as we take no notice of her Majesty or the castle beyond being truly loyal and respectful. She often passes here, and weather never keeps her in. I happened to be looking out a few evenings back when it was coming down "cats and dogs" and she passed. Her coachman looked fairly happy in his macintosh, but poor " Jeames," in a black velvetcollared overcoat, looked like a drowned rat, and extremely uncomfortable. However, they have to go, and so do the ladies-in-waiting—rain, hail, or snow. She is a marvellous woman for fresh air. Ninety-nine out of every 100 women would not face what she does, and to this must be attributed her splendid constitution. ' I am sending Mr Senior, of Field, some Witness cuttings. He will be interested in them. I, notice he had something in about New Zealand last week. I have no time for fishing till late on in autumn, but am afraid if 1 were your side I should soon catch the trout fever. . „ The Otago Acclimatisation slips are on view, and many anglers are much interested in them. Windsoe Bee.