50 THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION 



stretch of water within a short distance of the club-room, 

 well stocked with carp, bream, perch, roach, and a few 

 tench and eels. Pike are also fairly represented. The 

 canal from the basin to the lower lock is over three miles, 

 and since the weed clearance by the Society in 1882 is in 

 fine angling condition. 



The Costa Anglers' Club. 



The River Costa at Keld Head runs in considerable 

 volume at the foot of the oolitic limestone moorlands, 

 lying north of Pickering, in the North Riding of the 

 County of York. In many respects it is a remarkable 

 stream. It is of high uniform temperature, rarely below 

 37 degrees, consequently it never freezes, and in cold 

 winters the condensation of vapour is a striking phe- 

 nomenon, rising, as it frequently does, high into the air, 

 and may be seen for many miles. 



This high temperature naturally promotes the rapid 

 growth of weed, and is one of the annoyances which the 

 managing committee have to contend with in being com- 

 pelled to cut and keep it under so very frequently in the 

 height of the fishing season. On the other hand, this weed 

 forms a capital shelter for fish, and produces a vast amount 

 of insect food, on which young fish rapidly increase in size 

 and condition. 



The club is only a youthful institution ; nevertheless, 

 the managers have already a breeding establishment in 

 operation, and are able to turn out annually from 15,000 to 

 20,000 fry, consequently the stream is becoming fairly 

 stocked with both trout and grayling. Those killed last 

 season, and so far as this one has progressed, have been 

 of an average weight of i^ to 2 lbs., and a few 3 lbs. 



Each member is limited to ten brace a day, not less than 



