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GENERAL
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UNIVERSITY OF
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RIYEES AND LAKES OF ENGLAND.

ROBERT BLAKEY,

AtlTHOR OF "a history OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF MIND," F,TC., F.TC.

" We win communion with sweet Nature's self,
In plying our dear craft."

LONDON:

WHITTAKER & CO., AVE -MARIA LANE.

LIVERPOOL: EDWARD HOWELL, CHURCH STREET.

EDINBURGH: OLR'ER AND BOYD.

]853.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER T.

The Eastern and Metropolitan Districts,
The Thames. — Rivers in Middlesex, 1

CHAPTER II.
The North-Western Rivers.
Bedfordshire. — Shropshire. — Leicestershire, — Norfolk.— Northamp-
tonshire. — Huntingdonshire. — Cambridgeshire — Suffolk. —
Hertfordshire, 14

CHAPTER III.

The South-Western Rivers.

Buckinghamshire. ^- Berkshire. — Herefordshire. — Oxfordshire. —
Cornwall. — Devonshire.— Monmouthshire.— Hampshire.— Dor-
setshire.— Wiltshire. — Worcestershire. — Gloucestershire, ... 23

CHAPTER IV.
The Eastern and North-Eastern Rivers.
Lincolnshire. — Nottinghamshire. — Staffordshire. — Surrey.— Sussex.
— Essex.— Kent, . . . 49

CHAPTER y.

The Northern Rivers.

Northumberland, 59

CHAPTER VI.
The Rivers of Derbyshire, 86

iv!844847

CHAPTER VII.

The Rivers of Durham, Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire, 102

CHAPTER VIII.
The Rivers and Lakes of Cumberland and Westmorland, . Ill

CHAPTER IX.

The Rivers of Rutlandshire, Warwickshire, and Somerset-

shire,

CHAPTER X.
The Rivers and Lakes of Wales.
Carmarthenshire.— Radnorshire. — Flintshire. — Denbighshire. — Caer-
narvonshire. — Merionethshire. — Montgomeryshire. — Cardigan-
shire.—Brecknockshire.— Pembrokeshire.— Glamorganshire, . 134

-— -s-s^f^^^^^-^^

P E E F A C E .

The chief object of this small yolume is to
point out to the Angler the principal fly-
fisliing districts in England and Wales.
Having some time ago written a woric on
the art of rod -fishing in all its branches,*
I have since thought, that some general
guide was required to direct him to those
districts where the sport could be obtained
in the readiest and cheapest manner. The
present volume aims to fulfil this object.
It is not, I regret, so complete and ample
in its descriptions of some river and lake
districts, as I could have wished; but my

* Hints on Angling, with Suggestions for Angling Ex-
cursions in France and Belgium. By Palmee Hackle,
Esq., London, 1846.

K?.

VI.

space being limited, I had no alternative but
to compress my materials into the room
allotted to me.

I beg to mention, that the substance of two
of the Chapters appeared some years since, in
the numbers of the London Sporting Magazine.

Richmond, \2th May, 1853.

m

— N0:^>^S£^^4

INTEODUCTOEY EEMAEKS.

The art of angling is one of the most agreeable,
and morally improving, in the entire range of
rural sports. It is cultivated with more care
and assiduity in Great Britain than in any
other country ; and its inhabitants have fostered,
in connection with it, a more ardent love of the
beauties of external nature, and a keener relish
for the sympathies which they awaken in the
human breast, than any other people. They
mingle the spiritual and contemplative with
the manly and active ; and to saunter by the
banks of the river and the brook, is to them
redolent of the most refreshing pleasures and
charming associations.

This trait in the manners and pastimes of
the inhabitants of the British Isles, has been
often the subject of observation and comment

vm.

by foreign travellers and writers. An American
author of great and deservedly high reputa-
tion, has remarked that, " There is certainly
something in angling that tends to produce a
gentleness of spirit, and a pure serenity of mind.
As the English are methodical even in their
recreations, and are the most scientific of
sportsmen, it has been reduced among them
to a perfect rule and system. Indeed it is an
amusement peculiarly adapted to the mild and
highly- cultivated scenery of England, where
every roughness has been softened away from
the landscape. It is delightful to saunter along
these limpid streams, which meander, like veins
of silver, through the bosom^ of this beautiful
country ; leading us through a diversity of small
scenery; sometimes winding through orna-
mented grounds ; sometimes running along
through rich pasturage, where the fresh green
is mingled with sweet-smelling flowers; some-
times venturing in sight of villages and hamlets ;
and then running capriciously away into shady
retirements. The sweetness and serenity of
nature, and the quiet watchfulness of the sport,

IX.

gradually bring on pleasant fits of musing;
which are now and then agreeably interrupted
by the song of a bird, the distant whistle of a
peasant, or perhaps the vagary of some fish,
leaping out of the still water, and skimming
transiently about its glassy surface." *

When national sports and pastimes are in strict
accordance with all that is improving in body
and in mind, they cannot be too zealously cul-
tivated among the bulk of a people. They
impart to all that practise them a healthy and
vigorous tone to the understanding and feelings,
and give a wholesome check to such sedentary
habits, and recluse indulgences, as have a direct
and manifest tendency to foster moping senti-
mentality and melancholy depression. What
exhilarating and delightful sensations we feel
when we gaze upon the river landscape — the
meadows, the flowers, the trees — when in full
luxuriant vegetation ! Except melancholy lie
at the bottom of the heart in a very obdurate
form,— we cannot fail to smile on the face of

* Washington Irving.

G^ ^ =0 rr-

l^

(ur.

Nature, and to join in the universal chorus of
joy and hilarity which she rings in our ears.

When Angling is adopted as a regular amuse-
ment, it then becomes a question, in what
manner should we follow it, so as to derive
the greatest amount of rational pleasure and
improvement from its pursuit ? If a man feels
disposed to confine his skill to some piece of
still or canal-water, for example, because it is
just at his elbow, and can be reached without
trouble, such a mode of using the rod is all very
well; it may suit his years, his strength, and
the amount of time he has to devote to the
sport. But if he be young and hale, and is
anxious to exercise the craft in all its phases
and higher accomplishments, he must move to
a distance, and throw himself into those parts
of the country where grand and picturesque
beauties are developed in luxuriant profusion.
To remove from the monotonous banks of a canal
or sluggish river, to the clear and sparkling
waters of a mountain stream, is a change
attended with many pleasing and exciting trains
of thought and feeling, calculated both to

XI.

enlighten and invigorate the mind, and improve
the heart.

The railway system of this country has
entirely changed the general aspect and capa-
bilities of Angling. The facility and cheapness
of transit from one comity or locality to another,
has now given to the modern angling-tourist,
such a wide and diversified range of waters for
his selection, that he may at the present day
transport himself into the most retired and
romantic spots of England and Wales, at a less
cost of time and money than would have been
required, a few years ago, to have placed him
for a few hours in a miserable punt on the
banks of the Thames at Richmond or Twicken-
ham. In fact, his sport has become cheapened
in a remarkable degree. Starting, for instance,
at five or six o'clock in the morning from
London, he can be twenty or fifty miles down
in the country, in any direction he fancies, by
his usual breakfast-hour at home ; and he can
return in the evening after a day's sport, to his
own domicile, there to expatiate to his own
family on his exploits and adventures, or join

Xll.

the general gossip of some neighbouring fishing-
club or association. All this has materially
widened the range of his operations, and greatly
multiplied the amount of his pleasurable
excitement.

The Anglers in all the chief cities and toAvns
of England and Wales have railway-convey-
ances to first-rate fishing -waters in almost all
directions. The London fisher, if he wishes to
make a descent upon any of the waters in the
south-west of England, has a ready conveyance
from Paddington almost every hour of the day.
Here he can have the choice of many excellent
fly-streams, in a comparatively short space of
time. If he should prefer the south-eastern
section of the island, he has the Blackfriars
Station at hand. The rivers of Kent and
Surrey lie open to the Dover Railway. The
whole of the north of England is readily
accessible from Euston Square; and King's
Cross, and the Eastern Counties', can take the
angler to a variety of rivers in the north-eastern
side of the country. The same ready access to
rivers and lakes is afforded to all the numerous

XUl.

towns and cities wliicli lie in the route of the
great sections of railway traffic in all parts of
the kingdom.

It is a fact, and an ag-reeaUe one to con-
template—that angling tourists have greatly
multiplied, and extended their travels, within
the last twenty years. And one of the direct
effects which have resulted from these occasional
wanderings from home, into picturesque and
romantic districts, has been to give a higher
tone to the literature of angling, and to impart
to it many of those pleasant and improving
influences which the exercise of the imagination
on external nature is fitted to produce. We
have only to cast an eye over the general
current of books which have issued from the
press within the last quarter of a century, to
recognise the intellectual advancement and
raciness of recent piscatory writings, and to
acknowledge that angling authors have indeed
made very rapid strides in imparting amuse-
ment, instruction, and rational inquiry and
discussion into matters of detail connected Avith
their peculiar art. We find wit and humom-.

and lively descriptive writing, in every direc-
tion ; and this has chiefly arisen from a wider
range of actual observation, and from the calling
into requisition of ihose intellectual powers
which the beauties and sublimities of varied
and picturesque scenery bring to bear on the
sentimental and emotional parts of our inward
nature. Our feelings here are always in perfect
harmony with external objects. When we roam
amid deserted solitudes, overhanging precipices,
stupendous mountains, or unfrequented forests,
our hearts beat with wild and delightful sensa-
tions, and we find a corresponding utterance
for them in the language of description, of
poetry, and of sentiment.

True it is, that mankind are not all alike
gifted with a keen relish for rural beauties.
Numbers seem born with dull and gross con-
ceptions, and altogether incapable of admiring
the striking displays of wild and romantic
scenery, or of " bathing their spirits in the
ethereal blue of heaven." But there is still
ample room, even here, for improvement. Such
phlegmatic natures, though deeply engulphed

in the urgent calls of self-interest, the chimeras
of ambition, or the gaieties of dissipation, may
yet be placed mider happier and more improving
influences, and may gradually acquire a taste
for the beauties of the external world around
them. Such a contemplative and rational sport
as angling is well-fitted to this desirable end.
The pleasures which it yields can cost those who
practise it no anxiety, nor rob them of any
virtuous sentiments or feelings. They can be
attained without difficulty, and enjoyed without
envy. It is, in fact, one of those sports every
way in strict harmony with Nature's sublimest
lessons and teachings.

-OX^iC^XO--^^=---'»

CHAPTER I.

This angling division of England will neces-
sarily embrace a great variety of waters : some
having all the requisites of the mountain stream,
and others possessing as few attributes of an
angling water, as the stagnant pool or canal.
This diversity is not, however, without its
advantages.

There is no section of the anglers of Britain
who display more pure and disinterested zeal in
the " gentle craft " than London sportsmen ;
and the only regret we feel is, that their range
of operations is so limited, and the quality of
the sport they obtain so inferior. Habit, how-
ever, which takes the sting out of adverse
circumstances, and equalises the degrees of
happiness and pleasure, has reconciled them to
their lot; and it only remains for us to give

£^

such an enumeration of their fishing stations,
both public and private, as shall be serviceable
to the general bulk of metropolitan anglers.

" strong without rage, without o'erflowing, full."— Denham.

Of all the numerous rivers of England
which irrigate its soil, and embellish its land-
scapes, the Thames is the most important. It
has many claims upon our attention besides its
angling capabilities. It is the seat of the most
extended and valuable commerce the world ever
witnessed ; the scenery on its banks is adorned
with every thing that wealth and refinement
can impart; and its literary and historical
recollections are of the most interesting descrip-
tion.

The Thames rises from the foot of the
Cotswold Hills, in Gloucestershire, and, under
the name of the Churne^ runs in a south direc-
tion to Cricklade, in that county. From thence
its course is eastward, with a slight inclination
towards the north, as far as to where it receives
the Wmdrushj from whence it takes its course

to Abingdon. During this section of its route,
it becomes mingled with several tributary
streams : the Isis^ at Cricklade, from the south ;
the Roy and the Ock^ which, flowing eastward,
join it at Abingdon, and which rise out of the
same ridge of hills which give birth to the
CJiurne^ the Golne^ the Lech^ the Windrush^
and the Evenlode. From Abingdon, with many
sinuosities, it runs east-south-east to Reading,
receiving in its course the Thame and the Ray^
which spring from the foot of the north-eastern
chalk ridge, beyond Aylesbury. At Reading,
on the south, it is joined by the Kennet^ and a
little beyond, by the Lodden. From Reading
it winds towards the north, returning to the
same parallel of latitude at Staines, where its
volume is augmented by the waters of the
Colne. Hence to Kingston, its direction is
eastward, in which route is the Wey^ from
Farnham, and the Mole^ from the south. Its
course from Kingston to Brentford is north, and
thence, by many windings, to the sea. Between
London and the ocean it receives, the Lea^ from
Hertfordshire, and the Roding^ from Essex, on
the north ; and on the south the Darent^ and,
close to its mouth, the Medway^ from Kent.
The whole length of the course of the Thames
is upwards of three hundred miles; and the

tide flows up as far as Richmond, between
eighty and ninety miles from the sea.

The banks of the Thames will afford the
lover of tranquil and placid scenery a rich treat.
It is impossible to traverse its winding course
for twenty miles above the metropolis, without
feeling the glow of admiration at the happy
union of art and nature, as displayed in the
noble mansions, neat and elegant gardens, the
natty cottages, and the rural dwellings, which
stud, on each side, its rich and luxurious banks.

The Thames is a surprising river for the
number and variety of its fish. Salmon are
now seldom met with, and trout are by no
means common, even in the more elevated dis-
tricts of the river, where the impediments to
their increase are but few in number. What
trout are found, however, in its waters, are
commonly very large, and of the most delicious
richness. They have been often caught from five
to fifteen pounds ; and there was a fine one
taken in 1846, at Datchet, near Windsor,
seventeen pounds, six ounces. The following
fish are abundant in the river : pike, perch,
chub, barbel, eels, flounders, lampreys, roach,
dace, gudgeons, pope or rufl*, bleak, and min-
nows. In addition to these, carp and tench are
met with, in some particular localities. In all

Pr.=

the docks and canals, bream and smelts may be
found. This, it must be confessed, is a very-
ample list for a single water to contain.

The angling stations on the Thames are very
numerous, and fitted, in some degree, for various
kinds of fish. The extension of steam naviga-
tion on the river has driven both fish and
anglers further up the stream, so that there is
scarcely a tranquil and secluded resting-place
for the sole of the foot till we come to Rich-
mond.

RICHMOND.

This is a fashionable and favourite resort for
anglers, and there is good fishing for barbel and
dace in the locality. It is requisite to pay
attention to the tide at Richmond. The neap-
tide, or when it is high-water at London Bridge
at six o'clock, A.M., is the best period to angle
here.

TWICKENHAM.

This is a celebrated spot, both in history and
literature, and is about a mile and a half from
Richmond. It is a good fishing station for
barbel, chub, dace, and roach.

There is every facility and accommodation
for punt angling.

6

TEDDINGTON.
This station is one mile and a half beyond
Twickenham, and is a place much frequented
by London anglers. Plenty of barbel and
gudgeons are to be had.

KINGSTON AND HAMPTON-WICK.
This is also about a mile and a half from
the last station. Barbel, roach, dace, perch,
and gudgeons, are pretty abundant, and there
is no lack of fishing guides to those who require
them.

THAMES-DITTON.

This place is opposite Hampton Court, and
is much frequented by anglers, both from Lon-
don and the neighbouring towns and villages.
There is good fishing here for barbel, perch,
chub, roach, and dace.

HAMPTON COUKT.
In the long deep called the Water Gallery^
there are a great many barbel, roach, dace, and
perch. The Thames assumes a new aspect at
this interesting locality, by being intersected
with several small islands, which divide the
water, and form narrow channels and streams,
favourable for particular kinds of fishing. The

place is also exceedingly interesting to the
antiquarian and the historian.

HAMPTON.

This village is a favourite spot for anglers.
Barbel, roach, and gudgeons, are plentiful ;
and every accommodation in the way of punts
and fishermen can be obtained.

SUNBUKY.

This village is sixteen miles from London,
and here trout appear to give evidence of
their existence ; gudgeons, barbel, dace, roach,
and eels, are abundant.

SHEPPERTON.

This spot is nineteen miles from London,
and the waters are well stocked with chub,
barbel, dace, and gudgeons.

WALTON.

This place is on the Surrey side of the
Thames, and is eighteen miles from London.
It abounds with large barbel, dace, chub,
and roach.

WEYBRIDGE.

This station is two miles from Walton, and

in the long stretch of deep water in its locality,
there are large barbel, chub, and roach.

Some trout have been occasionally taken out
here, with minnow, of considerable size.

CHEETSEY BRIDGE.

This angling rendezvous is twenty miles from
the city. There is a fair proportion of ground
fish in the waters in this vicinity. It is in-
teresting to poets, for it is mentioned by
Shakespeare, in his Richard III., and

" Here the last accents flowed from Cowley's tongue."
SALEHAM.

This is situated about a mile from the
preceding station, and here fly-fishing may
be exercised, when the waters are in suitable
order. There are said to be large barbel in
this neighbourhood.

STAINES.

This small town, in Middlesex, is seventeen
miles from London. The Thames has here
good barbel, roach, and chub.

DATCHET.

There is a good deal of angling in the
waters about this village. Some good trout

9

are occasionally hooked here, and large barbel
near the bridge.

WINDSOR.

There is generally a good deal of angling
going on at Windsor, and its vicinity.
When the stream is in good order for fly, a
few trout may be caught. The still waters
about Eton College, are full of roach, barbel,
and dace.

MAIDENHEAD.

This is twenty-six miles from London, and
is a good angling station now, — from the con-
venience and rapidity of travelling by the
Great Western Railway. Trout become in
this part of the Thames more numerous than
below : but seldom found so large.

MARLOW.

Is thirty -two miles from the metropolis,
and its angling capabilities are much upon a
par with those of Maidenhead.

READING, PANGBOURNE, AND STREETLY,

Are all good places ; pike, perch, dace, barbel,
and trout, may be met with here and there.
We shall now conclude our enumeration of

10

angling stations on the Thames, and commence
to point out those rivers in the respective
counties, which, according to our arrange-
ment, fall under the head of this chapter.

^§xMk nnH Still Winkx gb^tim

IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE METROPOLIS.

There are several places in the neighbour-
hood of London, where anglers can get a day's
sport, for still water fish, at a small cost of
time and money. These places are very much
frequented by anglers who only have a day
to spare for pleasure now and then. There
are three Fisheries of this description, near
the Shepherd'' s Bush^ Bayswater; which is
within a sixpenny ride from the Bank of
England. They are good collections of water,
a fair stock of barbel, roach, and dace, and
there are good accommodations for refresh-
ments. I have known a London angler take
away thirty pounds weight of fish, from one
of those small places of recreation. The names
of these Fisheries, are, Willow Vale Fishery;
Victoria Fishery^ and the Star Fishery.

11

^njling '§ibtx^ in €onntm near to ITontriDn.

MIDDLESEX.

The rivers in tliis county are the Thames^
the Golne^ and the Lea, The first has just
been noticed ; we shall briefly touch upon the
other two.

The Lea arises out of Bedfordshire and
flows into the Thames at Blackwall. It con-
tains a great number of fish, of almost every
variety found in the Thames, and it is con-
sequently a favourite place of resort for
London sportsmen. It flows through a very
rich and pastoral country. There are a great
number of subscription stations upon it, of
various prices, and affording every facility to
the angler which waters of this description
can confer.

The White House^ Homerton, is a spot
much frequented. A subscription ticket for
the year is half a guinea, and for the day
one shilling. There are pike, barbel, roach,
carp, perch, eels, dace, bleak, and gudgeon.

Horse and Groom^ Lea Bridge. This angling
station is about a mile from the White House.
It is a highly-esteemed spot, both for the
pleasantness of its situation, and the agreeable

12

company wliicli resort thither. The terms are
the same as at the White House ; and the
fishing of the same character.

A portion of the river above Lea Bridge
is free to the angler; but the fish are not
very numerous.

TOTTENHAM MILLS.

This is five miles from London, and about
a mile further is the subscription water of the
Blue House. The terms are, half a guinea
per annum for bottom fishing, and one guinea
for trolling.

BLEAK HALL,

This fishing station is in high repute among
London anglers. There is an abundance of
fish in the waters. The subscription is two
guineas a year for both the waters of Bleak
Hall, and that of Chingford.

WALTHAM ABBEY,

Is twelve miles from London. A con-
siderable portion of the waters belong to the
government ; and permission must be had
from some of the functionaries in the ordnance
department, before the angler can be allowed
to throw a line into the stream. The waters

13

are well stocked with all kinds of fish, and
large trout are often caught.

BEOXBOURNE, PAGE'S WATER, AND THE RYE HOUSE,

Are all good stations on the Lea, and an
abundance of bottom fish is to be obtained.

The River Colne takes its rise in Hertford-
shire. It is a good fishing-stream in some of
its localities, where it is not injured by the
mills and chemical works which are situated
on its banks. I have seen fine trout taken
out of it at Uxbridge, but the waters are here
rigidly preserved. In some parts of the river
pike abound, and the trout are very scarce.

Denham is considered the best trout locality
on the river. A great variety of flies are
used by anglers on this stream ; and a good
deal of fancy enters into what are considered
favourites. The best ones I have found were
the red palmers and a dark body, with drake
or woodcock wing.

<^-~~-S=<5^^&.*=D"^ •-

CHAPTER 11.

BEDFORDSHIRE.

The rivers in this county are the Ouse^ the
Hi/el^ and the IveL These are not, however,
trout rivers. The Ouse rises in the county of
Northampton, and runs through Buckingham-
shire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Nor-
folk, and falls into the sea below Lynn.

The Hi/el passes Woburn, and Ivel Biggles-
wade ; and they both fall into the Ouse. They
abound with pike, eels, bream, roach, and perch.
Except for these kind of fish, the rivers in
Bedfordshire are not worthy the angler's notice.

SHROPSHIRE.

The angling in this county is good, and
presents a great variety. The principal rivers

15

are — the Severn^ the Vyrnwy^ the Elrni^ the
Tame^ the Wevel^ and Tern,

The Severn is an important river, for the
extent of its course, the distance for which it
is navigable, and the commerce which it sus-
tains. It rises from several sources below
Mount Plinlimmon, in Wales, the different
streams of which unite at Llanidloes ; thence it
pursues a winding course to Shrewsbury, in
which distance, about one hundred miles, it
receives many tributary streams. At Shrews-
bury it winds considerably, and receives the
Tern at the foot of the Wrekin, about which
it describes a semicircle ; then curving repeat-
edly, it flows towards Colebrook-Dale, from
whence it flows on in a north-west direction to
Tewkesbury. Within this course, besides in-
ferior streams, the Severn receives the Tame at
Worcester, from the west ; and it receives, at
Tewkesbury, the Avon^ from the north-east;
after which, turning to the south-west, it winds
its way to the Bristol Channel, receiving at its
mouth the Wye from the north, the Avon from
the south-east. The whole course of the Severn
is about three hundred and twenty miles, and
for upwards of two hundred and twenty miles
it is navigable.

The salmon of the Severn are famous, and

16

its trout are rich, and generally large. It con-
tains, besides these, carp, perch, roach, chub,
and grayling, some of which have weighed
above five pounds.

The Vyrnwy is a good stream, but the best
portion of it, for the fly, lies out of the bound-
aries of this county.

The Elun is a favourite stream with many
scientific anglers. It springs from near to
Bishop's Castle, passes Ludlow, where it
receives the waters of the Carve^ then flows on
to Tenbury, and ultimately falls into the
Severn not far from Worcester.

There is a great quantity of trout and gray-
ling in this water. The fly-fishing is really
good, and the general aspect of the scenery
delightful. The late Sir Humphrey Davy
makes the following observations on this stream :
" How beautiful these banks ! and the hills in
the distance approach the character of moun-
tains ; and the precipitous clifi", which forms the
summit of that distant elevation, looks like a
diluvian mountain, and as if it had been bared
and torn by a deluge which it had stemmed."

The Tame^ the Wevel^ and the Tern^ are all
fishable rivers. The trout are but inferior in
quality, although numerous enough to create
good sport.

17

The flies recommended by Sir Humphrey
Davy for these rivers are — a yellow-bodied fly,
red hackle legs, and landrail's wing; a blue
dun, with dun body ; and a claret-coloured
body, with blue wings. The drake, and star-
ling, and peacock wings are all good in these
waters.

The minnow is very successful in all these
streams, especially after a freshet.

. LEICESTERSHIEE.

The rivers in this county are not of much
importance to the angler. The Soar^ which is
formed by the junction of several small streams,
rises between Hinkley and Lutterworth. It
falls into the Trent. The W^^eah is a tributary
of the Soar. It springs from the grounds in
the immediate neighbourhood of Melton Mow-
bray. The Auker skirts the county for a few
miles. The Sence flows into the Auker at
Atherstone. The Mease^ one of the feeders of
the Trent, which rises in Derbyshire, is a bor-
der river for a short distance. Croxton Park
gives rise to the Deven, The Avon is a border
river, for seven or eight miles, between this
county and Northamptonshire. The Swift is
a tributary to this river. The Wetland has a
run of sixteen miles in this county. There are

18

a few trout in most of these waters, but com-
mon fisli are the staple commodities.

NORFOLK.

The rivers in this county are the Ouse^ which
skirts the county and divides it from Cam-
bridgeshire, the Yarej the Wensum^ the Wave-
ney^ the Bure^ and the Nar.

The Yare flows through extensive marshy
valleys, in which there are considerable pools
of water, called "broads " and '' mares." The
Wensum rises at Oxwich, in the neighbour-
hood of Fakenham, which it passes, and then
flows in a winding course, full forty-five miles
to the town of Norwich. Two miles below
the waters of the Yare fall into it, and it then
takes a north-east course, for twenty miles,
until it expands into a broad sheet of water,
called Breydon Water, four miles long, and
full a mile in breadth. It reaches the German
Ocean after a run of seventy-four miles.

The Waveney rises at Lopham, and flows
eastward, and passes DigSj Bungay, and Beccles,
to its junction with the Yare, a distance of full
fifty miles.

The Bure rises, near to Melton- Constable,
and passes by Aylsham, and falls into the
Yare, after a run of fifty miles. The Taes

m=

19

and the Thurn are tributaries to these
rivers.

The Nar has a course of twenty-two miles,
and falls into the Ouse above Lynn.

The angling in this county is not of any
importance, except for bottom fishing, which
is good, in the extensive broads and mares,
which abound in almost every section of the
county. Very large pike and perch are to be
caught; and to those anglers who delight in
this kind of sport, or who are strangers to
fly-fishing, Norfolk will afford them excellent
amusement.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

The chief rivers in this county are the Nene^
the Leam^ the Gherwell^ the Ouse^ and the
Welland, But several of these waters only
touch partially on this county. The Nene is
formed by the union of two streams ; the one
rises near Arbury Hill, two miles west of
Daventry, and the other feeder springs from
the village of Naseby. The length of the
river is about sixty miles. In its course it
receives the Ise^ twenty miles long, and the
Harper^s Brook^ and the Willow Brooh^ each
fifteen miles in length, and which take their
rise out of Eackingham Forest.

QJXD=

20

Tlie Welland takes its rise from Sibbertoft,
in this county, and flows to its border, and
separates it from Leicestershire, Eutlandshire,
and Lincolnshire. The course of the river
which properly belongs to Northamptonshire
is about fifty miles in extent.

The Avon takes its origin from near N aseby,
and has the upper part of its course in this
county. The Learn touches also upon its
borders. In all these waters there are but
few trout; but still they are very large and
rich - flavoured ones that are taken. The
county is, however, a poor district for the
angler. The mass of fish is of the common
kind, such as perch, eels, roach, pike, and
gudgeons.

HUNTINGDONSHIRE.

The principal rivers in this county are the
Ouse and the Nene. The former traverses the
county for twenty-three miles. The Nene is
a border river ; both these waters have several
tributaries, but they are of little moment to
the angler. The three mares, Whittlesea,
Kansey, and Ugg, are large collections of
water, — almost lakes. The first is the largest,
and covers several square miles. It is much
frequented by parties of pleasure during the

21

summer; and there is good fishing in it for
pike, eels, and other common fish.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE.

The principal stream in this county is ihe
Cam^ which is formed by two branches ; one
springing from the neighbourhood of Ashwell,
and the other from near Newport, in Essex.
Several other smaller collections of water join
the Cam before it reaches Cambridge. After
it leaves this distinguished seat of learning,
it sinks into fens, then joins the Ouse, and
ultimately makes its exit in the waters which
enter the sea at the town of Lynn. A few
trout are seen now and then, and some of a
good size ; but the general mass of fish are of
the common sort, such as pike, eels, roach,
bream, and perch.

The river Nene only touches a part of the
county just below Peterborough, where it
divides into three channels. There are occa-
sionally good -sized and rich -flavoured trout
taken out of it; but in general it is only fit
for bottom fishing. There are good pike, perch,
bream, eels, and roach, in it.

SUFFOLK.

This is also another county of but little

22

angling note. The lesser Ouse arises in the
north part of it. The Stour springs from the
south-west, passes Bury, and enters the great
Ouse. There are also the rivers Ald^ the
Deben^ and the Blyth ; in all of which a few
trout will be found, but scarcely anything
worthy a fly-fisher's going any distance for.
There is, however, an abundance of common
fish, and some of them attain to a prodigious
size. Eels of three and four pounds are not
unfrequently met with in the still parts of
some of these streams. Pike, perch, bream,
and roach, are also abundant.

HEETFORDSHIRE.

The chief rivers in this county are the Lea^
the Colne^ and the New River. The two first
have already been noticed. The New River
has its origin near Ware. It contains a good
sprinkling of trout in various localities. There
is a gTcat deal of angling on it, in diverse
sections of its course.

CHAPTER III.

This is a district of England very favourable to
the angler. The rivers and streams which arise
out of, and flow through it, generally possess
those characters or attributes which suit the
nature and instincts of salmon and trout ; and
they run through portions of the country which
impart ideas of beauty and sublimity to the mind
of man. The whole of this division, in a rural
point of view, is exceedingly interesting ; and the
climate is so mild and balmy, that weakly and
valetudinarian anglers may take liberties with
their constitutions here, which they could not
well do with impunity in more northern regions.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.

The rivers of this county are — the Thames^
the Ouse^ the Coln^ and the Wick,

24

The OusG is a good stream for trout. The
best station is about two or three miles above
Buckingham. The Coin is also good. It runs
past the villages Bilbury and Barnsbj, and
thence to Rickmans worth. It is no uncommon
piscatory achievement to kill in this river eight
or ten dozen of good trout in a day. The best
flies are the red and black hackles.

The Wick springs not far from West
Wycombe, passes High Wycombe, and runs
into the Thames at Marlow. This is, in many
localities, a good trout stream. The largest
trout I ever saw taken out of it weighed three
pounds and one ounce. It was a fine rich
fish. From my own experience in the Wick,
I prefer the palmers to any other fly.

BERKSHIEE.

The principal rivers in this county are the
Kennet^ the Loddon^ and the Lamborne.

The Kennet springs out of Wiltshire, and
enters the Thames, near the town of Read-
ing. It is considered an excellent stream
for trout, and there are several fishing stations
' on it. Hungerford is one, of considerable
repute, — it is sixty-five miles from London.
The waters here are full of fine fish, but they
are preserved ; and some interest, or some out-

25

pourings of the pocket, are required to be
allowed to exercise the gentle craft in this
neighbourhood. Newhury^ and Speenhamland^
are the next angling stations; and there are
good sized trout to be met with in all the
waters in the immediate neighbourhood of these
places. Reading is thirty miles from London ;
but the Kennet is not here so prolific as in
the more elevated parts of the stream. The
sort of flies used on the Kennet, are of various
hues; but in general light ones have the
decided advantage, particularly in the higher
parts of the river, over those of a dark colour.

The Loddon rises in Hampshire, but it is
only fitted for bottom fishing.

The Lamhorne is a small stream, with a
few trout in it, and a good many pike, perch,
and roach.

The Ock takes its origin in the western
parts of the county, runs a general E.N.E.
course, receiving many tributaries by the way.
It falls into the Thames at Abingdon. It has
a run of about twenty miles. There are not
many trout in it; though some of very con-
siderable weight have occasionally been caught
with the minnow. The pike are considered
excellent in quality, as well as perch, gudgeon,
roach, dace, and cray fish.

26

HEREFOEDSHIRE.

There is excellent angling in this county.
The chief rivers in it, are the W^e, the Lug^
the Monow^ the Arrow^ the Frome^ the Lodden^
and the Tame.

There is most successful fishing in the
Wye^ (mentioned elsewhere) in this county.
There are great quantities of salmon, salmon-
springs or salmon pinks, trout, grayling, and
a few pike and perch.

The best locality for the fly is between
Hay and Builth. It is no uncommon occur-
rence for an expert angler to kill here one
hundred pounds weight of salmon in a day,
with a good portion of trout. This makes
the Wye, in this neighbourhood, a first-rate
water, and much frequented by skilful amateurs
of the rod.

The Lug springs out of Eadnorshire, and
enters Herefordshire at Presteigne, passes
Leominster, and then receives the waters of
the 0/?ej/, the Endwell^ and the Arrow^ all
abounding with good trout; flowing through
an interesting country, and presenting many
agreeable objects to the travelling tourist. The
Lug flows into the Wye below Hereford.
Leominster is a good fishing station ; but

^

K5

27

the angler must go a little distance from the
town. The waters near to it are much
fished.

The Fromej the Lodden^ and the Monow^ are
all fine streams, and they all enter the river
Wye. In the hilly parts of the country from
whence they spring, they present a fine series
of clear and limpid streams, just of that size
and conformation which delight a fly-fisher's
eye. It is impossible to over -rate these
waters.

The Tejne and the Arrow are both streams
of the first order. The former springs out of
the county of Radnor, and the other, from the
higher parts of Herefordshire. The best angling
stations on the Teme are Leintwardine, and
Ludlow. The Arrow falls into the Lug, not
far from Leominster, and it is a good trout
water.

The flies for all the waters in this interest-
ing county should, in general, be small, and
the tackle delicate and fine. A light and neat
mode of throwing the line is almost indispen-
sable to success in this part of England.

I have known two anglers from London who
have killed good creels of fish with the minnow
in most of the rivers of this county ; but, in
general, the fly is vastly preferable.

28

OXFOKDSHIRE.

The angling rivers of Oxfordshire are the
Thames, the Isis^ the TVmdrush^ the Evenlode^
and the Cher well.

We have abeady noticed the Thames in a
former chapter. The Isis^ which forms an
integral part of the Thames, takes its origin in
the parish of Coates, in the county of Glouces-
tershire. It is a stream of little importance to
the angler.

The Windrush springs out of the Cotswold
hills, and running by Burford and Witney,
falls into the Isis. The Windrush contains a
few trout, and a good many common fish. It
is not, by any means, an inviting stream.

The Evenlode contains rather more trout than
the Windrush. The former springs also out of
the Cotswold Hills, and flows by Whichwood-
Forest and Charlbury. This river contains a
good many pike and eels.

The Cherwell has its source in the county of
Northampton, and running through its centre,
falls into the Isis. It is full of perch, pike,
eels, and roach.

CORNWALL.
This is a good angling part of England.

(^r — - — — = '''

29

The rivers have all that clear and sparkling
character so favourable for the trout and the
salmon. The principal streams are — the Tamer
(noticed under Devonshire), the Foivey^ the
Gamely the Fal^ and the Looe,

The Fowey springs from the country between
Bodmin and Launceston. Its course is very
beautiful, and it is well stocked with trout,
with a good sprinkling of salmon. The drake
and Avoodcock wings are favourites on this
stream, and, after May, the hackle and pahner
flies will be found very successful bait.

The Camel rises out of the hills of Rough-tor,
flows by Camelford, Bodmin, and Wade's
Bridge, and then enters the sea at Padstowe.
This is a trout stream of fair angling capabili-
ties. The fish are not large, but they are
plentiful, and of average quality.

The Fal springs from near to St. Columb,
and runs into the basin at Truro. This is a
good trout river, and salmon in August and
September may be caught with the fly.

DEVONSHIEE.

This is a splendid county for the angler. All
its rivers are of a first-rate character, both for
salmon and trout, as well as for the beauty of
country through which they flow. Nature has

Wc.

30

here poured out her gifts with no niggardly
hand.

The chief rivers are the Tamer^ the Plym^
the Yealme^ the Erne^ the Avon^ the Dart^ the
Ex^ the Otter ^ the Syd^ the ^o^e, the Teign^ the
Tai^, and the Tarridge,

The Tamer divides Devonshire fron Corn-
wall, and in the more elevated parts of its
course, before it becomes so wide previously
to its entering Plymouth Sound, is an excellent
trout stream. Salmon trout are also often
caught in the months of August, September,
and the beginning of October, with fly. Light
coloured, middle sized flies are the best for
trout-fishing in the spring ; and the hackle and
palmer flies in the summer, except after rains,
when the winged flies have the advantage. The
minnow is also a good bait ; and in the dry and
hot months of summer, when the river is shallow
and clear, the red worm, behind the shade, may
be successfully used. Large fish are taken in
this way, when they cannot be otherwise obtained.

The Flym springs from the east side of
Dartmoor, and enters the ocean at Plymouth.
This is a good trout stream, and the further
you ascend it, the better it becomes. The
trout, however, near its source, become small,
though of excellent quality.

31

The Yealme^ the Erne^ and the Avon^ take
their origin from Dartmoor, and verj near each
other. They are all streams of nearly the same
character. They run through a country ex-
ceedingly beautiful. The trout in them all are
very much like each other, both in size and
colour. There are salmon in them, but they
are by no means numerous. The streams in
many parts of their course are rapid, clear, and
sparkling; and in summer, and during very
bright days, fine tackle must be used.

The Dart is a very rapid river for many
miles from its source, which is situated in
Dartmoor. It runs past Totness and King's
Weare, and falls into the sea at Dartmouth.
The river abounds with both trout and salmon,
of excellent quality. The higher localities of
the Dart, before it arrives at the level part of
the country, are the best for the fly-fisher.
The streams here are navigable.

The Ex takes its origin in the hilly country
of Exmoor, in Somersetshire, and running by
Tiverton, its volume of waters is considerably
increased by the accession of the Loman^ the
Creedy^ and the Culan, The Ex then proceeds
to Exmouth, and there falls into the sea. There
is good angling in this stream, and all its tribu-
tary waters. In the higher portions of them.

32

small flies should be used ; but this must also
depend upon the force of the curl upon the sur-
face. Some anglers who frequent these rivers,
from the metropolis, prefer the minnow to the
fly. Salmon, both in spring, and in the months
of August and September, are often taken with
the fly.

The rivers Otter^ 8yd^ and Axe, spring out
of Somersetshire. They are all good trout
streams, and are much frequented by the anglers
of Devonshire. Small flies ought to be generally
used, and pretty fine tackle.

The Teiyn^ the Taw^ and the Torrtdge^ are
likewise good streams. They all abound with
salmon as well as trout. They pass through
parts of the country of great beauty and sweet-
ness.

As all the rivers in this county are of first-rate
quality, the angler should take up his residence
in some central spot in it. This will enable
him to visit the best portions of many excellent
waters, without having to travel over con-
siderable tracts of country ; thus saving time
and money.

MONMOUTHSHIRE.

This is not an indifferent county for angling.
There is an abundance of trout, and some of

^

33

good size too. The principal rivers are the
TFj/e, the MonoWj the Lug^ the UsJc^ the Trothy^
and the Gavenny, The three first have been
already named. In this county there are de-
lightful streams, in many localities they tra-
verse, where fly-fishing can be enjoyed to per-
fection. The three last rivers also abound with
plenty of trout; and salmon are occasionally
caught in all of them, both in the spring and in
the months of August and September. Minnow
has been used in all these streams by several
expert troUers, to great advantage.

The kind of flies generally used in these
Monmouthshire rivers, are rather above the
middle size. Some anglers greatly prefer black
bodies, whilst others swear stoutly by the red.
Winged flies are more used than hackles and
palmers ; though the latter are both excellent
for all the waters in this district. When the
May-fly is on the rivers, great quantities of
trout are taken with the artificial May-fly ; but
I have never found but that, even during this
season, the trout will take other descriptions of
flies just as readily.

HAMPSHIRE.

This is a favourite county for angling ; and
many sportsmen have no hesitation in classing

34

it with Derbyshire and Devonshire. The
principal rivers are — the Avon^ the Anton^ the
Test^ and the ItcMn,

The Avon takes its rise about twenty-five or
thirty miles from Salisbury, and running by
that town, Fording Bridge, and Ringwood,
flows into the sea at Christchurch. There is
excellent fly-fishing in the higher parts of the
stream. Below Fording Bridge it is not well
adapted for trout; and we here find a living
evidence of it, for pike greatly abound. The
*flies for the Avon are the red and black
palmers ; red body, with drake or turkey wing,
but not very large.

The Anton or Teste rises about ten miles
north-east of Andover, and has two branches.
It is a good river for trout, though they are
rather smaller than in other rivers in this
county. The flies should be rather small.
The minnow is a good bait here, after a freshet.

The Test takes its origin from the north-west
part of the county, and falls into the South-
ampton Water. There are several angling-
stations on this favourite stream. Whitchurch,
which is fifty-eight miles from London, is a
place of resort for sportsmen. Leave to angle
has to be obtained, either from the principal
innkeeper, or some of the neighbouring gentry.

35

Stockbriclge is another station. As the Test
is a remarkably limpid stream, the flies and
tackle should be of a corresponding character.
There are many favourite flies for this stream ;
but the best for common use are the black and
red hackles, and the palmers.

The ItcMn contains a great many trout, and
salmon are occasionally caught in it with the

The angling tourist, in visiting this part of
the country, should bestow an hour or two on
Netley Abbey, near Southampton, a ruin of the
most interesting description. The following
lines, from the pen of Mr. Keate, are worthy of
transcribing: —

*'I hail, at last, these shades, this well-known wood,
That skirts with verdant slope the barren strand,
Where Netley' s ruins, bordering on the flood.
Forlorn, in melancholy greatness stand.

" How changed, alas ! from that revered abode,
Graced by proud majesty in ancient days,
When monks recluse these sacred pavements trod.
And taught the unlettered world its Maker's praise.

**Now sunk, deserted, and with weeds o'ergrown.
Yon prostrate walls their harder fate bewail ;
Low on the ground their topmost spires are thrown,
Once friendly marks to guide the wandering sail.

** The ivy now, with rude luxuriance, bends

Its tangled foliage through the clustered space,
O'er the green window's mouldering height ascends,
And fondly clasps it with a last embrace.

36

** Ton parted roof, that nods aloft in air,

The threatening battlements, the rifted tower,
The choir's loose fragments, scattered round, declare,
Insulting Time ! the triumphs of thy power !"

DORSETSHIEE.

This may be termed a second-rate county
in the angler's estimation. Its chief rivers
are the Charr^ the Eype^ the Wey^ the Froome^
and the Stour, They all abound with trout,
and some salmon.

The Charr, the Eype, and the Wey, all take
their origin out of the rising ground in Dorset-
shire Downs. The Charr has good streams in
it ; and rich trout. It enters the sea at Char-
mouth. The Eype receives the waters of the
Brit, at Bewminster, and enters the ocean at
Bridport. The higher parts of the stream are
good for the fly. The Wey falls into the sea
at Weymouth.

The Froome takes its source from the Downs,
passes Harden, Newton, and then flows on to
Dorchester. After leaving this town, it receives
the waters of several minor streams, runs on to
Wareham, and then forms the harbour to Poole.
About two miles up the stream from Dorchester
the best angling with the fly commences.
The stripes of deep water, when a curl is on
them, are particularly abundant in fine trout.

37

There are numerous favourite flies here, patron-
ised by the local anglers ; but it is scarcely
possible to make an unsuccessful selection out
of a common stock of flies for these waters.
When the fish take, they seem really in earnest.

The town of Dorchester, on this river, is a
place of great antiquity ; it was called Durno-
varia by the Romans. It was the scene of
many severe battles between Charles I. and
the Parliamentary Army, during the civil wars.
At the assizes held here, in 1685, by the in-
famous judge Jeff*eries, thirty persons were
tried on the charge of being implicated in Mon-
mouth's rebellion, and twenty-nine were found
guilty and sentenced to death.

Tesselated pavements, Roman urns, and a
quantity of coins of Antoninus Pius, Vespasian,
Constantine, and other Roman emperors, have
been at various times found in the vicinity
of Dorchester.

The Stour^ the chief river of Dorsetshire,
rises in Wiltshire, in Stourhead Park, on the
border of Somersetshire, and running south-by-
east, enters Dorsetshire between three and four
miles from its source. After flowing about four
miles farther in the same direction, it receives
the Shreen water from the north, and soon after
the Lidden, from the north-east. It then

38

flows in a very winding channel, south-south-
east for eight miles, to the junction of the Gale,
which comes from the neighbourhood of Win-
canton, in Somersetshire. From the junction
of the Gale the Stour flows south about three
miles to the junction of the Lidden, and thence
winds to the east, past the town of Sturminster-
Newton, and through a depression in the range
of the North Downs, and passes in a south-east
course to the town of Blandford-Forum, after
which it flows south-east for twenty miles to
the village of Garfe-MuUen ; and from thence
four miles east to the junction of the Allen,
which flows from the north, near Granbourne.
After it receives the Allen, the Stour flows
east-south-east six or seven miles into Hamj)-
shire, after entering which, it receives a con-
siderable stream, sixteen or eighteen miles long,
from Granbourne; and about four miles lower
it joins the Avon, near Ghristchurch in Hamp-
shire. The whole course of the Stour is nearly
sixty-five miles ; for forty of which, viz. up to
Sturminster-Newton, it is navigable.

The trout of the Stour are rich in quality,
and very abundant in every part of the stream.
Winged flies are the best.

Jxl

39

WILTSHIEE.

All the rivers and streams in this county are
favourable for angling. They are the Nadder^
the Walley^ the Bourne^ and the Kennet (already
noticed). All these contain good trout, of fair
size, and good quality.

The Nadder springs from the north-west part
of the county, and passes Chilmark. It abounds
with fine rippling streams, and is well adapted
for fly. The long deep waters, when there is
a favourable curl, will be found full of fish.

The Walley rises within a short distance of
Warminster, and passes Yarnbury and Wilton.
This is also a good water.

The Bourne comes from the eastern part of
the county, and will be found a good stream
both for trout and grayling.

All the rivers in this county fall into the
Avon. They pass through very romantic and
picturesque portions of the county, which leave
a pleasing remembrance of them in the angler's
mind.

The Looe runs but a short distance inland.
It has two branches which, united, fall into the
port of Looe. There are good trout in it, but
they are not very large. The anglers on the
river are partial to light-coloured flies.

40

WORCESTEESHIKE.

The cliief rivers in this county are the
Severn^ the Teme^ the Avon^ the Bow^ the Sal-
warp^ and the Stour, The three first are noticed
elsewhere. The Boio rises at Firkenham Forest,
and contains good trout. The Salwarp has
also a good number of fish. The Stour has
trout, salmon, and grayling, in considerable
abundance. Good-sized flies are required for
the rivers in this county.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

There is good angling in this county. The
chief rivers are the Severn^ (described under
Shropshire), the Isis^ the Wye^ the Up;per
Avon^ the Lower Avon^ the Cam, the Stroud.
The Isis and the Wye^ (mentioned elsewhere),
are good trout streams in this county. The
Wye, throughout the counties of Brecknock and
Radnor, displays fine angling ground, both for
salmon and trout. The red and black hackles,
the palmers, the grouse, the woodcock's wing,
the starling, and dotteril, are all good for the
rivers in this part of the county.

The Upper Avon rises on the borders of
Leicestershire. It is mentioned under that
county. The Ghelt^ the Stroud^ the (7am, and

41

the Little Avon^ are well supplied with trout,
and some of them with a fair proportion of
salmon. The angling here, in the early part of
the season, is good ; and in summer after a freshet
in any of those streams, fine sport may be
safely depended upon.

Of late years the use of the minnow has
considerably increased in this part of England,
and does great execution, when the waters are
in a certain state, after a freshet.

The Lower Avon springs from near to
Wootton-Basset, and divides the counties of
Wiltshire and Somersetshire, and passing Bath
and Bristol, falls into the Bristol channel. It
abounds with salmon and trout.

¥?

CHAPTER IV.

LINCOLNSHIKE.

This is a good county for bottom fishing. The
chief rivers are the Humber^ Trent^ Witham^
Wellandj and Ancolm, There are occasionally
fine trout taken out of all these waters, but the
principal sport arises from the pike, roach,
bream, eel, gudgeon, &c.

The singular pits, or '' blow holes " as they
are called, on the coast of Lincolnshire, which
are filled with fresh water, and which rise and
fall with the tides of the ocean, abound with
fine fish ; and to those who are skilled in the
mode of angling in them, a fair portion of sport
may be obtained.

It is mentioned by Pennant, that in his day
immense shoals of sticklebacks appeared every
seven or eight years, in the river Welland,

CZ^D=

43

below Spalding, and attempted to ascend the
river in such a strong and powerful body, that
it was no uncommon thing for men to earn
from four to ten shillings a-day, by catching
them, and selling them at one penny per bushel.
On some occasions they were used for manur-
ing the land, and' various attempts were made
to extract oil from them.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

The Trent is the main river in this county,
which it first touches on the south-west border,
,at the junction of its waters with the Soar,
The course of the Trent in Nottingham is fifty-
three miles. The river Idle is formed by the
united waters of several streams : — The Rains-
worth water rises in Sherwood forest, and after
flowing twelve miles to the town of OUerton,
it joins the waters of the Maun; these united
streams still bear the name of Maun, until they
mingle with the waters of the Meden^ which
rises at Whiteborough, and has a run of full
sixteen miles : at this place the stream takes
the name of Idle^ and flows on to West Dryton,
where it receives the WalUn^ which has a range
of sixteen miles. The Idle flows towards
Bawtry for eighteen miles, and forms a junction
with the Ryton, a stream which runs a

44

distance of twenty-four miles, and has its origin
in Yorkshire. It then passes through the
marshes called the " Car/' and then falls into
the Trent. The whole distance of this river is
forty-seven miles.

The Erewash rises in the county, very near
to the source of the Maun, and falls into the
Trent. The Lene springs from the grounds of
Newstead Abbey, and has a range of twelve
miles, till it joins the Trent. This tributary
passes through Newstead Park, and near to the
town of Nottingham. The Dover Beck rises in
Sherwood Forest, and, after a course of ten
miles, enters the Trent. The Devon flows ten
miles in this county.

Some of the streams in Nottinghamshire
have a few trout in them ; but the mass of the
fishing is of a bottom kind. Large pike, perch,
eels, and bream are met with in all directions.

The following lines, on the celebrity of the
Trent for all kinds of fish, are from the pen of
Michael Drayton, written (1612) nearly two
centuries and a half ago : —

** I throw my crystal arms along the flowery valleys.
Which, lying sleek and smooth as any garden alleys,
Do give me leave to play, whilst they do court my stream,
And crown my winding banks with many an anadem ;
My silver-scaled sculls about my streams do sweep,
!Now in the shallow fords, now in the falling deep :

45

So that of every kind, the new spawn'd numerous fry
Seem in me as the sands that on my shore do lie.
The barbel, than which fish a braver doth not swim,
ICor greater for the ford within my spacious brim,
Nor (newly taken) more the curious taste doth please ;
The grayling, whose great spawn is big as any pease ;
The perch with pricking fins, against the pike prepared.
As nature had thereon bestowed this stronger guard,
His daintiness to keep (each curious palate's proof )
From his vile ravenous foe : next him I name the rufi',
Ilis very near ally, and both for scale and fin,
In taste, and for his bait (indeed) his next of kin.
The pretty slender dare, of many call'd the dace.
Within my liquid glass, when Phoebus looks his face,
Oft swiftly as he swims, his silver belly shows,
But with such nimble flight, that ere ye can disclose
His shape, out of your sight like lightning he is shot ;
The trout by nature mark'd with many a crimson spot.
As though she curious were in him above the rest.
And, of fresh- water fish, did note him for the best ;
The roach, whose common kind to every fiood doth fall ;
The chub (whose neater name which some a chevin call).
Food to the tyrant pike (most being in his power).
Who for their numerous store he most doth them devour ;
The lusty salmon then, from Neptune's wat'ry realm.
When as his season serves, stemming my tideful stream.
Then being in his kind, in me his pleasure takes,
(For whom the fisher then all other game forsakes)
Which, bending of himself to th' fashion of a ring,
Above the forced wears, himself doth nimbly fling,
And often when the net hath dragg'd him safe to land.
Is seen by natural force to 'scape his murderer's hand;
Whose grain doth rise in flakes, with fatness interlarded,
Of many a liquorish lip, that highly is regarded.
And Humber, to whose waste I pay my wat'ry store.
Me of her sturgeons sends, that I thereby the more
Should have my beauties grac'd with something from him
sent;

46

Not Ancum's silver'd eel excelleth that of Trent ;

Tho' the sweet-smelling smelt be more in Thames than me.

The lamprey, and his lesse, in Severn general be ;

The flounder smooth and flat, in other rivers caught,

Perhaps in greater store, yet better are not thought :

The dainty gudgeon, loche, the minnow, and the bleak,

Since they but little are, I little need to speak

Of them, nor doth it fit me much of those to reck,

Which everywhere are found in every little beck ;

Nor of the crayfish here, which creeps amongst my stones,

From all the rest alone, whose shell is all his bones :

For carp, the tench, and bream, my other stores among,

To lakes and standing pools that chiefly do belong.

Here scouring in my fords, feed in my waters clear.

Are muddy fish, in ponds, to that which they are here."

STAFFORDSHIRE.

This is not an angling county. It has many
collections of still water, in which large pike,
bream, roach, perch, and eels, may be caught.
Its principal rivers are the Trent and the Tame.
The former takes rise in the north-west part of
this county, ten miles north of Newcastle-under-
line. At first it takes a circular turn towards
the south-east, bending to the south as far as
within ten miles of Tamworth, where it receives
the Tame^ flowing through that town. After-
wards the Trent flows north-east, towards Bur-
ton-upon-Trent, a little beyond which it is
increased by the waters of the Dove^ which run
in a north-west direction. After this the Trent

47

receives the Derwent^ which falls from the
Derby Mountains; and the whole of these
waters collectively flow towards the north, by
Nottingham and Newark, to the Humber.

The Trent runs a course of two hundred and
fifty miles. It is navigable for one hundred
and seventy miles from the Humber; and, by
means of canals, has a communication with
many of the most important rivers of the king-
dom.

The Trent, in many parts of its course, is a
fair angling stream, and we shall notice it under
the head of several counties.

The Tame rises in grounds near to Lardin,
at which place the river Wasel-water flows into
it. It then passes Drayton, Basset, and Tam-
worth, and receiving the Blackbrook, falls into
the Trent. There are good trout in the upper
parts of the Tame, and in both its tributaries ;
and the fly-fisher will find many spots in which
he will find amusement. In many sections of
these waters, the minnow is very successful.

SURKEY.

The county of Surrey contains some good
streams for trout-fishing. The Wey^ which
rises from two feeders in Hampshire, has a
good many trout in it, both of good size, and

48

ricli in quality. It runs by Farnham, Godalm-
ing, and Guildford, and falls into the Thames
at Weybridge. I have found small flies, with
light-coloured wings, good for this stream. It
has a reputation for fine carp.

The Wandle is a beautiful and remarkably
limpid river. It rises about five miles beyond
Carshalton, which is twelve miles from London,
and flows into the Thames at Wandsworth.
The river is nearly all engrossed with private
preserves, but many of the proprietors will give
a day's fly-fishing, upon making an application.
No other mode of angling is permitted. Car-
shalton is considered the best station on the
river.

Nothing but small flies, and very fine gut,
will answer for this stream. Should there be a
good curl, larger flies and stronger tackle may
be used. In general, however, a fine masterly
method of throwing the line is indispensable in
this very clear and sparkling water. The
largest trout I have ever seen in the Wandle,
was three pounds and three quarters.

The river Cra?/ has a good many fine trout
in it, and of very rich flavour. It takes its
rise near St. Mary's Cray, and enters the
Thames between Woolwich and Dartford.

The Mole contains but few trout, but they

49

are generally of a good size. About three miles
above the village of Bletchworth, they are
more numerous than in the lower extremities of
the stream. There is good pike-fishing in many
parts of the water. A few years ago, there was
one caught in the vicinity of Bletchworth
Castle, which weighed twenty-four pounds.
There are fine carp in the Mole, often weighing
ten and twelve pounds ; and bream, perch, dace,
and eels, in great abundance. At a mill in the
neighbourhood of Broxham, six hundred-weight
of eels were taken out of the stream in one day.
The scenery of the Mole in the grounds
attached to Bletchworth Castle, is very fine.
The philosophical angler will view the ruins of
this once splendid castle, with some degree of in-
terest, when he recollects that it was there that
the celebrated Abraham Tucker wrote his
^^ Light of Nature Pursued;'''' — a metaphysical
work of considerable merit.

SUSSEX.

This county contains the Arun^ the Adur^
the Ouse^ the Gochmare^ the Bother^ the Brehe^
and the Levant.

The Arun springs from near Horsham, runs
by Arundel, and enters the sea a short distance
from this town. Some anglers of this river

50

praise it very much for its trout, which are
certainly of good quality, but not numerous.
The minnow is good here.

The Adur rises nearly from the same locality
as the Arun, and flows into the ocean at Shore-
ham. It is a fair trout stream.

The Ouse and Gockmare rise in the Wealds,
and, uniting at Lewes, fall into the sea at New-
haven. Large trout are occasionally taken out
of these waters, but they are not numerous.
After a freshet, the palmer-flies are killing ones
in these streams.

The Bother and the Brehe join a little below
Winchelsea, and they unitedly form the basin
of Rye-haven.

The Levant runs by Chichester, and has a
few trout in it ; but the general class of fish, in
all the three latter streams, is of a common kind.

ESSEX.

This is not a favourite county with anglers.
Besides the Thames, and the Lea, already
noticed, we have the Boding^ the Bourne Brooh^
the Ingerlurn^ the Crouch, with its afiluent the
Broom-Hill^ the Blackwater^ the Ghelmer^ into
which flows the Sandon Brooh^ and the Ter ;
the Colnej with its affluent the Bom an/ the
Stour^ and the Granta or Gam.

51

The Boding rises in the western parts of the
county, and flows southward to the neighbour-
hood of Chipping-Ongar, where it is augmented
by the Cripsey Brook, about eight miles long,
from the north-west. The Eoding then flows
in a circuitous route for fourteen miles, past
Kelvedon Hatch, Xavestock, Abidge, Loughton,
and Chigwell, to Woodford Bridge; and from
thence, after a course of thirty-seven miles,
through Ilford and Barking to the Thames.
Trout are found in its elevated parts, but they
are few in number.

The Bourne Brooh^ between the villages of
Navestock and Havering -atte- Bower, passes,
with a winding channel, the town of Komford,
receiving, between Dagenham and Hornchurch
Marshes, the small stream called the Horn-
church, and then flows into the Thames. The
length of the Bourne Brook is only about
twelve miles. There is good bottom-fishing in
some parts of it; and pike have been occa-
sionally taken out of it, of nearly twenty
pounds weight.

The Ingerburn rises near the source of the
last stream, and flows southward past Up-
minster, into the Thames. There is some
common fishing in it. Its course is about
twelve miles.

52

The Crouch takes its rise from the hilly
ground south of Billericay, and runs a course
of about twenty-five miles to the ocean, passing
the villages of Eamsden-Cray, Wickford, Eun-
well, and Burnham. Ten miles above its
mouth, it receives the Broom -Hill Stream.
There are good pike, perch, eels, bream, and a
small sprinkling of trout, which are, however,
generally of a good size, and rich flavour.

The Blackwater rises near to Saffron- Walden.
It traverses a south-east course of nearly thirty
miles, and passes Kedwinter, Weathersfield,
Shalford, Panfield, Bocking, Great Bardfield,
Coggeshall, Kelvedon, Great Braxted, and
Little Braxted, to the neighbourhood of Wit-
ham. Here it receives the waters of the Pods-
Brook, a stream which runs an extent of fifteen
miles. After this junction, the Blackwater
forms another with the Chelmer; after which
it flows into the sea, having a course of forty-
six miles.

The Chelmer rises near to the Blackwater,
and flows a south-western course of twenty-four
miles to Chelmsford. Here it is joined by
another stream, which springs out of Thordon
Park, and has a northern course of fourteen
miles. The whole range of the Chelmer is
about thirty-four miles. There are good pike.

53

and other still- water fish; and in some localities
trout are to be met with, both of good size, and
rich flavour.

The Colne springs out of the north-western
part of the county. It runs for seven miles to
Great Yeldham, where it meets with another
stream nearly equal in magnitude to itself. The
Colne flows into the sea at Mersey Island. It
has a course of thirty-five miles.

The Boman rises near to Coggeshall, and
flows for thirteen miles to the tide-way of the
Colne. There are fine trout in the Roman, and
some good pike and perch.

The Stour^ which flows a course of fifty-four
miles, belongs equally to Suffolk.

The Cam rises near Debden, and has already
been noticed.

It cannot be recommended to fly-fishers to
visit the county of Essex. They will only be
disappointed and tantalised. To those who
delight and are skilled in bottom-fishing, some
good sport will be obtained, in nearly all the
waters we have named. Indeed, we know one
London angler, who goes regularly for a month
every season to Essex, and speaks enthusias-
tically of the good success he meets with in
almost every water he visits.

There are several Roman stations in Essex.

DrD

54

Eoman antiquities have been dug up in many
parts of the county, but especially at Colchester,
where urns, pavements, and medals, have been
found in great abundance. Tesselated pave-
ments, and other ancient relics, have been dis-
covered on Mersey Island. Colchester is sup-
posed to have been, in the latter period of the
Roman dominion, a Bishop's See.

KENT.

The county of Kent, in point of landscape
beauty, is a very interesting one. In whatever
direction we cast our eye, the same pleasing
and diversified scenery presents itself; and on
attaining any elevated piece of ground, the
whole expanse is studded with enchanting
objects. On every side we see the village
spires, peeping over some bluff or elevated
ground — neat and elegant country houses —
and monastic or castellated ruins ; while at the
same time we behold rich woodlands, verdant
pasturage, the ' light green of the Hop Grounds,
intersected with translucent waters. The county
is also appropriately situated for enjoying the
salubrious breezes from the ocean.

This county is connected with the most
important and interesting events in British
history. It was probably the place which

55

received the earliest inhabitants. It was as-
suredly here that Julius Caesar first planted
the Eoman standard, and the Saxons effected
a landing, which terminated in the subjugation
of the country ; nor is it less certain that St.
Augustine originally disseminated the Christian
doctrine on Kentish soil.

The Medway has four principal heads ; one
rises in the manor of Gasson, whence it runs to
Edenbridge, and passing Hever Castle, flows to
Chidingstone, thence to Penshurst, where it
divides again into two parts. The main river
receives its second principal head from Gravelly-
hill, Sussex; it enters Kent by Cowden,
Groombridge, and Ashurst, and meets the Med-
way at Penshurst. Thence the river flows on to
Tunbridge, where it separates into five channels.
The third principal head rises in Hackenbury-
Panne, in Waterdown Forest, in the county of
Sussex; and then flowing to Bagham Abbey,
proceeds to Lamberhurst, Finchocks, Good-
hurst, and unites with the main river at Troy-
ford. The fourth source of the Medway rises
near Goldwell, in Great Chart, whence it passes
to Eomeden and Smarden, continuing its course
towards Hedcarne, then to Stylebridge, so on
to Yolding Bridge, and then at a short distance
joins the main river.

56

The Medway abounds with fish, particularly
carp, perch, tench, pike, dace, chub, roach, and
gudgeons. Salmon are scarce, and seldom
weigh more than twelve or fourteen pounds.
They were formerly very numerous in this river,
as appears from the records of many of the
manors of the Priory of Kochester, which were
compelled to furnish a certain quantity of
salmon for the table of the monks. Fine trout
are also taken in many of its tributaries ; and
some as large as twelve pounds, have been
caught with minnow tackle.

There are six smaller streams, abounding
more or less with trout, and other common fish,
in the county ; these are the Bavenshorne^ the
Gray^ the Barents the greater and lesser Stour^
and the Bother,

The Bavensborne rises on Keston- Common,
and flows through Bromley, and the eastern
bounds of Beckenham, towards Lewisham. It
passes Lee and Deptford, and falls into the
Thames. There are a few trout in it, towards
its source ; and in its lower parts it abounds
with jack, perch, and other bottom fish.

The Cray^ anciently called by the Saxons,
Crecca^ signifying a brook or rivulet, rises at
Newell, runs by St. Mary and Paul's Cray,
thence to Foot's Cray, Bexley, and so on to

57

Crayford Marches, where, joining the river
Darent, in Dartford Creek, about a mile below
the town of that name, and the same distance
from the Thames, it flows into the latter river.
The Cray abounds with trout, of the finest
flavour, colour, and size, and far superior to
the same species of fish produced in other
waters in the vicinity.

The Darent rises in the parish of Westerham,
but the trout in it are few in number. There
are good pike, and perch in some parts of it.

The Stour consists of two streams, not far
from each other, called the Greater and Lesser
Stour. The Great Stour springs from two
heads : the first at Well-street, in Lenham,
running with a strong current towards Surren-
der, and thence to Goddington and Buckford
Mill ; the second head runs from Postling to
Westenhanger, and, after receiving several
tributary streams, passes to Mersham Bridge.
The two streams uniting, the waters of the
Stour pass Ashford Bridge, Spring- Grove,
Wye, and Godmersham ; thence to Horton and
Tharrington, and, after receiving the waters of
a brook, divide into two streams, which form
three distinct islands, one above the other, — the
second of which contains a portion of the city
of Canterbury. It then flows on to the Isle of

58

Thanet, where it is joined by the Lesser Stour.
This river rises in the grounds appertaining to
Bourne-place, and being increased by the waters
of Nailbourn, passes Bridge-place, Patricks-
borne, to the archiepiscopal palace at Bekes-
borne. It thence flows on to Lee House, to
Wickham, and, when opposite to Wenderton,
is joined by a stream flowing from Wingham,
where the river proceeds until it joins its
current with that of the Greater Stour, which
it encounters in its course round the Isle of
Thanet.

There are very large and fine trout caught in
the Stour, weighing eight and nine pounds ;
and some have been occasionally taken of
twenty pounds weight.

The Bother rises at Gravel-hill, in Sussex,
and enters Kent in the parish of Sandhurst,
and flows into the sea at Eye Harbour. It
contains very good trout in many parts of its
course, and in the months of May and June, a
good day's sport may be obtained, if the waters
are in fair trim.

<r-,S='tS^^^fe-#:D>.5X--^

CHAPTER V.

England contains a considerable portion of
good fishing-water ; but it is at its extremities,
or, rather, round about its edges, so to speak,
that it is to be found. The heart of the country
is comparatively level ; and the streams which
spring out of, and meander through, a very
rich and highly-cultivated soil, do not generally
possess first-rate angling capabilities. Water
conveyance is a subject of importance, in a
commercial point of view; and wherever a
river, in the heart of England, could be made
available to the purposes of internal navigation^
this has been done. From these causes the trout
and salmon fishing is not nearly so good as it
would otherwise have been, had the streams been
allowed to flow undisturbed in their natural beds
through the whole range of country they traverse.

60

In pointing out the northern rivers and
streams, we shall not include the Tweed, which
properly belongs to a description of Scotland.

The first stream on the southern side of
the Tweed is the Till, This takes its rise
from the north side of the Cheviot mountains,
flows down a fertile vale, and enters the
Tweed near to Norham Castle. The Till
is, in many places, much better adapted for
minnow-fishing than the fly. There abound
in it strong gurgling streams, and deep holes,
overhung with bushes and brambles. Here
large trout are to be met with; which, when
hooked, require considerable tact in their
management, for the banks of the river are by
no means favourable for killing and landing
trout and salmon of any great weight. I do
not know how to account satisfactorily for the
fact ; but fewer salmon mount the Till from the
Tweed, in spawning time, than run up any of
its other numerous tributaries. The only thing
I can divine as a probable reason is, that the
bed of the river does not suit the salmon. It
is, in large sections of it, clayey and spongy ;
and does not afibrd that proportion of fine
gravelly soil which is so necessary for the
fecundity of this noble fish. Certain it is,
however, that not a tithe of the salmon are to

^19

61

be seen here which ascend the tributary streams
and rivulets which flow into the Tweed on its
Scottish side. There can be no doubt but that
unerring instinct rightly guides this monarch of
the streams in all the movements connected
with the propagation of his kind.

The sportsman will find the Till a better
river for fly, above the village of Millfield Hill,
than below it. The streams are longer and
more rippling, and the bed of the river more
conveniently framed for landing and killing
fish. The best flies in the spring, that is, in
the latter end of February, or the beginning of
March, if the weather has been fresh and open,
are the red and black cock-hackle, with grey
or woodcock wing. A tolerably large-sized fly
may be used in this early part of the year.
After sudden freshes during the summer months,
I have seen the trout take so freely, that it did
not appear to be of any consequence what
coloured flies were used: everything was fish
which came to the net.

Before the angler leaves the banks of the
Till, perhaps he may feel some interest in
visiting Ford Castle, once a border fortress of
great importance. It was built in the reign of
Henry III. by Sir William Heron, and has
been rebuilt by the late Earl of Delaval. There

62

are only two towers of the original structure
remaining. This ancient fortress suffered
severely from the Scots in an incursion in the
year 1385. It was taken by James IV. in
1513, just before the battle of Flodden Field,
which was fought in this parish of Ford.

The Till enters the Tweed at Tilmouth ; but
as it approaches the parent river its current
becomes very still, narrow, and languid. This
circumstance has given rise to the following
rhyme, which the country people in the neigh-
bourhood often repeat : —

" Tweed said to Till,

* What gars ye rin sae still ? '
Till said to Tweed,

* Though you rin wi' speed
And I rin slaw ;

Yet where ye drown ae man
I drown twa ! ' "

Twizel Castle, the seat of Sir Francis Blake,
Bart., stands in this locality. Beneath this
structure is the ancient bridge by which the
English crosed the Till before the battle of
Flodden Field. This is alluded to by Sir
Walter Scott in his " Marmion " :—

" they crossed

The Till by Twizel Bridge,

High sight it is, and haughty, while

They dive into the deep defile ;

r3

(Uc-

63

Beneath the cavern'd cliff they fall,
Beneath the castle's airy wall."

There is another small river called the
Bremish^ which takes its rise from the south
side of the Cheviot range ; and which is a good
deal frequented by expert anglers from distant
places. This river abounds with trout; but
there are few salmon. There are long portions
of it of a still and sluggish nature, where large
fish are often found ; but which are difficult to
hook. The waters above the village of Pow-
bourn are the best portions of the stream for
flj. The country is quite open on both sides of
the river ; its bed is fine gravel ; and there are
numerous rippling, short, and gently flowing
streams. Should the angler go to this spot in
summer, after a good fresh, he will soon fill his
basket with fine trout. As the waters of the
Bremish are very limpid in this direction, small
flies must be used in fine weather ; but if there
be any wind at all, it generally tells well upon
the water, and therefore renders deception more
perfect, with even tolerably large flies. I never
found any particular fly a favourite in this
stream ; and I never heard any other angler
who frequented it speak decidedly on this point.
Everything depends upon the state of the
weather, the condition of the waters, and the

Ira

64

strength of the breeze, for the kind and size of
flies to be used. The minnow is of little use in
the streamy districts of this river.

The river Aln is the next fishing-stream, as
we proceed south. It is full of trout ; and a
goodly sprinkling of salmon are caught with
the fly, in that section of the river from the flour-
mill a little below Alnwick Castle to the sea.
The Aln has no great range ; for, at about
twelve miles from its mouth, it is a very small
rivulet. But there are, I believe, more trout
caught in it than, estimating the extent of
public fishing waters, are taken in any other
stream in the north of England. There are
many expert anglers in Alnwick, and the
neighbouring villages which skirt the banks of
the stream. Eed and black-bodied flies, with
good pointed drake or woodcock wings, are
universal favourites in this river.

The Aln trout are generally small. The
largest one I ever caught in it was three pounds
and three-quarters. There have some been
caught above four pounds, but few in number.

The river is strictly preserved, from about a
mile below Alnwick to its source. It runs
through the park of His Grace the Duke of
Northumberland. About two miles above Huln
Abbey it divides into two branches, one taking

-^6i

65

a north-west and the other a south-west direc-
tion. There is, therefore, only the distance
from below Alnwick to the sea that is publicly
open for sportsmen. This portion of the river,
taking all its windings, does not average more
than six miles. The tide flows up to the
village of Lesbury ; and here fine whitlings are
often caught with the fly.

The finest parts for salmon, in the spring of
the year, are those long stretches of deep water
near to the Flint and Lesbury mills. The bed
of the river here is exceedingly favourable for
this fish ; being partly of gravel, with a great
number of large stones interspersed. Here
they lie in perfect safety.

In angling for salmon in the Aln, good-sized
trout-flies are invariably employed. The stream
is but narrow ; and the large flies which would
be requisite in the main body of such a river as
the Tweed would be totally useless here.

The quality of the trout is not first-rate ;
those caught in the tide-way are, however, very
rich, and often as red as the finest salmon.

The angler on the Aln will be gratified by a
visit to the castle, the baronial seat of the
Duke of Northumberland. The building is of
freestone ; and, as well as the repairs and orna-
ments, is in the Gothic style, and in the purest

66

taste. The grounds around the castle, which
are five miles in extent, and through which the
Aln flows, are laid out in the most beautiful
manner. There are two ancient abbeys within
these grounds. The interior of the castle,
which all strangers can readily see, is splendid ;
especially the chapel and its painted window.

Alnwick was one of the strong fortresses in
the border wars. Malcolm II. of Scotland
besieged it in 1093; but was killed by a
soldier from the garrison. A recently-erected
monument marks the spot. Prince Edward,
son and heir to Malcolm, attempting to revenge
his death, was defeated and lost his life. In
1174, William the Lion, Malcolm's successor,
besieged the castle with a large army ; but,
being surprised at a distance from his camp, he
was taken prisoner, and his army in con-
sequence retreated. A monument points out
the spot where his capture took place.

There was at Alnwick an abbey of Premon-
stratensian canons ; the revenue of which, at
the Reformation, was estimated at £190.

Next comes the Coquet^ one of the best
fishing streams in the north of England ; nay,
it may give a challenge to all England to sur-
pass it. There is, at its entrance into the sea,
at a small town called Warkworth, a fine

K5 ^

67

salmon fishery, belonging to tlie Duke of Nor-
thumberland ; and this being carefully fostered,
the whole extent of the Coquet, about forty
miles, is unencumbered by any obstacle to the
free passage of the salmon. The lessee of the
fishery keeps watchers upon the whole line of
the stream, to check the practice of poaching
during the close season ; which practice is,
notwithstanding, still carried on to a gTcat
extent. Whole bands of men will come down
from the hilly districts of the country, with
horses and carts, and during the darkness of
the night kill thousands of fish, both in sections
of the river itself, as well as in the small
bournes and creeks, which flow into it, and
which are sometimes actually choked up with
the number of fish which press into them for
the purpose of depositing their spawn. It
would g-reatly astonish a metropolitan angler,
who has never travelled fifty miles fi:'om his
home, to witness one of those evening maraud-
ing parties of salmon-poachers ; to see the river
illuminated with innumerable torch-lights; to
hear the bold and resolute language which falls
from the lips of those daring violators of the
law; and to perceive the skill and adroitness
they exercise in killing and bearing away their
booty. A scene of this kind is never forgotten.

5^

68

This free passage for the ascent of fish keeps
the stream well supplied in every part of it
both with trout and salmon ; indeed the angler
can go to no section of it but he will find sport.
There are very few parts of the stream pre-
served, and these are of no great extent. An
angler may travel the whole river, from its
source down near to Brinkburn Priory, a dis-
tance of twenty miles, without the slightest
interruption. During the season, that is, from
the month of March till September, there are
almost every day great numbers of expert fly-
fishers on its banks from all parts of England.
The best stations for a few days' angling in the
Coquet, are Harbottle, Kothbury, Weldon
Bridge, Felton, and Warkworth. Comfortable
and reasonable accommodations will be found in
all these places.

Almost all gentlemen, who have angled for a
few seasons in this river, will bear record to the
fact that the fish are the most provokingly
obstinate that can well be imagined. When
they are in the humour, ten or fifteen dozen are
a fair day's sport; and perhaps two or three
salmon additional. But it often happens during
a season that the best and most skilful sports-
man will come home with only two or three
trout as long as his little finger ; and yet there

69

lias been no lack of diligence, nor any means
left untried as to a variation in flies. This
uncertainty has sometimes given the Coquet a
bad name from strangers ; who have, perhaps,
come fifty or a hundred miles, and been thus
scurvily treated. Falling upon one of tliese
unlucky days, they have become disgusted,
and have left the stream in a pet. Every
visitor of the Coquet has witnessed numerous
cases of this kind. I well remember a party of
anglers from London, eight in number, making
their appearance on the Coquet, on their route
to Scotland. They fished the streams in all
directions for seven or eight hours; and all
they brought home were six small trout, not
weighing, in all, three-quarters of a pound!
Nothing could exceed their mortification. They
swore there were no trout in the water, and
that they had been grossly imposed upon by
some friends who had spoken highly of this
river. I endeavoured to convince them that
their judgment was a hasty one, and that if
they would wait for another day, in all pro-
bability they would meet with such success
as would compensate in some degree for their
present disappointment. But they one and
all declared they would not rest a single hour
longer on its banks ; and they carried their

■'-^

70

resolve into immediate effect. I remained to
the next day, and filled my basket (a good-sized
one) in a very short time indeed.

The Coquet is a remarkably limpid stream ;
you can distinctly see its bed at the depth of
ten or twelve feet. When the weather is clear,
it requires rather fine tackle and a skilful
throwing of the line to do any execution. As
a counterbalance to this extreme clearness, the
country is comparatively open; and, conse-
quently, the slightest breeze makes an impres-
sion upon the water favourable to the angler.

Many expert anglers of the Coquet have of
late years abandoned fly-fishing, and have
adopted the minnow. They affirm that they
obtain a greater weight of fish in this way than
by fly ; but there are many conflicting opinions,
on the superiority of the new plan, which it is
difficult to reconcile. I have certainly seen the
finest dish of trout caught by minnow, only this
happened but seldom; whereas the fly is in
perpetual requisition. This makes all the dif-
ference in the two cases.

When there is a good curl, I would advise
the angler always to fish the deep waters of the
Coquet ; he will find much better fish than in
more shallow streams. Some of the long
ranges of still water are very full of fine trout ;

71

because a great majority of tliem never leave
these places, which afford such good shelter
from the large stones which are in its bed.

The trout of the Coquet run generally small.
The largest one I ever saw was five pounds and
a-half, and he was considered a great rarity.
They are of poor quality ; and in many cases
the angler will find that they will scarcely keep
twenty-four hours, particularly if it be hot
weather. Those caught in the tide-way, at
Warkworth, are a great deal finer and more
richly flavoured.

Every variety of fly is used on the Coquet.
You will find great favourites^ and infallible
killing flies ^ of every possible colour and shape.
I know no river where a man need be less
fastidious about his bait than here.

The finest portion of the river for those who
can only fish comfortably in an open country,
is that commencing at the village of Shop ton,
and pursuing the course of the stream to its
head. Near Harbottle the waters are exceed-
ingly fine for fly ,• but in general the trout do
not run any size in those short and shallow
streams.

There are all kinds of scenery on the banks
of the river ; from the lofty and bleak moun-
tains of the Cheviot, to the rich and fertile

72

vales through which it flows, near to the
ocean.

In angling the Coquet, there are many-
localities on its banks interesting to the literary
m^n and antiquary. Near the source of the
river there are several Druidical monuments.
One, near the village of Ilderton, consisting
of ten large, rude, and unequal stones, arranged
so as to inclose an oval area of thirty-eight
yards from east to west, and thirty-three from
north to south. The stones are mostly thrown
down, and partially buried in the earth. There
are Eoman camps and forts at old Kothbury;
at the Crag Head in Eothbury Forest ; and in
the district between Bellingham and Kothbury
many interesting Eoman inscriptions and coins
have been found in late years.

Brinkburn Priory, the seat of Major Hodgson,
is a fine building. It lays claim to considerable
antiquity. It stands on the north side of the
river, and cannot be viewed but with the deepest
interest. When we tread its hallowed grounds,
we fancy how grand must have been the deep-
toned organ's swell, and the loud anthem of one
hundred voices rolling through the roofs, and
reverberated from the lofty rocks on the op-
posite side of the stream. With what touching
devotion must the toll of the vesper-bell have

CV--
^

73

reached the heart, on the still silence of a
winter's eve! We feel as if we heard those
solemn sounds even now ; and imagination
peoples the place with all its former inhabi-
tants : every inch of ground has been trodden
by souls disgusted with the world, and who
here took refuge from its cares and turmoils to
hold converse with immortal forms.

Should the angler descend down the Coquet
as far as Warkworth, he will meet with two
interesting objects on the immediate banks of
the stream ; namely, Warkworth Castle and the
Hermitage. The former was held at different
periods by the descendants of Roger Fitz-
Kichard, and the families of Raby and Percy ;
to the latter of which it still belongs. Every-
thing about the Hermitage is full of interest
and feeling ; and we cannot help, in traversing
its cells, to think of the beautiful lines of
Milton in "II Penseroso " —

** And may at last my weary age
Find out the peaceful hermitage ;
The hairy gown and mossy cell,
Where I may sit and rightly spell
Of every star that heaven doth shew,
And every herb that sips the dew.
Till old experience doth attain
To something like prophetic strain ;
These pleasures, Melancholy, give,
And I with thee will choose to live."

74

The Coquet is quite a classic stream, and has
called forth, for a quarter of a century, many
beautiful songs from its enthusiastic visitors.
We shall here insert at random —

The winter blast 's dead, and the spring breezes blow ;
If the haughs are patched white, 'tis with daisies, not snow ;
The earth, for foul sleet, drinks the warm sunny rain :
Then, my boys, let us off to the Coquet again.

Down the hills leap bright feeders released from their chains ;
The very dry heather feels blood in its veins ;
All nature is stirring ; strong lambs on the lea,
Blithe birds on the bough, shew how backward we be.

The primrose peeps out on the edge of the burn.
With a doubtful pale face lest old Hyems return ;
Whilst the delicate perfume betrays it as clear.
That her purple-frocked playfellow hides herself near.

The bloodhounds of glory, unkennelling now.
Are taking the field, as we fishers do ;
But with fly -rods, not muskets, we march to attack.
And no knapsack for us, but the creel at our back.

The skylark and blackbird our bugles shall blow,
And the roll of our drums be the river's hoarse flow ;
Our flags are unfurling on every tree,
And I think we all guess where our quarters shall be.

The waters curl freely beneath the west gale,
And come down from the moors like the berry-brown ale ;
Unfished are the slacks, and unthrashed are the streams.
And we 11 make our exploits beat our sanguinest dreams.

We '11 tempt them with black, and we '11 tempt them with grey,
Aye, the skeggers shall yield if they come in our way;

K5 e%

75

We '11 raise them in shallow, we '11 raise them in deep,
In the pool's smoothest stretch, and the stream's roughest
sweep.

There is not a rude brae which the current makes wroth,
Not an angry eddy, be-whirling in froth ;
Nor a single old stone with a white beard of foam,
But shall pay for our visit, before we win home.

Our flies will sweep here, and our flies will float there,
As we try all the sleights of hook, feather and hair ;
Quick jerking out small, and slow leading out great,
Nor cease till galled shoulders complain of the weight.

The minnow in summer its monsters can kill,
And the worm loads our pannier when nothing else will ;
But give me the spring-time, the light-dropping hackle.
And the masterly cast with the finest of tackle.

Like a sensitive nerve is the long taper line,

That doth from the tenuous fly-rod decline ;

And the leap of the fish, with electrical start.

Strikes swift thro' the hand, on the high-bounding heart.

When the gods deign to hear our petitions of bliss.
Though we frame each a first, our joint second is this,
In the sweet-flowing waters of Coquet to stand, —
With the creel on the back, and the rod in the hand.

The Coquet-dale Fishing Songs, 1825.

The Eiver WanshecJc is a good stream ; but
it is very seldom that fly-fishers like to angle
in it, on account of its banks being covered so
densely with wood. To fish this river properly,
the sportsman must be an adept at chucking the
fly under bushes and branches of trees; for

'9,

76

there are not certainly more than six or eight
good and open spots from its source to its
mouth, a distance of nearly twenty miles. Its
banks for a great distance rise precipitately to
the height of two hundred feet above the bed
of the river ; composed of bold and rugged
rocks, and covered with the oak and the
mountain-ash. There is some of the finest
river scenery in England along its banks ; and
it was a favourite angling -spot of the cele-
brated poet Akenside, who composed a great
part of his immortal work, " The Pleasures of
Imagination, " in these sublime and retired
privacies; and he often bears witness to the
outpourings of his lofty and poetic muse —

"On solitary Wansbeck's rocky bed."

A short distance above the town of Morpeth
the river is divided into two branches, at Mit-
ford Castle ; some of the remains of which are
still preserved, bearing the date of the eleventh
century. The trout in these separate branches
are different from each other in colour, quality,
and size. The one branch is called the south,
and the other the north river. The south is the
better stream, both for quantity and size of fish ;
but portions of it are preserved, and this
materially curtails the range of fishable ground.

fi-^ ^^

77

At a place called Angerton Meadows the river
assumes a new aspect; runs into deep and
sedgy pools, and is more suitable for the
minnow or the worm than for fly. There is a
small rivulet, called the Hart^ running into this
south river at Hartbum ; and when there has
been a little fresh in the former, a good dish
of trout may be obtained.

There are no preserves of any consequence
on the north river. It has generally a very
rocky bed; runs into deep gullies; and its
banks are covered with almost impenetrable
woods, and elevated, in some cases, two hundred
feet above the stream. Unless a person can
wade, it would be scarcely possible to fish here
to any advantage. A short rod and short line
are also necessary. If, however, the angler has
resolution to ascend the stream, he will find
some of the most wild and romantic scenery
that the north of England can produce. Every-
thing about this spot has a charm and freshness,
calculated to impart the most delightful emo-
tions to a lover of external nature.

The flies requisite for the north river should
be small, and the tackle light. The red and
black palmers are the best.

The most eligible route to take, to angle this
river with comfort and success, is to go from

^S

78

Morpeth direct to Stanton Mill, a distance of
six Diiles, and fish down the stream. The
traveller will here pass through the most
romantic and picturesque sections of this in-
teresting spot.

In the still parts of the stream most excellent
shade-fishing will be found. In the hottest and
clearest days of summer, a dish of fine trout
may be obtained, with the small red worm and
a short rod and line.

The most successful flies for the south river
are the red and black body, with grey, wood-
cock, or turkey wing. They should be two
sizes larger than those used in the north stream.

The best part of the Wansbeck is that situated
below the town of Morpeth; it is, however,
covered with wood nearly throughout its whole
course to the ocean. There are fine large trout
in it, and of the finest quality: a dozen or
eighteen fish make a dish of a very imposing
appearance. The angler should avail himself
of the pieces of still water where there is a
curl upon them ; for here all the fine, large, and
rich fish are to be found.

Minnow-fishing has, of late years, been very
successfully followed in the Wansbeck. Some
beautiful fish are caught every season with this
bait by C. Shaftoe, Esq., an enthusiastic and

P3

79

expert angler, who uses it only with a single
hook.

* There are a few salmon in the Wansbeck ;
but the bed of the river, being almost entirely
composed of freestone, is not adapted for the
propagation of this fish.

The scenery by the river side from Morpeth
to Botlial Castle is the most picturesque in the
north of England. There are two woods skirting
the sides of the stream for three or four miles.
They are composed mostly of oak timber of
natural growth, and are both about the same
breadth, occupying the rugged and rocky banks
to the extent of one hundred and fifty or two
hundred yards. These woods are almost in-
accessible, arising from the steep and precipitous
nature of the ground, which towers above the
bed of the river in some parts fully two hundred
feet. Both banks are one continued body of
freestone, which, almost every winter, crumbles
down in detached fragments into the stream
beneath, leaving abrupt prominences of rock,
whose edges are covered with the elm and moun-
tain-ash; afi'ording a secure habitation for the
raven, the owl, and other birds of prey, which
retire from the intrusion of man. A visit to
these woods on a fine morning in April or May,
when the air is filled with the notes of thousands

1^3 ^

80

of rival songsters, is one of the most delightful
pleasures which a mind imbued with a love of
external nature can feel. The melancholy
cooing of the wild pigeon, the murmurings of
the stream breaking over some rugged part of
its bed, and the shrill shriek of the jay, fall at
once upon the ear, and fill the mind with a sort
of tender and solitary cheerfulness.

Near to the place called Dove-cot Mill, the
view upon the banks of the stream is very inter-
esting. A few hundred yards above this spot
there are some fine rushing streams full of trout ;
and when we turn to the left, we find the scenery
open upon us in commanding beauty. The
river itself becomes a very striking object of
admiration. You no longer see its continuous
course as before, over a broader bed, amid frag-
ments of rock, all too much alike ; but you see
the river partially : here, in most beautiful and
varied falls ; there, in deep pools, edged with
moving white lines ; and beyond, the whole bed
is intersected with the richest foliage of large
trees, meeting, as it were, from bank to bank,
through whose branches here and there a bright
streak indicates the course of the water. When
you take your stand upon a rising piece of
ground, and look at the rushing streams in suc-
cession, the efiect is magical; and we can no

81

longer wonder that in the fahulous spirit of
ancient poetry the heathen mythology admitted
the semi- deified personification of rivers.

The river Blyth is situated ahout six miles
from the Wansheck, on the Morpeth and New-
castle road. It has the richest trout I ever
tasted in my life, hut they are very few in
number. It is considered a fair day's sport to
obtain three or four. They are generally above
the average size, and are more readily taken
with minnow than with fly; indeed, the river,
for want of streams, and from its still and sedgy
nature, is but ill -adapted for this mode of
angling. There are numerous and large pike in
the river ; and this circumstance, together with
the nature of the water, is sufficient to account
for the small number of trout found in this
stream.

The Tyne is a noble river; and in former
times used to be celebrated for the quantity and
quality of its salmon. In some of the incor-
porated trades of Newcastle, it was, in the olden
time, a condition in the indentures of apprentices
that they should not be compelled to eat salmon
more than three or four times a week. This
shows that these fish must have been very
common in those days ; now, however, it is very
rare indeed to meet with a salmon in the Tyne.

82

The Tyne is not a good angling river until
you go about thirty miles from its mouth to
Hexham. A little above this place it separates
into two divisions ; the one called the South,
and the other the North Tyne.

The river Reed, which runs into North Tyne,
is an excellent river for trout. It flows through
a wild and hilly country. Its bed is very rocky ;
and its waters frequently are forced through
chasms of rock, which create deep eddies or
whirlpools, very suitable for minnow fishing.
The best locality for traversing the stream is
to commence about four or five miles above
Otterbourne, where the famous battle was fought,
and descend the stream until it falls into North
Tyne. This will prove a pleasant and successful
range of water; and if the weather is even
tolerable, there is no fear of a fair portion of
sport.

The sportsman will meet with long stripes of
still water in sections of the Eeed ; but there are
but few trout in them. They mostly have a
clayey or spongy bed. All the expert anglers
in the neighbourhood affirm that they have
seldom, if ever, known many fish taken out of
these sluggish running waters, either with bait
or fly. This testimony from experience is, in
all cases, a good guide to travelling sportsmen.

83

All kinds of flies are indifferently used in the
Eeed ; but as far as T have been able to judge,
both from my own experience as well as that of
others, light- coloured ones have, in the majority
of cases, a decided preference. The tackle
should be rather light and fine for this stream ;
particularly for the upper parts of it, where it
becomes very shallow and limpid.

South Tyne : — this river is of no importance
whatever. There are scarcely any fish in it, on
account of lead mines which are wrought along
its banks ; these pour noxious ingredients into
the stream, which destroy everything possessed
of animal existence.

North Tyne is, however, a most splendid
stream ; both for the number of its trout and
the picturesque nature of its scenery. There an
angler of ordinary skill will obtain his ten or
fifteen dozen of trout a-day, with comparative
ease. They are also of very good quality. The
further up the river, the more numerous though
smaller they become. The bed of the water is
rocky and pebbly ; and there are many fine,
strong, gurgling streams fit for the minnow,
where large trout commonly take shelter. The
portions of deep and still water in this stream
are full of fish ; and if there be a good breeze,
the angler will find he will obtain a greater

84

weight of trout here, than in keeping entirely
by the stream. Winged flies are more suitable
for this river than the palmers. The wings
should stand well apart, taper finely at their
extremities, and retain their shape in the water.
Colour is not so much an object as size. They
ought not to be too large.

Before closing these remarks on the rivers
of the North of England, we shall insert an old
provincial song, containing ''Hints to North
Country Aiiglers in Choosmg a Wife.''

Northumberland lads, who use the gads.

And female affiance must share ;
If you wish to wed, betroth to bed,

One culled with caution and care.

Knight of the flee, give ear to me,

The country T ve scann'd around ;
So, from the mass, select a lass.

Where beauties and virtues abound.

The lasses of Tiveed are daft indeed.

Their garlands give such grace ;
The lasses of Till, are sprightly still.

In figure, and fashion, and face.

The lasses of Bremish, look rather squeamish.

Embellished with elegant ease ;
The lasses of Ale, for plumage prevail,

Their pomp and appendages please.

85

The lasses of Aln, obey fashion's call, when

A princess prescribes a new dress ;
The lasses of Eeed, each hair-braids her head,

And apes a-la-mode to excess.

The lasses of Wansheck, like dignified dames deck,

And their address quite debonair;
The lasses of Font, though pronounced paramount.

Can scarce with these comets compare.

The lasses of Pont, to decorate don't

Soar yet in the sphere of extremes ;
The lasses of Erring, on fashions conferring.

The decent most dext'rous deem.

The lasses of Tyne, who peerless shine,

Are mirrors of modesty too ;
The lasses of Coquet, put all in their pocket ;

Go all to the Coquet and woo.

So take my advice, in fishing so nice,

These provident paragons view ;
So splendid and pretty, so worthy and witty.

You '11 never have reason to rue.

c-^'r3Bj>Oo

CHAPTEE VL

%\t libm fff |wIjpI]irL

This is a first-rate English county for angling.
The hilly nature of the country gives rise to
rapid and limpid waters, and these are the true
elements for the salmon and trout. Fine and
bold scenery is also a necessary accompaniment
of this physical elevation; and we accordingly
find that all authors on angling who have
visited this part of England, speak in the most
rapturous terms of the beautiful views to be
witnessed on the banks of nearly all the rivers
in this county. The principal of these are the
Trent, the E7'ewash, the Blyth, the Tame, the
Dove, the Derwent, the Manifold, and the Wye.

The Trent we shall pass over as an angling
river, particularly in this locality, where it pre-
sents many features which are opposed to the
standard maxims of the piscatory art.

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87

The Erewash takes its rise from near Mans-
field, and in its course divides the counties of
Derby and Nottingham. It falls into the Trent
a little below Shardlow-Bridge. The higher parts
of this stream are the best adapted for the fly ;
though the trout are generally considerably
smaller than in those parts of its waters which
are situated a little above its junction with the
Trent. Middle-sized winged flies are the best
suited to this river, and seem to be preferred to
hackles or palmers. In its deep waters fine
large trout are occasionally caught with minnow,
after a summer freshet.

The Blyth takes its origin a few miles east-
ward from the Trent, which it falls into at
King's-Bromley. It is a good stream, even of
itself, and it improves after having received the
waters of the Soar, from Eccleshall, and the
Peak, from Penkridge. The trout are not,
however, of a very rich flavour. I saw one of
three pounds and a half, which cut up very
wliite indeed, though this was in the month
of June.

The Tame comes from near Coleshill, in
Warwickshire, and joins the Trent above
Burton. There are fine trout-streams in the
Tame ; and when the season is not too dry, or
too far advanced, fair sport may be anticipated.

^^:>

The minnow does some execution here, after
a summer freshet, just when the waters are
assuming a fine ale colour. The starling and
woodcock's wing, and red-body, are good flies.

The Dove springs from the Peak of Derby-
shire, and divides this county from Staffordshire.
It has been deservedly celebrated by Walton,
and Cotton, who were frequently in the habit of
roaming along its very picturesque banks. The
latter ingenious and enthusiastic angler has the
following lines on this river : —

" Such streams Rome's yellow Tiber cannot show,
The Iberian Tagus, or Ligurian Po ;
The Meuse, the Danube, and the Rhine,
Are puddle-waters all, compared with thine ;
The Loire's pure streams yet too polluted are,
With thine, much purer, to compare ;
The rapid Garonne, and the winding Seine,

Are both too mean,

Beloved Dove, with thee

To vie priority ;
Nay, Tame and Isis, when conjoined, submit,
And lay their trophies at thy silver feet."

The river Dove, take it as a whole, is one of
the most beautiful and interesting pieces of
water that can be found in any country. The
charms of its landscapes are quite ravishing and
ecstatic. When we pass along the comparatively
naked portion of the stream, we feel delight
from the sweet music of its tumbling streams,

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89

and tlie rushing brilliancy of tlieir course.
Here and there we have long glassy sheets or
pools ; in which everything is reflected with
remarkable distinctness and correctness of out-
line. Now, again, we have a rapid, rushing,
boisterous, and impetuous stream, dashing
against some huge rock, grotesquely scattered
over its bed, and supporting, in diverse places,
the ash, the slender willow, and the birch.
These are seen occasionally ornamented with
festoons of honeysuckles and wild roses, which
ofttimes dip their beauties in the rippling and
transparent waters. Everything has a seductive
and fairy charm about it. The huge blocks of
stone, covered with the moss of ages, the
bubbling and boiling eddies of the waters, the
aquatic plants and flowers every way profusely
strewed on the edges of the stream, aided
by the solemnity and silence of all around,
impart to the mind of the angler some of those
delicious trains of thought, which all, who have
practised his admirable art, and have been able
to give utterance to their inward thoughts, have
uniformly attributed to the heart-stirring and
innate power of his fascinating and contemplative
recreation.

The Dove abounds with grayhngs, both of
excellent quality and large size. Some have

es

90

been taken, four pounds in weight. Hackles
and palmer flies are the best for this river,
especially in summer. In the spring, from
March to the end of April, winged flies are very
suitable.

The town of Ashboum is pleasantly situated
on the left bank of the Dove, and commands a
fine view of the valley through which it flows,
and which presents some of the most luxuriant
meadows in the kingdom. This town was the
scene of some of the contests between Charles I.
and his Parliament.

Dove-Dale has been, from time immemorial,
a subject of admiration and eulogy among all
lovers of fine scenery. The river Dove springs
out of Axe Edge, one of the lofty range of hills
on the north-west border of Derbyshire. From
its source to its entrance into the Trent it forms
the boundary line between this county and
Staffordshire. For some distance from its rise,
the stream presents a winding and circuitous
route over a limestone stratum and that portion
of the county which is properly called Dove- dale,
to a space of little more than two miles, lying
about four miles north-west of Ashbourn.

If we enter the Dale by the north of Thorpe
Cloud, a lofty hill, with an interesting - looking
village at its base, we shall obtain some delight-

91

ful views of the county. There is a singular
character of wild simplicity about it, which
makes a deep impression on the feelings, and
brings up to the surface the contemplative and
reflective powers, those vague and shadowy
abstractions which most men have of vacuity
and chaos. We stand and gaze, almost without
the faculty of either utterance or active thought.
After, however, the first sensation is past, we
begin to scan the landscape, as if it were, by
piece-meal, and to detect and define the indivi-
dual beauties of which the whole is composed.
The eye fixes itself upon patches of furze and
aged thorns, scattered over the edges of the
Dale, and then traces out the glassy stream as
it meanders through the naked and desolate-
looking scene. As we move forward, the
Dale assumes a deeper and more concentrated
aspect, and appears completely hemmed in
near a locahty called Sharplow, which rises
very abruptly from the edge of the waters.
Here the stream becomes extremely imposing.
On the left of the river, groups of naked and
pinnacled-shaped rocks, shivered as it were into
a thousand blocks by the lightings of heaven, lie
scattered about in every direction, and in every
fantastical and conceivable position. Here and
there their naked and cold surfaces are clad with

92

ivy and lichens, the emblems of past ages and
ancient days. Turning round to the right, these
masses of rock take a circular sweep, and
arrange themselves in a hold, lofty, and con-
tinuous pile ; and on their extreme edges and
jutting peaks, various mountain shrubs spread
forth their branches, as if to give a nodding
recognition of welcome to the admiring traveller.
The yew tree and the wild pear conspicuously
attract attention : the former of which reminds
one, by various mental associations, of the decay
of nature, and the end of our own fleeting and
transitory existence.

Leaving this spot, we turn down a foot-path
thickly studded with old thorn-bushes, ash, and
underwood of various kinds ; passing, on the
right, a conspicuous-looking cluster of rocks,
called Tissington Spires, which run a con-
siderable distance up the Dale side, forming
narrow ravines, which give a remarkable sombre
cast to the whole scene. On the opposite side
of the river the eye is arrested by the singular
looking pile called Dove-Dale church, which is
by no means an inappropriate designation, in-
asmuch as the general feature presents the
outlines of such a holy sanctuary. Here local
tradition is fertile on the supernatural appear-
ances which have, from time immemorial, been

93

witnessed in this portion of the Dale. We have
numerous accounts of the return of murdered
spirits, and of other strange sights ; the only
testimonies of the scenes of conflicts and
barbarity which, in former ages, were in all
probabiUty perpetrated in these dark and then
inhospitable wilds. A few hundred yards more
in a forward direction brings us to a place called
Keynard's Cave, which we approach by a
naturally-formed archway of rocks, about twenty
feet wide, and nearly double the height; con-
stituting a regular perforation of the solid mass
of stone. The appearance of this archway is
singular, and in passing through it the mind
feels a train of odd sensations and reflections.
We are ushered into what are termed Keynard's
Hall, and Eeynard's Kitchen, both of which are
terminated by narrow and impassable rents or
fissures. The peep down the river is romantic
and imposing; particularly where its waters
play around the two small verdant isles which
obstruct its bed, and break the rapid current of
its streams.

When we come to " Ham Stone " or " The
Pickering Tor," we obtain another very in-
teresting view of Dove-Dale. This bold rock
rises perpendicularly from the edge of the river ;
and if we cast a glance on the opposite or

^

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94

Derbyshire side, we recognise a remarkable
cluster of rocks, with irregular surfaces, and
somewhat cone-shaped. Here we perceive some
great masses of stone, just hanging as it were
by a thread ; and we are filled with wonder that
the rude blasts of by-gone winters have not,
long ere this, hurled them into the abyss below.
One of these singular masses is called the
" Watch-box," and has a very grotesque appear-
ance. We see the river from this spot winding
its way very tranquilly among the hazel bushes,
briars, and stunted willows which deck its
banks.

Both the Staffordshire and Derbyshire sides
of the river have their separate and distinct
beauties of this singular Vale. The tourist and
the angler will find, however, the latter country
the most convenient, as it is always open to the
public ; whereas that on the Staifordshire side
is only accessible, for rambling or piscatory
purposes, from leave being granted at the " Isaac
Walton," at Ham. But the best method of
seeing all the lovely views of Dove -Dale is. to
shun all the beaten tracts, and plunge at once
into its hidden and unfrequented nooks and
corners, and climb its steep and towering peaks.
An intelligent angler, with his mind susceptible
of impressions from nature's works, will find this

95

the best mode of steeping his spirit in the deep
solitudes of her interesting and wide domains.

There are some spots in this part of Derby-
shire interesting to the angler who has a taste
for the fine arts. Ham Hall is the seat of Jesse
Watts Eussell, Esq., and is built in the Tudor
style of architecture. The landscape around is
beautiful. The gallery of paintings comprehends
some of the works of Eomney, Gainsborough,
Northcote, Stothard, Wilson, Shee, Turner,
Owen, Howard, Landseer, with some foreign
pictures of name and reputation. In the old
village church there is a monumental group in
white marbJe, by Sir Francis Chantrey, worthy
of notice. In the centre of the village is a work
of great art, a gothic stone cross, which bears
an inscription to the memory of a lady. This
displays great taste, and a due appreciation of
the highest principles of art.

The Derwent rises from the hilly parts of
Derbyshire, and runs through many beautiful
vales, with their princely mansions, and the
to\^ns of Baslow, Matlock, Belper, Darley, and
Derby, and then joins the Trent a short distance
from Shardlow-Bridge.

There are a great number of angling stations
on this river ; Baslow, Eowsley-Bridge, and
Matlock are the principal. Beautiful water and

96

good sport will be found at all these places.
The river below Matlock is not so good as that
above it. But I have known anglers with
minnow prefer the lower portions of the stream
to the higher, on account of the large fish found
in the former locaUty.

I would advise all anglers to provide them-
selves with a good stock of flies, when they visit
the rivers of Derbyshire. Considerable variety,
both as to colour and size, is required, from the
clearness of the waters, — the interruption given
to the currents of air by the winding and elevated
nature of the banks of the streams, — and the
fluctuations in the volume of water, from dryness
or moisture. All these matters have a practical
effect upon the sportsman's success. Speaking
with considerable qualification, large flies do not
suit the rivers in this county. They ought to
be mostly small ; and the tackle generally can-
not be too fine. — These remarks have a special
reference to the Derwent.

The whole course of this river is about sixty-
five miles. " In the space of forty miles," says
a writer, '^ which includes the whole course of
this river from the highest and wildest part of
the Peak to the town of Derby, scenery more
richly diversified with beauty can hardly any-
where be found. Generally, its banks are

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97

luxuriantly wooded ; the oak, the elm, the alder,
and the ash flourish abundantly along its course ;
beneath the shade of whose united branches
the Derwent is sometimes secluded from the eye
of the traveller, and becomes a companion for
the ear alone ; then, suddenly emerging into day,
it spreads through a more open valley, or
winding round some huge mountain or rocky
precipice, reflects their dark sides as it glides
beneath. Sometimes this ever-varying and ever-
pleasing stream precipitates its foaming waters
over the rugged projections and rocky fragments
that interrupt its way : again the ruffled waves
subside, and the current steals smoothly and
gently through the vale, clear and almost im-
perceptible in motion."

The Manifold is a good trout-stream. Its
waters are remarkably limpid, and they require
fine tackle and a light hand to deceive their
inhabitants. This river flows into the Dove.

The Wtje flows out of the hills in the neigh-
bourhood of Buxton. It then runs down to
Monsal-dale, the village of Ashford-in-the- Water,
to Bakewell, and through the grounds of Haddon
Hall, the property of the Duke of Eutland. At
a short distance from Haddon the Wye is joined
by the stream called LathJcill, on which a recent
tourist makes the following observations : —

98

" Near Over-Haddon is the source of the Lath-
kill, one of the most hrilliant streams that play
among the dells of Derbyshire. The cradle
of this rivulet is pleasingly romantic : from a
cavern in a mass of broken rock, whose sides
and summits are adorned with branches of trees,
the Lathkill issues into day; and running down
a gentle decHvity, amongst huge stones, by
which it is divided into separate currents,
it is sometimes an object of considerable
beauty."

The environs of Buxton, as most travellers
know, abound with natural curiosities and
delightful scenery. On the Bakewell road we
meet with lofty perpendicular rocks, which form,
as it were, strong bulwarks to the valley of the
Wye, and impart to it those interesting and
romantic feelings with which most visitors and
anglers on the river are inspired. At a short
distance from the town, in a different direction,
we fall in with those curious limestone-quarries
which have for long excited the attention of
strangers. "Pool's Hole" is a cavern of con-
siderable dimensions in the rock, somewhat con-
tracted at its entrance, but more spacious in its
inner courts. Stalactites profusely cover its
roof and sides ; and tow^ards its centre it con-
tracts; but a little beyond, it again becomes

99

wide and spacious. There is a huge column
called "The Queen of Scots" — from a tradition
that she once stopped at this point. The whole
length of the cavern is 560 yards. The dwelling-
houses on the side of the mountain seem to be
excavated out of the debris of the lime-kilns.
"Diamond Hill" is a spot which furnishes
specimens of quartz, of hexagonal shape, and
which are known by the name of " Buxton
diamonds."

If we want to give an opinion as to the skill
of the various anglers in the English counties,
we should, without hesitation, award the palm
for fly-fishing to Derbyshire. In no part of the
country, indeed, have we met with men more
careful in the arrangement of their tackle, or so
successful in the use of it. They seem to be
aware of the fact, that it is not the strength and
clumsiness of the tackle, but the skill in the
use of it, which must achieve the victory. That
the maxim is a correct one, we do not doubt for
a moment ; and our own experience has proved
beyond dispute, that in clear streams you can-
not fish too fine. Often have we killed several
brace of trout and grayling with the smallest
blue and yellow duns; while others, using
coarser materials, have in the same river failed
utterly.

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100

Before concluding, we shall make a remark or
two on general matters connected with the
angling of the Derhyshire streams. These
shall he guided solely hy our own personal
experience and ohservation. As we know that
anglers have often opinions and systems of their
own, which are clothed with infallibility, we shall
not deliver our counsels with anything like a
dogmatical air.

We have always found short lines advanta-
geous in these waters. The cast Hne and gut,
with flies on, should never exceed the length of
the rod. The narrow span of the river requires
this arrangement, in order to throw a light and
steady fly on the surface of those bright and
glassy waters. We have often seen the want of
sport* consequent on a disregard of this precau-
tion. Again, an angler must have a jwactised
eye relative to the haunts of fish in these rivers.
This is of mighty importance ; but it is one of
those habits which nothing save the closest and
most accurate observations will enable the angler
to form. When once possessed, however, it is
invaluable. And lastly, we would just remark,
that a light mode of shewing the line is often
useful, where the gushes and streams of air are
so irregular and opposite. The same mode of
throwing a line suited to the Tweed would be

=9^^
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101

highly ludicrous aud preposterous here. Short
lines greatly facilitate the acquirement of this
branch of fly-fishing.

'^'/^^^O^^i(!^XCX'^:'^--^

CHAPTER VII.

The county of Durham has but two rivers of
any considerable extent and volume, namely, tlie
Wear, and the Tees. There is good angling,
however, in both, but we must make our way to
their higher waters before we reach really good
and pleasant fly-fishing streams.

The Wea7' rises out of a range of high
mountains on the borders of Cumberland,
and for several miles from its first springs,
pursues its path through a singularly wild and
romantic district. To a stranger from the
comparatively level and luxuriant counties of
the south of England, nothing can be more
striking and impressive than a tour on the
banks of this river, for the first twenty miles of

^9

103

its course. The traveller winds round one
mountain after another, and traverses one
desolate tract of moor-land after another, which
produce in the mind a feeling of loneliness,
solemnity, and awe. The river seems like a
delicate silver thread, making its way to the
eastward through masses of abrupt rocks,
variegated with fragments and ruins, which
appear ready to fall on his head, and crush
him to pieces.

From Bishop - Auckland to its source, the
Wear receives the following feeders : L^n Bum,
Red Burn, Wascrop Burn, the Shittlehope, the
Stan}io])e, Horsley Burn, the Westhope, the
Swinhope, the Middlehope, and the Bookhope.
In all these smaller waters, there is good fishing
after summer rains ; and we have known eight
and ten dozen of fine trout caught in them, in a
very few hours. They generally, however, run
small, and their quahty is by no means first-rate.
When the waters are pretty full, and of a deep
ale-colour, the minnow proves very successful.

The Wear itself is the chief place for fly-
fishing. All kinds of colours are here used by
the craft. The wind, and the state of the waters,
must guide the sportsman to fix his choice.

From Bishop -Auckland to Durham, the river
increases considerably in size ; and the trout, if

104

not more numerous than in tlie higher depart-
ments of the stream, are at least considerably
larger, lower down. But below the city of
Durham, it becomes not so pleasant and com-
mandable a river for the angler, as higher up
towards its source. Large fish are, however,
sometimes taken in the lower districts of the
water, particularly by the minnow, which is a
good bait in many sections of the stream, even
down to the tide -way.

YoKKSHiRE, though a very large county, is not
a very eligible district for the angler. The most
part of its waters are injured for the sportsman
by the various manufactures which are placed on
the banks of its several streams and rivers.
This is particularly the case with those which
flow through the West Eiding, and which are
occupied, from their remotest springs, as a
moving power to mills of various kinds.

In the northern division of the county, the
case is somewhat different. There are here
angling districts worthy of a visit. The upper
waters of the Derwent, above Malton, abound
with trout ; and the several feeders which enter
into it, the Dove, the HodgehecJc, the Costin,
the Severn, the Rical, and the Black River, are
streams which will, at the early part of the

105

season, yield some sport. The most of them are
hetter adapted for bait-fishing, than for fly.

The Swale ^ in its higher departments, is a
good water. It arises out of mountainous
grounds east of Kirhy- Stephen; and, in the
course of ten or twelve miles, receives several
smaller tributaries, which materially augment
its bulk, and mal^e it better fitted for fly. Eight
and ten dozen of good-sized fish are not unfre-
quently taken here in a few hours, when the
water is in good order. Catterick Bridge is
an excellent fishing-station for the Swale. The
Whiske is a small stream which rises near to
Osmotherly, and falls into this river. The
Swale joins the U7'e at My ton. These united
waters then continue their course to about six
miles below Boroughbridge, where they assume
the name of the Ouse,

The river Nid rises in Netherdale, passes by
Knaresborough, and falls into the Ouse at Nun-
Monkton. There have been some good fish
taken out of the Nid, but it is not a stream of
any note. The Derwent rises in the eastern
moorlands in the North Biding, and runs
parallel to the sea- coast by Ay ton to the foot of
the Wolds, then taking a westerly direction, and
receiving the Rye at Hemsley, enters the Ouse
at Barmby.

K^

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106

The higher sections of the Rihhle, above
Clitheroe, afford fair sport in the spring and
autumn. From this town to Settle, the fishing
is very good, and the country open and pleasant.

The Don springs from the wild and moorland
district near Penniston, and being joined by the
Hadheck, and Weute, pours its waters into the
Ouse. The Foss rises near Craike- Castle, and
is a fish able stream in the early part of the
season.

The Wharf e has a run of full thirty miles
before it pours its waters into the Ouse, a short
distance above Selby. This river takes its rise
from the high lands near Mardile Moor, and
before it reaches near to Knaresborough Forest,
it is considerably increased by the accession of
several smaller streams, in many of which a
number of small trout are to be caught with
worm. The professed anglers on the Wharfe
give a decided preference to black and dun
coloured flies, during the summer months ; and
lighter ones, in the spring months of March,
April, and May.

Most of the rivers and streams which lie
between Leeds and the borders of Lancashire
and Westmorland, for a breadth of twenty miles,
are of no importance or use to the angler. They
are all poisoned with dyes and filth of every

107

sort. We need not, therefore, notice them
further.

Some of the chief rivers of Lancashire are
rendered unfit for piscatory purposes, on account
of the numerous manufacturing- estabHshments
situated on their waters.

The Lune rises in the mountainous parts of
Westmorland, and enters Lancashire at Kirby-
Lonsdale. It receives the Greta, and the
Wenning, in both of which there is a fair
sprinkhng of small trout, which can be obtained
after summer freshets, either by worm or
minnow.

There is good fishing in the Lune, take
altogether, both for salmon and trout. The flies
that are commonly used by the anglers on its
banks, are chiefly winged ones, and of a lightish
colour, particularly during the summer months,
and after floods. The best districts of the Lune
for the regular fly-fisher, are those which lie
between Kirby - Lonsdale and Hornby, near
which the Wenning enters. The streams are, in
this locality, of twelve or fourteen miles extent,
of the finest kind for agreeable sport, while the
country scenery in every direction is pleasing
and delightful.

The Rihhle, rising in Yorkshire, flows through

108

the heart of Lancashire, and falls into the Irish
Sea at Preston. The tide only flows up in it to
this town. It abounds with fine salmon and
trout; and the rod -fishing is on the whole
respectable. Good stocks of flies, suitable for
the waters, are to be had at Preston ; and a few
miles beyond the confines of the town, we get
to good angling streams.

The Darwen, and the Savock, are two of the
chief tributaries of the Eibble ; and there are a
few trout in both of them.

Spearing for salmon sometimes takes place in
the higher parts of the Kibble, at particular
seasons of the year, when the water is low and
clear, and weather warm. This sport, by torch-
light, is attended with jovial festivities. The
following song was sung on one of these
piscatory gatherings : — I

Here 's a bumper to rod and to spear !

A bumper to challenge a song !
A bumper to those, who, where'er the rill flows.

Are spearing and angling along !
'T is good to be steady and cool ;

' T is better to dare than to doubt ;
* T is best to keep clear of the snobs in the rear,

And be always thrown in than thrown out !

* A Parody, we think, made upon a Song in Blackwood.

J?S

109

Then hurrah for the rod and the spear !

Hurrah for the zest of my song !
Hurrah for all those, who, where'er the rill flows,

Are spearing and angling along !

Here 's a cheer for the charms of the stream !

A cheer for a glorious burst !
And who would n't cheer, when the bold throw the spear,

For the fearless are always the first.
There are some ever in the right place ;

There are some who just fuddle and sot ;
There are many who love every danger to face,
And many, I swear, who do not I

Then hurrah for the rod and the spear !

Hurrah for the zest of my song !
Hurrah for all those, who, where'er the rill flows.
Are spearing and angling along !

There 's a joy when the fish makes his rush,

There 's a joy when the monster first bleeds ;
There 's a joy, though to-day has now glided away.

For to-morrow shall double our deeds ;
Here 's a sigh for the anglers afar,

A welcome to those who are here ;
A health to the whole, who, in spirit and soul,
Are friends to the rod and the spear !
Then hurrah for the rod and the spear !

Hurrah for a jovial song !
Hurrah for all those, who, where'er the rill flows.
Are spearing and angling along !

The rivers of Cheshire aflPord good sport.
The Dee in particular is a favourite, both for
salmon and trout. Its higher waters belong,
however, to Denbigh and Flint shires.

The Wever runs through the chief districts

110

of the county, and has a great number of
tributaries, in most of which there is good
anghng, most part of the season. The chief of
these are — the Peover, the Croke, and the
Walvarn.

-'^^u^^^^P''^^i^.M:>''^

CHAPTEK VIII.

®|f IlibMs M^ f aits ai Cumkrlan^
anlr MfstnwrlanJr.

All the rivers and lakes in these two EngUsh
counties possess fishing capabihties of the first
order, besides presenting to the tourist scenery
of the most agreeable and romantic kind.

The general aspect of Cumberland is irre-
gular and broken. The south-western portions
of it exhibit a gigantic combination of rugged
mountains, thrown together in promiscuous
confusion, but enclosing many beautiful and
fertile valleys. It is from these high grounds
that the principal rivers in the county take
their rise. The chief of these are — the Eden,
the Eamont, the Duddon, the Ehen, the Ber-
went, the Greata, the Cocker, the Ellen, the
Weaver, the Wamjpool, the Caldew, the Peterel,

^.

112

the Es/c, the Liddal, the Line or Leven, the
Ir thing, and the 6^^/^.

The Eden. — This river is one of the most
important in the county. It takes its rise in
the moors of Westmorland, close upon the
borders of Yorkshire. It enters Cumberland
near its junction with the Eamont, and, taking
a north-westerly direction, and passing Kirk-
oswald and Carlisle, flows into the Solway
Frith, near EockcHff March.

The Eden is one of the finest angling rivers
in the north of England, both for trout and
salmon ; and to fish its waters properly, Penrith,
(distant from it about five miles) Kirkoswald,
and Carlisle, are the most convenient and
suitable stations for the tourist. The last-
mentioned town is well supplied with all kinds
of hooks, flies, and lines ; and, among its sport-
ing inhabitants, some of the most skilful
disciples of " Isaac " will here be found, who
are noted for their kindness and urbanity to
strangers, in giving them every information as
to the best localities for sport on the various
rivers in the neighbourhood.

I have seen nearly all kinds of flies used on
the Eden, with comparatively equal success.
As a general rule, however, it will be found
that, as you ascend to the higher portions of

113

its waters, lightest-coloured flies are the most
killing. In hot and clear weather, the flies
should he small, and the gut fine ; for they are
extremely clear and limpid, and demand a light
and skilful hand from the angler.

The Eamont. — This stream takes its rise
from Ullswater Lake, near to Pooley- Bridge,
and proceeds, in a south-easterly direction,
through an interesting wooded vale, to the
Eden, into which it falls near to Carlton. Tf
the angler is at Penrith, he can readily reach
some of the hest spots of the Eamont by
walking a few miles. It is a first-rate trout-
stream, especially after a summer freshet. The
trout are rich, and of good size. When the
water is in suitable trim, minnow is often used
with deadly effect. So likewise is the salmon-
roe, in the back-end of the year.

The Duddon. — The Duddon forms the
boundary between Cumberland and a part of
the county of Lancashire. It takes its origin
from the moors near Westmorland. It abounds
with fine salmon and trout, and is a beautiful
stream for the angler, particularly in the months
of April and May.

The Ehen. — This river springs from the
high hills near Borrowdale, and has a run of
about twenty miles. It forms itself into a lake

114

called Emierdale Water, and then proceeds,
through the pleasant and fertile valleys of
Ennerdale and Kenniside, to Egremont, and
then runs through a very flat district till it
reaches the sea. There are some charming
fishing- waters in this stream, and the trout are
commonly of good size, and of a rich and
delicate flavour. Light-coloured flies are the
most successful. The minnow, after a flood in
summer, is a good hait.

The Derwent. — This river flows from the
mountainous districts of Borrowdale, and run-
ning along the hills called Derwent Fells, forms
a lake, bearing its name; at the north end of
which stands the town of Keswick. From
thence the Derwent flows through the centre of
the country, and, passing by Cockermouth, falls
into the Irish Sea near the small market- town
called Workington. The river has a range of
full thirty miles, and there are many fine
angling localities in its course. The fish take
here often with remarkable greediness. I have
known a large basket completely filled in a very
few hours. At other times, however, they seem
to have long sulky fits, very apt to damp the
ardour of enthusiastic sportsmen.

The Greata. — This stream is formed by the
junction of two small rivers, called by some

115

Glendora and Bure ; the former springing out
of a lofty district called Saddleback, and the
other rising near Dunmailraise. These united
waters pass Keswick, and fall into the Derwent.
There is excellent sport in these streams in the
early part of the fly-fishing season. In hot
and dry seasons, they aiFord but a very scanty
supply of sport. The red and black palmer
flies are great favourites with some experienced
anglers on these waters.

The Cocker. — The Cocker rises in a moun-
tain near the black-lead mines, and after flowing
through the lakes of Buttermere and Crummuck,
continues its progress northward, dividing the
vale of Lorton ; and after leaving the mountains,
and pursuing its course through a more open
^ and fertile district, falls into the river Derwent
at Cockermouth. The Cocker is considered a
fair river for trout, although they do not run
large, neither are they of a very rich flavour.
Some very large trout have occasionally been
met with here, but these have almost always
been obtained by minnow, and after a freshet
in the summer months.

The Ellen, — This is a small stream, and
springs out of Coldbeck Fells. It receives
several tributaries, wdiich are so small, however,
that to fish them well, bait must be used. Thev

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116

are full of small trout, and a good deal of sport
may be obtained from them after a day s rain
in the summer months. The Ellen forms the
western boundary of the Derwent, passes Udale
and Ireby, and flowing, in a western direction,
through an open vale of considerable beauty,
falls into the sea at Maryport. The main stream
has a high character among many expert fly-
fishers.

The Weaver and the Wampool. — Both these
anghng waters take their rise from among
the high moor-grounds near to Brocklebank.
The former, after passing through a low tract
of country, falls into the sandy estuary of the
Wampool, which flows more eastward, and at
length carries its waters to the Solway Frith.
The fishing-ground is not of any great moment
to the tourist; the fish in both these streams
are but small, and by no means very numerous.

The Caldew. — This is a good fishing - stream,
and it takes its rise from the south side of
Skiddaw, one of the loftiest peaks in England.
The river has several feeders, in all of which
good trout may be caught in abundance after
rain, with worm. We have known fine baskets
of trout caught in these small waters at such
seasonable times. The Caldew runs through a
wild and barren tract of land until it comes into

!Hsc^

117

the vicinity of Carlisle, where it mingles its
waters with those of the Eden.

The Peterel. — This stream rises from the high
ground a little to the east of Skiddaw, and has
a northerly run till it reaches the Eden, a short
distance from Carlisle. The Peterel has several
feeders, which ahound with great quantities of
small trout.

Should the angler, in traversing these two
streams, wish to pay a visit to the nohle moun-
tain, Skiddaw, he will he highly gratified. It is
situated ah out three miles from Keswick, and is
nearly four thousand feet above the level of the
ocean. In taking his departure from this town,
the tourist will pass through some bowery lanes,
luxuriantly festooned with mountain ash, hollies,
-and a variety of beautiful shrubs, until he
reaches a broad kind of table-land, from which
a road leads to the foot of what is commonly
called "' Skiddaw's Club," — a large round hill,
covered with turf and heath. A narrow path
then opens, winding along steep and green pre-
cipices. Derwentwater soon appears, with its
beautifully- enamelled banks, sunk deep amid a
chaotic mass of mountains, and surrounded by
vast ranges of moors or fells, not visible from
below. On the other side, we recognise the
cheerful lake of Bassenthwaite, stretching out

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118

to its utmost limits. As we advance in a zig-zag
direction, the lakes dwindle into the dimensions
of ponds ; while the wide range of the amphi-
theatre at our feet, rivets the attention, and
engrosses every thought. Vast ranges of dark
mountains, no longer individually great, hut
imparting the idea of sublimity from their aggre-
gate accumulation, present themselves, and open
out innumerable scenic avenues to the eye,
which excite the wonder, and ravish the senses
of the beholder. When the ascent is accom-
plished, and should the weather be fine, the view
is remarkably grand and varied from the summit,
— presenting, in fact, such a boundless landscape
as never fades from the recollection of the
traveller. It is one of the most wonderful and
magnificent displays of which England can
boast.

The Esk. — This river rises from high grounds
in Scotland, and enters England near to Long-
town, flowing through a rich and most beautiful
vale. Its waters can be conveniently reached by
way of Carlisle, the distance from which is about
six miles. It abounds with salmon of fine
quality. It is a most interesting stream for an
angler.

*' Majestic o'er tlie steeps, with murmuring roar,
See winding Esk his rapid current pour ;

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119

On the bright wave the sportive salmon play,
And bound and glisten in the noon-tide ray.

The Liddal. — This river, like the Esk, is of
Scottish origin, and enters Cumberland at Kirs-
hope Foot, where it receives a small feeder.
After traversing a wild and romantic country,
it falls into the Esk, not far from the English
border. The trout of the Liddal are numerous,
and of fair average size. The minnow is a
good bait for many of its rapid and gushing
streams, especially in the spring of the year,
when the waters are pretty full, and not too
clear.

The Leven. — This stream owes its source to
several fountains or springs among the wild and
gloomy hills of Nichol Forest and Bewcastle.
The two chief branches of it, however, rise near
Christenbury Crags. As they flow a few miles,
they receive several other smaller tributaries,
and at Stapleton Church, it is a pretty good-
sized angling stream. After being augmented
by several small brooks, it winds its course, in a
very serpentine manner, through a very fine and
interesting vale, until it forms a junction with
the Esk, a few miles above the Solway Erith.
There is good fishing in the Leven; and all
kind of flies, if not too large, seem to be readily
taken, when the waters are in suitable trim. Six

120

or seven dozen of trout is a common clay's
sport.

The Irtliing. — Some call this the Irving.
It rises from the wild and bleak hills which
divide Cumberland from Northumberland, and,
proceeding in a southerly direction, forms a
boundary between the two counties for several
miles. After winding round Spade Adam Waste,
from whence it derives an increase to its volume
from several feeders, it proceeds westerly towards
the Eden, into which it pours its waters near
Newby. This is a good stream for the fly, but
chiefly in the early months of the fishing season.
When its waters get low in dry and sultry years,
it is of little use to visit its banks.

The Gelt. — This springs from Croglin Fell,
and after passing through the district called
Geltsdale Forest, and receiving the waters of
the Castle -Carrock Beck, and another feeder
from Talkingtarn, falls into the Irthing near
Edmond Castle. The fishing in the Gelt is
pretty good in the early part of the season.

The surface of the county of Westmorland
consists of lofty mountains, naked hills, and
black barren moors. The climate is, however,
bracing and healthy.

The river Eden traverses a large portion of

121

the northern division of the county. The best
angling stations to reach its higher waters are
Appleby, and Kirby- Stephen. At this latter
town, the small river Below joins the Eden, and,
after summer rains in particular, is a good trout-
stream. The Eden itself will yield abundance
of sport, for the streams, in the upper sections
of the river, are peculiarly adapted for the fly.
There cannot be a more agreeable ramble than to
traverse its banks from Kirby- Stephen to the
neighbourhood of Penrith.

The Lone or Lune, which enters Lancashire a
short distance from Kirby-Lonsdale, is a good
river, better for angling in Westmorland than in
the neighbouring county. This stream rises in
the high and barren districts, near to Grimthwate,
and from there, for more than thirty miles, is
an excellent river for light fly-fishing. It is an
eligible locality at all times of the year; and
nearly all sorts of flies are readily taken. We
have known baskets well-filled from all kinds
and colours of artificial baits. The country by
its banks is, in many spots, particularly pleasing,
and is capable of aff'ording an agreeable exercise
for the pencil of the artist.

The Ken or Cam flows by the town of
Kendal, and springs from the mountains near
Kenmere and Troutbeck. It has several

122

feeders in its higher departments, which are well-
stocked with trout, though not of a large size.

The Winster flows from the lake of Winder-
mere, and is a good fly-fishing stream. We have
seen large trout taken in its streams after a
fresh in summer, by trolling with minnow.

The streams Bratluj, and Riithy, in the neigh-
bourhood of Ambleside, abound with trout ; and
both the fly and worm can be used with success.

The river Burheck runs into the Lune, and is
an excellent stream. It has a range of nearly
fifteen miles before it joins the latter river.

The Lakes of Cumberland, all more or less
capable of afTording a fund of amusement to the
angler, are — Ulls-water, Derwent-water, Bas-
se nthw ait e - water, Over - water, Lowes - water,
Crummock-water, Buttermere, Ennerdale-water ,
Wast-water, and Devock-water. In addition to
these, there are smaller lakes called *' Tarns," in
some of which there are vast quantities of fish.

These lakes have been so often described, both
by anglers and general tourists, that nothing new
can be said about them. As our work is not
an ordinary guide-book, but a manual for the
rambling fly -fisher, we shall content ourselves
with a very brief notice of these still waters in
Cumberland and Westmorland.

123

Ulls-water, which is partly in hoth counties, is
ahout eight miles, and ahounds with fish of
almost every kind. It is a favourite place for
the angler. The views of its several localities
are the most rich and picturesque imaginable.

Derwent-water is a splendid piece of lake
scenery. It is inferior, in point of magnitude,
to Ulls-water, but equal to it in beauty and
delightful views. Derwent-water is said to be
ten miles in circumference ; it is as transparent
as crystal, and shines and reflects like a mirror.
The mountains which spring from its margin
are lofty, partly covered with grass, and partly
with heath, and shrubs and brushwood hang in
graceful negligence and disorder over their
apertures and creeks. On the right-hand side of
the lake, retiring a little from its margin, which
is clothed with herbage, we gain a splendid view
of the little valley of Newland, which skirts
around the foot of the hills, on which sheep
and cattle are feeding. Cottages are likewise
dotted down here and there, which add greatly
to the beauty and interesting character of the
landscape. In passing on to the rocky and
barren promontory of Bank Park, there is a fine
bay, from which a most delightful piece of land-
scape presents itself. The mountains rise here
immediately out of the lake ; some standing, as

124

it were, perpendicularly out of the water, and
others falling back in wild confusion, piled heap
upon heap from the convulsions of nature. No
words can convey any adequate idea of the rich-
ness of the view ; chiefly because the wild variety
of objects presents the same outline of features
— the mountains and rocks constituting one
immense theatre. Where the hills are separated,
little valleys filled with wood, or narrow winding
dells of grass-ground, twist and curve themselves
around their feet, and give the most enchanting
effect to the entire scene. Mountain rises
behind mountain, and rock behind rock, in fine
perspective ; and the whole brings to our minds
the grand and unique pictures of Salvator Eosa.

Bassenthwaite-water, and Over-water, are
pretty, as well as Lows-water, which is situated
near the north-western extremity of the moun-
tains, above Mellbreak. It is about a mile long,
and a quarter of a mile broad. Its southern
shore is bounded by lofty hills, which, in some
parts, descend perpendicularly to the waters-
edge.

Crummo ok- water is situated near the skirts
of the barren Mellbreak. It is four miles long,
and about half a mile in breadth ; and its waters
are deep, clear, and abound with char. Its
western banks are bordered with lofty and

125

romantic mountains, whicli impart to the whole
scene an aspect of great sublimity. The other
smaller waters or lakes, are all, more or less,
interesting fishing-stations.

We may mention here, in addition, that the
two lakes, Coniston- water and Windermere,
which lie between Westmorland and Lancashire,
are fine angling localities. Coniston -water is
seven miles in extent, and three-quarters of a
mile broad. The surrounding scenery is ex-
tremely interesting, and the fishing good. At
the north-western extremity of the lake is the
village of Coniston, behind which rise lofty and
romantic hills, called Coniston Fells.

Windermere is the most extensive lake in
the kingdom, and distinguished by the variety of
beautiful prospects which it displays. Its extent
is about fifteen miles, by about one in breadth.
The greatest depth is two hundred feet, opposite
Ecclefrig Crag. It is famous for its char, and
abounds likewise with trout, perch, pike, and
eels. It is intersected with promontories, and
spotted with islands. Among these, the Holme,
or Great Island, an oblong tract of thirty acres,
crosses the lake in an oblique line, surrounded
by a number of inferior isles, finely formed and
wooded. They constitute a sort of archipelago.
In sailing up the water, from the Great Island,

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126

the extremity appears singularly grand, in parts
singularly picturesque, and the view of the
surrounding scenery, from Cove to Kirkston, is
astonishingly suhlime and beautiful.

WRITTEN IN PENCIL, ON THE DOOR OF AN INN, IN ONE OF THE REMOTE
DISTRICTS OF WESTMORLAND (1846).

The dark grey of gloamin'.

The lone leafy shaw,
The coo of the cushat,

The scent of the haw ;
The brae of the burnie,

All decked out with flowers,
Where two kindred anglers,

Spent many sweet hours.

A flask of good whiskey.

Sandwiches and ale,
A smiling good housewife,

When our fishing doth fail ;
With plenty of joking,

And singing, and fun.
Give zest to the sporting

With rod and the gun.

Ye, lost to all pleasure.

Whom avarice can move,
Ne'er to stir from your lairs.

Nor by streamlet to rove ;
Away with your sorrows.

Away with your store.
Ye know not the pleasures

Of angling an hour.

K

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127

To angle Cumberland and Westmorland well,
and to make the tour of their rivers and lakes
as pleasant and improving as possible, the
sportsman should travel on foot, — just as the
crow flies, — and not be solely guided in his
movements by the principal towns in the vicinity
of fishing waters. In following out this
pedestrian plan, he will come in contact with
the best localities for sport, besides visiting,
under the most favourable circumstances, the
most interesting places in point of scenery. If
not over-fastidious in his habits of living, which
no true angler should be, he will find all his
reasonable and necessary wants richly supplied
at most of the ordinary country villages, and
inns on the way-side. There is a simplicity and
apparent roughness in the ordinary mode of
living in both counties, that may not be readily
relished by an inhabitant of the southern
counties of England ; but a tourist will find the
people remarkably hospitable, kind, and obliging,
and ready at all times and seasons to aid him in
any way that lies in their power.

Indeed, the state of society and the manners
of the people, are themselves full of interest to a
thoughtful mind. We see in those wild and
secluded districts, — formed, as it were, by the
mighty hand of chaos himself, — an uncorrupted.

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128

independent, and single-minded class of men;
occupying their own small estates, handed down
to them from generation to generation; their
mansions forming the central point of their
respective lands, in which they lead an innocent
and undisturbed mode of life, amidst their own
paternal meads and native hills. Their artificial
wants being but few, they live in a frugal and
temperate manner. Kemoved from the glare
and extravagances of fashionable life, their habits
retain their simple and primitive character:
their hospitality is unbounded; and their senti-
ments natural, cordial, and friendly. They will
often say to the travelling angler, ''Go to the
vale on the other side of yon mountain, to the
house of such an '' Estatesman," and tell him
you came from me, — I know him not ; but he
will receive you kindly, for our sheep mingle
upon the mountains^

There is something in traversing the wild
and romantic districts of these two counties,
which, like sweet music, excites a powerful and
mysterious ecstacy over our ordinary sensations,
and which, though very distinctly felt, cannot
be adequately described. When the air is calm
and serene, the faintest breeze hushed into
silence, no sound save the limpid w^aters
gurgling over the rocky bed of the river.

129

and the sun, perchance, just sunk beneath the
golden clouds in the west ; there steals over the
human soul a feeling of peace, and intellectual
tranquillity, such as the mere worldling, struggling
in the bustle and strife of a crowded city, has
never experienced.

CHAPTER IX.

The rivers of Rutlandshire are but few, and
of little importance to the angler. The Gwash or
Wash, runs through the centre of the county,
and falls into the Welland, below Stanford.
The Wash has a run of about tYventy-five miles,
and in many parts of it, there is tolerable fishing,
both with fly and bait. It receives several
tributaries, in which small trout are to be found.
The river Welland divides the county from
Northamptonshire. This stream likewise re-
ceives the waters of several feeders on its
Rutlandshire side, in which some good -sized
trout are occasionally found. The Wadeland,
which has a run of full fifteen miles, is one of
these. It is good for worm-fishing in its

131

higher waters, about the vicinity of Kicllington
and Lee Lodge.

The river Avo?z enters Warwickshire about
twelve miles from its source. This is a large
stream, having a run of nearly one hundred
miles. It is navigable for above forty, to Stafford.
The feeders or tributaries of this river are — the
Swift, the Sow, the Learn, the Bene, the Stour,
and the Arrow, The Avon and its dependent
waters open up a wide range of angHng country ;
and the sport is more or less indulged in by a
number of people of all ranks of life throughout
the county. In the higher localities of the
Avon, — from Milverton to Eieton, or Woolston,
the fly-fishing is good in the early part of the
season ; that is, during April and May. In all
the smaller streams we have just enumerated
there are more or less trout, though not
generally large, though of very fair quality. We
have often seen singular- coloured flies used by
amateurs on the Avon and its dependencies.
Many, in fact, that represent no insect in nature.
Yet we have seen execution done with them,
even when the waters were by no means in first-
rate trim.

The Blytlie has a run of eighteen miles, the
Bourne of twenty -six, and the Auker twenty-
eight. We have seen the minnow taken greedily

132

in these streams, in the summer months. There
are many very interesting localities on the banks
of these rivers ; and a saunter along them, in
fine weather, is indeed a rich treat.

Somersetshire is well watered with angling
streams, and those who follow the sport in this
county are both numerous and skilful in the
craft. The Avon, which we have just noticed,
enters Somersetshire a little below Bradford. It
is navigable to Bath. It receives the waters of
the Frome, and Midford Brook, above this city ;
and a stream called the Chew at Keynshaw.
The Frome has a range of about twenty miles.
The Yow or Yeo springs from about Comp ton-
Martin, one of the slopes of the Men dip Hills.
It is nearly fourteen miles in extent. The Ax
rises in Wookey Hole or Cavern, on the south
side of the same ridge of hills, near to Wells,
and it has a course of twenty miles and upwards.
It is partly navigable.

The Brue comes from the chalk-marl and
green sand-hills on the borders of the county,
and, after a run of above thirty miles, enters
the estuary of the Barret.

This river is nearly fifty miles in extent, and
has several tributaries, which abound with fine
trout. The Isle is one of the best of these ; it
is about sixteen miles long. The river Gary

133

springs from the neighbourhood of Castle-Cary,
and runs through an interesting section of the
county, for nearly thirty miles.

The muses are sometimes invoked among the
anglers in Somersetshire. The following song,
in the provincial dialect, is a specimen of their
skill and talent in this line : —

Hul lup ! hurn ! hum ! I've hooked a vish ;

Lor, Lor ! how e da pool ;
My rod da beynd, an' reyl da whiz,

As thoff I'd hooked a booL

Peck in a stwoan behine theck weed,

Well zed ! Now hurn below ;
Work 'en wull, an' he'll be mine

In 'bout a nour er zo.

I'll try ta tow en, if I^can,

'Pon theck there zandy beych.
He's jis done up — another flounce

El drew en in thy reych.

Hooraw ! Hooraw I Hip, hip, hooraw !

By gar, the job is done ;
He's landed saaf — les lug en off,

An' hev some jolly fun.

A darn gurt whacking salmon 'tis —

Da weigh 'most twenty poun' ;
He's zix-an' -thirty inches long,

An' nigh 'pon twenty roun.

CHAPTER X.

i|f %i\sn$ anJr f alits af Hales.

This is a splendid country for the angler.
Salmon and trout are here in great ahundance ;
and the fly-fisher may roam from one delightful
stream to another, calculating with certainty on
always meeting with success, except the weather
and season should prove very unfriendly indeed.
Besides the pleasures derived from angling itself,
there is a constant succession of romantic
scenery in travelling throughout Wales ; and this
cheers and enlivens the mind, and makes every
movement with the rod and line doubly grateful
to the understanding and feeHngs.

In noticing the angling in Wales, we shall
give an enumeration of its rivers, under the head
of each county in the principality. This enumera-
tion will, it is hoped, be sufficiently copious for
all ordinary purposes of direction or reference.

135

This country has long been justly celebrated
for its anghng sport. Even as far back as
Michael Drayton, we find the rivers of South
Wales eulogized in song. In his topographical
poem, he sings : —

" That Remney, when she saw these gallant nymphs of Gwent
On this appointed match were all so hotly bent,
Where she of ancient time had parted as a mound,
The Monumethian fields and Glamorganian groimd,
Intreats the Taff along, as grey as any glass ;
With whom clear Cunno comes, a lusty Cambrian lass :
Then Elwy, and with her Ewenny holds her way,
And Ogmore, which would yet be there as soon as they,
By Avon called in ; when nimbler Neath anon
(To all the neighbouring nymphs for her rare beauties known ;
Besides her double head, to help her stream that hath
Her handmaids, Melta sweet, clear Hepsey and Tragarth)
From Brecknock forth doth break ; then Dulas, and Cleddaugh,
By Morgany do drive her through her watery saugh ;
With Tawy, taking part t' assist the Cambrian power :
Then Lhu and Logor, given to strengthen them by Gower."

;CAEEMAETHENSHIRE.

The principal rivers in this county are the
Towy, the Tave, the Great Gwendraeth, the
Llouglier^ and the Teivi. This is a more level
county than Glamorganshire, but the scenery is
equally as interesting in the former as in the
latter. Salmon and trout will be found very
plentiful in all the rivers. The higher the
angler ascends those streams, the better he will
find them for fly-fishing.

r.

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136

The Towy rises in Caermartliensliire, from a
large morass in the extremity of the county.
In flowing southward it receives several small
streams, in nearly all of which fine trout will be
found. In summer-time they are most readily
taken with the worm in these small bums. When
the Towy reaches Llandovery, it receives the
waters of the Braen and Gwydderig, in both of
which streams fine trout are to be caught, either
with the fly or minnow. In winding its course
through the mountains, the eye of the tourist
will be gratified with many spots of great
picturesque beauty. Below Llandilovawr, the
river bends to the west, at Grongar Hill, cele-
brated by the poet Dyer. It falls into the bay
of Caermarthen, after running a coarse of full
sixty miles.

The Tave takes its origin from Pembrokeshire,
east of Precelly Mountain. Its course lies
through a part of the country most beautifully
wooded. It has few tributaries until it reaches
the small and picturesque village of St. Clears,
a little below which it receives the waters of
the Gatligenny, and Cowin, which flow from the
mountains in the north of the county. Tlie fish,
in both these streams, are plentiful, and of good
quality. The Tave is navigable at St. Clears,
and flows into Caermarthen bay, a little below the

137

town of Langharne, after running a course of
twenty-eight miles.

The Great Gwendraeth is a stream of about
fifteen miles in extent. It rises in the hilly
country which separates Caermarthenshire from
Glamorganshire. It has the reputation of
affording, in some seasons of the year, tolerably
fair fishing. There are a few salmon.

The Llougher rises in what are called the
Black Mountains, and forms the boundary-line
of the county. It runs with great rapidity from
its source, and receives the waters of many
smaller streams, in all of which trout will be
found. The river has a course of nearly thirty
miles, and falls into Caermarthen Bay.

The angler should, if possible, pay a visit to
the lake called Llijn Van. It is situated at the
base of the highest part of the Black Mountain,
designated the Van or Beacon. The sheet of
water is about a mile in length, and abounds
with an immense quantity of trout and eels.
The scenery about its edges is soHtary, naked,
and dreary, but still highly interesting when
contrasted with the highly-cultivated districts
seen in the distance. The most eligible roads
for ascending the mountain are from Llandovery
and Devynock, near Brecknock.

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138

EADNOESHIEE.

** Oh ! sylvan Wye ! thou wanderer through the woods,
How often has my spirit turned to thee !
Once again I see these hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows now.
Little lines of sportive wood run wild ; these pastoral forms.
Green to the very door ; and wreaths of smoke,
Sent up in silence from among the trees !
With some uncertain notice, as might seem.
Of vagrant dwellers in the houseless woods,
Or of some hermit's cave, where by his fire
The hermits sits alone."

Wordsworth.

The beautiful and romantic scenery, and good
angling to be met with in this part of Wales,
make it a favourite spot to many English sports-
men.

The W^e is the principal river in the county.
It rises from Plynlimmon, and after a run of
eighteen miles, enters Eadnorsliire on the north-
west. It then shapes its course towards the
town of Hay, and forms the boundary between
Kadnorshire and Breconshire. As far as the
village of Eydspence, the Wye forms also the
boundary-line between Eadnorshire and Here-
fordshire. The Elian, which rises in the moun-
tainous grounds on the borders of Cardiganshire,
joins its waters with those of the Wye. The
scenery of the Elian is magnificent.

The most romantic route, connected with

139

angling on the Wye, is in re-crossing the river
from Chepstow to Newport, near the forest of
Dean. The views over the Severn and Glouces-
tershire are magnificent, and the rugged cliffs,
overhanging the banks of the Wye, sublime and
awful. There is everything in rich abundance to
gratify the lover of fine scenery.

The Itlion rises in Montgomeryshire, and, from
its origin, flows directly south. It receives the
principal stock of w^aters from the central part
of the county. It falls into the Wye, seven
miles above the town of Builth, after running a
course of thirty miles.

There are a number of smaller streams in
Eadnorshire, as the Somergil, the Edw, the
Marteg, the Clywedog, the Arroiv, and Bach-wy.
All these waters abound with fine trout and
grayling, and the scenery along their banks is
well worthy the angler's attention.

The lakes of Eadnorshire are — Lly7i Gwyn,
near to Ehaiader ; Llyn Llanidin, about a mile
in circumference; Llyn BychUyn, near Panis-
castle ; Llyn Gwingy, on the borders of Cardi-
ganshire ; and Llyn Hendwell, in the vicinity of
Old Eadnor. Trout, eels, perch, &c., are found
in abundance in all these waters.

140

FLINTSHIRE.

The angling in this county is generally con-
sidered good. The flies the most killing are said
to be the blue dun, the coachman, and the black
and red palmers. Trolling is not much practised
here ; but by those anglers who do follow this
plan, it does great execution.

The most distinguished rivers are — the Clwi/d,
Wheele?^ Dee, Levion, Elwy, and Allen.

The sheet of water, Lli/n Helig, is about five
miles from Holywell.

DENBIGHSHIRE.

Denbighshire has no independent streams.
What tributaries there are, in this part of Wales,
have but a short range, though they are pretty
well stocked with fish. The scenery on many of
their banks is interesting. Small flies, except
immediately after rains, are the most killing.
In 1841 I saw a beautiful dish of trout taken
out of the 8erw with minnow, several of them
weighing from two to four pounds.

The lakes in this county are — Llyn Alwen,
which forms the source of the Alwen ; Llyn Alet,
enclosed on every side with high and barren
mountains; Llyn Moelure, eight miles from
Llanwrst ; Llyn LJymhurn, in the vicinity of

141

Nant Llyn, Chwth Llyn, Llijn Conway, and
Llyn Seme. All these lakes are well-stocked
with trout.

CAEKNAEVONSHIRE.

On account of the peninsular form of this
county, the rivers have a very limited course.
The Conway takes its rise out of a large sheet of
water, and is soon swelled into a considerable
stream, by the accession of several tributaries ;
the Serw, the Clettwr, and the Avon Hwch, on
the right ; and the Machno, and the Ledan, on
the left. There is a fall in the river Machno of
considerable height, which, when the waters are
full, produces a very romantic effect. There are
also several falls and rapids in the Conway, and
the Ledan. After the junction of the latter
stream, the Conway flows in a northerly direction,
and on its left bank receives the Lliigwy, which
rises from the base of a mountain called
Carnedd. In this river there are a great number
of beautiful falls, and the country in the imme-
diate vicinity of them, greatly heightens the
general effect. The river finally falls into the
Irish Channel, under the walls of Conway Castle.
Its course, in a straight line, is about thirty miles.

The Glass Llyn is one of the most romantic
rivers in Wales ; its scenery would of itself

142

amply rejoay a long journey. There is a fall not
far from its source, of nearly three hundred feet,
and below this, there are many most delightful
streams for the fly. The trout are both numerous
and of rich quality. Some English sportsmen
have occasionally killed fish here of five and six
pounds weight. The river passes through Llyn
Gwynan, and Llyn y Dinas, and has a course of
about eighteen miles.

The Gwrfai rises on the west side of the great
Snowdon. The Seionte rises from the same
mountain, and passes through two lakes, into the
Menai, of Caernarvon. Snowdon also gives rise
to the Llynji, which enters the Menai, near to
Bangor. The average length of these streams is
about twelve miles. " The quantity of water,"
says Mr. Pennant, " which flows from the lakes
of Snowdonia is very considerable ; so much
that T doubt not but collectively they would
exceed the waters of the Thames, before it meets
the flux of the ocean."

In all these rivers of Caernarvonshire, small
lightish-coloured flies are the most successful.
There are many expert fishers in this county,
who are, generally, very successful — with large
dark-bodied flies, with Avoodcock wings.

When the angler is in this county, he will
probably be tempted to pay a visit to the cele-

a>Q- org

143

b rated Snowdon, whicli will amply repay him for
his personal labour. We cannot refrain from
inserting here, a few remarks from the pen of
Mr. Pennant, relative to his visit to this cele-
brated mountain. '' The view from this exalted
scene is unbounded. In a former tour I saw
from it the county of Chester, the high hills of
Yorkshire, part of the north of England,
Scotland, and Ireland ; a plain view of the Isle
of Man, — and that of Anglesey lay extended like
a map beneath us, with every rill visible. I took
much pains to see this prospect to advantage;
sat up at a farm on the west till about twelve,
and walked up the whole way. The night was
remarkable fine and starry; towards morn the
stars faded away, and left a short interval of
darkness, which was soon dispersed by the dawn
of day. The body of the sun appeared most
distinct, with the rotundity of the moon, before
it rose high enough to render its beams too
brilliant for our sight. The sea, which bounded
the western part, was gilt by its beams, first in
slender streaks, at length glowed with redness.
The prospect was disclosed to us like the gradual
drawing up of a curtain in an amphitheatre.
We saw more and more, till the heat became so
powerful as to attract the mists from the various
lakes, which in a slight degree obscured the

144

prospect. The shadow of the mountain was
flung many miles, and showed its hicapitated
form ; the Wyddfa making one, Crih y Distill
the other. I counted, this time, between twenty
and thirty lakes, either in this county or
Meirionydd (Merioneth) shire. The day proved
so excessively hot that my journey cost me the
skin of the lower part of my face — before I
reached the resting-place, after the fatigue of
the morning."

!

** How grand the scene from this stupendous height !
How awfully sublime ! The king of day
Flames in the East ; old ocean's waves display
One globe of fire ! one boundless flood of light !
With white unclouded lustre blaze the skies !
While Mona's flats, tinged with a golden hue.
Burst with transcendant beauty on the view ;
And Man, thy blue seen mountains proudly rise.
Nature beneath seems prostrate ; and my sight
Can hardly grasp the vast immensity !
Can then the muse attempt to sing of thee,
Nature's great God ! Father of life and light !
Who bade the sun his annual circle roll.
Who guides, directs, and animates the whole."

There are various lakes in this county, in
which there are numerous and large trout. The
names of the principal of these are — O given
Lake, Lake of Cwm Idwel, the Llanheris Lakes,
the Lakes of Nantle, Nant Gwynan, Llyn

145

Cwellyn, Llyn Bochlwyd, Llyn Tal y Llyn,
and Llyn Crafnant.

MERIONETHSHIRE.

** And since each one is praised for her peculiar things,
So Mervinia is rich in mountains, lakes and springs ;
And holds herself as great in her superfluous waste,
As others by their towns and fruitful tillage graced.
And therefore to recount her rivers from their springs.
Abridging all delays, Mervinia thus begins."

Drayton.

The main fishing-rivers in this county are —
the Bee, the Maw, and the Dovey. The first
has already been described, but we may remark
that its higher waters are well adapted for rod
angling. The scenery on its banks is most
delightful, and many beautiful landscapes and
views for the artist present themselves to the
sportsman. Before the Dee reaches Corwen, it
receives a number of mountain-streams, in all of
which fine trout may be found, particularly with
red worm in the summer months, even when
their waters are shallow, and as clear as amber.

The Maw has a southern course, from its
origin, which lies in the centre of the county ; and
after flowing eight miles, joins the Lynianduon,
which is about an equal length with itself. After
this junction, the united waters mingle with the
Wnion, which is twelve miles long, and then

146

advance to the sea. The Maw is better above
the tide-way, for anghng purposes, than at or
below it. Fine salmon are often hooked, both in
the main stream and its tributaries. There is
excellent and reasonable accommodation for
anglers, along all these rivers.

The Dovey rises from a mountain within the
border of the county. It flows thirty miles in a
south-west direction, through a long and in-
teresting vale, to Cardigan Bay. In its progress
thus far, it receives several good angling streams ;
the Tafalog, the Afo7i, the Dtdas, and the Cwm-
celle. Here there is a delightful field for the rod.

In addition to these rivers, there is the
Disymvy, which rises in the Berwyn mountains,
and has a run of sixteen miles to the sea. This
is a fine little stream.

The Dovey at Tal-y-lyn is crossed by a bridge
of eight arches, and presents a most delightful
prospect to the eye.

The Dovey in the vicinity of Aberystwith is
highly praised for its salmon-fishing. The best
time, in the estimation of many anglers, for
throwing the fly for the salmon, is after the
Michaelmas floods. The heavy fish are said to
take the fly greedily here in the month of
October. That part of the river between St.
John's Pool and Derwent Lassy, is a favourite

Qj0=

147

spot. One pound is charged for fishing one
month, and five pounds for the season. The
Cach-y-bondu and the black and red hackles are
favourites in this section of the Dovey.

The town of Dolgelly is situated on the banks
of the river Avonvawr, which winds its course
through defiles of mountains of rugged and
sublime elevation. Everything here is calculated
to inspire the angler with the most delightful
feelings. The sport in this stream is first-rate ;
ten or twelve dozen of trout are soon caught,
and though not generally large, they afPord a
good share of respectable sport.

Should the angler feel inclined to ascend the
great Cader-Idris, the second mountain in point
of height in Wales, he will enjoy a most
delightful view of an immense range of country.
The eye will glance over a circumference of full
five hundred miles. On the north-east, he will
see Ireland, Snow^don, and the other mountains
of Caernarvonshire, the Isle of Man, the neigh-
bourhood of Chester, Wrexham, and Salop, the
pointed head of the Wrekin, and the undulating
tops of the Clee Hills. To the south we can
recognise Clifton, Pembrokeshire, St. David's,
and Swansea. On the west, the vast prospect
of the British Channel. In addition to these
distant objects, we see, lying as it were at our

148

feet, a countless number of mountains, lakes,
rivers, harbours, towns, villages, and country-
seats, scattered with fascinating effect over the
extensive prospect.

In ascending and descending this famous
mountain, many lakes or tanks will be met with,
full of large trout and other fish. Almost all the
waters in these mountain reservoirs are of the
most clear and sparkling kind, and their rugged
shores are often covered with foliage of the most
luxuriant description.

The falls of Dall-y-Mullin, Moddach, and
Cayne are objects of universal and unrivalled
interest. For many miles around their respec-
tive localities, the mountain-scenery is of the
most delightful and astonishing kind. At the
turn of every rocky promontory, new and sur-
prising views burst upon the eye. A fine
mixture of rugged rocks, rich foliage, scattered
villages, and whitewashed cottages, give the
whole landscape a most enchanting and fairy-
Hke appearance.

The fall of Dall-y-MulUn is full of sublimity,
though the waters have only a descent of about
fifty feet perpendicular. The rocky prominences,
and the foliage of oak trees, — give the view an
exceedingly interesting appearance. The further
we ascend the steep acclivity, the more grand

149

and imposing does the general effect of tliis fall
become.

In passing over tlie slaty mountains of
Tylyn-Gwladys, towards the falls of the Cayne
and Moddach, many very interesting landscapes
present themselves. Indeed, it is in such
rambles that the true nature of Welsh scenery
can be duly appreciated. Whilst traversing
tracts of barren mountains, we suddenly meet
with valleys of rich fertility and verdure, watered
with clear and gushing streams — full of trout
— and foaming over their beds with resistless
fury. Nature seems here in her most fascinating
and capricious moods, throwing into one view
objects the most diversified and opposite to one
another.

The falls of the Cayne and the Moddacli are
separated from each other only by a thick wood.
The Cayne is considered the finest fall of water
in Wales, being full two hundred perpendicular
feet, uninterrupted by any rocky projections
whatever, and free from the thick foliage which
surrounds it. It is impossible to witness this
scene but wdth the most lively feelings of awe
and sublimity. The terrific crags, and the never-
ceasing tumultuous foam, rivet the mind with
undivided attention. ,

After the waters of the Cayne pass over this

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150

lofty fall, they flow along a rocky bed, till they
enter the Moddach. From the fall to this
junction, the waters of the Cayne are singularly
prolific of trout. They will seldom, however,
be found in the rushing part of the stream, but
chiefly in the little eddies and recesses of the
waters. All the still basins and pools are
literally full to the brim — of fish'; and no
angler, who can throw a line with even tolerable
dexterity, need have any just grounds for appre-
hending a want of success.

The fall of Moddach is only about seventy
feet, and is broken into three distinct falls.
The first descent is about twenty feet, the next
thirty, and the third thirty. There are deep
pools or basins at the foot of each fall. The
general effect of the whole is very grand. These
rocky declivities are clothed with luxuriant
fohage, which, when contrasted with the deep
shaded glens, gives to the whole scene a most
picturesque and imposing appearance.

There are several important lakes in Merion-
ethshire, from a visit to which the angler will
receive great pleasure. The chief of these are —
Bala Lake, one of the largest in Wales ; being
about four miles in length, by one in breadth.
It abounds with pike, trout, eels, perch, and
roach. Tal-y-Llyn is a beautiful piece of

Si

151

water ; the scenery about it being very romantic.
There are, in addition to these, Lake Llyii Bod-
lyn, near Barmouth, Llyn Cwm Howel, Llyn
Irddin, Llyn RaitJilyn, Llyn Pair, Llyn
Treweryn, Llyn Ar^ennioy, Llyn Gewirw, and
several other sheets of water of lesser note.

MONTGOMERYSHIRE.

" Ever charming, ever new,
When will the landscape tire the view !
The fountain's fall, the river's flow.
The woody valleys, warm a^d low, ,

The windy summit, wild and high.
Roughly rushing on the sky !
The pleasant seat, the ruined tower.
The naked rock, the shady bower ;
The town and village, dome and farm,
Each give each a double charm.
As pearls upon an Ethiop's arm."

Dyer.

The principal rivers in this county are — the
Severn, the Vrynwy, and the Tanat. There
are, besides, several other good streams for
angling, which, indeed, is very excellent in every
part of the county. The Severn rises from the
eastern side of Plinlimmon, and flows easterly,
and then northerly. It is well stocked with
trout in this locality ; and, after a summer freshet
in June or July, some sport with the fly may be
anticipated. The streams of the Severn in

§t

152

Montgomeryshire are well adapted for rpd-fishing ;
much more so than further down the river.

The Vrynwy rises on the border of the county,
and receives a number of small streams ; as, the
Eunant, the Afon, the Gedig, the Afon Gynnan,
the Glasgw?i, and the Cown. All these feeders
abound with good trout, and the scenery on their
banks is often grand and sublime. After the
Vyrnwy receives these tributaries, it flows a
south-easterly course for twenty miles, and then
receives the waters of the Twrch, which has a
range of more than twenty-two miles. The
Twrch has several small feeders, which, at cer-
tain seasons of the year, afford good sport to the
angler. The Vyrnwy receives the Cain, and, a
little farther down, the Tanat, This river rises
near the border of the county. Tt receives
several waters ; as the Rhaiadr, the Afo?i Harroy,
and the Ymrch, Here there is good fly-fishing.
The rivers are bright, sparkling, and flowing.

You may use almost every possible colour of
flies in this county, particularly during the
months of April and May. I have seen them
varied in every way; but one thing should be
strictly observed, they ought not to be too large.
Large flies will not answer on any account.

The lakes in tliis county are — LIy?i y Buf/ail,
celebrated for its fine and large trout, — some

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153

having been taken in it twelve and fourteen
pounds weight; Llyn-y-Grinwydden, which
contains only eels and carp ; Llyn Cadwiw,
a good trolling water; and Glas-Llyn, which
contains abundance of red and common trout.

CARDIGANSHIEE.

In the rivers and lakes in this county there is
excellent angling. There are many others,
however, which contain considerable quantities
of both salmon and trout. The principal rivers
are — the Tyvy, the Rydal, the Istwith, the
Towey, and the Claerwen. These streams flow
through most interesting valleys, and their
waters are, in many localities, the most beautiful
for fly- angling imaginable.

The Arth, the Ayton, the Wirrai, and the
Leriy are small but good streams. There are
very beautiful and romantic spots upon their
banks, and no lover of the sublimities of nature
can wander by their beds, without experiencing
the most hvely feelings of pleasure.

In the spring and autumn many salmon are
caught in all the waters in this county with the
rod. It abounds with very expert brothers of
the craft.

The Rydal is an excellent angling stream,
particularly in its higher departments. Should

154

the angler ascend the river, he will find the vale
hy its banks the most enchanting and lovely
imaginable. It is enclosed with lofty mountains,
and covered with the most luxuriant foliage to
their very summits. The stream flows through
huge masses of rock, forming sparkling and
foaming patches of running water, and giving to
the whole landscape that fascinating character
which brings to our minds the lines of the Bard
of Avon: *

■ " is not this vale

More free from peril than the envious court ?
Here feel we but the penalty of Adam,
The season's difference, as the icy fang,
And churlish chiding of the winter's wind."

The angling is good in every direction, especially
for minnow in summer, after a little fresh in the
river. Flies of a tolerably large size may here
be used with success.

As the angler proceeds up the stream, he will
come to the interesting pass called " The Devil's
Bridge." This is a structure of two arches over
a deep chasm, in a chain of mountains of con-
siderable elevation, whose sides are generally
covered with a thick impenetrable mist. The
river Mynach, which runs into the Kydal, flows
beneath, and is full of small trout. This is one
of the most romantic spots imaginable. The

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155

steep sides of the rocks, and the violent rushing
of the waters, full one hundred and twenty feet
from the river's hed, impress upon the mind
ideas of grandeur and sublimity never to be
e£Paced. Should the angler have agility and
strength to make his way up the banks of this
tributary, Mynach, he will find a succession of
the most surprising mountain views which ever
met his eye. It is impossible for any language
to convey even the most distant conception of
these landscapes. Mr. Cumberland observes,
that " The Mynach, coming down from beneath
the Devil's Bridge, has no equal for height or
beauty that I know of; for although a streamlet
to the famous Fall of Narni, in Italy, yet it
rivals it in height, and surpasses it in elegance."
"After passing deep below the bridge, as
through a narrow firth, with noises loud and
ruinous, into a confined chasm, the fleet waters
pour headlong and impetuous, and leaping from
rock to rock mth fury, literally lash the moun-
tain's sides ; sometimes almost embowered among
deep groves, and gushing at last into a fan-hke
form, the fall rattling among the loose stones of
the Devil's Hole, where, to all appearance, it
shoots into a gulph, and silently steals away;
for so much is carried off in spray, during the
incessant repercussions it experiences in this

.156

long tortuous shoot, that, in all probabihty, not
half the water arrives at the bottom of its pro-
found and sullen grave."

In this vicinity, every little vale has its pool
of water, and in some their centres have deep,
ravening, dark gulphs, from which torrents issue
which strike the ear with fearfulness. These waters
seem struggling and raging for some wider outlet,
and keep boiling, eddying, and gushing through
narrow gorges, or hurled over abrupt precipices.
Now you see an overhanging rock, beneath
which the stream glides unbroken like an arrow ;
and then, at a short distance, the impetuous
torrent is leaping from crag to crag, dashing its
foam around in every direction. These river-
scenes must be seen, to be duly appreciated.

Perchance the angler may have to witness, in
these mountain-passes, a thunder-storm. This
is a rich banquet of sublimity. The whole
amphitheatre of mountains around him is sud-
denly canopied in darkness. Cloud rolls over
cloud in dense and black array. The scene
becomes grand and impressive : the artillery
of heaven plays along on the brows of the
frowning summits, in reiterated thunders, to
which no pen can ever do justice. Here we feel
how little and mean we are, when contrasted with
nature's agents in fierce collision.

157

Cardiganshire abounds with antiquities. There
are, besides many Druidical remains, a Eoman
station at I^lanio, and a Eoman road, traversing
the country in a north and south direction, from
that place. Kemains of castles are either stand-
ing, or at least it is evident that such fortifica-
tions have existed, at Cardigan, Aberystwith,
Lampeter, Ystradmeyric, Cilcennin, Llanrysted,
Dinerth, Moyddgn, Abereinon, Penwedic, Castell
Gwalter, Castell Cadwyan, H^n Castell,
Castell riemis, &c. There were also religious
houses at Cardigan, Lampeter, Llanrysted,
Llanddewi-Brevi, and Strata-Florida. The abbey
last-mentioned, of which a fine Saxon arch and
some walls now stand, is situated about five
miles from Fregaron. It was the depository of
parts of the records of the principality, and
the burial-place of many Welsh princes and
celebrated bards. Rhys GrufFydd founded the
first abbey in 1164; this building, however, was
destroyed, and a new one erected two miles
distant from the original site. We also find that
Edward I. granted £78 to the Abbey of Strata-
Florida for damages sustained during the " late
war and conflagration."

The salmon-leap on the Tivy called forth the
poetic powers of Michael Drayton, two hundred
and fifty years ago : —

158

** When as the salmon seeks a fresher stream to find,
Which hitherto, from the sea, comes yearly by his kind,
So he in season grows, and stems the watery tract,
Where Tivy falling down, doth make a cataract,
Forced by the rising rocks that there her course oppose.
As though within their bands they meant her to inclose.
Here, when the labouring fish doth at the foot arrive.
He finds that by his strength but vainly he doth strive ;
His tail takes in his teeth ; and, bending like a bow
That 's to the compass drawn, aloft himself doth throw ;
Then springing at his height, as doth a little wand.
That, bended end to end, and flirted from the hand,
Far otf itself doth cast ; so doth the salmon vault :
And if at first he fail, a second somersault
He instantly essays ; and from his nimble wing
Still gerting, never leaves until himself he fling
Above the streamful top of the surrounding heap."

The still-water fishing in this county is good.
The Llyn Teivi is interesting, as well as the
other smaller collections of water in its vicinity.
There are likewise Lahe Maes, Berwyn, Llyn
Hir, a fine spot for bait-fishing, and Llyti Aedd-
wear, full of red trout.

BEECKNOCKSHIRE.

The chief rivers in this county are the Usk,
and the Wye ; the latter has already been men-
tioned. The Usk is a splendid stream, and one
of first-rate capabilities. The scenery on its
banks is of the most enchanting description ;
and the river itself is constituted of fine rippling
streams, deep pools, and a rocky and gravelly

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159

bed. Ten or twelve dozen of good-sized trout may
be taken on a favourable day, and perhaps two
or three salmon ; this may be considered very fair
sport. The river is subjected to sudden freshes,
but the waters soon subside and run clear ; and
then the fishing is more than usually good.

In ordinary seasons, there is very good angling
in the Usk in the month of March. Some use
dun and some light - coloured flies ; they are
both equally good.

The Usk is a noble river, and the fishing, near
the town of the same name, is very good, both
for salmon and trout. The angler may spend a
week here with great pleasure. The beautiful
walk by the river side to the ruins of the Castle,
opens out a fine view of the town. This is
altogether a most delightful spot.

If the angler takes the route to Caerleon, he
will witness many interesting pieces of scenery.
Newport Castle, on the banks of the Usk, is a
fine object. It was once a place of considerable
extent, and military importance. The river has
an imposing effect from the tower. Large trout
have of late years been taken by some anglers
with the minnow, from the waters of the Usk.
The Cach-y-bondu is a great favourite here.

A few miles below this town, the scenery is
very delightful. Diverging into a zig-zag track,

160

through a somewhat dense thicket, where a broad
cattle-track is formed, we come to the base of a
lofty mountain, by the edges of which the stream
flows through a forest of pines. The stillness
around, broken only now and then by the mur-
muring of the water, which runs sparkling and
bubbling along a rugged bed ; the beautiful and
rank vegetation which every way meets the eye ;
the serenity of the atmosphere ; and the tran-
quillizing effect of the whole on the mind ; are
such as to rivet the most gifted poet's fancy to
the bowers and beauties of this enchanting spot.
A great portion of the stream runs under a green
arcade of trees, of the richest-tinted foliage, while
the ivy and the woodbine fill up the vacancies
among the trunks of the trees. The branches
meet over the w^ater, and form a thickly inter-
laced and fretted roof; and the sun-beam is
permitted only here and there to fall upon the
reflecting stream. The current flow^s on through
a charming avenue, cool, dim, and stretching
into the most graceful perspective imaginable.
Nothing can be more bewitching than the glance
up and down this arborescent enclosure, so
happily accompanied by water and shade, and
forming such an agreeable contrast to the clear
. cloudless sky and warm sunbeams without. The
personifications of poets, and the dreams of the

161

most visionary enthusiasts, would be in striking
keeping here. What a beautiful spot for the
nymphs of the woods to revel in ! How beautifully
would their slender and angelic forms harmonise
with the luxuriant foliage of this natural shade,
outvying all that art has, or ever can achieve.

In addition to these two rivers, there is the
Honddit, which rises in Drum-dhu, and falls into
the Usk at Brecknock ; the Yrfon, which rises in
Bryngerw, in the north-west boundary of the
county, and falls into the Wey about a mile
above Builth ; the Elan, the Caerwen, and the
Fawe, The Farrell also, a small river rising
in Byrn-du, joins the Usk a little above Breck-
nock; and the Faf-Fechan (small), and Faf-
Fawr (large), which rise in different parts of
the south declivity of the Brecknock Beacons,
unite into a considerable stream, the Faf, at the
south boundary of the county, near Cyfarthfa
Park. None of these streams are navigable.

The lakes of this county are — Welshpool,
Pwll Binery, and Lhjn Vawr\

PEMBEOKESHIKE.

There are few rivers in this county. The
Eastern Cleddy rises in the Precelli Mountains,
and the Western Cleddy springs from the
vicinity of St. Catherine's. The Nezern is a

K5

(On —

162

good angling stream, and falls into the sea at New-
port. The Gwayn and the Solva are not of any im-
portance to the angler. On the whole, however, this
is a very interesting part of Wales for the aogler.

GLAMORGANSHIRE.

The general course of all the rivers in this Welsh
county is from north to south. The Bomney takes
its rise from the north-east section of Glamorgan-
shire, and separates it from Monmouthshire. It
runs a course of full thirty miles, and receives no
tributaries worthy of notice. There are excellent
trout in it ; and its hanks are very interesting.

The Taffi^ considered the largest river in the
county, and it springs from Brecknockshire,
between two mountains called Capellante and
Vau, and flows a south-eastern direction, past
Merthyr-Tydvil, Llandaff, and Cardiff, into
Pennarth Harbour. The course of the river is
about forty miles. It has several tributaries:
the Little Taff, twelve miles long, the Cynon,
about the same extent, and the Great Routha,
about ten miles in extent. All these feeders
take their rise in the county. The Ely is also a
tributary, and has a course of nearly twenty miles.

The vale of Glamorganshire is considered
the garden of South Wales. The TaflP, rapid in
its movements, and clear and purling in its

(TvC — ' — ~ — 6r^

163

streams, greatly heightens the general effect. The
banks are rocky, and clothed with wood to the
water's edge. Eich, extensive, and diversified
views will be found all along the banks of this
river. As it approaches Merthyr, it furnishes
the moving power to many manufacturing
establishments. On the banks of the Little
Taff, which is well stocked with fish, the most
romantic scenery will be found.

Should the angler take the direction of Pont
Neath- Vechan, he will pass through a moun-
tainous, barren, but romantic country. Hanging
rocks, and gushing cataracts, present themselves
at almost every turn. This is really a spot
where the lover of nature's beauties feels he
could for ever take up his abode. About a mile
from Vechan is the river Neath ^ flowing through
an interesting valley. This is a fine angling
station; and good and reasonable accommoda-
tion will be found in the inns. Woods, rocks,
and water-falls are in rich and varied abundance.

The fall of Scotenogam, on the river Purtlian^
in the immediate vicinity, is well worthy of
particular notice. The waters tumble over a
rock seventy feet high, and when they are full,
the sight is grand and sublime. The Lady's
Cascade, on the Neath, is of a greatly inferior
description. Many fine trout are taken every

164

season in these waters. The best flies in clear
and dry weather, particularly if there should be
an easterly wind, are the palmers and small
hackles, and after summer freshes, light-winged
flies. Trolling, when the waters are in this
latter condition, is a never-failing source of suc-
cess. There is excellent angling in all these rivers.
It is no uncommon thing to obtain ten or twelve
dozen of fine trout in the course of a few hours.

The Ogmore rises in some mountain-groups
in the centre of the county, flows by Bridgend,
and after a run of eighteen or twenty miles, falls
into the sea between Nash Point and Sker
Point. It receives two small feeders in its
route, called the Garw and the Llynvi.

The Daw springs out of the lands near Cow-
bridge, and flows into the sea at Aberthaw.
It it about twelve miles long. There are some
good trout and salmon in it.

The Avon rises out of the Llangeinor mountain,
and has a course of about fifteen miles. It falls
into Swansea Bay. It has two small tributaries,
called the Garrwg^ and the Little Avon, In all
these waters there is good angling, and comfortable
accommodation for sportsmen, along the banks.

The lakes of this county are few in number, and
very small. They are situated chiefly among
the mountains.

OX--

INDEX

iibws anir f alits.

I. RIVERS.

A

PAGF

Adur 49

Afon 14G, 152

Afon Gynnau 152

Aid 22

Allen 140

All! 64

Ancolm 42

Anker 17, 131

Anton 34

Arrow: 26, 131, 139

Arth 153

Arun 49

Avon 15, 17, 20, 30, 34, 40

Avon Heoch 141

Avon (Lower) 40

Avon (Upper) 40

Avonvawr 147

Ax 132

Axe 30

Ayton; 153

B

Bach-wy 139

Below 121

BlackRiver 104

Black Water 50

Blyth 22, 86

Blytli (Northumberland) 81

Bly the (Warwick) 131

Bookhope 103

Bourne 39

Bourne Brook 50

Bow 40

Brathy 122

Brake 49

Bremish 63

Broom Hill 50

Brue 132

Burbeck 122

Bure 18

C

Caldew Ill

Cam 21, 40

Camel 29

Carrwg 164

Cary 132

Charr 26

Chelmer 50

182

PAGE

Cherwell 19, 28

Chew 132

Churne 2, 3

Claerwen 153

Clethwr 141

Clwyd 140

ClyAvedog 139

Cocker Ill

Coin 23, 24

Colue 3, 11, 13, 50

Conway 141

Coquet 66

Costin 104

Cown 152

Cray 48, 56

Creedy 31

Croke 110

Crouch 50

Cuckmare 49

Culan 31

Cwmcelle 146

Cynon 162

D

Darent 3, 56

Dart 30

Darwen 108

Daw 164

Deben 22

Dee 109,140, 145

Dene 131

Derwent 47, 86, 104

Derwent (Cumberland) Ill

Deven 17

Devon 44

Disynwy 146

Dove 46, 86, 104

Dover Beck 44

Dovey 145

Duddon Ill

Dulas 146

PACrE

E

Eamont Ill

Eastern Cleddy 161

Eden Ill

Edw 139

Ehen Ill

Elian Ill

Elun 15, 16, 161

Elwy 140

Ely 162

Endwell 26

Erewash 44, 86

Erne 30

Esk 112

Eunant 152

Evenlode 3, 28

Ex 30

Eype 36

F

Faf 161

FafFechan 161

Fal 29

Farrel 161

Fawe 161

Fawr 161

Foss 106

Fowey 29

Frome 26, 132

Froome 36

G

Gavenny 33

Gedig 152

Gelt 112

Glasgwn 152

Glas Llyn 141

Granta (or Cam) 50

Greata Ill

Great Gwendraeth 135

Greta 107

Gwrfai 142

183

H

PAGE

Hadbeck 106

Harper's Brook 19

Hodgeback 104

Honddu 161

Humber 42

Hyel 14

I

Idle 43

Ingerbum 60

Irthing 112

Ise 19

Isis 3, 28, 40

Isle 132

Istwith 153

Itchin 34

Ithon 139

Ivel 14

K

Kennet 3, 24, 39

Ken or Cam 121

L

liambome 25

Lea 11, 22

Leam 19, 20, 131

Ledan 141

Lene 44

Leri , 153

Levant 49

Levion 140

Liddal 112

Line, or Leven 112

Llougher 135

Llugwy 141

Llynfi 142

LlynGwyn 139

Lodden 3, 24, 25, 26, 27

Loman 31

Looe ,. . . . 29, 39

Lug 26, 33

PAGE

Lune 107, 121

Lyn Burn 103

LynBychllyn 139

Lyn Gwingy 139

Lynianduon 145

Lyn Hendwell 139

Lyn Llanidin 139

M

Machno 141

Manifold 86

Marteg 135

Maun 43

Maw 145

Mease 17

Meden 43

Medway 3, 56

Middlehope 103

Midford Brook 132

Mole 3,48

Monow 26, 27, 33

Mynach 145

N

Nar 18,19

Nene 20,21

Nevern 161

New Eiver 22

Nid 105

Nodder 39

O

Ock 3,25

Ogmone 164

Oney 26

Otter 30

Ouse . . 14, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 49, 105

P

Parret 132

Peover 110

Peterel ill

Plym 30

e?j

184

PAGE

Purthaii 1G3

R

Rainswater 43

Ravensbourne 56

Ray 3

Red Burn 103

Rhaiadar 152

Ribble 106,107

Rical 104

Roding 3, 50

Roman 50

Romney 162

Rother 49, 56

Roy 8

Ruthy .... 122

Rydal 153

Rye 105

S

Salwarp 40

Sandon Brook 50

Savock 108

Seionte 142

Sence 17

Serw 141

Severn 15,40,104,151

Shittlehope 103

Soar 17

Somergil J39

Sow 131

Stanhope 103

Stour 22, 36, 40, 50, 56, 131

Stroud 40

Swale 105

Swift 17,131

Swinhope 103

Syd 30

T

Tafalog 140

Taff 162

Tame 15,16,26,46,86

PAGE

Tamer 29

Tanat 151

Tarridge 30

Tave 135

Taw 30

Tees 102

Teign 30

Teivi 135

Teme 27,40

Ter 50

Tern 15,16

Test 34

Thames 2, 23, 28

Thurn ig

Till 60

Towy 135, 153

Trent 42, 46

Trothy 33

Twrch 152

Tyne 81

Tyvy 153

U

Ure 105

Usk 33, 158

V
Vrj-nwy 15, 16, 1 51

W

Wadeland 130

Walley 39

Wallin 43

Walvarn 110

Wampool '. 111

Wandle 48

Wansbeck 75

Wash 130

Wascrop Burn 103

Waveney 18

Wear 102

Weaver Ill

Welland 17, 19, 20, 42

M

185

PAGE

Wenning 107

Wensum 18

Wente 106

Werrai 153

Western Cleddy 161

Westhope 103

Wevel 15, 16

Wever 109

Wey 36

Wharfe 106

Whiske 105

Wick 23,24

PAGE

Willow Brook 19

Windrush 2, 3, 28

Witham 42

Wnion 145

Wreak 17

Wye 15, 26, 33, 36, 86, 138

Y

Yare 18

Yealme 30

Yow or Yeo 132

Yrfoa 161

=g§

1^

II. L

ENGLAND.

Cumberland.

PAGE

UUs-water, Derwent- water, Ba-
senthwaite-water, Over-water,
liOAves-water, Crummock-wa-
ter, Butteraiere, Ennerdale-
water, Wast-water, and De-
vock- water 122

^6
AKES.

Cardiganshire.

page
Llyn Teivi, Lake Maes, BerwjTi,
Llyn Hir, and Llyn Aeddwear, 158

Denbighshire.
Llyn Alwen, Llyn Alet, Llyn Moel-
ure, Llyn Llymburn, Chwth
Llyn, Llyn Conway, and Llyn
Serne 141

WALES.
Brecknockshire.
Welshpool, Pwll Binerv', and Llyn
Vawr ini

Merionethshire.
Llyn Bodlyn, Llyn Cwm Howell,
Llyn Irddin, Llyn Eaithlyn,
Llyn Pair, Llyn Treweryn,
Llyn Arenniog, Llyn Gewirw,
Bala Lake, and Tal y Llyn,. . 151

Montgomeryshire.
Llyn y Bugail, Llyn y Grinwydd-
en, Llyn Cadwiw, Glas Llyn, 153

Radnorshire.
Llyn GwyTi, Llyn Llanidin, Llyn
Bychllyn, Llyn Gwingy, Llyn
Hendwell 139

Caermarthenshire.
LlynYan 137

Caernarvonshire.
Crom Idwell, the Llanberis Lakes,
the Lakes of Nantle, Nant
Gwynan, Llyn Cwellyn, Llyn
Bochlwyd, Llyn Tal y Llyn,
and Llyn Crafnant 144, 145

^

K^

]f^

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