PETERSFIELD.
TROUT FISHING EXTRAORDINARY.— On Saturday last a novel piscatory treat, rich and rare, was given by a friend of Captain Knox, of Trotton House, to a select party of ladies and gentlemen, amongst whom were Lady Agnes Jolliffe, the Misses Carter, and ladies from Adhurst, St. Mary’s with Captains Jolliffe, M.P., Evelegh, Knox, Nicholson, &c. The sport commenced at Sheet Bridge, on the London and Portsmouth road, which spans the river Rother, where three commorants appeared upon the scene and astonished the locals, and uninitiated, in the mysterious sport about to commence. The modus operandi appeared to be after the style of the Chinese (with the above named birds) upon their lakes and rivers, and commenced below bridge, but the water there being thick and deep, the sport was transferred up river through the meadows of Tankerdale, when, in about three hours 12 and a-half brace of fine trout were taken, and afforded truly exciting enjoyment throughout from the novelty of sport, to the disciples of ‟Old Isaak Walton,” who were lucky enough to be present. Each bird had a strap placed around its neck, so to prevent the fish being swallowed, when, upon the pouch being filled, the bird by a little pressure disgorged its contents and was again ready for sport; their movements through the water after the fish were really astonishing to witness, and altogether afforded a treat never before enjoyed in this locality.