An Angler's Paradise. 43 



been in the past to drain away the waters and lower the levels of 

 lakes in many localities. 



In a great many instances where similar arrangements have 

 been carried out, considerable damage to the fisheries has resulted. 

 The doubtful quality of the land reclaimed, in many cases, has not 

 at all compensated for the cost of the work, plus the amount of 

 depreciation which has accrued to the fishing. The levels of 

 some of these lakes are now being raised again, and some of the land 

 adjoining them submerged, and where this work is properly carried 

 out it results in considerable benefit to the fishing of such pieces 

 of water. The Loch Leven of the present day is too well known 

 to need much description suffice it to say, that owing to the 

 praiseworthy efforts of those who have it in charge, a large and 

 valuable stock of fish is maintained by means of artificial culti- 

 vation. The pike, which used to be plentiful in the loch, are also well 

 attended to, no pains being spared to reduce the numbers of 

 these voracious fish. 



As far as regards our fresh waters, at least, there is no doubt 

 that when properly cultivated they are valuable, and there is great 

 room for making improvements in this direction. There are, 

 indeed, so many instances in which the benefits of aquaculture 

 are plainly seen, that the fact needs but little demonstration. 

 Where a little has been already done much more can be done ; 

 the great desideratum is the knowledge as to how to do it, and 

 this highly important part of the subject I shall endeavour to deal 

 with pretty fully in the second part of this book. 



There is another "Angler's Paradise" which is, I trust, on 

 the verge of great improvement, and that is the English Lake 

 District. Knowing it as I do, and having spent a goodly portion 

 of my life there, I have perhaps a right to speak with some 

 authority on a subject in which I have taken the deepest interest. 

 The natural advantages and resources which this district possesses 

 are difficult to estimate. The only question that can be asked is : 

 how are they to be developed to the best advantage ? This is the 

 great question which has to be faced in attempting to deal with 

 these resources. Where so many fisheries occur in such close 

 juxtaposition with each other, as they often do in this district, it 

 requires a clear course and a good deal of forethought, based 



