THE WENSLEYDALE YORE. 121 



1 2 14, by Ralph Fitz-Robert. With respect to the fishing 

 in the Cover, whenever I have been fortunate enough to 

 find it with a good water, the sport has been good, the 

 trout taking the fly or spinner freely. My brother- 

 in-law, the Rev. R. F, Dent, has reported to me some 

 excellent takes. Dr. Cockcroft, of Middleham, fishes the 

 Cover more than any other man, and takes good baskets ; 

 reports of his takes often appear in the Field. A trout 

 has been killed this season (1879) i" ^^e Cover, weighing 

 two and a quarter pounds. 



Along the main stream we wend our w^ay up to 

 Middleham Bridge, passing many fine pools for pike, 

 perch, chub, barbel, &c., for these deep sluggish waters 

 contain principally coarse fish. From Middleham to 

 Wensley Bridge the fishing is good, the distance being 

 about two miles. The best fish I have ever taken here 

 would weigh a pound. We have here a fine view of 

 Middleham Castle, or rather what remains of it, for it is 

 falling fast to ruins. It stands on the high ground on 

 the south bank, and was once the residence of Richard 

 the Third. On the north bank we have the market town 

 of Leyburn. The great attraction here is the Shawl, a 

 splendid natural terrace, beginning half a mile west of 

 the town. On reaching Wensley Point the landscape 

 unfolds itself. You are stationed on a rock with the valley 

 of the Yore extending far away below ; east and west 

 the broad river winding through meadows and between 

 pretty villages. When fairly on the Shawl, the view is 

 magnificent. 



At Wensley Bridge, we have, on the north bank, the 



