The Rod in India

Abstract

THIS is a very much enlarged edition of a very excellent and pleasant book, the first edition of which appeared not quite eight years ago. The author asserts that there is as good fishing, in the angler's sense, of course, of this word, to be had in India as in England; and to prove it we have this goodly royal octavo volume, of over 400 pages and 25 plates. Now, though the fishing is good, it soon becomes apparent that it is something quite peculiar; for though our author himself knew thoroughly well how to “circumvent” a trout in England, and had often done successful battle with the lordly salmon in more northern climes, yet at first he could make nothing of the Mahseer in India, and lost a frightful lot of time in learning the manners and the customs of this Oriental gentleman. The reader of this volume should not certainly be in such a plight, for he will find in it the minutest instructions for his guidance, and there seems not a trait in the character of this and the other freshwater, fishes to be ordinarily met with in India that has not been scanned and studied by its author with the intent of beguiling these fishes to their own destruction.

The Rod in India.

Being Hints how to obtain Sport, with Remarks on the Natural History of Fish, their Culture and Value, and Illustrations of Fish and Tackle. By H. S. Thomas., of the Madras Civil Service. Second Edition. (London: Hamilton, Adams, and Co., 1881.)